₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:
You want to argue with whoscored? I laugh in Yoruba.

Bring his dribbling statistics. Let's see the numbers and make analysis.

Iheanacho - bad control per game - 1.2
Aguero - bad control per game - 2.8
Kelechi's current weakness isn't his touch but his dribbling; he gets dispossessed 3-4 times more often than he completes dribbles whilst Aguero is dispossessed about the same amount of times as he goes past someone.

The quoted are real numbers. Bring something like that to match your point or hold your peace.

TheGoodJoe:
Tolo tolo talking. Whoscored have showed you Iheanacho is a strong dribbler. You can keep playing tolo tolo or move on.

I'm yet to see those whoscored stats. Bring the numbers and let's go from there.

Joebie:
This is my fear for SE. I know some of us have been saying don't go physical if you want to beat Cameroon, because they would win that war.
I agree with that statement to some extent. Let me start from where I disagree.

If you say we should opt for more sleek play, speed blah blah etc. The question I have for you is will we learn all that style of play few days to the game? The truth is we are most likely to play our own game, the game that we have been seeing us play, and of course we should expect some tweaking here are there. Should Rohr decide to come with a whole new approach all together, what is the chance that we can master it few days going into the game? Does our game as it stand have some measure of physicality? Do we have excellent positioning, speed, and sleek passes? It's okay to judge from our best match in recent times -- Algeria match.

Let's get realistic and analyze ourselves based on when we have a full house. And then also talk about the adjustment we need to make, if we must stand a chance to beat Cameroon. Rohr rightly said what I've been saying. Cameroon after playing a considerable number of matches together have a better chance playing as a team than us. I'm not saying we will lose, but I'm saying many things point to their favor. Sleek play, cohesiveness etc are attributes mostly seen in teams that have played more together. Hence, Cameroon stand a higher chance of playing as a team than we do. I'm not expecting likes to this post because this is a Nigerian forum. But I will always say things as it is. Sentiments aside.

Obviously you know the drill here. We love making contributions based on platitudes. They want us to play like Arsenal against Cameroon and survive. When the buck that makes up our players don't play that system at their clubs not to talk of the national team.

We love living in denial in this country. That is why we are where we are politically and economically. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. The same Nigerians you see in government are the same Nigerians you find on Nairaland. So what do you expect?

TheGoodJoe:
Keep playing tolo tolo.

How many dribbles does he complete per game? Aren't you contradicting yourself? You said earlier he modified his game around speed and movement or something like that.

TheGoodJoe:
When you said out of 24-26 players, are all of the 24-26 players regularly capped?

Those 2 players have a combination of 1 cap. Onyekuru's "cap" against Corsica and Togo aren't official.
So there you go.

TheGoodJoe:
Hehe. Lekwa Footballer and skinning. Stop making me laugh. That was brilliance.

By the way, add Onyekuru and Isaac Success to your list of ala skillers.

Iheanacho - bad control per game - 1.2
Aguero - bad control per game - 2.8
Kelechi's current weakness isn't his touch but his dribbling; he gets dispossessed 3-4 times more often than he completes dribbles whilst Aguero is dispossessed about the same amount of times as he goes past someone.

©Man City blue moon forum

Keep playing the ostrich.

TheGoodJoe:
Hehe. Lekwa Footballer and skinning. Stop making me laugh. That was brilliance.

By the way, add Onyekuru and Isaac Success to your list of ala skillers.

How many caps do Success and Onyekuru have combined?

TheGoodJoe:
Na wa for you. Did you read invention? Iheanacho causes havoc through off the ball movement but when he pulls off dribbles, it is clear to see he is quality.

A player without skill can not skin a keeper with such accuracy. .

Skin which keeper? What was so special in going round a keeper when that was his only choice? If you played football, you won't be in such awe that he went round the Zambian keeper after being set up by Brown.

When you talk about invention and "movement" being what he does more now goes back to justify my claim that skills have been coached out of him at Man City.

TheGoodJoe:
Kelechi is still skillful but he now uses more off-the-ball movements to cause havoc. It is reinvention, not coaching out. Have your forgotten the way Nacho dribbled the goalkeeper of the Zambian team? Is that not skill? What of his dummies last season?

He is skillful and is more skill than power.

You're just playing the ostrich. How many dribbles does he complete in a match? How can you classify a guy who completes less than 1 dribble per game as being skillful?

TheGoodJoe:
Did Pedro and Messi not press? The reason why a lot of teams in modern football resort to pressing is to combat the lack of physical presence. Pressing requires combined effort to retrieve the ball. This nullifies one-to-one battles for the ball.

This is one thing most people don't understand. Playing physical doesn't mean you're kicking people all over the place. Rough and physical aren't the same thing. The Barcelona team were doped to the eyeballs,that explained why they pressed with that much energy.

TheGoodJoe:
V. Moses, S. Moses, Iwobi, Iheanacho

The less skillful ones are Kayode, Osimhen, Musa,
Big but skillful, Mikel.

When we talk skill, it is not always Jay Jaysky

The skillful players you listed there are just 3 in the persons of Victor Moses, Iwobi and Moses Simon out of a possible 24-26 players.
Kelechi is not skillful anymore. They have coached it out of him at Man City. Mikel is Mikel, he's an economic player.

TheGoodJoe:
That young German team is more intelligence and creativity than physicality. Is there anyone apart from you that will tag that team a physical side?

Two for my favourite European teams are France and Germany. These 2 sides are both technically and physically gifted to survive any opponent. It is false representation to claim the Germans aren't physically strong but just nimble footed passers.

Do you want think you can press properly if you're not physical enough? Maybe our definition of physical aren't the same anyway.

TheGoodJoe:
List the powerful players in the current Super Eagles team.

I know why I asked you to list those skilful players in the Super Eagles because at a push I don't see more than 3 really skillful player there.
About 90% of this present team are physically handy.

pyrex23:
if so den y hasnt african team used their *gra gra* to win d world cup.....am with Goodjoe on this 1....he didnt say we should u field weak players all he said was how we should play...
If u field d young German squad dat beat chile against cameroun whole do u think will win?

You think those "young Germans" aren't physical? Do you know what Germans are reputed for? Germans are very tough people my friend.
Please let's not live in a non existing euthopia.

TheGoodJoe:

In recent years, we were coached by Keshi who liked mostly a physical side. That is why we had Ameobi, Emenike, Ideye etc in the squad over the likes of Uche, Osaze, Martins.

Today our quality players are more skill than power.

Please list those skilful players in this present Super Eagles team.

TheGoodJoe:
Is it Yekini, Amokachi and Siasia that will play Cameroun? This is coming from the person saying Get Real.

A history of Nigeria players in the past will tell you we don't do softies. You get the picture?

TheGoodJoe:
Are you saying you do not know where the strength of our team lies in respect of Power or skill?

Cameroun - Power
Nigeria - Skill/Speed

We should play to our strength.

I see the problem now. You actually think our strength lies in skills and speed. You're dead wrong on this.

Countries who want to face Nigeria always prepare their teams for a physical challenge. Almost all European countries who played our teams have complained how physical we are. Even down to our underage teams and female teams.

You think Rashidi, Amokachi and Siasia were bunch of sissies?

Get real my friend. How do you think we have been beating the South Africans over the years? They always complain they cannot match our physicality each time they play us.
Please wake up, Nigeria is not Barcelona. This is not club football, this is proper national team footie with a world cup place at stake, if we experiment and joke around, it will be bye bye to Baghdad.

TheGoodJoe:
We play to our strength. It is as simple as that. Not play to the strength of the Camerounians. If you play players who are physical, the Camerounians will have the opportunity to bully them because that is their strength.

If we go with speed and invention, the Camerounians will not have the chance to bully the players.

Are we still taking about real football or play station football?

TheGoodJoe:
Going with physical players against Cameroun is a suicide mission because we will play to the advantage of the Camerounians. You can not expect to beat them at their own game. We need to go with creativity, speed and invention. Run them riot coupled with intelligent and quick passes.

That is the best approach.

I disagree with this assertion. It will be sheer arrogance not take into account what the opposition brings to the table. Football is a contact sports,you can't take this out of the game. I wonder why you would want to play non physical players who will be bullied all over the pitch, is that what you call playing with intelligence and quick passes?
This is Africa. We need to match them physically and outwit them with intelligence. You make it sound like we don't have a strong players who are intelligent.

If we play physically weak players who shy away from getting physical when the need arises, we will loose home and away without scoring a goal. Please quote me on this.

wayodude:
Good one. I like hearing of players abilities that I am not aware of, I have never seen this guy play and I am desperate to see a decent right back play for Naija. You seem to have described his quality going forward BUT can he defend against Vincent Aboubakar of FC Porto? Does he have the required skill, vision, positioning, awareness, concentration, recovery rate etc to be successful against offensive players who are used to dealing with better and higher profile defenders?

There seems to be a reeason why most foreign coaches are reluctant to play defenders from the local league. I have always thought it a wise decision.

Osas is an ex youth international, elder brother of Stanley Okoro (little Messi ). A member of the Siasia u20 team of 2009 if I recall vividly, he is a Siasia boy if there is anything like that. He started out as a Right wing forward, a very deadly wing forward I must say but this season. Was converted by Imama at Rangers to a RWB to fill in for their injured regular right back. Osas have been so good in that position that when the regular right back returned, he was instead re-positioned to the left back.

Osas playing style has is very very similar to Victor Moses. Always full of energy,endeavor,skills to beat his man,good crossing and deadly from set pieces.
For what I've seen of this guy, I doubt if any of our current right backs can match him. I kid you not.

Its not like we have players from Man city and Bayern Munich as our right backs.

At the last Chan, he was one of our better performers. Add that up with his experience at the U20,s and the Champions league, you have yourself a player who is ready for the next level.

Anyone watched Osas Okoro play for the CHAN Eagles last Saturday?
I mentioned earlier that he's the best RWB in the league by a country mile this season, when a so called league expert questioned why he was listed as a defender. He's a bomber with wicked explosive movement from the Right back. Without disrespect to the players in the Super Eagles playing that role, Osas is better than anyone there, I'm sticking my head out on this one.
He deserves a look in against Cameroon,that is if excellence and fair play are the watchwords of the Super Eagles selectors.

Joebie:
Next Own Goal rumor:

Bonaventure to replace Iheanacho if...

Well from the little I've seen of a few Nigerian players in Belgium. I will go for that Peter Olayinka guy. He's a very serious talent, I was in awe the last week I saw him play.
The guy is a destroyer.
Dennis doesn't look the real deal to me, I'm sorry if anyone is offended but that's just my opinion. I hope I'm wrong.

Danycrusoe:
IF is he is the same boy, then I think he must be special and good, NOTICE he has the number 10 jersey in all pictures. BTW if this guy is in the team, then where is Million Koma that Enugu Rangers striker with the highest goals in the competition, I heard he once played in the Channels Kids cup.

I suspect Million Koma is not Nigerian. If he's not Nigerian, I guess we should leave him alone.

tbaba1234:
Girona officially announce Kayode's loan move. Goldfish80

http://twitter.com/GironaFC/status/898493773239513089

I see he's training with the team already. I will definitely be looking out for him. I heard Girona defeated Man city in a friendly earlier this week.

Joebie:
Oh yes he is. Rumors about Rohr inviting Nwakaeme -- OwnGoalNigeria

That's good news. I have been advocating for his inclusion for awhile now.

I hear Dangote going really vocal about acquiring Arsenal. Well, fair play to him.
Since he's a football lover, one cannot understand why he has not considered leaving a legacy in Nigerian football or sports in the shape of a world class academy in Kano. The Qatari's he's trying to mimick have developed a world class academy in their country, even Abramovich owns a football club in Russia and his company pays the salary of a world class coach like Fabio Capelo for the Russian NT.
For the touted amount acquiring Arsenal would cost (£2-5 Billion), a tiny fraction of that amount can change the life of Nigerian football for good.

Joebie:
Rosenborg Newboy Adegbenro Steals The Headline With Debut Goal Against Ajax
August 17, 2017020

Samuel Adegbenro got off to a flying start with his new Norwegian side by scoring the lone goal in their 1-0 win over European giants Ajax at the Amsterdam Arena.

Adegbenro joined Rosenborg 72 hours ago from fellow Norwegian side Viking for a fee in the region of €1.5m, and was named on the bench for their Europa League qualifiers against Ajax.

The 21 year old proved his money worth ‎nine minutes after coming on with the only goal of the game in the 77th minute to hand Rosenborg a shock 1-0 win.

Adegbenro will no doubt be pinning for a start when the host the return leg next week in Norway, where a win will see them progress to the group stage of the Europa League.

Osas Mahawi


--OwnGoalNigeria

I hear this guy is highly rated in Norway.

TheGoodJoe:
Iheanacho to you just stands on one spot? Without the brilliant pass of Neymar, Cavani will not have scored that goal. Finito.

That was our problem against South Africa. Faulty passes. You talk like someone who only read stats. As if you counted 90% pass completion watching the match. It is just browsing.

I watched the game. Started it, followed it alongside the Madrid - Barca game.

We need to work on creating more incisive and accurate passes to get the best of our forward players. Comprende.

Talking as if Iheanacho brings nothing to the table. Did you not read the Algerian coach when he pointed out that Iheanacho's running helped destabilize their defence? Because, I know you could not watch such a thing and point it out. At least you can read that and know Iheanacho brings more to the team.

Have you not seen Nacho make brilliant passes during counter attacks or rake assists? Ha.

Lekeens didn't know what hit him, his comment after the game betrayed him as an average jobber who can't read a game properly. No wonder he was sacked after a poor nations cup.

Here's are some reviews of Kelechi's tipid performance score after the game ;

Kelechi Iheanacho: 5/10 - Given a run upfront, the Manchester City man looked out of sorts and awkward, miscontrolling frequently and needing too many touches. Missed a glorious chance late on to put the game to bed.
http://m.goal.com/s/en-ng/news/17252/super-eagles/2016/11/13/29458222/nigeria-player-ratings-vs-algeria/kelechi-iheanacho-nigeria/11

KELECHI IHEANACHO 5/10
Led the attack for the Super Eagles but never really made much impact in the game.
http://www.completesportsnigeria.com/super-eagles-rated-vs-algeria/

These two reviews truly reflected Kelechi's performance on the day. As a matter of fact, I smell something fishy about the Leekens interview, those quotes from "Leekens" could only be traced to owngoalnigeria.
No reputable daily reported the Leekens interview, I stand to be corrected.
Even the "Algerian journalist" interview looked like it was targeted to force an opinion. Who are they trying so hard to convince Kelechi played well on the day? Why did these two reports emanate only from owngoalnigeria.com? Your guess is as good as mine.

TheGoodJoe:
Costa receiving through passes from Fabregas is 1995. SMH. Did you watch Guingamp vs PSG two days ago? Did you not see the brilliant through pass Neymar gave Cavani that Cavani converted in a brilliant fashion?

Costa don't bring anything else to the table abi? He just sits and wait for Fabregas to lay it on the plate for him? You speak like someone who just watched highlights of matches. Football is beyond highlights and goals, it's a 90 minutes sport. There are different phases in a game.

The Cavani you mentioned wasn't standing around to wait for a made for the TV pass from Neymar. Cavani completed about 90% of his passes and won about 70% of ariel battles he contested. Even if he didn't score, he put up a good shift. In this modern age, you will rather have a guy who contributes nothing other than standing around to wait for a glorious pass. I tire for you.

zicky:
playing with his back to goal is a Big minus, that same player positioning is a positive. Pls I don't understand this statement.

Btw Iheanacho does play with his back to goal

You don't under what playing with back to goal means or you don't understand what positioning means? What exactly don't you understand so I can clear you up.

TheGoodJoe:
Inzaghi was a World Class striker and he relied on through passes.

We are no longer in 95. Nobody wants a log up top who waits for things to fall for him. Chicarito would have been playing for Ac Milan if we were in that era.
Teams are better coached and prepared these days to deal with a log who waits to be fed. If you want Kelechi to play like that, then Fulham or Dagenham Redbridge beckons.

Joebie:
At this stage, we know kelechi's strengths and weaknesses. There are games he would not excel. Personally, I think Kelechi is not a gra gra player.
He needs some space to operate. He has not done badly in the EPL because he is a talented kid. But I think his true potential would be seen somewhere like the Spanish or German league.

This is what I'm saying. As a striker, I expect him to bring more than goals to the table. Several aspect of his game really needs to be fine tuned. His first touch is still underdeveloped, playing with his back to goal is a big minus, arielly he doesn't win anything and his right foot is quite bad to put it mildly.
The positives to his game are shooting and positioning which are excellent, his passing is decent enough and he's very good from set pieces (corner kicks, Pks). If he can work on his weaknesses he could become a hit, he is young so he can still hit that celine.