₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
Truth be told, i think Alampasu is better than both Akpeyi and Ezenwa but the experience factor is against him. Akpeyi should start.

For a goalie, being talented is not enough. Exposure matters alot

TheGoodJoe:
Who was our Olympics No. 1 goalie? Akpeyi should have been number one due to his experience.

If the 60,000+ shouting fans means better keeper, then Akpeyi should easily Outshine Alampasu. If not, what is the use of the experience, if not getting an unfair advantage over a better talent.

Alampasu's team actually plays in the 4th divison in the Portuguese football league.
You really canvassing for a keeper with a 4th divison team to start against Algeria? The biggest game for Nigeria this calendar year.
You make me laugh sometimes

TheGoodJoe:

Alampasu is no more U17. He is a regular goalkeeper for a European team. By the way, where was Akpeyi's nerves when Emmanuel Daniel displaced him?

It's not a chasm between 17 and 20.
He's playing for a second division side in Portugal. You hardly have 50 people watch such games live at the stadium let alone having it on live TV.
Totally different from the 60000+ swearing fans in Uyo. Its not even close.

Emma displaced Akpeyi from where?

TheGoodJoe:

My stance is clear. I believe the training ground is the best place to sort the team. Not history of games. If Alampasu does better in training than the other keepers, then the right thing to do is start him.

This game is too big for Alampasu. Alampasu is not exactly known for having nerves of steel.
At the U17 world cup, it took him 3 games to settle. Nerves got the best of him until the knockout stages when he settled in. Against Algeria, no matter how good he is in training, he will just be too nervous in the first 30mins atleast.
You don't want to imagine what could happen within those minutes. Akpeyi starting is unnegotiable

TheGoodJoe:
It could also result in Setting Alampasu for Success.

You want to play Russian roulette with Alampasu in Uyo?

The call for Enyeama is far fetched and totally unrealistic. We must make due of the 3 keepers in camp. And based on my analysis and knowledge about the keepers, Daniel Akpeyi us best suited to start.

Alampasu is too young to start in such a crucial game. People comparing him with the AC Milan goalie are doing him no favours.
In a high pressure game like this, I wouldn't even consider starting Alampasu because that would be setting him up for failure and probably ruining his development.
Imagine if the young man makes an error which leads to a decisive goal, the abuse he would get from 150m Nigerians may just be too much for him to ever come back from.
Nigerians can be unforgiven. Aiyegbeni and Keita have yet to be forgiven for their gafe since 2010. Alampasu has a whole career in front of him, I wouldn't want to ruin his confidence for life by suggesting he starts against Algeria.


Ikechukwu Ezenwa it's a guy I have watched live for a good number of years. I don't think he is the kind of character I would trust for a high pressure game like this. Funny enough Emmanuel Daniel kept him out for an entire season when he signed with Rangers.
Due to lack of game time, he left Rangers for Sunshine, I think. Ezenwa is too erratic to be trusted.. He can be brilliant in a minute, the next he would be totally shocking.

Akpeyi is the most suitable for the job. He has not done badly in the games he played. The game against Egypt, he made no gafe. The goal came as a result of a deflection off the foot of Efe Ambrose.
In a friendly against South Africa, he made stunning views saves that people nominated him as Enyeama's replacement.

Akpeyi is the most trusted of the three in my opinion.

forgiveness:
You said he was released by Regina but I no sir, you are wrong. This one you are bringing is another topic.

He was released by Kalloni because his contract expired that season. He signed two years contract with them and he regularly for one and half season before he left.

I posted in error about Regina releasing him. It was indeed Kalloni who released him after a season. He signed 2years deal but was released after a season.
It's on his Wikki page.

tbaba1234:
Not true, he has played more games as a CB. He only started playing DM when the new coach came.

The data you posted showed he was considered a DM.

tbaba1234:
Actually, Ekong is more impressive because he has played more games. It is harder to have such percentages with more games than less games. 20 games could actually see a fall in average because you have more data points.

Even Agbo with same number of games has better stats.

The stats could go both ways with higher number of games.
Omeruo's first 3 games of the season, his stats were pretty basic. His pass average was less than 75%.. With more games his stats are close to Bailey's.
If you watch closely you will discover Ekong in some columns has marginal percentage gain more than Omeruo. With another 10 games Omeruo will cover those +2% patches.

tbaba1234:
An interesting comparison of defensive stats of called up defenders shows Uche Agbo with very good stats. Second only to Ekong.

Based on stats, Ekong, Agbo, Omeruo and Balogun in that order.

See below..

Agbo have played more games this season as a DM. It would not be fair comparing his stats with other CBs. Unless you get days of the games he played CB and match with the others

tbaba1234:
Statistically, Ekong is the best defender at the moment.

Omeruo should start at right back. He is the most suited to play that role solidly. Balogun can get caught out for pace.

Ekong's stats was culled from 24 games while Omeruo's numbers come from 7 games... Omeruo's numbers will soar even higher if 20 games are put into consideration...

forgiveness:
He was not released. It was because Regina was relegated a year after they lost promotion play off to the Serie-a. That was what prompted him to play in Greece.


In short, he was too loyal to Regina else he would had gone to a serie a team that wanted him after they lost the play off but he stayed behind and the team went on relegation the next season.

He left for Greece league.

From his wiki page, it was stated that he was released by the Greek club Kalloni.

edi287:
Bro, forget stats, Koulibaly is a beast!!!. I watched a couple of Napoli games last season and damn that guy is insane. Omeruo has potential, but he's not yet on Koulibalys' level.

Forget stats? Numbers don't lie. Koulibaly is a top CB am not disputing that. One of the best young center backs in the game.
Am just pointing out that we have a defender who is matching Koulibaly's statistics...
Am in no way disputing Koulibalys or Baileys qualities.

forgiveness:
This is 2016, bros.

Many water don pass under bridge. He must have improved na or don't you think a former serie-a and currently a serie b player is not good enough?

After his spell with Regina, he was released and went on trials at a Scottish club.
If he has improved to merit a call up, his career trajectory wouldn't reflect being released by a seria B club and going for trials in Scotland

TheSuperNerd:
Eric Bailly is indeed rated by many as Africa's best Centreback.

But it's still kinda debatable when Kalidou Koulibaby is thrown into the equation. Anyway, shaa.. I also rate Bailly as Africa's finest centreback right now but plss check the Napoli "beast at the back".

It may shock you to know that Omeruo is statistically better than Koulibaly. Am surprised to find this out...
Infact apart from Ariel duels won which koulibaly wins hands down because of his height advantage. Every other defensive action, Omeruo actually wins.
They both average 2.0 tackles per game, but interceptions, clearances, blocks Omeruo aces Koulibaly hands down. Interestingly, Omeruo have played 4 games fewer hand Koulibaly..
Honestly, if Omeruo continues with this form, he could get a recall by Chelsea. Koulibaly is not £40m better than Omeruo.

forgiveness:
We have many RB players abroad...

Brain Idowu, Ehizuhe, Aina, Odubanjo and Daniel Adejo.

Why do you guys rate this Daniel Adejo guy so high? At the WYC in Egypt 09, he was shockingly very very bad. He couldn't even trap a football properly in that tourney. Nurruden Oralesi at left back was the best defender we had at that tourney.
Seriously, why do you guys rate Daniel Adejo? Is there something am missing?

Mickael2:
right now, I don't even know why we are looking at that boy at all.

Omeruo right now should be our starting RB, it's not as if the position is new to him, and one thing I love about the lad is that he is NEVER out of position, a vital trait for a RB which Onazi lacks totally. Our defence line is almost already set, Omeruo-Leon-Ekong-and a mystery guy. Seriously that RB option isn't even a problem, Omeruo should have that tied down permanently and then he will free up one of the CBs slot for Otigba and Ebuehi can go to HE....wherever he wants to go to with his agent. I mean what is the essence of using Omeruo as a backup when he can play as a RB perfectly well and when we also have other great back-up options in Agbo, Alimi and Otigba? Ebuehi, Musa and Idowu should be fighting for the second RB option or they might go over to the left wing and fight for that spot, besides Azpilicueta is right footed

I think Omeruo is better suited at right back than Ndidi. He started out at Ado den Haag as a right back and was excellent...
Judging by his current form, he is statistically Nigerias best defender currently. If he plays RB, I can guarantee you, whoever Algeria field on the left will not have a sniff all night long.
I matched his stats with Eric Bailey's and discovered he is almost on par with Bailey.. infact he edges Eric Bailey in some aspects....
Example, omeruo's pass accuracy is stands at 81% from 54+ passes attempts per game. Bailey attempts just 34 passes with an accuracy of 87%...
In there defensive dashboards, there is nothing in between them, however Bailey edges Omeruo out marginally in interspetions, tackles and clearances with the odd 2% while Omeruo leads in blocks. It must be said Bailey have played 2 more games than Omeruo. This could influence the little +2% he gets over Omeruo in some aspects.

Reason am comparing Omeruo with Bailey is because Bailey is rated Africas best CB. So am matching Omeruo with the very best....

Omeruo must be starting against Algeria as a RB or CB

TheGoodJoe:

I do not think it is right forcing a player to play for the team. It is a personal decision. Ebuehi needs time and does not want to jeopardize his career at this moment.

It is best the NFF lets him know the door is open to him. When he wants to play for us, he should let us know.

Time to look within the country to hunt for a young promising left-back. The NFF needs to support Musa Mohammed to settle in the right club.

Wait a minute, can't Chidebere Nwakali play right-back?

Onazi is also very good at the right-back position. Rohr can play him there and play Ndidi in defensive midfield.

I totally agree with you. We should be looking at internal solutions at the moment.
Onazi can tuck in at right back, also Omeruo.

I just checked Omeruo's data since after the game against Zambia. He is indeed the most inform /improved Nigerian defender currently.....
His all round defensive stats have almost doubled.... From tackles to interseption. His passing improved from 74% to 81%. The Zambian game have served as a spring board for Omeruo of old to re-emerge.. .

Omeruo must be starting the game against Algeria in whatever capacity, in my opinion.

TheSuperNerd:
We won’t give up on Ebuehi –NFF


https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/punchng/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/02002753/Tyronne-Ebuehi.jpg



The Nigeria Football Federation has said ADO Den Haag right-back Tyronne Ebuehi will be handed another invitation to the Super Eagles after the 20-year-old on Monday opted out of the 2018 World Cup qualifier against Algeria in Uyo on November 12.


Coach Gernot Rohr on Saturday included Ebuehi in his 24-man squad for the crucial tie but the player said he would prefer to concentrate on his club career at the moment, adding that he might consider future invitations from Nigeria Ebuehi is seen by Rohr as the solution to the team’s problematic right-back position but his withdrawal from the Algeria game caused widespread reactions in the media.




The Chairman, Technical Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation, Chris Green, on Tuesday said future invitations would be handed to the youngster, insisting that Ebuehi, who is also eligible to represent Holland, having been born in the European country to a Nigerian father, never rejected Nigeria.


“He didn’t reject Nigeria. Did he say he will not
play for Nigeria? We need to exercise patience,”
Green stated.

“We have a squad of 23 players, Ebuehi was the 24th player. We actually invited him to see how he fits into the team; so that he can get used to the players and blend with them.


During the next FIFA window, he will be invited again for our friendly game.


“That hasn’t changed; he will still get an invitation to the team.”

He added that other players, including in-form Austria Wien striker Kayode Olanrewaju, who has notched 13 goals this season, would be invited to the team.

Green said, “There are positions we are looking to strengthen and Ebuehi and Olanrewaju and
others are players we have in mind for the next
FIFA window after the Algeria game.”

Source: http://punchng.com/wont-give-ebuehi-nff/

Let's preserve some dignity please. No more invites for Ebuehi.

I belive moves have been made to cap Otigba http://m.bbc.com/sport/football/36249520

Mickael2:
i doubt if there is any part of what you said which I disagree with. So maybe being combative is better for you, that is great as well. But Onazi also has positional issues, when it comes to that he just can't maintain his composure for 45 minutes in fact

I wouldn't go with all brawl no brain Dm. Am just saying having a combative DM sitting next to a play making type is best suited in a dual pivot.
Just like Pirlo had Gattuso at Milan and Vidal /pogba at Juve.
Onazi have always been criticised for lacking positional discipline but me thinks, Onazi is not a DM but a CM naturally. To unlock Onazi, you need to have a sitting Dm like Ndidi next to him while he presses high up the pitch with his energy. Just my opinion

Mickael2:
Onazi has a poor passing range, that's just the truth and that's what I have been saying since sha. If you are asked to choose between a DMF who can press like mad and one that can maintain a zonal system of marking with a good passing range which one will you choose? Benteleb plays more like Busquets, Busquets hardly wins ariel balls, has a low number of successful tackles, all he does is that he positions well to intercept passes and he is probably the best DMF in the world. Onazi not only lacks a good passing range but also tactical discipline to maintain his position, I would be a big liar if i do not appreciate his marking skills though, that's why I loved one formation that someone posted here which included a ball carrier, if we are employing that formation then Onazi will be okay since the ball carrier will be taking the ball from his feet literally thus reducing the amount of misplaced passes. Anyways it's all about personal choice, you might like a combative DMF like De Jong.

The bolded is what am saying exactly! Iwobi has the potential to be better in the future, but the future won't play football for you, based on current form there is just one winner, maybe next year the tide will turn

When I first saw benteleb in 2014 when he broke into the Tottenham team, I really liked him. There was a certain charm about his game that I liked, probably him being left footed has something to do with this.
Because in my ideal line up, I will love to have either of my CB left footed or the DM because there's a certain level of balance of passing having a leftie in these positions.

In my opinion, a combative DM is better suited in African football than a play making type. The league and opposition determines what kind of player is better suited.
In the premiership, if you go with a play making DM, you will be murdered. For all Alonso's play making, he needed a grafter like Macherano to hold his hands.
Arsenal have been criticised for having a soft under belly since Petit /Viera left, they lost a lot of points erratically because of this till the emergence of Couqline...
Shneiderin needed a Wayama. It goes on...

A Bouquet type of player would need plenty of steel beside him to prosper in African football or even the Premiership.

Benteleb though talented doesn't have the chops the dominate games in Africa, just watch and see how these Algerians will be booted out of the Afcon at the Quater finals next year.

Mickael2:
if any of the two you mentioned happens to be our starter then they are both better than Benteleb of course, but he is better than Onazi, my point.

honestly bro, Brahimi is better than Iwobi, check the number of chances created, number of assists I think, number of dribbles completed, number of anything except passes because Arsenal's tactics deals with passes unlike that of Porto. we actually agree here, 5 players from Algeria can make our team, the sixth one is debatable make I no start am

Apart from passing range, Benteleb is not far ahead of Onazi as you think. I remember the 2014 world cup against France, Onazi had Pogba and Matuidi in his back pocket all afternoon. It was an unreal performance...
Just watch how Onazi will press Algeria to death in Uyo. That guy is a big game player
I have never seen Benteleb dominate a game against a world class opposition like that.
If onazi can get his passing range together, he would make a monster midfielder with his all action pressing style.

Brahimi statistically edges Iwobi but when we look at both players critically, one will discover Iwobi is the player on the upward trajectory. He has the talent to surpass whatever Yacine have achieved in his career.

Mickael2:
this just proves the point I made, his main aim is to.distribute from the back, they have two defensive minded midfielders so his basic function is to spray passes which he does better than both. Like I initially said, our starter in that position is Onazi, so why don't you compare their stats? please don't even try, no comparison in anything.

Guediora should not be compared with Iwobi here, Iwobi plays as our LMF so compare him with Brahimi who would probably play there for them and we all know the winner, Brahimi hands down, Iwobi is a great talent but not yet the complete package. Guediora might not even start for them, Slimani will obviously start ahead of Ighalo, Brahimi will probably start ahead of Iwobi, Ghoulam starts ahead of anybody we can field, Mahrez starts ahead of Moses and there is absolutely no way that Onazi starts ahead of Benteleb, that's five of their players off the top of my head who would start in our team

I didn't want to compare him with Onazi because the Turkish league is not extensively covered by opta stats that is why I compared him other Nigerians playing in UEFA cup, a competition which Benteleb plays with Schalke.
And judging by the stats, he is not out performing neither Ndidi nor Ogu in the UEFA cup.

Comparing Brahimi with Iwobi, am sorry to announce Iwobi edges him out.
Against Sunderland 3days back which was judged as Iwobi's worst game of the season. Iwobi completed 19 of his 21 pass attempts in the final third. Astonishing stats for the WORST game of Iwobi's season.

Apart from shooting, Brahimi holds nothing on Iwobi in terms of brilliance on the final third

If you read my post, I mentioned Ghoulam, Mahrez, Slimani and maybe Brahimi(as a no 10)as the only 4 who will get into our starting 11.

Mickael2:
different coach, different likes and dislikes. Bentelab was a starter under AVB, and he is good as a creator from the back. meanwhile he is starting for Schalke, that is no mean feat at all, great lad. even Emenike was linked with Tottenham, nothing came out of it, Nigerian press I would assume.

so you would choose past achievements over control recent form? I think Guediora came in when they were promoted, he is a midfielder so you don't expect him to score 30 goals, although he has scored more goals than Ighalo this year, why are we even discussing Ighalo? our main striker on the day for me should be nacho with both Ighalo and Ideye on the bench

He is starting for Schalke but his stats this season have been basic.

His stats % compared to John Ogu pales in comparizm when their UEFA cup dashboards are compared.

Their pass completion % aren't so dissimilar with 86% and 85.5%, but comparing other components of their game, Ogu towers above him. From dribbles completed, to blocks, to clearances etc....
It's interesting to find out Benteleb for his tall frame only managed to win 50% of his ariel duels... While Ogu has over 85% ariel wins.

Comparing him with Wilfred ndidi in the same competition, his stats are also inferior but for pass %. I repeat Benteleb is a very average midfielder.

Funny enough, the two guys am comparing him with aren't even starters in our team.

Guediora as an attacking midfielder cannot be compared to Iwobi.
Iwobi pisses all over him....
I will even stick my neck out for Etebor being a better talent Than Guediora.

We should be wipping these guys in Uyo. Our toughest game to negotiate in this qualifiers would be Cameroun especially away in Yaounde.

Mickael2:
hahahahahahaahahha, you are seriously joking right?! Benteleb, from Tottenham to Schalke and you think he won't make our first team when funny enough, it is Onazi who is occupying his position? the boy is good not average. Ghezzal from Lyon is also amazing, we might argue that the French league isn't a true test but it's a good league after all. and well Guediora isn't average, at least he is in better form than Ighalo. their squad isn't average at all at all, we also have our own guys who are exceptional but if you were to make a team out of both squads, they will probably have the edge there but that does now in anyway undermine our own talents

The same Benteleb who couldn't get a single start last season at Tottenham? He lost his place to an academy boy Eric Dier last season.
I think pochetino binned him for lacking the intensity and guile his playing style demands.

Onazi always gets kicked here, but people forget he's always linked with Everton and Tottenham when he was at Lazio. Under a hard pressing system, Onazi will survive at Tottenham than Benteleb.

Guediora maybe in better form than Ighalo but he has not achieved 1/4 what Ighalo achieved for Watford the past 2 seasons. Tall to me when he has scored 30+ goals for Watford.

olapluto:
Opposition watch: Invited Foreign based Algerians.
Keeper: M'Bolhi (Antalyaspor -Turkey)

Defenders: Mandi (Real Betis -Spain-) Belkaroui (Esperance Tunis - Tunisia-) Medjani (CD Leganes -Spain-), Ghulam (Napoli -Italy-) Cadamuro (Servette Geneva -Switzerland)

Circles: Bentaleb (Schalke 04 -Germany), Guedioura (Watford FC -England) Taider (Bologna FC -Italy-), Abeid (Dijon - France-) Brahimi (FC Porto -Portugal-) Boudebouz (Montpellier Herrault -France-), Feghouli (West Ham - England-) Ghezzal (Lyon - France)

Forwards: Unas (Bordeaux - France-) Mahrez (Leicester City -England) Slimani (Leicester City -England-) Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb -Croatia-)

Not like I know alot about Algerian football,but for Brahimi, Mahrez, Slimani the rest from midfield to attack are bang average players.
In defence, Ghulam the left back is the only top talent in the defence. Although he is prone to being erratic and yellow carded. Moses should be instructed to attack him with pace, within the first 20mins he will be yellow carded. This I belive will slow him down.

I don't think there is anything to fear about these Algerians, infact only Mahrez, Brahimi and Ghulam can make our starting 11....
We should be spanking these guys 4:1 or 3:1 in all honesty.

TheGoodJoe:

Obiora was that bad. Do you remember the Inter Milan game that Bale ran riot on Maicon? Obiora was one of the reasons it happened. Benitez gave Obiora that responsibility to support Maicon, he failed and left Maicon exposed throughout the game.

One of the big mistakes of Benitez. Keshi dodged a bullet when he dropped Obiora at the 2012.

I remover the game. Although I can't remember if obiora played in that game.

TheGoodJoe:

Carrying Aluko was not wrong but damn, Obiora was wack. Looks someone pushed and not pure footballing talent.

LOL was he really that bad? Inter Milan thought otherwise.. Lol

tbaba1234:
As long as we are parading truly young players.. Some will inevitably slip through the cracks. In 2007, we did not parade young players, that's the frustrating part. At least maybe one of them would have been at Alaba's level today.

It's quite surprising that 2007 team has hardly produced any player of repute.

I rated Udoh highly, I thought he would go on to even captian the Super Eagles at some point. Matthew Edile was signed up by Man city after the tourney,but nothing has been heard about him since then.

Rabiu Ibrahim after the euphoria signing for sporting Lisbon have since stagnated

Lukman Haruna is Lukman Haruna.

Chrisantus......

Guys like James Rodriguez who played for Colombia at same tournament with no impact whatsoever is currently at Real Madrid, worth more than $50m

Am disappointed with that generation to be honest.

TheGoodJoe:

What is sad was that, as soon as Bayern Munich signed Alaba, we should have contacted him. Let him know he has a chance to play for us. Send scouts to watch him.

If Austria felt he was good enough for them, in 2008, Siasia should have reached out to him and assure him a big role in the U20 Squad.

Sad, Siasia was more interested in Obiora Nwankwo.

I think Siasia was more interested getting Sone Aluko for his 2009 WYC in Egypt. Nwankwo Obiora was home based at the time with Niger Tornadoes or Wikki tourist if I remember.

TheGoodJoe:

''I wanted to play for Nigeria but I must confess that there was no formal approach for me. A scout actually discussed that with me. I was excited because of my dad, he was a fan of Sunday Oliseh when Oliseh played for FC Koln. As a kid, I loved to watch Victor Agali in the jersey of Hansa Rostock,''

'' I got the information that Nigeria will only consider those who were in the country perhaps because of travelling logistics and that is the end of that."



http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/sports/7508-why-i-dumped-nigeria-david-alaba.html%EF%BB%BF

I read this version a long time before I heard he was in camp with his dad. Whichever one it is, he has gone to do well for himself and we watch him with admiration.