₦airaland Forum

Dedebanky85:
The bolded shows he wasn't really valued within English ranks as you're trying to make it seem. How would a hitman move from supposed Scottish title contenders to English championship side? Not even EPL relegation fighters... Ok, after single handedly (whatever u call singlehandedly) bringing hull up, how much did he play in their epl campaign?
I am one of Aluko's admirers, but I would not attribute his omission to any upper powers. I feel it's due to coaches preferring other options.

Chrismario:
I'm not supporting such treatment but Aluko is not the first neither would he be last.

Your last paragraph though, I'm sorry to say he has not progressed much. The youngman has been moving sideways and I wonder why he has no been snapped by teams like Bournemouth. He might be good but not too good against our current players when placed side by side.

junnyjake:
I've seen people coming up here and blabbing all they can about the EPL being an oveehyped Mediocre league.

Wait a minute, without England, what kind of players would you have in your National team??

Just take a look....


Carl Ikeme: if not for his illness, he's the number 1 candidate in the post for us. He plays his football in England.

Ekong: Surprised?? He was a youth player at Tottenham Hotspurs, he and Harry Kane were mates, he spent a large part of his development in London. Is he one of the starters in your team?

Aina: is a Londoner, we all know that, many of us here consider him an upgrade to the 'experienced Elderson.'

Mikel: Your captain, with whom you can't win a game without, Chelsea wasn't part of his success story were they?

Iwobi: I seriously do want you to tell me Arsenal is club based in Azerbaijan, he's been with them since he was five, how would he have developed to a player you all love to watch without the education he received at the Emirates.

V.Moses: He's one of your favorite players right, can you remind me where he plays? I seem to have forgotten.

Iheanacho: All we would have been hearing about that kid would have been, "That boy was a star during the U-17s, where is he? had he not made a move to Mancity to develop his talent.

Ndidi: How many matches has he played for the Eagles?? Has he always play the full 90 mins?? And why is that?

Musa: Although, many of us won't really support his continuous call ups to the team(myself inclusive) but he's invited by the way, he's still in England, last I checked.

Ighalo: This man didn't get a call up while in Udinese or Granada, until when he was tearing down the championship and premiership with goals, making him an all time goal scorer for his club. Who's the top 9 in the present eagles team? Uh, tell me?



Now, close your eyes and imagine us playing without those players listed and tell me in all honesty why you think the League is just nothing but a hyped mediocre league despite 87% of your best players currently play there or have developed there.

These are not just members of the team but also undisputed starters.

Mujtahida:
Babayanro is easily our best LB of the modern era of Nigerian football. It's not even up for debate.
Taiye Taiwo and Udeze should be hugging each other. They are on the same level as far as performance in the Gwg is concerned.

Dedebanky85:
Pass that kush u de blaw to another person. It's making you hallucinate. Aluko was close to which three lions? The English national team or abi u mean the 3 lions that were in the zoo? Please say something else. You keep coming up with excuses to paint Naija coaches bad and paint your beloved English born players as worldies. You said Fashanu was on the bench. But I remember reading that Otto Gloria didn't like his style of play. So how many games did your talented Fashanu play for England?
That you hail from England does not guarantee you a playing shirt. Aluko was never ever close to playing for three Lions. Please name which outfield player has played for England from Rangers in the past 2 decades. I can't even see any suggestions online. Closest was Forster a goal keeper at the time with Celtic. Even though I appreciate Aluko's talent, but he's not all that else he would command a shirt like Moses and Iwobi. Or abi no be England those ones been grow up?
Guy chill on these your okirika players e.g. Aneke and Co.

Kog45:
Taiye Taiwo better than Celestine Babayaro?

edi287:
Iheanacho is a better finisher and has a better final ball. Solanke is more mobile, skillful and technically gifted.

TheGoodJoe:
Iheanacho has been injured. Finito. Judge his impact after he gets a run. Or do you think Solanke is crap with him not having a chance to break into Liverpool's starting line-up.

Joebie:
11 LESSONS TO DRAW FROM NIGERIA’S WIN OVER ARGENTINA
Add Comment 3 hours ago by Bryan Efe

https://spotkik.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/ngrarg-810x663.jpg

After due consideration of various commentaries, in the aftermath of the Nigeria-Argentina friendly, I feel obliged to present my opinion. I have waited patiently for the emotions to die down, carefully considering three perspectives -- the loser's, the winner's, as well as that of those who did not have any stake on that match-day -- to make the most objective submission possible, on the lessons Nigeria can draw from that unexpected victory.

1. A friendly is what it is -- a friendly

One should expect that referees are usually less strict at this competitive level. The Super Eagles would have paid dearly for one of their player's costly mistake, notably, Daniel Akpeyi's handling the ball outside his area. In a World Cup situation, that event would have been a game changer in favor of the Argentines, as Akpeyi would have been sent off, and a forced substitution would have been made to pave way for a second choice goalkeeper. Argentina, a team that depends a lot on high possession, pressing and passing game will make any opponent with an inferior numerical strength, pay dearly. Thank goodness it was just a friendly! Hence, the Super Eagles must not rest on its oars.

2. Argentina missed Lionel Messi

Nigeria benefited immensely from the absence of Messi in the Argentina squad. Now this is no excuse for Argentina. To say Messi has been influential for the La Albiceleste will be an understatement. The five-times Ballon d'or winner carried Argentina on his shoulders on the road to their world cup qualification. This is rather a lesson to learn for Argentina, as the coach rightly insinuated in the post-match press conference, that a one-man team is a bad idea, and it played against them in the loss. Messi is the kind of player that can make a difference. Need I make this argument? With what we saw from Nigeria's performance especially in the first half, Argentina would have wrapped up the game early had an in-form Messi been on the pitch, and this would have affected the Nigerian players, psychologically. A fight back for the Super Eagles would have been difficult -- although still possible.  So what's the lesson here? In the World Cup proper, teams will be looking to punish us early, and their strategy may be to hold on to the lead by defending and relying on counter attacks. Let's keep this in mind as we have been in a similar situation in the world cup stage in the past.

3. Super Eagles showed boldness and determination

This point may sound contradictory to the second, but what I'm presenting here is an all encompassing submission. Granted, some teams will punish you early, but the Super Eagles players, showed character by starting the fight back in the first half through Kelechi Iheanacho's free-kick goal. That goal made the job easier for Gernot Rohr at the break. There is a big difference, talking to your players about getting back from two goals down versus motivating them to get back from just a goal down. The players already had the believe that they could draw level, they just needed directection. Gernot Rohr, as director-in-chief, did just that at the break, with timely instructions and substitutions.

4. With Gernot Rohr, there is time for everything

Gernot Rohr may have well been misunderstood during the World Cup qualifiers. Many commentators have been of the opinion that he is a conservative coach. Rohr's change of formation from the overused 4-2-3-1 to a never used 3-5-2 in a friendly of such magnitude shows the Franco-German tactician is open to experimentation at the right moment, considering the match was not a must win.

5. A Lesson or two as regards Aina and Shehu

A three center back formation relies heavily on pacy and dogged wing backs, who should have the capability of performing their duties for 90 minutes. Nigeria's wing backs at the first half, fell short in this regard. Olaoluwa Aina and Abdullahi Shehu did not perform to expectation, especially as they did not offer much options going forward. Nigeria must now learn never to deploy the aforementioned players as wing backs unless the players positioned at left-center-back, and right-center-back, are instructed to make up for spaces should they forward. Even in this case, Aina and Shehu must improve in their recovery if they must be considered to start in this formation, going forward. they also lacked tenacity in attack.

6. Iheanacho, on set pieces

Kelechi Iheanacho is composed enough to take Nigeria's set pieces. He should be our man for spot-kicks, free kicks and corner kicks, as long as he is on the pitch. He's never showed a lack of confidence with his left foot, in those situations. And let me also chip this in. The Leicester forward is beginning to show that he still has the instinct for brilliant key passes, considering his double assist against Argentina -- reminiscent of his Golden Eaglet days.

7. Victor Moses is replaceable at least...

Chelsea wing-back, Victor Moses, is not indispensable at least when Nigeria is playing with three men at the rear. With the formation against Argentina, Tyronne Ebuehi showed dynamism with a solid defensive display and with impressive fast movement going forward, characteristic of world class wing backs. He completely commanded his area while defending. With sweeping tackles and timely blocks he withstood everything that was thrown at him for 45 minutes with aplomb. Ebuehi, with his performance against Argentina, showed us he can replace Victor Moses, easily, as wing back. At least, this is debatable.

8. In Idowu, Nigeria may have just solved a lingering problem.

Left wing back, Bryan Idowu was simply the truth against Argentina. He had a debut every debutant would die for, scoring with his first touch, to put Nigeria ahead in the game for the first time, and doing all the necessary at the rear. For years, since the prime days of Celestine Babayaro, the Super Eagles has endured a lack of good options in the left back defense department. Although it may be too early to conclude that Bryan Idowu has knocked out super regular Elderson Echiejile from contention, a repeat performance from the Russian-Nigerian will definitely put an end to Echiejile's reign as the Super Eagles left back king.

9. Perfecting the false nines.

The most lethal sides today rely heavily on dynamism in attack, with all forwards ever-switching positions during the run of play, and all capable of scoring -- hence, false nines. Against Argentina, Nigeria showed such dynamism. Two-goal hero, Alex Iwobi, who has mostly played as a winger for Nigeria, continued to show he is more lethal drifting in, to the middle. All Iwobi's four goals for Nigeria have come from the center of the attack line. Kelechi Iheancho -- who scored a goal, and provided two assists for Nigeria against Argentina  -- likewise,  have also been deadly for Nigeria, drifting in the front. Team captain, John Obi Mikel, who is not a center forward, supplied 3 goals for Nigeria during the qualifiers. Therefore, Nigeria survived the world cup qualifiers without a true nine, except for Odion Ighalo who only managed a goal during the qualifiers. Nigeria's precise execution at the front against Argentina, shows the team may have just perfected the science of dynamism with false nines.

10. Hard tackling as strength and weakness

The Super Eagles is a physical side -- an asset that played to Nigeria's advantage in the win. However, it could also be a weakness in more serious competitions like the world cup, as some referees will not hesitate to flash yellow cards at will, especially against sides showing physical superiority -- West African countries especially. A noteworthy event was Kelechi Iheanacho elbowing Argentina's Nicolas Otamendi. That would have attracted a red card in a more competitive game. Gernot Rohr must check his boys on discipline, going forward.

11. Mikel's indispensability, a risk.

John Obi Mikel must not advance when Nigeria is not in possession. His momentary lack of positional awareness, created a gap Argentina exploited in their quick build up to the second goal. Even Wilfrend Ndidi and John Ogu could not stop the Argentines. This goes to show that Nigeria will always feel Mikel's absence. Something needs to be done about this quickly. No player should be indispensable to an extent that their absence can easily spell doom. This is a danger sign. Can Mikel ever be deputized? Please leave your comments or recommendations.

--Spotkik

Napoleon55:
don't u guys think that I.Success might start playing well again?

ykalhaji:
Boss, really what are Tammy and Solanke's pedigree ? Really? U-21 ? Oga I decided not to argue about us begging them to join our team because, yes they will be a great addition, but bros, Iheanacho no be them mate at all at all. They are good, but not yet tested bro. In as much as we are ranked 41st in the world, still playing for the super eagles on a consistent basis as a forward is not Moin Moin ooo boss. Oh do you think the buy-back clause Pep insisted on Iheanacho's contract is a joke or the fact that if had transferred out of the EPL he would be worth over $30 million na beans? Boss, abeg please I join put my unborn children for the sacrifice sef.

tbaba1234:
Lol, I started following Aluko from his Rangers days...

Danielnino00:
The way they are praising this Aluko ehn ..Somebody said he singlehandedly helped Hull city gain promotion to the EPL and was in contention to make the three lions team while at Rangers.. Lwkmd When was the last time a Scottish based or Championship player made the three lions squad? Tom Heaton might be the last to get a call up from the championship while he was with Burnley..

Aluko might indeed be the man to deputise for Mikel in the AMF role, like some people are saying, but biko,this hype too much

Danielnino00:
Until the next international window,lemme amuse myself on this thread by seeing the continuous mention of names like Some Aluko,Ramon Azeez,Thiago Ilori,Obafemi Martins,etc that some people want us to take to the world cup
As if they don't know that Baba Rohr is taking a large chunk of the WCQ boys to Russia.



Thus thread might even hit 3000 pages before thus year ends due to the endless argument

tbaba1234:
Aluko was never really in contention for an England call-up but it is not because of a lack of ability. How many English players play in scotland or the championship . He did not set the Premier League alight..

That said, Aluko will be a great addition to the current team.

Daejoyoung:
I get your point on Aluko, but Anichebe(though very good) is not a very consistent player, l don't think he would do better than lghalo, Kayode, or Dessers(If called up). The fact is, we can't call everybody at this point, we must first look out for our weakest positions like the left back or Attacking midfield, going by this I'll agree with you that we can call up an Aluko or joel obi to see what they can offer.

BascoVanVeli:
I tried....the check bounced and I almost got arrested

Chrismario:
This Sone Aluko, Is he messi?
He has been playing in below par league all his life save for one or two seasons in EPL. If he is so good, he would be in mid table team.

Even if he chosed England, there's higher possibility that he would remain capless till today.

Humility017:
so.....oga icon4 you've shifted goal post...
I thought you were among those...still hoping for the young lad to mature up ...supporting rohr keeping ebuehi on the bench.....

sometimes what I have noticed wit my experience elites here on nairaland and beyond is fear to take risks....

just that fear.......
forget all those words of rohr...he never expect ebuehi to play so well....had it been he knew this all this while...he would have played him before now....

Mujtahida:
Though I'd do such a thing too but women also like men to fight for their love. It makes them feel they've been 'won'.

Humility017:
i think he has alot of plegmaric character...

he is someone that is not radical and too proactive....

that statement he just made on ebuehi is something else....right now the dude should be cap tied immediately...let Idowu be left alone for the now....till the world cup then he will be cap tied....

Humility017:

you mean solanke the England international?

ykalhaji:
Lol @ Solanke and Tammy are better than Iheanacho... IHEANACHO has two bad months and now all of a sudden some Tammy Abraham and Solanke are better than Nigeria's highest goal scorer this year. Abeg make una calm down. Let Tammy and Solanke come and play against any African team and if them score at 50% of the rate at which Iheancho scores, I will offer my family for Sacrifice. Iheanacho had a transfer, had an injury, came back from Injury, and now has a new coach, all that is enough to unsettle his settling down. Abeg make una calm down biko.

Humility017:
a bottle of wine for this comment bro...

he so much rates the super eagles low that he laments here...for championship players to be called to the super eagles....

whereas he can't spill such empty words whenever he talk of 3lions......

what is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander...

if those championship players are not good enough for the 3 lions then they're obviously not good enough for the super eagles......

zuchyblink:
things we see in nairaland eeh!

Certitude:
I ain't taking nothing to no bank... Solanke ain't gonna bench Nacho for now...

Certitude:
Solanke bench Iheanacho...? lol

tbaba1234:
I think a Joel Obi on the left side will provide more energy to that side of the attack.

Iwobi is improving daily, he appears to be far better in the center than on the wings.. I think keeping him on the wings is a waste.

TheGoodJoe:

Christ love for us is not boyfriend and girlfriend love. Who loves a girl like Jesus Christ loves us? Lol. Do not break my ribs with laugh. The kind of love you are talking about is Sister in the Lord love.

TheGoodJoe:
Actually, I dated a lovely and pretty lady who came to me and told me she wanted to leave me for another guy. I kissed her forehead and gave her my blessings. "I hope he does make you happy." Then I left her house.

Months later, she called me asking why despite of my deep love for her, I did not fight to keep her. My reply was simple. "I wanted someone who wants to stay with me with all her heart. Not someone I will fight to keep her love."

Humility017:
what are you saying oga goodjoe...
rohr messed up a little...
why not cap this guy in one of the competitive matches...even against Cameroon first leg match when we already won leading by 4 goals to nil...