goldfish80:


Your analysis is very apt and totally spot on. It's unbelievable, at this age people are still sentimental and defensive of their favourite players.

Fact is that Ndidi and Mikel were piss poor in ball circulation. I lost count how many times Ndidi passed the ball straight to an opponent.
I think Rohrs plan was to contain the Croats and hope for something to drop, while the Baltics played it safe and didn't try to force anything, knowing that Nigeria will self implode at some point, especially from dead balls and corner kicks.

The problem with our tactics is that Rohr had no contingency plan if his team went a goal down. Because it's a different ball game matching the Croats, which he set up to team to do than trying to force the opening when you are a goal behind.

Again, back to Mikel, do you know it took until the 2nd half before we had a shot at goal? A tame shot for that matter.The fanatics here made us believe the absence of Mikel against Poland and Serbia was the reason why we hardly had a shot at goal in those games.Being the most advanced midfielder, what was his job, if not to create chances?

Martz101:


believe what you want, moses was the only threat going forward and he help neutralise the Croatia in the right, i notice most people here don't like the young man

goldfish80:


Your analysis is very apt and totally spot on. It's unbelievable, at this age people are still sentimental and defensive of their favourite players.

Fact is that Ndidi and Mikel were piss poor in ball circulation. I lost count how many times Ndidi passed the ball straight to an opponent.
I think Rohrs plan was to contain the Croats and hope for something to drop, while the Baltics played it safe and didn't try to force anything, knowing that Nigeria will self implode at some point, especially from dead balls and corner kicks.

The problem with our tactics is that Rohr had no contingency plan if his team went a goal down. Because it's a different ball game matching the Croats, which he set up to team to do than trying to force the opening when you are a goal behind.

Again, back to Mikel, do you know it took until the 2nd half before we had a shot at goal? A tame shot for that matter.The fanatics here made us believe the absence of Mikel against Poland and Serbia was the reason why we hardly had a shot at goal in those games.Being the most advanced midfielder, what was his job, if not to create chances?

TheGoodJoe:


It would have because Nacho's movement and pressing would have given us more chances to cause the Croatians havoc. Ighalo lacked mobility and found pressing difficult. This made it easy for the Croats to repeatedly build-up plays from the back and exploit gaps in our play.

TheGoodJoe:


What about the time Mikel battled a Croatian at the corner won the ball and gave a cross. The young man worked hard. I wonder why the criticism is on someone who gave his all for the team. Mikel was not the problem but movement upfront.

Goke7:


the present players are not as bad as we think either, they are equally talented, yes they lack belief but it's down to the coach, is it not the same players like omeruo, onazi, mike, even moses that played under keshi, one thing players coached by keshi normally says is that he made them believed in themselves, even balogun who came into the eagles by keshi still said so on keshi's day of remeberance in an interview

Mujtahida:

Ohhhhhh abeg stop cranking this same point. I explained to you why I said Iwobi should play as a sub. It was a concession to those who always said Iwobi must play on the wings cos Mikel is the best AM. I opined that Iwobi is useless on the wings(and all Nigeria including his experienced uncle except you say same) but since you guys said no, he must play on the wings and as a starter, I said no - wing play is not good for him at all, OK pata pata we use him as a sub for Mikel. Wetin una talk? Una say what if Mikel doesn't get tired? That's to show how rigid you guys were in sticking to your view(and you still do even though the whole nation and Iwobi himself say he's better as an AM)
I challenged you to point out one post where I said Mikel is our best AM as you asserrted. You couldn't do so. now you have gone back to saying I said he should be a sub even though I have explained to you a million times the reason for saying so.
I detest roundabout arguments. If you can't say something new on this point, then fashi.

Mickael2:


the issues, I had assumed previously, were quite obvious for all to see. But I have just been shell shocked since I came online, people are blaming everyone except the players who should actually be blamed. watch them twist what you said bowl

Eleniyan15:


He worked hard really
When iwobi was out then you know mikel creativity when it comes to playing with European is shitty , he should goan play DM with Ndidi, chikena

komekn:


In football a year is a long time two years history and four years Ancient History.

4 years ago Onazi was playing for Lazio as a teenager and a highly prized player wanted even by Tottenham. Today he is in Turkey ☪ that should tell us something.

Omeruo didn't cut it in the Championship and plays in Turkey. Why

Mikel was good but yesterday we could see he was out of his depth. When was the last time Mikel bossed a game for the SE, again history.

Onazi is not even 27 yet and for the past 3 years his career is on a downward spiral. It doesn't make sense he should be progressing. I am confused.

Onazi and Mikel first half against England were woeful. Indeed this has been a continous trend we start like snails and and ate shoddy but them recover in the second half.

Uzoho is out of his depth but he is apparently the best we have. On paper this is the least talented side in the History of the SE.

But the most depressing observation they play with ZERO PASSION COMMITMENT & DETERMINATION.


With this kind of mentality we can end up loosing all our games and the worst outing in the history of the SE.

If we do not change IMMEDIATELY our attitude we are going to get kicked out.

I was impressed with Kelechi and Etebo nobody else was outstanding. Ighalo did all he could do but got zero service.

Why was Etebo playing holding midfield when that's best suited to Ndidi or even Mikel

Shehu was a liability, players are getting exposed and no amount of padding can hide it. Idowu was out of his depth only good going forward on occasions. Our CB's were dominated in all areas ( l fear what Iceland will do to them) Unfortunately we are now exposed all teams playing against will believe they can beat us.

I saw Simi and for the 7 minutes he played I saw nothing, but I give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Moses was unprofessional and indisciplined the less said the better.

On a positive note let these teams over exaggerate our faults and be over confident. This gives us a glimmer of hope, just a glimmer not much else.

TheGoodJoe:


Carried the bulk of the load in pressing does not mean pressing alone.

Gerrit?

Mickael2:


we are here telling you that Mikel was not pressing well, neither was Iwobi and Moses, and you are saying that bringing in Iheanacho would have made us press better. Baba fear God small na

TheGoodJoe:


It would have because Nacho's movement and pressing would have given us more chances to cause the Croatians havoc. Ighalo lacked mobility and found pressing difficult. This made it easy for the Croats to repeatedly build-up plays from the back and exploit gaps in our play.

BascoVanVeli:


What are u talking about? u said Ighalo lacks capacity to press alone and I am saying nobody can do that successfully all the time simple

BascoVanVeli:


No one player can press a defense even if na Kante and Firmino in one body.

wayodude:
Anyone who thinks we played well yesterday should perhaps reconsider watching this sport.

These are some of the points of note following the game last night:

1. The Croats won almost all the key headers contested. It surprised me they were that good in the air, or were we just poor?

2. We don’t press the opposition as a team. Ighalo going to press for the ball without the support of the players behind him is pointless.

3. Though pressing high up the pitch is one of Ighalo’s strengths I’m not sure sure he can excel as a lone striker against an organised defence. His movement is not clever enough so he never draws defenders out of position to create space for runners from behind and also the ball doesn’t stick with him when he is used as an outlet for the the team. His hold up play is not good enough, this is partly down to the difficult balls played to him though.

4. Mikel as an AM against African opposition may work but against proper ball playing teams? Well the evidence suggests despite his best efforts, the team need more. We did not create a single chance from open play yesterday. In the match where we created the most chances since we qualified for the World Cup (vs Argentina friendly) Mikel was not present.

5. Rohr does not trust Ebuehi. This is sad because I think if he had been allowed to play enough minutes since he joined the set up he would by now have played himself into being one of the first names on the team sheet, like Ekong is now.

6. The referee yesterday did not protect Nigeria enough. Modric’s rugby tackle on Etebo after losing the ball should have been carded, Strinic also made several fouls without being booked and the penalty though can’t be argued against, was a soft one from a consistency in decision making point of view.

7. Rohr’s subs indicated to me didn’t know what he needed to do to turn the game so he just made subs for the sake of it. This is worrying, I had trusted him to be an astute tactician until recently.

8. If we play with the same set up in our next game we will lose. I will offer you any odds you like on this.

9. The odds on Nigeria exiting at the group stage is now 1/10. To the bookies we are already out. To me we are out but the door is still open to walk back in...can we?

TheGoodJoe:


I said when you have Mikel pressing, you have a problem. It means your striker is not capable enough to press.

With Nacho on the field, Mikel pressed less compared to Nacho.

Gerrit?

komekn:


Sorry one player doesn't press alone it's an exercise in futility.

The team press as a unit not as individuals it's hard work but that's what makes the difference.

Unfortunately, HARD TRUTH Mikel can not press too slow and has no stamina. In this regard he becomes a liability.

The game was lost by team selection & formation.

Mickael2:



for goodness sake Musa was also pressing then

I am done, happy fathers day

TheGoodJoe:


I repeat. Mikel was over worked. I have gone as far as highlighting that he helped press in attack and was exchanging passes with the defenders on repeated occassions.

What you wrote up there does not discredit my point. Mikel covered a lot of grass on that pitch.

Gerrit?

TheGoodJoe:


I repeat. Mikel was over worked. I have gone as far as highlighting that he helped press in attack and was exchanging passes with the defenders on repeated occassions.

What you wrote up there does not discredit my point. Mikel covered a lot of grass on that pitch.

Gerrit?

ChrisKels:


I dont receive a punch and leave my fist unclenched. Only the weak ones do. In the society we leave in, the good guys go broke the mean ones make it big.

TheGoodJoe:


You are going no where. Stay here and keep supporting the Super Eagles.

Gerrit?

TheGoodJoe:


I think whoscored gave Mikel a high pass completion average. So why link him to misplace passes baffles me. Then you tag people being Sentimental. Analyse without trying to discredit people.

komekn:


In football a year is a long time two years history and four years Ancient History.

4 years ago Onazi was playing for Lazio as a teenager and a highly prized player wanted even by Tottenham. Today he is in Turkey ☪ that should tell us something.

Omeruo didn't cut it in the Championship and plays in Turkey. Why

Mikel was good but yesterday we could see he was out of his depth. When was the last time Mikel bossed a game for the SE, again history.

Onazi is not even 27 yet and for the past 3 years his career is on a downward spiral. It doesn't make sense he should be progressing. I am confused.

Onazi and Mikel first half against England were woeful. Indeed this has been a continous trend we start like snails and and ate shoddy but them recover in the second half.

Uzoho is out of his depth but he is apparently the best we have. On paper this is the least talented side in the History of the SE.

But the most depressing observation they play with ZERO PASSION COMMITMENT & DETERMINATION.


With this kind of mentality we can end up loosing all our games and the worst outing in the history of the SE.

If we do not change IMMEDIATELY our attitude we are going to get kicked out.

I was impressed with Kelechi and Etebo nobody else was outstanding. Ighalo did all he could do but got zero service.

Why was Etebo playing holding midfield when that's best suited to Ndidi or even Mikel.

Shehu was a liability, players are getting exposed and no amount of padding can hide it. Idowu was out of his depth only good going forward on occasions. Our CB's were dominated in all areas ( l fear what Iceland will do to them) Unfortunately we are now exposed all teams playing against will believe they can beat us.

I saw Simi and for the 7 minutes he played I saw nothing, but I give him the benefit of the doubt for now.

Moses was unprofessional and indisciplined the less said the better.

On a positive note let these teams over exaggerate our faults and be over confident. This gives us a glimmer of hope, just a glimmer not much else.

Oasis007:




One love Bruh! Forget whatever you said, it's all for Fun. You are going no where Bruh, we are in it together, and gonna celebrate the Eagles together when they start pulling magical Moments and winning Games.

TheGoodJoe:


You start by trying to discredit people by tagged their analysis sentimental. Talk of Mikel and Ndidi being piss in distribution and then use Ndidi misplacing passes to justify your distribution ideology.

Haaa.

Ndidi was working more with Etebo. Not Mikel. Mikel's distribution was not a problem. Few errors to the best of my knowledge. We had Limited shot on goals because of our conservative style and lack of movement upfront.

How the heck does Mikel get the blame for that beats my imagination.