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Cisse has been given a clip round the ear from manager Steve Bruce. The player has been fined 2 weeks wages and been placed on the transfer list. Bruce has told the press that he won't tolerate players taking the piss, which, to me, seems fair enough.

Cisse suffered a terrible tragedy which is near impossible to comprehend. He played a full game with the knowledge that he had lost most of his family. The fans supported him and on his return we showed our respect to both the player and those he had lost.

Shortly thereafter he suffered an injury. We were told that the treatment wasn't working so he went to France and hadn't been seen since. Some of the players, including Cisse, were expected at training a few days before the main squad. He failed to show. His excuse? He had lost not one but 2 mobile phones. Not to worry, he would be back with the rest of the team. When he failed to turn up on time, Bruce, not one to be crossed it appears, took matters into his own hands.

Bruce said "Aliou has been placed on the transfer list and fined two weeks' wages for behaviour, in my view, that is unacceptable," Bruce said.

"I am bitterly disappointed with Aliou's attitude. Until he proves he wants to play for us, that he wants to be part of the squad again, I don't want him around the place.

"I gave him the benefit of the doubt when he didn't come back last week and said he had lost his mobile phones and all the rest of it.

"But to then to report one hour and 20 minutes late and turn round and say he is injured just isn't on.

"When he spoke to my assistant Mark Bowen on Monday to explain why he didn't turn up on July 1, he didn't mention any injury."

At the start of last season, Cisse and Savage bossed our midfield. Cisse snuffed out many a threatening movement and with hard work and hard tackles he won many a Blue heart. However, at that time, we were new to the league and teams didn't know what to expect. In addition, we didn't have a settled back four and so we needed a couple of midfielders who would track back and support the defensive line. With Cunningham and Upson forming the base of the team we looked much more secure. This seemed to give the midfield more confidence and let them get on with their job. In turn, we got to see more of Savage's skills with the ball. Something he's rarely credited with.

One of the things that irks me about the majority of Bluenoses is that they only seem to appreciate graft. Any player who doesn't give it 110% and charge about the pitch like a bull on speed is dismissed as "lazy". The only exception appears to be Dugarry (who I once slated for appearing to be disinterested during a game!) Even Savage is admired for his energy, not his guile and skill. It must be frustrating for a player who can play football to be dismissed as a clogger.

Cisse has two options; to leave or to knuckle down and fight for a place. Personally, I don't think he'll pull on the Royal Blue shirt again. Which is a shame, but no club is bigger than any player. Dunn, take note.

posted by kwacky at 2:02 pm