₦airaland Forum

tbaba1234:
Odey has a higher rate but not higher number of goals as stated.

The Nigerian league is not on the same level as the Belgian or even the Danish league.

Sinama Pongolle is scoring tons of goals in Thailand's league at the moment but could not cut it in England, Spain, France or the MLS.

And you think scoring goals in the Nigerian league is easy? How many times have we had a player cross the 20 goal mark in the NPFL in the last 40yrs? Serious question.

TheSuperNerd:
Nna na wa oooo.....

Sir Goldfish.... coolu temper abeg... U dey vex ooo... 100 gini?? U wan kee pesin?

What do you want me to say? I don't think in the next few years anyone playing in this league (NPFL) will beat the record Odeh has set in the yet to be concluded first stanza.

tbaba1234:
Onyekuru 17 goals, Onuachu 15 goals are ahead of Odey in terms of goals. The coach has not even acknowledged them yet.

Onyekuru and Onachu got those goals in how many games?

Joebie:
No it's not an excuse. But why are you crying for his inclusion? is there really a cause for alarm? The SE is not in danger. And CHAN is not far away. The boy will get his chance anyway, so what really is the point?

Of course there's no course for alarm. We are just demanding we promote our local content,if we don't promote our local content nobody will do that for us.
Stephen Odeh have been phenomenal this season, he has stood head and shoulders above everyone else, such a player should be packaged properly.

Am not even calling for Odeh to replace anyone but am of the opinion he should be in the mix of the bunch. If he can't get in the mix with the form he has shown then I can beat my chest that no human born of a woman playing in the NPFL will get a shot at the national team unless he scored 100 goals.

Joebie:
League never end. Let the boy focus on the league. It's also good for his development. Let's not mount undue pressure on him. He will definitely get his chance. Make Rohr rest too.

Is this one an excuse? Has the Epl ended? But we are talking about Kelechi.

Joebie:
League never end. Let the boy focus on the league. It's also good for his development. Let's not mount undue pressure on him. He will definitely get his chance. Make Rohr rest too.

Is this one an excuse? Has the Epl ended? But we are talking about Kelechi.

BascoVanVeli:
Organizers can't rate their own players or give them chances in the Super eagles. This is what i mean by raising profile. What is wrong with Rohr just giving the best a chance. We are not asking for the whole league but when a player has more goals than any Nigerian in the world at the least more good words should be said. It sounded like he was brushing Odey off and I don't like that one bit, he might be a coach but me i'm also not blind i can see the quality the boy has.

I wish I can give you a handshake.

Icon4s:
The NFF will pay Visa fee and buy flight tickets both at this current exchange rate plus camp and other allowances just for him to train with the team in London.

E be like say you forget say recession reach every where.

Even if i had an opportunity to pick a young player to train with the Eagles it won't be Odey.

If it turns out he becomes an asset in the future. Then it is money well spent.
Nothing wrong in spending money to mould a player. Brazil did that with Kaka in the Korea Japan world cup.

Which young player have an exceptional record better than Odehs?

tbaba1234:
The door is always open for the best players. #NPFL players must prove themselves with the CHAN team first. I hope that Stephen Odey can get better because I have a @ManCity striker in my team. At the moment we're a winning team, so the #NPFL players must prove they deserve a place in the team. The problem before the Algerian game was becasue the #NPFL players were on break, so we couldn't tell about their form. There is an existing problem with Nigerian based players. We cannot tell their real age. We've not been lucky enough to play many games, so we have to talk with the players and keep in touch. We've committed time in finding full backs. We have an option in Ola Aina of @ChelseaFC , who has committed to Nigeria. We have Tyrone, Madu who may have game time issues, but we're working to get more options. I am confident we can get players. We've made contact with Top executives in the German FA about a friendly, so we could play them. Not everything is about money. I have a good working relationship with @thenff , I have good players too. My assistants are scouting the #NPFL, Imama may have enough time now, we are following the league. I work more for my assistants than I do for myself. They have families and of course they'll be worried if they don't get paid. We have a technical committee that is doing everything to make sure we do well. Nigeria needs more academies, less synthetic pitches. Nigeria is the biggest football nation in Africa, given the passion.

Gernot Rohr

Several points by Rohr.

@bolded It looks as if Rohr has been listening to me.

icon4s, Joebie, daveP, Thesupernerd, BascoVanVeli, joseph1013, Thegoodjoe, komekn, goldfish80

Nice read. However, I think Rohr is missing the point.
First of, I don't think anyone is asking for Odeh to displace a man city striker. What we are asking for is for Odeh to get a call up to train with the team, that camp experience will rub off on him and the Nigerian league. The experience will also prepare him for CHAN.

We all know how Brazil and Argentina set up their players for big European transfers. Using the media and ex players to make lots of noise. What is wrong in using the national team to boost the profile of Odeh in other to set him up for a transfer?
Who knows, this same Odeh could be a very important player for us in the future. His records so far is un paralleled.

Great stuff by the patriots on board. Nigerians are indeed fearless.

Mickael2:
We both know that GoodJoe won't let you win although you already have, just let it slide. Heard a rumour about Bance coming to the NPFL, what do you think about that? Is it true?

I read about it and to be honest, I am pleasantly surprised. I hear minor details in the contract are being trashed out.
I expect more of these sort of transfer to the NPFL. I don't know what happened to the Yobo deal to Kano pillars last year. But the Nigerian league should be at the level ex internationals especially from West Africa come back in the twilight of their careers.
Won't be bad having guys like Adebayo, Essien, Odewingie etc

I hope the LMC in whatever capacity it can step in to make the Bance deal happen.

TheGoodJoe:
Why do you think I tackle goldfish80 on just relying on articles and stats? I do my best to watch and understand what is going on. I did not cook it but tried to make it clear. If you go through it, you can see the difference.

Who is relying on stats and articles? When did I post an article on this thread? I posted interview excerpts of Tim sharewood on Fabian Delph. That's what you call article?
So what if I posted stats. You think Leicester didn't look at Ndidi's tackling stats before getting him?

Enjoy some of Fabian Delph's best moments at Aston Villa. Look at the goal he scored against Chelsea and tell me that wasn't sleeky.

Fabian Delph ● Welcome To Manchester City ● Skill…:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFEZQRJPDvE

TheGoodJoe:
Who told you flair and imagination is sleekness? You can run from pillar to post. I have simplified it for you. Delph is moving from a Rakitic style of play to a Busquets style of play. This change has improved him. It is like Onazi trying to play like Mikel.

The concept is too simple. Either you learn or keep googling articles. That article proved nothing. You can see the hammer on energetic runs. That is what Guardiola is cancelling.

If you like, keep arguing.

Too much of Man city blogging have rubbed off on you in the wrong way. You no longer watch football from what it is but you watch football from Man city perspective.
Apparently, you're saying a player can be sleeky without having flair and imagination?! ... I am not shocked. I've seen you post more shocking things to defend Guardiola. That's the classic TheGoodJoe speaking.

I had to google an interview of his former coach just so you understand Delph didn't suddenly develop flair and skills from the teachings of Guardiola.
You sint disappoint me by coming up with more laughable stuff to support your Guardiola veneration.

TheGoodJoe:
Maradona is a lefty. Is he sleek? What of Messi? They are not sleek players. Kanu and Mikel who are right footed are sleek. Same with Busquets. Iheanacho is not sleek but his left footed. Iwobi is sleek but he is right footed.

It is not a left or right thing but football orientation.

I wouldn't pretend I understood what you meant exactly that Maradona and Messi aren't sleeky. Am not sure I've seen a better ball juggler than Maradona. The man can do everything with a football. I mean everything. I've seen Messi score unimaginable goals from angles that takes the breath away, I've seen him gracefully lob keepers making the best of them look silly at times. If that is not sleeky, I don't know again.

Kelechi at UAE was as sleeky as they come. Apparently it have been coached out of him at City. They have turned the footballer in Kelechi to a fox in the box.

TheGoodJoe:
What does physicality have to do with the point? Mikel is one of the most sleek players in the game but he is very physical.

I have watched most of Delph's games for City and I am telling you that there is a big transformation in his game. You are trying to argue that one.

Pellegrini used energetic. I am telling you he has transformed from that and he is more controlling. Delph is moving from a Rakitic kind of player to a Busquet kind of player and you are saying that, Delph is not doing anything he has done before.

Delph was not sleek. Now he is sleek. His awareness has changed and he said it himself. Delph is telling something about himself and you want to argue it.

“I thought Fabian Delph showed why he’s probably, in my opinion, the best midfield player in the country at the moment.
“I’m waiting for somebody to tell me a better midfield player than Fabian Delph. I wouldn’t swap him for anyone in the mess we’re in.”
Sherwood reckons Delph has proved his commitment to the claret and blue cause with his performances, let alone his decision to sign a new contract in January.
“What does he have to do?” said Sherwood.
“He’s a warrior. He’s a dream,. Tackles passes, runs with the ball, got trickery . There’s not a lot he can’t do and he can score“He shows you with his performances. If you’re an Aston Villa fan you’re loving him aren’t you?
“ He leaves nothing on the field, but it’s not only about energy and desire. It’s about flair and imagination. He’s got the whole package. ”........

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-fabian-delph-best-9172138
Tim sharewood

The above quoted was said by Tim Sharewood after a game against Everton which Delph won the man of the match.
From the bolded you can see Tim sharewood praised his finness , flair and tricky.
He didn't suddenly develop this flair courtesy of Lord Guardiola's drilling. However, knowing what you're capable of, am sure you will find a way to twist everything just to attribute everything good to Guardiola and give an excuse why Kelechi should remain at City as a training cone.
Yeah.. I got the memo

TheGoodJoe:
You are talking another one now. I have watched Delph at Aston Villa watched most of his games for City. He is not sleek. You can not call a sleek player like Mikel and Pirlo energetic. The transformation is clear. His style of play is different.

Delph was not the kind of player I would look forward to watch. Now I do.

Simply put, you are unaware of his abilities not that he lacked quality.

Lefties are usually sleek, especially those playing in midfield. Delph is not doing anything he haven't done before.

He was never the kick and rush beast of burden kind of player. Fernando and Fernandinho are 10X more physical than Delph.

TheGoodJoe:
Continue.


“Fabian has tremendous skill and energy and the fact that he has become a regular member of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few seasons. At just 25 years old he still has his best years ahead of him.”...... Pelegrini

In the current way Delph plays, the keyword clearly missing is sleek. Energetic and skillful is totally different from owning the midfield with intelligent control, sleek passes and awareness.

Oh my.... TheGoodJoe, Delph have always been a sleek left footed player. Its Unbelievable you never watched him at Aston Villa.

TheGoodJoe:
Not the wa he did that night. Against Chelsea, he was special Delph has not played that way before. It was a total transformation. I now want to see more of Delph. He is now a brilliant midfielder when it comes to controlling the game.

I have never looked forward to seeing Delph.

Aston Villa fans will laugh you out of the room if you told them Delph have never played that way before.

TheGoodJoe:
I repeat, Fabian Delph was not the player we saw against Chelsea. I am a City fan and watched most of Delph's games, including his preseason games. He was not special. He was never the player to put Yaya, Fernando or Fernandinho. Today, he is first on my list. That is a big jump.

You have read Fabian Delph's words. You want to argue with him.

I believe you read Pelegrini's opinion about Delph after his signing. If you had watched him at Aston Villa enough, you wouldn't be this surprised about his performance the other night. He has always been a good midfield player.
I have seen him dominate games while at Aston Villa

TheGoodJoe:
Delph was never the player I will say must make the Manchester City starting eleven. He played games for City and was never in the term of what I will say Brilliant. What we saw against Chelsea was absolutely brilliant. Now I can not wait to see him play again for City.

“We’ve gone through the first year with this manager and we have learned a lot. I certainly look at football a lot differently now." - Fabian Delph after Chelsea game.

“Fabian Delph is an excellent player and I am looking forward to working with him. He has made a huge impact in recent seasons at Aston Villa and is now one of the brightest young midfielders in the Premier League.
“Fabian has tremendous skill and energy and the fact that he has become a regular member of the England squad is further evidence of his progress over the past few seasons. At just 25 years old he still has his best years ahead of him.”...... Pelegrini

That was Pelegrini speaking after signing Delph. You could see he was rated as one of the brightest midfielders in the Premier league. Delph is no slouch.

If you listen to guys like Delph and Walcot speak you can tell they are well brought up kids. They basically know what to say and when to say it. That was a very diplomatic Delph speaking.

TheGoodJoe:
Ha. I already explained that the training and Discipline will make him a better all round player. It is what we call the modern game. Do you not see how Klopp dropped Benteke despite his brilliant goal scoring ability for Firmino. If Benteke was a young player like Nacho, I would have advised stay, learn and study Firmino. Unfortunately, he is not that young, so he has to make do with what he has.

As for Nacho who is still young, he should learn and then leave to show what he can do with better playing time.

Benteke was a Brendan Rodgers signing not Klopp's player. He left because he couldn't fit into the heavy band gengen pressing style of Klopp. He left for a team who plays to his strength.

TheGoodJoe:
I have repeatedly stated that I want playing time for Nacho. I wonder how else I will write it again. However, even without playing time, Nacho can still keep developing. Fabian Delph just proved it. I do not need to write something proven.

I am nit saying Nacho is not hard working. I am saying Nacho needs to go beyond that to achieve more than he could ever dream of.

Fabian Delph have actually been a good player. I watched him at Aston Villa where he was captain and I can tell you he was the heart beat of their team. The guy broke into the English 3 lions team and basically outgrew Aston Villa.
You think Man city will go out of their way and sign a nothing player?
Don't make it out like Delph was basically trash and Pep Guardiola drilled a good player out of him, when on the contrary the Man city transfer derailed his development.

tbaba1234:
Mikel Agu is just 23
Esiti is just 22

They are part of the future as much as Azubuike. It is difficult to make that case for Azubuike at the moment because it is a stacked position. Nwakali also needs to focus on league football for now.

Siasia had a look at Mikel Agu in the lead up to the Olympics but still preferred Azubuike as his anchor man. Agu would have played a as a CB if he went to the Olympics.
Etisi have been part of this new Super Eagles and frankly speaking, he haven't fitted in to Genort Rohr's quick transition blueprint.

A talent like Azubuike deserves a chance. He's more talented then some of the foreign born kids we are running after.
If he was biracial, we would be screaming for the Nff to cap him.

TheSuperNerd:
Bia Sir Goldfish.... which one come be "other forumites" again naa?

If I recall correctly, I don't think I was even around sef.... And I have always rated Azubuike... na me share the news sef

And Sir Icon4s have been one of those who also consistently rates Azubuike... apart from me sef....

so biko... how are you alone in rating Azubuike? Me no understand....


@bolded.... Sometimes it is sad we can't always get news on these guys week in week out... but I assure you... they haven't left my own radar....

I can't remember the second person but I can say in the affirmative that tbaba1234 said he was not ready for the Super Eagles.

tbaba1234:
It is not about liking Azubuike but on what basis should we invite him ahead of Esiti, Agu, Lawal etc who are also playing well at a higher level.

If Azubuike moves to a bigger club and shows his qualities then he is fully deserving.

Sometimes, you invite players with an eye on the future. Everything is not about now, now, now, now.

ChrisKels:
I have always been a staunch fan of Azu since the Olympics and I have been yearning for his call up. The last time I talked about him in this same thread, one of the elders in this thread asked that I shunned the idea that he wasn't ripe for Eagles, I was bewildered.

We should be looking at guys like Azubuike and Nwakali to take over from Mikel. Talents like these needs an arm round their shoulders in order to have a seamless transition.
This was exactly what Brazil did with Kaka at the Korea/ Japan world cup. They brought him on as a non playing personel and he watched and trained alongside Rivaldo. When Rivaldo retired, up stepped Kaka.

BascoVanVeli:
Sure, his technical ability reminds me of Verratti. He does pick up silly cards but we really missed him in the semi-finals of the olympics.

Suprised all of you like Azubuike. I was somewhat the lone voice in the wilderness who made a call for his inclusion in the London friendlies.
Only icon79 accorded with my comment. Other forumites opposed my view because he was playing for a small club.

What wonders good publicity can do to perception.

joseph1013:
Wilfred Ndidi on Channels


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-aLK_TnlJg

From the way he speaks, you can see he has solid basic education, there's no way anyone can convince me this haven't rubbed off on his football, his relationship with his team mates,coaches and choices he makes on and off the pitch. This guy will certainly go places. A national team captain material in the making.

Icon4s:
Did they not win games to secure qualification to the Euros and did dey nt prove their top 10 ranking by finishing in top 4 in the Euros?

You still have to win matches to climb up the FIFA ranking.

You can believe whatever you want.

Take a look at this, if you like.

http://www.football365.com/news/how-wales-beat-the-fifa-rankings-system

Icon4s:
I dnt believe that. Did Romania and Wales not win matches to get to where they are?

Wales even reached the last four in the 2016 European championships.

I dnt believe there is any loop hole jare.
U can believe it if u so wish.

Wales were ranked inside the top ten before the Euros. That was the reason they were seeded in the world cup qualifiers.
You should have done a little bit of research instead of writing my post off.
You think I made it all up?

Icon4s:
I wouldnt say exactly how Romania did it. But what i'll say is it requires planning,hard work and results. That is also how Switzerland made top ten a couple of years back.

As I said before, the ranking parameters are not secret. FIFA has made it public. The ranking is done for a 4yr period. Eg the latest ranking was from March 2014 to April 2017 with the most recent results(2017) carrying more weight.

Some countries dnt play friendlies with teams outside the top 50 bc playing teams that are too low behind does nt fetch much points and if u by mistake lose or draw to any of such teams it will really negatively affect ur ranking.

Playing top teams and getting results moves u up. Just a draw against Senegal and u saw our ranking points soar. Senegal lost ranking points with that draw against Nigeria.


Jst like the case of Romania and Switzerland. You can acquire those points calculatively. The ranking points formulas are available. U simulate the results and calculate the possible ranking points from them and u select which teams u'll play in friendlies. U may nt have a choice of who to play during main tourneys or qualifiers but every opportunity u have to play against a big team jst get a result even if it is a draw. Dnt loose games even if u have already qualified from the group. Like if we secure qualification after Cameroun double header some would say we should rest our regulars and try new players. U may not get the desired results needed to boost ur ranking.


FIFA ranking has become so important these days and should no longer be taken for granted as it is now the basis for group seedings in both FIFA and CAF organised tourneys.

All you said is pretty academic. It does not explain Romania ranking 7th by FIFA and Wales rise from 122 to the top ten in just 2 years.

There is a loop hole with the geometry by which FIFA arrives at their monthly ranking. A student from Faroe Island, Jakub, developed a format which could be used to game the system. Romania and Wales used this to their advantage to beat the system.
I am not fit for a long debate, so I will leave just leave it like it is.

TheSuperNerd:
Who is willing to bet against this guy? He strongly believes Ndidi won't turn down Man Utd if they come for him in the summer.... could he be right?


Sir BascoVanVeli, Sir Icon4s, Sir Goldfish80, Sir TheGoodJoe (yeah even though you are on the other side of Manchester), and Sir Komekn.... Oya... what is your take? You think this agent is right?

Note: This is coming after I dropped a news earlier today from a foreign site on Ndidi's agent ruling out a summer move for Ndidi.
.........................................................................................................


Agent – Ndidi Won’t Turn Down Manchester United, Anyone Willing To Bet?


https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/image-22.jpg

Leicester City rave of the moment Wilfred Ndidi won’t turn down a move to Manchester United if a bid is lodged for him in the summer by the Red Devils.


Ndidi is reportedly on the wishlist of the Premier League giants following a whirlwind start to his career in England, following his transfer from Genk in January.


According to Nigerian intermediary Hakeem Bello who is close to the bonafide intermediary of the former Genk man, Ndidi will jump at the chance to join Manchester United.


” Ndidi won’t say no to Manchester United, I can proudly tell you that if a bid is launched for him, he will most likely ask Leicester City for a transfer”, Hakeem told Owngoalnigeria.com.


” We talking Manchester United you know, the biggest and most successful in England. That’s a no brainer. Ndidi won’t turn down Man United, anyone willing to bet?”.


* Daniel Martins


Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/04/06/13027/

I think Man Utd need a deep lying playmaker to free up Pogba just like Pirlo did free him and Vidal to run amorc.
They could be looking at a player like Verrati to handle this job, I don't really think Ndidi can offer that. Ndidi will thrive more playing in Jurgen Klopps gengenpressing system. He will offer a lot to Liverpool's midfield.
All in my opinion of course.