₦airaland Forum

Mujtahida:
Is Mbappe a Nigerian?

Mickael2:
I will explain why I am trying to fit Onyekuru in and not Ahmed Musa or anybody else.

There are teams you come up against and quick passes will not work, Iceland is a perfect example. You can stand infront of their backline and make 20 quick passes but those guys won't move until you come closer and you see that they will double up on each of your players what do you then do? You need quick dribblers. When you have a player who can just beat his immediate marker that creates room instantly and serious panic through the opposing teams rank(this is why I believe Iceland will be mincemeat for Argentina precisely). Now we don't have Messi but we have Onyekuru and Iwobi two guys who are nice(not great) dribblers and under normal circumstances we will place a CF who can pass the ball well and engage in your one-touch-two-go football, in that same way Onyekuru or Iwobi(depending on who is well-placed) can make those Alli-esque runs when the CF falls back and joins the passing triangles in the middle.

Against Croatia though is another thing entirely. We will have to adopt a system similar to Barcelona 2015. These guys midfield will kill us if we engage them so here we sacrifice midfield play for outright direct football. Rakitic is a briliant DMF when he plays there and someone said Kovacic hardly plays for Madrid, well that is because he is out injured, he recently returned and has already played a game for them, pure quality, no need saying much about Modric. There is another problem too, their midfielders all have wonderful shots so they should not be allowed to even come so close to our post which is why I wouldn't play Onazi. In this type of game we need direct players, once we get the ball we should take a maximum of 3-4 touches and get the ball to the forward players without dwelling on midfield play

blueto:
You are right. Freedom is key. Let me use a biblical example to illustrate. The gospel of Grace teaches complete forgiveness of sins (past, present and future). It is the grace gospel that brings freedom to believers, because they can't be condemned by God anymore for their sins because Jesus have received their condemnation at the cross. So it is having that freedom that actually destroys the power of sin and its consequences in people's lives. This was why Apostle Paul was not very happy with the churches in Galatians during his time. The believers who after being saved by grace, went on to start keeping the law in order maintain their salvation, so Apostle Paul tried to make them understand that they were saved by grace (unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor) and they will remain saved by grace through believing in Christ and until Jesus comes and not by their ability to practice righteousness by keeping the law. He also warned that anybody that is still trying to do what the law commands in order to be made right with God have fallen away from God's grace and have been cut off from Christ (Galatians 5:4).

Under grace, God doesn't place expectations of righteousness from believers, he doesn't demand righteousness from them, he is satisfied with the finished work of Christ. That is why He only requires people to believe in Jesus in order to be declared everlastingly righteous in his sight (Romans 4:5, 10:4). So those who believe in Christ and still trying to earn their right standing with God have fallen away from God's grace. Apostle Paul adjured the churches in Galatians to enjoy their liberty in Christ and never entangle themselves again in the bondage that Christ have set them free (which is the law).

He expressed that he was shocked (marvelled) that people were already turning away from the gospel of the grace of Christ to a different gospel in his days.

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel” (Galatians 1:6 NKJV)

And if you read, verse 8 and 9 of same chapter, you will see that he delivered double curse on any preacher that preaches another gospel that opposes the gospel of Grace, and he said even if they are angels from heaven.

The reason why some Christians still struggle with sin is because they are still under the law. Some churches are still preaching the law and the Bible says “the strength of sin is the law.” (1Cor 15:56) When you promote the law as a preacher, you unwittingly or wittingly promote sin. What actually frees Christians to live Christ glorifying lives is the liberty that they enjoy in him, it is not the obligations and commandments. The Bible says the reason why sin will not have dominion over believers is because they are under grace, not under the obligations of the law (Romans 6:14). Under grace, a believer's righteousness is no dependent or determined by his obedience, works and self-righteousness. It is determined by the righteousness and obedience of Christ (Romans 5:19) and His finished work.

So my dear, freedom is very important in every sphere.

junnyjake:
I would have told you, we don't stand a chance of getting him to play for us, so I don't give a damn if he's better than all the players who had ever worn the GWG.

Mujtahida:
Yeah but most people exaggerate the point about selfishness. I believe our pin point passes will improve before the WC and Vicmo will go with the flow.

CityJoe:
"I remember when I was in Barcelona," Guardiola said. "The first or second year I was there, Unai Emery, who is now the PSG trainer, was there [at Valencia].

"After the game we spoke about that and he told me, 'David Silva is the player for you, for Barcelona. Believe me, that is a player for Barcelona by far'. And he was so right, he's a special player

"He has something more special than awards. Awards are to put in the wardrobe."The opinion we will have in the future about his career will not be about how many individual prizes he has won. It will be about the opinion of his team-mates and his managers."

What Guardiola is saying here is that, now he is working with David Silva, he can see that Unai Emery, current PSG manager was right about David Silva being up there with Xavi or Iniesta.

I am still watching.

CityJoe:
See. I know Silva is good and I have been watching him for years, since Valencia. Even in Silva's U17 and U20 days. However, there is something about him that leaves Guardiola marvelling at Silva's understanding of the game.

I am yet to decode it.

I will share if I decipher it.

Humility017:
I understand your point bro...
but I think...idowu should be tried in another friendly...his overlapping runs and being always in the Argentina team yard box...is something of good...better than every LB we have had of recent.

chrisooblog:
I agree I pray also that he is fit by God's grace

Taliban:
In my own humble assessment, we shouldn't take more than a maximum of 8 defenders as one our midfielders can comfortably play as a centre-back (Ndidi). Considering all the names we have, I would say baring injuries or loss of form, the names Forgiveness has put forward are almost sure-bets. Echiejile is I believe the only true LB, the others are kind of jack of all trades, versatile players. I would also pick Omeruo ahead of Agbo because he showed us against Argentina that he hasn't actually lost it and if we play like we did against the Argies, we would need a reliable back up for the three CBs. Unhappy as I am typing this, I think one of Shehu, Ebuhei, Aina or Idowu would have to be dropped. I would be shocked if it's Shehu so the axe is in Rohr's hand and he can swing it as he deems fit.

My list of 8 defenders would be
Ekong
Leon
Awaziem
Shehu
Echejile
Omeruo
Ebuhei
Idowu/Aina

I will say we need to see more of Idowu before we can actually say he's the best since sliced bread. Judging by Aina's first game, he wowed us all and then in the 2nd and 3rd we started seeing his weaknesses. Who knows what will happen to Tyronne and Idowu in their next games too.

CityJoe:
Straight face how. Unless you feel you are all knowing and you do not learn as time goes on. I was totally wrong on Mbappe. My stance has changed totally. There is nothing like keeping a straight face. I keep learning.

I can say, I watch David Silva intently to decipher why Guardiola feels he is an unbelievable genius. I have not seen what Guardiola is looking for and will keep looking.

Even in all those arguments in the past, no one hit why Mbappe is special. It is not just about goals that people were talking. It took me time to decipher it. Not from even watching Mbappe but Gabriel Jesus. Now I want to watch Mbappe games to see more of what I have deciphered.

I learn. That is why I can feel glad seeing my shift/growth in understanding. Not ignorance.

You are the one who is suicidal when you are wrong. Not me. I am glad when I learn something new.

Mujtahida:
This has to do more with perception formed on the basis of his past. Presently he is not selfish as such

.
How did he score the first goal against Algeria? He dribbled his way into the box, passed the ball to Iheanacho but it struck a defender and came back to him. There wasn't any clear situation where one could have said 'ohhhhhh if only Vicmo had passed the ball we would have scored. Against Cameroon in Nigeria he powered two of our goals. Mikel freed him from deep in our half, he ran with the ball. Mind you there was nobody to pass the ball to because we were on a counter except Simon Moses. He passed to Simon at the right time. Simon squared for him and he scored.
In a counter, an attacker needs to run with the ball because most times its just him and another attacker who push the counter. I bet Vicmo did better than both Iwobi Iheanacho on the counter. Once Iwobi would have freed Iheanacho but he failed. Twice Iheanacho would have freed Iwobi but he failed. How come Vicmo released the ball for Iheanacho against Algeria, how come he released the ball to Simon against Cameroon?

There wasn't any such golden chance Vicmo denied Ighalo against Cameroon. Have you forgotten how he passed the ball to Ighalo twice against Zambia? I do not agree that he's been selfish so far at least not the way you guys make it look. As in to me it's exaggerated. And I trust you realise that of all our attackers Vicmo is the most defensively disciplined.

goldfish80:
Let's not derail the thread with this discussion. I believe I've made my point.
Although I must say Mbappe scored in both legs to bundle Man city out of the Champions league.

kentebemoney:
I hope so too.

I think we should master 3 at the back and one ultra defensive set up.
Na defense go help us for this World Cup

chrisooblog:
robben for all his injuries was always fit and ready for the dutch at major tournaments can we say the same for joel?

somehow:
Joel Obi should be in Russia bar injury, I see him as someone who can control the midfield with or without Mikel on the field of play. He should go and learn from van perse on how he overcame his injuries.

kentebemoney:
I would play Victor Moses in place of iwobi and Kelechi iheanacho from the right cus he is left footed and plays with his head up.

Kog45:
Yes 23 man list can absorbed eight defenders but i see defenders who are versatile making the team.

Shehu Abdullahi (midfielder/ RB)
Bryan Oladapo Idowu (RB/LB/WB)
Ebuhei (RB/LB/WB)
Aina Ola (RB/LB/WB)
Elderson Echiejele (LB)
*Leon Balogun (CB/RB)
*Troost Ekong (CB)
Awaziem (CB/RB)
Kenneth Omeruo (CB/RB)
Uche Agbo (CB/DM)

I pick Ekong and Leon now remain six to add cos am seeing Rohr picking eight.

femianski:
I am a Yoruba boy
I av been following sir forgiveness post
To be sincere I must say that he is being tribalistic trying to portray the Yoruba footballers better than the ibos

chrisooblog:
true but there have been periods where he has had good long periods of sustained performances for club (wigan, chelsea) and country. joel obi if fit would always be one of the first names on my team sheet but as a coach preparing for a tournament i would always have a nagging feeling at the back of my mind that i may be wasting a spot taking him along because joel is the kind of player who will start the first game, blow his hamstring then be out for the rest of the competition. real dilemma

Kog45:
Am not saying is not better but you can't compare the duo i mean Joel Obi and Moses Victor when we talk of injury

Mujtahida:
I really don't want to say anything about this slimy issue of tribalism. But you see forgiveness himself makes it easy for others to tag him a tribalist. I refrained for long from looking at him from that angle but one day I snapped and called him out. He explained his position to me and I apologised. The point I want to make is that he himself is fond of accusing the coaching and technical crew of all sort of things including tribalism and nepotism. When he does so, others fire back by labelling him a tribalist. That's the circle. So he too should refrain from accusing coaching crew of tribalism (even if it appears so) and perhaps others would ease up on their own accusations directed at him.

Kog45:
Good preference but what can you say about Joel Obi,no doubt good player but injury prone,don't you think is better to have Etebo than Joel Obi.

Why dropping both Daniel Akpeyi and Dele Aiyenugba for Dele Alampasu or Maduka Okoye cos i believe Francis Uzoho has covered the duo.

enomakos:
why will you want him to go to Chelsea of all club?

Mujtahida:
I don't understand. Who will be afraid?

Oasis007:
Dear Brother...... I'm hereby seeking for your Forgiveness for those who have accused you of being a Bigot on this noble Thread.

This Thread is too good to be derailed or/and discarded. Many have learned about our Players through this Thread. Many are depending on Updates as far as National Football Teams are concerned on this Thread.

Dear Brother...... let's bring Sanity back to the Thread. Let's discuss the Team and our Chances, whoever makes the List so be it.

Oasis007:
Teams Scout Report

The below are the present Players of the Croatian National Team. I hope we can analyze them one after the other. Figure out their Weaknesses and how it can be exploited.

Goalkeepers

1. Dominik Livaković (age 22) Dinamo Zagreb
12. Lovre Kalinić (age 27) Gent
23. Danijel Subašić (age 33) Monaco


Defenders

2. Šime Vrsaljko (age 25) Atlético Madrid
3. Ivan Strinić (age 30) Sampdoria
5. Matel Mitrovic (age 24) Beşiktaş
6. Dejan Lovren (age 28) Liverpool
13. Zoran Nizic (age 28) Hajduk Split
14. Marin Leovac (age 29) PAOK
21. Domagoj Vida (age 28) Dynamo Kyiv
22. Josip Pivarić (age 28) Dynamo Kyiv


Midfieders

4. Ivan Perišić (age 28) Internazionale
7. Ivan Rakitić (age 29) Barcelona
10. Luka Modrić (age 32) Real Madrid
11. Marcelo Brozović (age 25) Internazionale
15. Marko Rog (age 22) Napoli
18. Filip Bradaric (age 25) Rijeka
19. Nikola Vlašić (age 20) Everton
20. Mario Pašalić (age 22) Spartak Moscow


Forwards

8. Ante Rebić (age 24) Eintracht Frankfurt
9. Andrej Kramarić (age 26) 1899 Hoffenheim
16. Nikola Kalinić (age 29) Milan
17. Mario Mandžukić (age 31) Juventus

Cc

TheGoodJoe, Tbaba1234, Icon4s, Komekn, Kog45, Forgiveness, Joebie, Mujtahida, Mickael2, Goldfish80, ChrisKels, blueto
and others.

CityJoe:
Tosin was exposed repeatedly in the first half but in the second half, he was outstanding. However, I did not bother talking about his brilliant display because I do not see him as one of ours.

However, Tosin Adarabioyo has a bright future ahead of him.