₦airaland Forum

forgiveness:
When i dey tell dem about Akanji but dem say em no good enough despite the fact that the boy was obviously good and ready to play for Nigeria.

Na so Switzerland cap am and move go Dortmund for our very eyes.

Na so I talk about Lookman Ademola before e even start to dey shine, dem look d name forget ability begin call me names.

[/b]D one wey go pain me pass na Onomah[b]. If we miss dis one it will be painful.

Sheyi Ojo still dey dere. I know Eze is already in our pocket no need to worri but still need to be fast about it.

Deji-Beyreuther don show interest, Arnaut-Groeneveld don declare, Dessers etc but na Oyo dem dey till nau.

I hope after we do well in this World cup, we should improve the team. Even if we reach finals we still to bring in fresh legs.

Agreed. I've been following him lately and that guy will add a lot to this our midfield. NFF should be on his case

phreakabit:
Please stop basing your assertions on one offs.
he played there occasionally.
Same way Villa played as a false 9 for FCB
Same way Messi played as a false 9 under Guardiola .
Same way Mikel is playing as a CAM now..

His first game as a senior player was as an LM. He then started playing more as a AM/CM and playing occasionally out wide.
Here are the positions he played for Schalke
From 07/08 seasons

goldfish80:
Understudy ke? At 27yrs old? For me, Leno and Ter Stegen are at the same level, the difference is that Ter Stegen left Germany early while Leno stayed behind.

That was before. Leno has stagnated majorly. Too error prone now. He's committed the second most errors leading to goals in the Bundesliga since 2014. I don't want Arsenal to sign him

Spy360:
It is easier to say. But if you ask Xhaka or Wenger they will tell you he is not.
Reason why Emery wants a DM like Torreira.

That's because Emery get sense and isn't trying to force Xhaka to do more than he can handle. Wenger wanted Xhaka to be like Petit.

Forgiveness see your boy Akanji dey do well.

Icon4s:
Manuel Akanji doing a good job.


I don't know how a veteran like Murphy Akanji would allow his son to play for Switzerland.

Is he really Murphy Akanji's kid?? NFF have themselves to blame. By the time we went in for him, Switzerland were already firmly in for him.

phreakabit:
OMGoodness! i done nearly piss for cloth!

Barcelona played 4-3-3

Iniesta, plays on the left side of the midfield as a CAM. Rakitic has NEVER played in that position, even when he was in Sevila.
What are you talking about?
Rakitic was bought to replace Xavi.
Sergi Roberto was actually suppose to replace iniesta as he is a natural CAM, but he is considered not good enough, and thus has to settle for the RB position in place of Semedo.

You do know Rakitic started his career as a wide player right?

goldfish80:
This is where man management comes in. If there was friction between Leno and Ter Stegen, the Manger should have stepped up and resolved it. Those 2 guys played at the confed cup last year. Kevin Trapp was binned by Unai Emery last season, reduced him to just making appearances in French cup games.

Think the Confederations Cup was a battle for who would be Neuer's understudy. Ter Stegen won and Leno got dropped.

goldfish80:
It just occurred to me Kevin Trapp, Psg's second choice keeper made the German squad.
Care to elaborate on why he was chosen ahead of an inform Leno? If we eliminate the word sentiment.

Leno case is complex. He and Ter Stegen have a big rivalry between them so apparently it was a choice between him or Ter Stegen. Ter Stegen has obviously had a better season so he dropped Leno and took Trapp instead. Not too much of a loss as Leno isn't that great and is very error prone

goldfish80:
Since you're very vast in knowledge of German football, can you tell me when last Neuer played competitive football for Bayern Munich and how many games he played last season.
Also tell me the rationale for playing an out of shape Boateng who have struggled this past season. The same Boateng Bayern have placed on transfer.

See, in all human endevour, there's always favoritism. Favoritism is not a Nigerian word. If not for Lowe's sentiment, he wouldn't have dropped Leroy Sane. No way an out of shape Neuer gets into the team ahead of the Barcelona keeper. It is all sentiments,nothing Nigerian about this.

Low simply starter Neuer due to his reputation. Neuer has a fear factor that Ter Stegen doesn't possess as of yet. I didn't watch the game properly so I don't know how well he played.
As for Sane, he doesn't do well in the NT. It also didn't help that he missed the Confederations Cup and Brandt was great at it. Sane wasn't going to replace Reus. When Reus is fit, he plays

phreakabit:
I have seen that before, I even went ahead to check on reddit, but didn't use it due to the point I will state below.
But you are missing the point here by miles .
I stated in my other post, nobody plays 4-4-2 anymore.
It is pretty much a generational tactical thing.
Football is evolving and things are changing.
Take a look at the redened in your post quoted above and tell me what you notice.

And you are missing my point. In a 4-3-3, there's nothing like a "10". You can't call Xavi a 10. I told you he was closer to a Regista than a 10 in this 4-3-3. He is a playmaking "8". That's my point. There isn't a 10 in a 4-3-3 and a 10 doesn't SIGNIFY playmaking in general. It is simply used in a 4-4-2/4-2-3-1.

Spy360:
True.

He is the best we have for a lone striker. Another player is Nwankwo. But I'd prefer a formation that allows Ighalo to pair with another big forward(like Nwankwo) in a 3-5-2 formation.

Use Moses as RWB, with Mikel dropping deeper. Unfortunately, Etebo's position would be sacrificed.

.............Uzoho................
Ekong, Balogun, Omeruo
Moses, Mikel, Ndidi, Idowu
...............Iwobi..................
......Ighalo, Nwankwo.........

Great formation. With Ighalo present lack of Mobility, I'd play him with Nacho instead. At least he's still better on the ball than Simy. Then again, we could play Iwobi with Simy and bring in Etebo. It all depends but this is the template for us to go.
Rohr doesn't have the balls to play Mikel deeper; I doubt he'd dare play Moses as a LWB.

Spy360:
Your understanding of football positions is obsolete brother.

Xhaka is not a DM. He is a playmaker for Arsenal. Wenger does not usually deploy a DM, which !explains why his team is so defensively exposed.

What superned is trying to explain is what most managers apply today.

Mikel would have easily bossed that midfield had he played deeper.

Iwobi is better off as a CAM that a winger as he tends to play with the ball close to feet.

A 3-5-2 formation without Shehu but with Iheanacho could have matched the Croatians better.

Bros Xhaka IS our DM. At Arsenal, he has more defensive responsibility than he did at Mochengladbach.
I can't say he played him as a Regista - look who he paired him up with - RAMSEY!!

phreakabit:
This is absolutely ridiculous!
The terms you use are just terms created by Italian tacticians!
They do not apply generally.
Elneny plays as a CM with Xhaka in the absence of Whilshere!
When Xhaka is absent Elneny becomes the 4!
Okocha played as a 10 in a 4-4-2 formation, but was always deep in the midfield and pushed the attack from the depth!

Just to illustrate

=======================9
=================8 (SS/CAM)
====11 ========================== 7
============10

=========================4

PS: You might want to check Arsenals forum goonersworld.co.uk to ask what Xhaka actually plays as. He is a DM, a piss poor one though.

Oh and to end this debate, read this https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playmaker

Advanced Player - " The most complete and versatile playmakers are often known as advanced playmakers, or free role playmakers, as they can operate both in central, attacking midfield positions, as well as in wider positions on the wings. [/b]The attacking playmakers are sometimes called the "number 10" of the team, as they often wear the number 10 jersey[b]. The attacking midfield playmaker will sit in a free role between the midfield and the forwards, either in the centre of the pitch or on either flank. 
They are also usually quick, agile, and highly technical players with good vision, shooting, passing, crossing and dribbling ability; they are known for scoring goals as well as providing assists, through-balls, and initiating attacking plays. In Italian football, as creative, technical, advanced playmakers are known not to be reserved to a single position, they are often described as the "fantasista" or "trequartista".[2] In Brazil, the offensive playmaker is known as the "meia atacante",whereas in Argentina, it is known as the "enganche". Diego Maradona and Zico are notable examples of attacking midfield playmakers.

[/b]Deep-lying playmakers, who often wear jersey numbers 8, 6 or 5 (in particular in South American Football), operate from a deep position, in or even behind the main midfield line in a seemingly central or defensive midfield role, where they can use space and time on the ball to dictate the tempo of their team's play and orchestrate the moves of the whole team, not just attacks on goal. Deep-lying playmakers are often known for their vision, technique and passing. Many are also known for their ability to switch the play or provide long passes that pick out players making attacking runs, as well as their striking ability from distance[b]. Although several deep-lying playmakers are not known for their tackling, work-rate, or defensive skills, it has become more common for a box-to-box midfielder with good passing, technique, vision and ball-winning ability, such as Xabi Alonso, to play in this role, since it is in a similar position to that of a defensive midfielder, and the role allows them to break down plays and subsequently create scoring opportunities themselves after winning back possession. In Italy, the deep-lying playmaker is known as a "regista",whereas in Brazil, it is known as a "meia-armador".
Xavi, Andrea Pirlo, Luka Modrić, Michael Carrick, and Pep Guardiola are some examples of deep-lying playmakers.

Spy360:
Ighalo has his strengths and pace is not one of them. A type of Giroud, Ighalo puts pressure on defenders using his superior strength and power.

Fans hardly see the importance of hold up play as coaches do. We love to see pace and dribbling, but there are other skills strikers can possess.

Ask why Giroud made the French squad against the likes of Martial and Lacazette.

Actually a peak Ighalo is much more mobile than Giroud. He takes players on and creates. I actually think he isn't that great as a lone striker. His best period with Watford was when he was paired with Deeney in a 4-4-2.

Humility017:
not with Ighalo again please...
why can't you guys see that...the dude is a clueless when it comes to goal scoring...

Yep I agree. Ighalo has seriously been thrash. Movement has been poor. Can't take players on. If he isn't doing any of that, then we might as well play Nacho because at least Nacho is a much much better finisher

phreakabit:
This is absolutely ridiculous!
The terms you use are just terms created by Italian tacticians!
They do not apply generally.
Elneny plays as a CM with Xhaka in the absence of Whilshere!
When Xhaka is absent Elneny becomes the 4!
Okocha played as a 10 in a 4-4-2 formation, but was always deep in the midfield and pushed the attack from the depth!

Just to illustrate

=======================9
=================8 (SS/CAM)
====11 ========================== 7
============10

=========================4

PS: You might want to check Arsenals forum goonersworld.co.uk to ask what Xhaka actually plays as. He is a DM, a piss poor one though.

In a 4-3-3 i.e Barca's 4-3-3, Xavi is not a "10". He isn't a regista either but is closer to that than a 10.
Arsenal are obviously using Xhaka wrongly. Just because he plays as the deepest midfielder doesn't mean he has ALL the defensive responsibility. At Mochengladbach, he had a CM in front of him who did the dirty work and broke up play.
A 10 is creative player who plays closer to goal. Xavi is not that. A 6 can be creative fulcrum, a 8 can be a creative fulcrum as well.
In Barca's 4-3-3, you do NOT call Xavi a 10. Playmaker yes. 10 - no

kennysville:
I beg to disagree sir. Okocha is a legend in the game. And you will agree with me that the duel you referred to involving Mikel and Modric, Modric beat him with his pace. I watched Mikel struggle with pace, something a speedster would av done with ease.

Mikel played well yesterday but frankly, wrongly deployed against a formidable midfield of Croatia. If you ask me, since we knew that croatia boasts of a very robust midfield, I would have expected we played Mikel in front of the defence with Ndidi as he reads games better from that position. Even if we wanted to play the 4-2-3-1, it could still work but mikel is not a speedster (if only you know the distance you have to cover from one half to the other, you will know Mikel is not the man for AM)

Play people according to what they are good at .... if you have to hurt some feelings, so be it. Now we see why some managers bench some players especially the result driven ones. Mikel has been conditioned to be a defensive midfielder for the last 13 years, it is only logical to see he cant keep up with the pace in the front 3

While I am not saying we could have beaten croatia last night, well it wouldnt at least be a bad idea if we didnt lose. Cos frankly Croatia didnt boss us in any way in my own opinion. The conservatism of Rorh at launching a full frontal attack on teams is what is costing the team. Plus i feel he doesnt wanna ruffle some feathers hence the constant featuring of some players even though their end products leave a lot to be desired of

Mikel should have been deployed deeper yesterday. I don't understand why people aren't seeing this. We got away with it at the WCQs but I always knew it'd be difficult in the WC proper.
We needed Iwobi and Etebo ahead with Ighalo to press while Mikel dictates from deep. We know Mikel's stamina is poor so why make him have to drop back deep anyways when he can start from deep, save his energy from running up and down and dictate??

phreakabit:
You are validating my argument here.
You can't have two CM's in a 4-2-3-1 hence the advanced CM becomes a CAM. . .
BTW did you notice Ozil's role in todays game? That's down to the formation the coach deploys.

No I'm not. You can not call a DLP a "10". 10s are Trequestira and create much closer to goal. Xavi creates from deep.
You can have CMs. When Elneny plays with Xhaka, both don't bomb forward as much as Ramsey does. So its obviously a tactical thing.
Xavi is closer to a Regista than a 10.

darkelf:
My fellow eagulians.

It's very obvious we don't deserve to qualify from our group.

The passion we lacked against Croatia can't suddenly return against Iceland. For where!!!

Right now, pinnick should start scouting for the right coaches for all our age-grade teams to try and revamp our football.

Some players have obviously overstayed their welcome in our team. The mentality of sure first team shirt led us to this quagmire we currently find ourselves.

Because "some big boys" were assured of first team shirt, these guys refused to improve on their game. It showed in their shambolic displays both for club and country.

Now, that evil small demon we allowed to fester has come back to bite us in the ass.

It's now obvious our boys forgot the reason they went to Russia.

They thought football was played only on the skin (via fashion) and on the virtual pages of social media. When other serious countries were trying to improve, our boys were increasing social media presence. If I were Rohr, it will be banned forthwith.

Rohr, Rohr, Rohr...

I was actually toying with the idea this morning that you may be suffering from early onset Alzheimer's.

You seem to forget so quickly the right tactics to use after we played several friendly matches in quick succession. When we finally get booted out at the group stages, I'm so sure you'll be sacked. Yes, I support it before your negative and backward mindset rubs off on our players.

Now I know why ekong and balogun play for low tier teams. And why Rohr sought after akpoguma and udhokai (not sure about the spelling). These two guys are no less than 6ft2 inches yet they can get their heads to the ball in attacking or defending set-pieces. Haaaa. What a waste of God-given height. This is the kind of height I begged baba God for to noavail. Had I being blessed with it, I'd have fulfilled my dream of playing as a point guard professionally in the NBA for the Pistons.

Amaju pinnick. You are a blessing to Naija football. No other sports administrator has done half of what you did for these over-fed fake footballers. Yet, this is how they choose to repay you. Kai. Sir, you didn't deserve what you got yesterday against the croats. May God vindicate your good work one way or the other.

My fellow passionate fans, please lower your expectations, these ones didn't come to play ball. They only came to model and Slay on Twitter.

Gbam! That's what people don't understand. It's not the loss that's hurting me but the lack of effort and how easy Croatia found this game. Croatia didn't need to play well to win. We didn't threaten them enough. That's the major disappointment for me. Rohr is tactically useless.

phreakabit:
What do you think Wilshere plays ?
Why do you think Ozil plays advanced when Wilshere plays and Ramsey plays as a support striker?
Ever heard of the term free role?

Ozil is an AM aka a 10. Jack Wilshere when he starts is a CM. In Arsenal's traditional 4-2-3-1, Ozil is the AM, Ramsey is the CM aka B2b aka an 8 and Xhaka is a Regista.
Just because Ramsey makes 3rd man late runs into the box doesn't mean he's a support striker.

phreakabit:
Xavi is the 10!
Thiago plays the exact role Xavi plays and he is currently Bayern's and Spain's 10.
They are deep lying PLAYMAKERS. . . emphasis on PLAYMAKER.
A CM balances and coordinates
A CAM creates chances, and acts as an interface.

A 10 refers a trequestira which Xavi isn't. Yes I know Xavi is a playmaker but he isn't a 10. He's a deep lying playmaker but not a 10. He is much closer to a Regista than a 10 because he dictates from Deep. Does Xavi play higher than Iniesta for barca?

phreakabit:
LMAO! You are seriously clowning yourself here. You clearly know nothing about football.
When you have a CAM 8, you don't need an advanced role CM .
in 4-4-2 You have One DM 2 CMs and on SS and a Striker.
Hence Zidane's and Maradona's advanced roles.
Football has evolved, nobody plays 4-4-2 anymore.

Oh and Xavi is not a "10" in a 4-3-3. That's the real argument

phreakabit:
LMAO! You are seriously clowning yourself here. You clearly know nothing about football.
When you have a CAM 8, you don't need an advanced role CM .
in 4-4-2 You have One DM 2 CMs and on SS and a Striker.
Hence Zidane's and Maradona's advanced roles.
Football has evolved, nobody plays 4-4-2 anymore.

So Ozil is an "8" in a 4-2-3-1? What is Ramsey and Lampard in a 4-3-3?

Bolowolowo:
Would an aggressive Joel Obi work against a physical Icelandic team?

No. Joel Obi should stay on the bench. He is off form

fabyom:
you should ask yourself if you get sense not me. If xavi is a ten, then what is iniesta's position and if Pirlo is a ten what is del pierro or totti's position.

Dude is mixing an 8 and a 10 up. Maradona and Zidane must have been an 8 to him

goldfish80:
The Mexicans are fleet footed, mobile and skillful. I have never seen a team dominate Germany since the Euro finals against Spain.
This is why I don't subscribe to just calling big name players who aren't creatives. You will end up with limp and tipid football all round like Ngr.

Couldn't have said it better!!

TheGoodJoe:
When Mikel left, we crumbled and the Croatians over ran us. Okocha is talking creativity. However, creativity was not the problem. The problem was lack of mobility which was caused by Shehu and Ighalo. If Ebuehi and Iheanacho started, we would have caused the Croatians more problems.

Mikel is also guilty of lacking Mobility. Iwobi I'd better driving in...that's what we need.
Let Mikel dictate from deep

Icon4s:
Honestly speaking, overall the boys played well.

Our midfield did excellently well to match the Croats.

The own goal was unfortunate. No fault of either Etebor or Uzoho. It was just bad luck.

Ekong's foul is what I would not accept for a player in a tournament like the World Cup.

I hope Rohr does not start Ighalo again.

Iceland are very beatable. They will come out to claim 3 points against us and may get exposed.

Somebody should tell the boys that the fashion parade is over, and that the World Cup has started.

Don't know what game you were watching but we didn't play well. Not at all.
Croatia had a tougher game against Senegal in the friendlies.

Martz101:
what if we still qualify from this group?

You and I know that's not happening.

ChrisKels:
I made this post on the 6th of june and some empty brains were waging war against me but today all them eyes dun clear Lol

Kai please forgive us. You were right

kingphilip:
you mean on the air or after the backheel by Etebo

After the backheel by Etebo