₦airaland Forum

Mickael2:
I can't believe you are still arguing this with theGoodJoe of all people, I am tempted to ask if you are a newbie.

#Fact: Iheanacho's first touch has been poor since the match against Algeria, I think the boy seriously needs to start learning how to control the ball with a second touch in tight positions, I wonder what he is learning from Pep's drill if his first touch is getting worse by the day. Saturday wasn't an exception, he was making runs on the wrong side of the midfielders, you have 2 right footed midfielders apporaching from the DMF position, your runs should be in such a way that it would favour their right foot but he will be standing behind the last defender on the left side waiting for a miracle, and even when the miracle came he couldn't outpace a 35 year old GK like you said but the other day I said Kayode is faster than Nacho and some of them wanted to kill me.

TheGoodJoe always says that he wants Nacho to play more like Suarez, so do you think that Suarez would have stayed up top all match long looking for a lucky pass? When such conditions happen in Barcelona you see Suarez dropping deep, and he and whoever is there will start playing 1-2s from outside the box to unlock the defence and if Nacho did something similar, trust me Iwobi feeds on those kinds of play and he would have brought Iwobi into the game which makes me believe that even if Iwobi moved into the middle nothing would have changed because Nacho wasn't just great. There is a reason why Pedro and Willian score a lot for Chelsea because their lone forward brings others into play

This is exactly what I have tried to communicate to TheGoodJoe. Funny enough, Rantie was the closest I saw to Suarez not Kelechi.

I expected to see Kelechi try to get closer to Etebo and sometimes even switch positions, allowing Etebo or even Ndidi the space to run behind him from deep which would inevitably destabilise the South African organisation at the back.

If Kelechi had dropped a bit deeper, Etebo/Ndidi would have had the space to make untracked runs from deep inside the Nigerian half. I can tell you CBs don't like dealing with those kind of runs. Box to box midfielders like Vidal, Lampard,Pogba trive on this sort of situations.

Kelechi playing off the shoulder of the last defender, waiting for an inch perfect through ball was not a wise move because those through balls will always appear over hit, under hit and definitely make the passer look stupid with the organized defence of the South Africans. And Khune well stationed in goal to play the sweeper role.

Someone who didn't play the game won't understand that the defensive setup made those passes look bad.

TheGoodJoe:
I wonder what to tell you again. Kelechi Iheanacho made good runs, opened for passes and the midfield failed to connect him. He can not get criticised for the midfield failing to connect with him.

The organisation and positioning of the South African defence made it difficult for any through ball to find him.
Even when the balls came to him, he couldn't bring the midfielders into the game like a proper lone target man will do.

I've read reviews and ratings by various sources on this game, not even one gave Kelechi a pass mark. Why you're making excuses him beggars belief. Even if you're his agent, this blatant deceit is unacceptable.

TheGoodJoe:
I have explained what Baxter meant. He clearly said we could have scored early. The question is why did we not score early? Because the midfield failed to connect good passes to Iheanacho. When Iheanacho gave Etebo a nice pass, it was suppose to be a goal but Etebo missed it. So Iheanacho does not deserve criticism. Please do your self a favor and watch the game again because I wonder how you can miss the runs of Iheanacho.

When was the last time those perfect passes landed on the laps of Kelechi? Even with Mikel in midfield against Algeria, those passes never came.
Why don't we try something else to break down a defence? If the system the Eagles are playing isnt suitable for Kelechi as the lone forward, why persist with something that isn't working?

We cannot afford to drop even a point moving forward because Lesotho have the propensity to withdraw at anytime, just like Niger and the group is left with only the table toppers qualifying. With no margin for errors, do you think it's wise to stick with Kelechi as the lone striker? Obviously with his poor first touch and inability to play with his back to goal? Please give me a break.

TheGoodJoe:
I agree about I am wearing tinted shades, Your own is blindfold.

All these because you can't bring yourself to acknowledge that Kelechi had a poor game.
Even when the South African coach said we lacked quality upfront.

If you genuinely believe Kelechi had a good game. It's either you never watched the match or you're just being willfully dense.

TheGoodJoe:
Your brain needs reset.

We needed to sort out our final balls by putting someone in that position to make more accurate passes. Finish. Not Iheanacho doing something else. Haaa.

Same story against Algeria, Zambia and South Africa. Yet am the one who needs to reset my brain.
You have to take away your rose tinted shades of Kelechi and all things Manchester City worship out of your system.

TheGoodJoe:
Haaa. Argue the one you know. Iheanacho's timing were on point. Only one offside. The rest perfect. The final balls were off. Finish.

Since the final balls weren't pitch perfect why did he continue doing something that was obviously not working? Is he daft?

TheGoodJoe:


Do your self an immense favor and watch the match again. Watch how many times Kelechi made runs that were through on goal and the pass was overhit by the midfielders. At least four times in the first half alone. How you want to blame the striker for poor performances from our midfielders beat my imagination.

Simple. Kelechi Iheanacho made repeated brilliant runs but our midfield failed to make one good pass. This fact you can not change.

Playing off the shoulder of the Last defender played into the hands of the South African strategy because they kept a smart line which even with perfect delivery, Kelechi would have been caught offside.
Even the one good delivery given to Kelechi, he laboured through and got out paced by a 35yr old Gk.

Seriously, I wonder what will happen when we play Cameroun with this same strategy, employing Kelechi as a lone striker. Against those rugged Camerounian defenders and a smart Gk. They will easily shut us out over 2 legs without breaking a sweat.

Danny Mills Takes Stick For Strange Comments About Nigeria


Danny Mills has never been one to waste too much time dallying with restraint. After Luis Suarez bit Giorgio Chiellini at the 2014 World Cup, for example, he called for Suarez to be locked up.
He's once again taken some stick today for some strange comments made on BBC Two. Mills was doing co-commentary with Guy Mowbray on the U-20 World Cup final, which has ended in glory for his native land: they beat Venezuela 1-0 thanks to a goal by Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Such success will naturally excite the English media for the future, although during the game Mowbray did sound a note of caution: playing for England at U-20 level will not prevent a player from declaring for a rival nation at senior level.
Mills was having none of this on commentary, claiming that players should stick around for England, to play in the Euros and the World Cup, as they are the competitions that "really matter".

“ Again, I'm going to be biased but if you have the opportunity to play for England, you have to take it.
The quality of England, for me, far outweighs the chances you will have for Nigeria. OK, you might go to the African Cup of Nations, you might pick up a medal.
But in terms of competitions that really matter on the world stage, the Europeans, the World Cup...England would be your first port of call.
Of course I'm going to be biased on that.

https://www.balls.ie/football/danny-mills-366852

TheGoodJoe:

That is like saying because Inzaghi does not hold on to the ball he is limited. We are talking of perfect runs and a simple pass to put him one on one. Why should Iheanacho bother with holding the ball when the defence split repeatedly for him to get through on goal. Please, our poor passes to Iheanacho failed us yesterday. It is too clear to see.

Same thing played out in the game against Algeria,you defended him, claiming that he pressed the Algerians.

Against Zambia, immediately Ideye was subbed off, Kelechi barely had a kick of the ball.

How long will you keep making up excuses for him? Would you rather sacrifice a place at the next afcon and probably world cup because you want to be proved right that Kelechi is what he's not?

Irrespective of how anybody feels about this, the truth still remains that we need experience in this team. Any national team whose average age is less than 27 will not win anything.
Last night I watched our team file out with all the players under 25 bar the goalkeeper and Elderson.

The presence of guys like Mikel, Moses Omeruo, Balogun and Ideye would have diluted this age gap and massively improved us going forward.

This whole nonsensical disdane for calling players based outside Europe should be reviewed especially when they still have a place in our team. If Brazil can call their player based in China and win games in a tougher continental qualifier, who is Nigeria not call on their Chinese contingent?

Ideye before his move to China was topping the goalscorers chart in Greece and so far, he has been in good form in China. Why not call him up? Iheanacho's game wouldn't have been as bad as it was if he played off Ideye.

TheGoodJoe:
You drop deep when your team is having troubles creating chances. In this case we could cut through the SA midfield with ease but our final balls to Iheanacho was awful. We needed to make our passes not clinical. Dropping deep will take our the focus of our attack.

For goodness sake, Kelechi had a poor game yesterday as the lone forward yet again. I saw nothing different from the mare he had against Algeria.
Compare him with Rantie who was playing same lone striker role for his team, the golf in class with what both brought to the table was just miles apart.

Kelechi basically doesn't have the chops to hold the ball up on his own. That's not his game, he's better off facing the game than playing with his back to goal. A perfect partner for him should be Ideye who is perfect with his back to goal. If you want us to keep pretending that Kelechi is good playing as a lone striker, then no problems. We might as well not qualify for the Afcon.
Not with the improving Libyan aide coached by former Spainish national team/Real Madrid manager Javier Clemente

TheGoodJoe:
Kelechi Iheanacho's positioning and runs were precise. Unfortunately we did not have the right personnel to deliver the right passes for him to tear the South Africans apart.

You can not blame an attacker when the midfield supplied little to no balls. Watch the match again and see how many times Iheanacho was through on goal. Unfortunately the final balls were wrong.

As an attacker he just didn't do enough. I expected him to drop deep and help the build up play. He played exactly the way he played against Leicester City away,sitting on the shoulder of the last defender and waiting for the final ball. A futile wait must be said.

TheGoodJoe:
Kelechi Iheanacho was an asset up front yesterday. Unfortunately we did not have the right personnel in midfield to use him to cause damage. If not, we would have been two or three goals up first half.

Don't start abeg. What exactly did he do yesterday? How many shots on target did he muster? How many shots off target did he have? If it was Ideye who had such poor stats, everyone would have been all over him.
I have always told you people not make demi gods off these players. You're not helping them.

Humility017:
to be honest....wit you wit no offence
I think those indigenous assistants working wit rohr are empty skulls
especially that agu and Yusuf
u see RSA had to go call rantie to come play because of his past precedent playing Nigeria...
Yusuf claim to have been around for so long and still inexperienced

Please the Nigerian assistants wouldn't have done anything. Rohr was the man in charge, the buck stops at his office, he makes all the decision. Why not mention Rohr's foreign assistants?

Humility017:
I truly blame rohr...for iwobi lapses
he should have use the boy on the 10 role and let etebo play frm the flanks
watching Algeria match should have taught him that... where iwobi disappeared into tin air

I think Rohr wanted a little bit of power and muscle in midfield that was why Etebor was preferred in the middle.
I hope this will be the last Kelechi is seen playing the lone striker role. I have always said he's a liability up front on his own. Yesterday was one of such nights again.

Icon4s:
See rating you gave Simon and Iwobi. Simon that was just playing balls across aimlessly and just playing to the gallery all night. And you gave Iwobi 2/10? Kai na wa.

Atleast he tried to do something all night though it didn't work. What did Iwobi do exactly? What was Iwobi's highlight last night?

Akpeyi (5/10): None of the goals he conceded was directly his fault but he wasn't convincing enough in his ball handling. We could have been a goal down in the first half thanks to one of those butter finger moments.

Shehu (5/10): This game really passed Shehu by. He didn't manage to join the attack at any point in the game. I don't know if he was playing to instruction by Rohr but whatever it was, he didnt help our cause going forward. His reluctance to join the attack left Moses Simon to always try and outwit his markers. Playing at home, I expect the full backs to cover the entire length of the pitch

Awaziem/Troost( 3/10) : These guys aren't bad players at all, but when under pressure, they folded. Awaziem is a good prospect but starting a young defender in a game of this magnitude proved to be a bad desicion especially when we have a Gk who isn't sure of his place in the team. Not the best of conditions to start a young CB if you ask me.
Still scratching my head how they went on Awol for the second goal. I can't understand why 2 the CBs weren't anywhere close to 20 yards of the Bafana striker.

Elderson (5/10): Just like Shehu, he didnt join the attack. I will be surprised if he covered more than 4Km in this game. Our full backs were very poor today.

Onazi /Ndidi ( 4/10): They had a decent enough first half. Didn't allow South Africa time on the ball. Were quicker to the ball but generally, couldn't control and dictate the pace of the game. As expected, they both are destroyers not play makers.

Etebo (5.5): He tried as much as he could to influence the game but it just didn't happen, not due to lack of endeavour but because South Africa had game plan, which was to saturate the zone of the pitch he normally operates in.

Simon (7.5/10): By far our most dangerous player on the day. His running, tricks and flicks was a asset all game but unfortunately just like the rest of the team, he couldn't hit the final ball.

Iwobi (2/10): This was a game to forget by the Arsenal man. His stats would have read something like 0 through ball, 0 crosses, 0 shots on target, 0 shots off target. To be honest, Rohr should get another system to fit in Iwobi.
Although as a youngster, it is expected his form wouldn't be steady. That's why he's still learning.

Iheanacho (2/10): Just like Iwobi his stats wouldn't look good. He basically had no attempt on goal. Can't even recall if he had a shot off target, won 0 ariel balls. He was very anonymous and poor on the night. Pairing him up with a guy like Ideye will free him up like the Zambian game.

Subs:
Musa(5.5/10): Couldn't do much to influence the game. All running Hut no end product

Kayode (------)
Osimhen (-----)

Rohr (2/10): As the manager, he couldn't find the correct balance nor figure how best to make use of the talents at his disposal. His substitutions were questionable, especially when he subbed off Kelechi for Kayode. This shows a lack of technical flexibility,as one would have expected he withdrew one of the Dms and brought in an extra striker with Kelechi tucking behind the striker whole Etebo takes up the role vacated by the 2nd DM. Starting Awaziem without the first choice keeper to hold his hands was not good judgment.

First of all congratulations to South Africa. They have been on a steady rise over the past few years and today they proved they are one of the team's on the rise in Africa.
It's unfortunate the usual naija gra-gra didn't allow us acknowledge we are facing a vastly improved opponent. I cringed a little when I read someone on this thread some days back saying we are beating South Africa by 6:0.
Imagine the arrogance

Loogan:
No one cares if you love iwobi the most or not but guy are you watching this match? Like the other guy said iwobi has been impressive with the little he has seen on the ball he's Just not getting it enough, Simon has been the least threatening oga

You can see why ure just an arm-chair analyst. Rohr could see Iwobi have been piss poor and promptly subbed him off. Dont watch football with sentiments. Nothing good is achieved with sentimental desicions.

Iwobi and one of the Dms should be yanked off while Kayode and Musa enters the fray with Etebor dropping deeper

AIG07:
Iwobi a waste? Na which match you de watch. He is been played to the wings.so far He has performed well with the little ball he has been given...

I'm a big fan of Iwobi, any regular here can attest to that. Unfortunately, I don't get carried away with sentiments. He's been poor, haven't looked threatening like Simon on the other side.

Not an impressive first half to be honest, especially with the final balls. Same old first half handbrakes like witnessed against against Tanzania and Senegal.

Iwobi have been the worst player on the pitch so far. I think Rohr will pull him and one the Dms (Onazi/Ndidi) out and sub Musa /Kayode in.

45mins and no shot on target is not good.

Joebie:
OPPONENT WATCH

Leaked – Bafana Bafana To Play With Five At The Back Against Eagles, Jali Gets New Role

Head coach of the senior national team of South Africa Stuart Baxter will approached Saturday game against Nigeria with a safety first approach as he is prepared to play with five defenders at the back.

Baxter recognise how deadly Nigeria can be in attack, and wants to nullify the pace at which the Eagles attack by playing men in front of the defence to stop them from threading balls behind.

That said the coach who loves to play with two defensive midfielders will this time around settle for Kermit Erasmus as the most advanced of his midfielders due to his ability to move from box to box regardless of how deep he plays.

Meanwhile Andile Jali will be the most important player for Baxter’s team against Nigeria with the KV Oostende defensive midfielder given a role just in front of the defenders, particularly to take out whoever leads the line for Nigeria as the top striker.

While Jali will concentrate on the top striker for Nigeria, the three centre back will be on alert to help the full backs if Nigeria threatens from the flank as expected during the course of the game.

Jali is well known for his well timed tackles and interceptions and Baxter believes he will be key to their chances of causing an upset by using him to disrupt the Super Eagles from their free flowing brand of football.

The coach has also asked his wards to be very physical against the Nigerians who are no where near them in terms of size, but are unpredictable especially with the ball at their feet.

Osas Mahawi

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/06/09/leaked-bafana-bafana-to-play-with-five-at-the-back-against-eagles-jali-gets-new-role/

I don't know about this Jali guy. I think their main man in midfield is the white boy Furman. Why aren't they talking about him? Mind games?
Very lovely player.

bigblangston:
if memory serves me right, ejide was keeping for etoile du Sahel while ejiogu (arugo monkey) was keeping for julius Berger fc

Ejide was actually at Gabros at the time.

safarigirl:
ngwa ke? Chukwu aju...please, I am from Arochukwu, Atani like icon4s said.

Ada Mazi, ndaa aga imere?

Humility017:
.
to be honest ever since rohr took over as SE coach these slow start tempo has been improved upon
unlike before rarely do SE score as much as 3 goals all in the first half..

I am more worried of the team's complacency in the second half

I wouldn't exactly say it has been improved upon because out Rohr's 6 games in charge, we have had slow starts in 3 out of 6( Tanzania, Corsica, Senegal), while we started well in the other 3 (Algeria, Zambia and Togo*).
It's been 50/50.
I will say let's wait and see the Super Eagles that will turn up on Saturday.

TheSuperNerd:
NFF bans Supporters Club from Eagles, Bafana clash
By Gowon Akpodonor

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Nigerian-football-supporters-club-320x180.jpg

• ‘We can’t recognise factional leaders’
• Ladipo, others hold emergency congress today


The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came down hard on the two warring factions of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club yesterday, ordering them to stay away from the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, venue of the Super Eagles versus Bafana Bafana AFCON qualifier on Saturday.


The NFF has equally asked the two warring leaders, Vincent Okumagba and Rev. Samuel Ikpea to step down with immediate effect to pave way for fresh elections, just as it called on the President General of the body, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo to also quit honourably.

But in a reaction yesterday, Ladipo, who is the chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the Supporters Club was not a government property, adding that it was wrong for the NFF to dictate how it should run its affairs.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick said yesterday in Lagos that there seemed to be irreconcilable differences between the two groups, adding that such unhealthy situation could lead to bad result for the Eagles in Uyo.

“I have made it clear that the Supporters Club should not come to Uyo for this match on Saturday. I have also told Ladipo to resign and conduct a fresh election. The two warring leaders, Ikpea and Okumagba should also resign because we can’t continue to work with factional leaders,” Pinnick told The Guardian on his way from a football event held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island yesterday.

Contacted yesterday, Okumagba said: “I have not heard of such directive from the NFF. On his part, Ladipo said: “If the NFF says we should not come to Uyo for the match, we will stay away, but I want whoever is giving such directive to know that the Supporters Club is a non-governmental organisation. It is registered with the CAC and we have been paying our monthly subscription for the past 62 years.”

The Guardian learnt that the call by the NFF for fresh election has prompted the leaders, including Ladipo to call for an emergency congress today in Lagos.


Source: https://m.guardian.ng/sport/nff-bans-supporters-club-from-eagles-bafana-clash/

I support the call for Rafiu Ladipo to step down. The man have been the president of supporters club almost forever. There should be room for another person to step up and introduce something new to the group.
Enough of the same old boring, slow tempo songs,zero choreography.
We need fresh ideas please. We're in 2017 for goodness sake.

Icon4s:
Which home work? Na you give am the homework?

The game against Senegal was our first after Algeria in November but meanwhile Senegal just can back from the AFCON and were still hot from the competition.
Even I predicted a though first 20mins for Nigeria.

The Corsica game too, the players were just coming back together after a long season Plus we had so many debutants in that game that it took some time for the Chemistry to start building.

The game against Togo was a manifestation of what early camping can do. Just look at the early goals. And some of our key players were not even in that Togo game.

The SA coach should get scared that our team is building up momentum. They can even find themselves 3-0 down within that first 20mins he said he will silence the crowd.

I told someone recently that SA are just too unfortunate that our game against them is being played at the end of the season and hence we have had enough time to prepare for them. Unlike our previous qualifiers that were played during FIFA free windows where the players barely have 3-4 days to prepare.

I read that article about the SA player saying Nigeria have players in the big leagues but their team work will help them. It simply shows they are seeing our team as same as it was 2-3 years ago. They think we don't have a team just a bunch of talented players.

I am seeing a wide margin win for Nigeria against SA on Saturday.

It's just cliché or stereotypical of Nigerian teams to start build up slowly, sometimes laboured, but once they click into gear, they are almost unplayable. You've followed Nigerian football for a long time to know this.
I think our inability to deal with South American teams over the years could be traced to this slow build up. An Argentine coach once said that his key to beat the Nigerian team was to start on the front foot and grab goals as early as possible, don't give the Nigerians time on the ball to build up tempo because when they do, they will hurt you. I can't remember his exact words but it's something along these lines.

The infamous game against South Africa in 2015 played out almost like so, with the South Africans starting on the front foot, grabbed 2 goals. If not for the last minute goal, we could have lost.

If I was to manage a team against Nigeria, I will try to exploit the first half to my advantage and get the players and fans rattled, obviously I expect the Nigerians to get better and respond in the second half.

I hope Rohr works on getting the handbrakes off in the first half.

Expect to see a close encounter, you recall the South Africans defeated Senegal* and were held to a draw by Burkina faso in Ouagadougou. We should take them seriously.

Joebie:
OPPONENT WATCH

We have got to shut the crowd up in Nigeria‚ says Bafana coach Baxter
Stuart Baxter says if Bafana Bafana can shut the crowd up in the first 20 minutes of Bafana Bafana's 2019 Africa Cup Nations qualifier against Nigeria in Uyo on Saturday‚ it will be advantage South Africa.
Bafana meet Nigeria in their opening qualifier for Cameroon 2019 having never beaten their nemesis the Super Eagles in a competitive match.

This will also be Baxter's first game in charge at the start of his second tenure as Bafana coach.

"I think we've got to shut the crowd up. That's one of our big jobs‚" Baxter said ahead of his team's afternoon departure to overnight in Lagos‚ then flight to Uyo in central Nigeria on Thursday morning.

"If we let the crowd get excited‚ and Nigeria enjoy the game‚ then I think that's going to be a big plus for them.

"I think if we can turn that around and frustrate them a bit‚ and be better than they think‚ and have more to say than they think‚ then maybe the crowd could be a bit of a negative for them.

"I think that's important. And maybe if Niegria could have chosen‚ they might not really have wanted to play us in the first game at home.

"Because then there is the scenario that if they lose they're going to be under tremendous pressure from the beginning.

"So we have to use that. With the mental part of the game‚ the boys have to feel that this is one where we can spoil the party a bit. We can make it difficult for Nigeria."

Baxter said stifling Nigeria in the opening 20 minutes could be crucial for Bafana.

"It will be big. The critical phases of the game are always important‚ and I think the first period in this game is a big one.

"Because that will either bring the crowd into the game‚ or it will take them out a bit.

"If the first 20 minutes are not what they had hoped‚ then immediately the crowd will make their displeasure felt‚ then they will be baying for blood. And I think that will be advantage us."

The coach said Bafana's two draws against Nigeria - including having held a 2-0 lead in Uyo - in the qualifiers for Afcon 2015‚ which SA reached at the defending champions' expense‚ has helped chip away at the Eagles' psychological advantage.

"I think that having been there and having gone through it‚ it gives the players a sense of calm. I don't think we fear Nigeria as much as respect them‚" the coach said.

"The players have gone there‚ they've gone through the mill so to speak.

"They're thinking that they have gone there‚ and maybe if they had hung on they could have gotten the result."

Bafana and Nigeria are drawn with Seychelles and Libya in Group E.
- TMG Digital/TMG Sport

Stuart Baxter seems to have done his home work on the Super Eagles. The last 3 games apart from the match against Togo, the Super Eagles have had a slow start in the first half, especially in the first 20 minutes.
Obviously the South Africans might want to take advantage of this. It is a logical game plan. Hopefully, Rohr and his crew will work out a strategy to counter this.

TheGoodJoe:

I repeat, I have nothing against Kayode. Been a fan of him since his U17 days. I am saying take the highest goal scorer props with a pinch of salt because the Austrian League is weak.

If we take everything with a pinch of salt, we may not be able to field a team. A good percentage of our regulars don't play in top 4 European leagues, neither do they play for championship winning sides.

Dedebanky85:
I beg to differ. Most Austrian first team players are predominantly bundesliga based or EPL. From the top of my head, Fuchs, Prodl, Wimmer, Aurnatovic EPL; Alaba, Baumatlinger, Dragovic & Shcopf Bundesliga; Janko is not Austrian based. But I get your point tho that they may have played in Austrian league at one point in their career.

Obviously they have a good bunch of players in various leagues across Europe. Which is just about a handful, the rest play at home.
I will say close to 70% play at home. All of them started in Austria.

Also, the world's best high performance training centre is located in Alps Austria. Elite athletes train there before major tournaments like Olympics. I think Arsenal had their pre season camping for like 10yrs in a row at the Alps.
They are seriously developing.

TheGoodJoe:
They have recorded growth, but did not win the Euros. Doubt they passed first round. Good side, I praise their determination to grow but their league is still weak.

Not until they win the Euro before you belive they are coming up?
How about Netherlands who didn't even qualify for the tournament?

If you see quality appreciate it, irrespective of where you find it. Because you think their league is poor (which by the way is on par with Belgium, Switzerland, Russia leagues ), it doesn't mean you cannot find quality there.
You should learn to judge players by what they bring to the table rather than the club they play for.

The last Afcon Mvp was playing in the USA 2nd division. Not even MLS