₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:
No one said Iheanacho was as good as Messi and Ronaldo. That is simply not true. As for Mbappe, I remember me saying Iheanacho is a better finisher. I doubt that has changed. Mbappe has other things working for him that makes him a better player.

However the point was judge Iheanacho after he has a good run of games.

Baffling when you listed the reasons why Leicester City pack bus style of play may not suit Iheanacho especially with him not a top man but you are trying to change the narrative with the no excuse talk.

Let us see how the season pans out but there is no need distorting the truth.

TheGoodJoe. Relax. You have started defending Iheanacho already when he has barely played up to 15mins.

I would not have taken you up on this debate if you had not started blaming the Leicester system. Relax and watch the boy play. We are all Nigerians and wish he succeeds at Leicester. Nobody will come and beat you in your house if things don't turn out well for him.

TheGoodJoe:
No one said Iheanacho is in the same class of Ronaldo and Messi. That is a blatant lie and it is shocking coming from someone of your calibre.

The regular comment was Iheanacho is a top quality talent with the potential of being one of the best in the World. That has not changed but decisions plays a big part in achieving greatness.

Hardwork is also a big part.

Those that have been on this thread long enough can bare witness to the type of hype Iheanacho received here. Tomorrow you also deny that Iheanacho was ever rated higher than Mbappe here.

How can you start giving excuses already for Iheanacho after just barely 15mins of EPL action with Leicester?

When Ahmed Musa struggled last season you didn't blame it on the Leicester system. But it has come to Iheanacho 'the Leicester system doesn't suit him'. This is a golden opportunity for him. He better quickly adjust to the system and start playing. He is not getting any younger.

tbaba1234:
Watford bought new attacking players so maybe he has been forced out of the team.

So where is he now?

Isaac 'The beast' Success. A highly talented player at youth level but gradually slipping off the lime light.

Isaac Success did not make match day squad for Watford against Liverpool. Any updates on him from. anybody?

TheGoodJoe:
I totally disagree. Benteke does not suit Klopp's system. Does that mean he is not quality? It is a normal thing in football. We have seen players shine like diamonds in other leagues and system. Next thing those players are atrocious in another.

That is why if you see most of my suggestions of players moves, I always consider the system to suit the players. Others just go about playing time like if it is all that.

I expect Iheanacho to find his way around the situation but saying a player must shine in every system is not true.

I do not expect Leicester City to be all pack bus this season. There are teams they will play on a more creative fashion but their football is not the right fit for Nacho.

If the hype on Iheanacho is anything to go by he should not find it difficult fitting into a system like that of Leicester's.

This is a player some of you here said is in the same class as Ronaldo and Messi. Some say he is better than Mbappe.

A player that as at 2years back I said he is not there yet you guys almost chopped off my head.

This is his season to prove his mettle but if he doesn't well...I'll say here we go again.


No excuses.

We remember today as the day our very own Samuel Sochukwuma Okwaraji died.

On August 11th 1989, He had earlier collapsed on the pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere during a 1990 World cup qualifier games against Angola. He was later pronounced dead in the early hours of 12th August, 1989. He was the strike partner (SS) to the also late Rashidi Yekini.

Sam Okwaraji, may your soul continue to rest in Peace. Amen.

TheGoodJoe:
It is the club.

I see.

TheGoodJoe:
The support role is okay but the striker tole is most ideal. However, Okazaki's running is an asset to Leicester City which means Nacho has a tough time ahead of him.

Wish Nacho joined a possessive passing side. The long ball routine of Leicester City does not fit the philosophy of the current Super Eagles team. We will see how the season progress.

If Iheanacho is to be featured as a CF the number of games he would sit on the bench In Leicester would be worse than what it was at City. Sebi na when Aguero they get injure Iheanacho Dey sometimes see game. Vardy is always as fit as a horse. He plays almost every game for Leicester.
Okazaki is also in a blistering form.

The long balls kind of game may not particularly suit Iheanacho as he has issues with his first touches. He is also not as pacy as Okazaki. Leicester does not typically play short 1-2 passes something Iheanacho is good at.

Well, my own is if you cannot outshine players like Okazaki and Vardy at Leicester City then you are not worth the hype after all. Period!
This is his chance to prove his mettle.

TheGoodJoe:
I did not talk U17. No need bringing U17 into the argument. The talk was Pellegrini working with Chidi Nwakali in camp and selecting him for the preseason tour of City. Nwakali was to play for the City team before injury struck.

Due to the work permit issues he went to Girona and could not get a game. A player picked by Pellegrini, could not get a game. After he left Girona, he has been a regular in the clubs he played.

So this has nothing to do with U17. If Chidi Nwakali with his talent was a white kid in Girona, he would have played more. It is as simple as that.

Have you really seen Chidi play aside U17 and U20?

TheGoodJoe:
He did not get a chance. We are talking of a player who has quality. If not his injury, he was picked to take part in the Preseason for Manchester City. Picked by Pellegrini who had a good time in Spain.

Not a chance. That was way abnormal. Then with Chidi being the only black player in the team. It is obvious.

The quality we saw from the U17 right?

The earlier you lower your expectations on some of these ex-junior internationals the better for you o.

TheGoodJoe:
Apart from Girona, no other club saw him as a regular bench material. Think of not a chance in a team like Girona. Not last season Girona. I think Pellegrini was still at City at that time.

You think the issue is with the club and not the player himself?

TheGoodJoe:
Okazaki worked really hard and played well. Although I saw weaknesses in his decision making which shows there is room for Nacho there. Although the most favored position for Nacho for me is upfront.

The amount of balls that went to Vardy was a strikers dream. Almost all players back and all balls to Vardy. Any other role is not that effective. We will see how they set up against weaker sides. But, Nacho needs to work his socks off. Leicester City will not be a work walk in the park.

With Vardy in that team there is no way Iheanacho can will clinch that CF position. He will need to fight for Okazaki's place or a WF position.

pyrex23:
can mahrez b removed to accomodate d 3
which formation did they use last night

They played out their typical 4-4-2. With Okazaki providing support for Vardy.

I don't see Shakespeare dropping Mahrez.
The player whose position is at stake is Okazaki definitely not Vardy especially with his output last night.

With the way Okazaki and Vardy combined last night Shakespeare is likely to start the pair upfront in their next encounter.

Musa's plot to HullCity is definitely a smart one as there is obviously no room for him in this team.

TheGoodJoe:
Yep.

Where did you get that from?

I know your expectations on Chidi Nwakali has necessitated this your line of thought.

You know my stance on most of these ex-junior internationals has not changed.

TheGoodJoe:
Girona is Guardiola's brother's club (Pere Guardiola). My only problem with this move was how Chidi Nwakali was badly treated at Girona. He was the only black man in the team and was left on the bench throughout his stay.

Wish Kayode a blast in the La Liga.

You mean the reason Chidi was left on the bench was because he was black?

TheGoodJoe:
If Vardy must play, then he should not make the change and save Iheanacho for another game. Vardy was not part of the defensive organization and he was obviously tired. Working hard and threatening, yes but the steam was not there. Nacho was the best threat to keep the attack alive and would have kept that defensive organization.

As you said, Shakespeare is still learning but that kind of football is just too terrible. Congrats with your victory.

I must also add that with Okazaki and Vardy's games last night it means Iheanacho will definitely need to buckle up to be a starter.

TheGoodJoe:
If Vardy must play, then he should not make the change and save Iheanacho for another game. Vardy was not part of the defensive organization and he was obviously tired. Working hard and threatening, yes but the steam was not there. Nacho was the best threat to keep the attack alive and would have kept that defensive organization.

As you said, Shakespeare is still learning but that kind of football is just too terrible. Congrats with your victory.

Well I don't think Leicester was terrible overall. They had a good game until 10mins to end of regulation time which may not be unconnected with the atrocious substitutions made by Shakespeare.

Ryan Mahrez was the worst Leicester City player on the night.

And thanks for the congratulatory message.

tbaba1234:
Goal for Joel Obi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF0hptLIgRY&sns=tw

Congratulations to him.
Oya Joebie come do your needful.

TheGoodJoe:
I am very happy with today's game because I like when nature punishes a coach who makes sentimental decisions.

Vardy was due for substitution for a long time but Shakespeare decided to keep Vardy on the pitch. This was clearly a sentimental choice.

Vardy was tired and Leicester City was winning. Sending in Amartey was alright but removing James to bring in Iheanacho was atrocious. Messing up the midfield balance and giving Arsenal room to fire on all cylinders.

I hope Shakespeare learns from this. No need setting up a player to shine. Let the team shine and not a player.

Ndidi had a mixed game. Some high and low points. His work rate and pressing was brilliant. Needs to work on keeping the ball with less risky passes and sometimes pass back to the keeper and defenders.

Overall, Good performance.

Leicester City's football is also terrible. Sad Iheanacho is trapped in such pack bus team. Hope he reinvents himself to make the most of this move. I do not like what I saw today with respect to Leicester City's game play.

I don't agree with the coach removing Vardy.

Firstly he was there number 1 goals threat.

Secondly, in such an open game that we all knew Arsenal could easily come back it is best to still keep Vardy on the pitch.

Thirdly he remained a needle in the ass to the Arsenal backline and often pressed alot.

I totally agree that Substituting James for Iheanacho set the coach on a path of self destruct. That is school boy coaching tactics.

In a game of such magnitude the greatest risk you should even take is making a like for a like substitution.

At the emirates stadium, you are 2-3 up , Arsenal just made a serious attacking substitution.
With barely 10mins left you knew Arsenal was going to come all over you. And then you helped them by removing a midfielder and bringing on your new 25million pounds striker.
If he had wanted to show case Iheanacho in this game why didn't he play him from the start?

Well, experience they say is the best teacher. He is still learning as a coach.

As for Ndidi he had an OK game in my opinion. Although he has to share part of the blame for Arsenal's 3rd goal.

oloriooko:
Wenger's defence is a cause for alarm, conceding 3 goals with a team like LFC?
Wenger got to throw in the towel at the end of this season, the guy has lost it

No cause for alarm. With Koscielny and Mustafi back. We are good to go.

The major positive from this game is the numerous attacking options showed by the team. All 3 strikers Lacazette, Welbeck and Giroud scored and are in blistering form. Remember Sanchez is still in this team.

BascoVanVeli:
Looking like another opening day loss for the gunners.

You say wetin?

A good game.
The substitutions from both coaches made the difference.
#COYG!!!!!!

Joebie:
haha.. for your mind na downfall oh.. how many Nigerians go grab Championship opportunity with both of their hands. He will be in the EPL again soon. I respect people's personal decisions. No be me get their career. Our leaders are not better than them.

Let the fun continue. I'm enjoying the anger. Trust me from Emenike to Onuora.. Watch out for the next call. you know I can always be the last man standing. Me vs everyone.. I no send lol..

You can as well call for Peter Rufai. na wa

kennysville:
My friend, I want to believe you are intelligent. Therefore, I would rather u stick to the narrative and skip the part where u tacitly insult other people. I dont engage in insulting people and so I dont suppose I ought to be insulted. Kindly choose your targets wisely.

That said, from the days of Justin and john fashanu, we have had this issue. Where we have to plead with players born in foreign land to play for us. Let us not forget that Nigerians arent so forgiving. Fashanu played soccer to the highest level. After he retired, Then he remembered he wants to input in to the football organisation in Nigeria. What stood against him is just his decision to not want to play for Nigeria when needed the most. The same played out with Agbonlahor, Ade Akinbiyi and all 3 lions wannabes.Before the advent of egunje nko? Have you asked yourself that? Before Nigeria became a corrupt state nko? I say once again, whether you are better than what we have or not, if you are not willing then off u go. Forget about how big or better you might think you are. If he was that good, he would be playing for chelsea or Man U or Arsenal. Sometimes we tend to forget that its TV cameras that made us know certain players. What about the ones we never discovered on the streets of Ajegunle? In a nation of 170 million, it should be a priviledge that you got called on to represent Nigeria. And i think this is where most of our players get it wrong. SMALL money now, they act like they own the state.

They should always remember that it was a case of time and chance. I remember when FA sent Idah Peterside to speak to this dude. The guy was gonna play for 3lions and told Idah categorically he doesnt "feel" nigerian. Now in the twilight of his career, he suddenly is a candidate?
Idahwas like if any one mentions this dude again in nigerian football circles or thathe now has a change of heart, he gonna strip naked and curse him.(Not them say... he said it on super sport programme Soccer Africa)

Everything cannot be blamed on egunje. If you dont feel like a Nigerian,its nobody's fault. We wish you good luck breaking into the 3lions or whichever team. Up till today, apart from Dele Alli, which player of Nigerian descent played more than 6 competitive games for England? They always end with U21 sides. And now we have to kiss the ground they walk on because they are partly Nigerian? Haba
Let it be clear, Nigeria isnt your second choice because you carry british passport. This is the problem I have with people who altogether forgot their roots and because of greener pastures forgot to train their Kids as to where they come from. I can understand for the ones who had absentee Nigerian dads. What do we say about o es who actually have both parents being Nigerians? Like it or Not, if Sone Aluko chooses not to play for Nigeria again, he has something to show for it. AFCON medal!
Thats as close as it gets.

And on a final note, Nigeria possesses abundant talent because we dont teach football. It is practically in us. If we develop our own academies and structures that allow for growth of players, there wont be this talk of Foreign born . I dont have anything against this,but lets stop making lame excuses for these born and bred in Lodon kids. I will personally blame parents. Roots are important!

Kenny my friend, you have said all there is to be said about this foreign born issue.

When I saw the call for Onuoha on this thread, with statistics and what have you, I shook my head and picked up my keyboard but the response from safarigirl, calmed my nerves.

I was personally, even more pained than Idah Peterside, by the way Nedum went about his rejection of Nigeria. Then he was at Mancity and thought he had arrived but that marked the beginning of his downfall.



CALL NEDUM ONUOHA FOR WHAT!!!!

cis9:
Make Money here.
Click My signature.
Thank me later

Make all the money your self.
If at all there is money to be made you wouldn't share it.

pyrex23:
how many points do we need to qualify auto

Let's secure a win against Cameroon in Uyo first and then see the result of Zambia Vs Algeria then we can start the calculations.

Joebie:
Yes, but which 3 strikers possess these traits?

All 3 may not necessarily be natural strikers. A CF and two WF would do.

tbaba1234:
Aaron Samuel scored for CSKA.

This is one player I had earlier mentioned I need to watch closely this season. let's see if he can regain his form of 2014.

Joebie:
I've been saying this long. I saw his style. And Onyekuru's words confirmed it when he said that is his preferred position. He was given the number 9.. And now this.

At least he is more 'ready' than Victor Osimhen.

bossto:
Perhaps Etebo will man the post because he plays several roles/positions.....LOL

No. Yakubu will be better.

Truidstar:
@goldfish80, brother I respect your die hard support for Akpeyi, but I don't see him in goal against Cameroon. We struggle against teams that sit back and defend, we beat teams that come out to attack. I will restate it here with all confidence, WE WILL QUALIFY FOR THE WORLD CUP WITH TWO GAMES TO SPARE. As long as Akpeyi no dey goal.

Are you suggesting we play the Cameroon game without a goalie?

tbaba1234:
Team of the week in Belgium

Dennis and Onyekuru.

You know once in a while I just think we can play Onyekuru as a CF.