₦airaland Forum

TheGoodJoe:
That was a bad day in front of goal. Even the best like Messi, CR7 and Ronaldo De Lima have days like that. It does not mean deteriorating. That is why I have the 5 games theory to judge a player. There is room for bad days.

Rohr has the cards in his hands and has started playing it.

Thank God your opinion does not count on this issue.

TheGoodJoe:
Underdogs on paper. With belief, determination and hard work, we can make a strong impact. I have full faith in these lads.

Plus the NFF and clueless Sports minister.

Well, I have said my own.

TheGoodJoe:

I also understand his point but our young players could make massive impact in the tournament. Remember the youngsters of Ghana in 2010 and the young Spanish team of 2006.

Two years later, the Spanish team peaked at the 2008 Euros, winning it under Aragounes tutelage. As I keep saying, footie is a long term project. What we need is a massive impact and we will be okay.

They got to where their young talents and abilities could carry them.

We are not saying we expect the team to flop. What I expect is at least a commendable performance.

Please look at our squad and look at those of Brazil, Germany, France, Spain, Argentina, Belgium, Italy, Chile, Portugal, and England and tell me we are favorites to win matches against these teams. We will be a massive under dog in that WC.

TheGoodJoe:

I can understand the clamor for game time but you of all people knew my stance. I have full belief in Guardiola's methods and made it clear just after he arrived. That was during the preseason.

A season or two under Guardiola EVEN IF IHEANACHO IS ON THE BENCH, will make him a better player.

You in particular was shocked at the statement, given my belief in Nacho. I explained he will need time adapting and competition for game.

Where we are now is troubling to some but not me. I envisaged this happening and believed Iheanacho will become better after it. I never expected an easy path or regular game time.

I understand Rohr's perspective. He wants to monitor the development of his players and know where to contribute to their development. He can not do this with Nacho not playing. I get our Super Eagles boss and bow to his demands.

Not yours. Lol.

Who am I?

#NigeriaAheadOfCity

TheGoodJoe:

I can understand the clamor for game time but you of all people knew my stance. I have full belief in Guardiola's methods and made it clear just after he arrived. That was during the preseason.

A season or two under Guardiola EVEN IF IHEANACHO IS ON THE BENCH, will make him a better player.

You in particular was shocked at the statement, given my belief in Nacho. I explained he will need time adapting and competition for game.

Where we are now is troubling to some but not me. I envisaged this happening and believed Iheanacho will become better after it. I never expected an easy path or regular game time.

I understand Rohr's perspective. He wants to monitor the development of his players and know where to contribute to their development. He can not do this with Nacho not playing. I get our Super Eagles boss and bow to his demands.

Not yours. Lol.

#SuperEaglesAheadOfPep

goldfish80:
Thank God atleast someone got my point. Seems we never learn from the past. I still recall how we took a lot of kids to Korea Japan 2002, we massaged our egos with the youngest team of the tournament tag but what happened? We nearly lost 3 games at a spin.
It still pains me remembering how Argentina tortured us in the first game, forget the scoreline, we saw what happened on the pitch.

I often ask some peeps if they started watching football in 2016.

I personally have decided not to raise my expectations on the team for the 2018 WC. Let the team just put up a commendable performance and build up from there. The team has a lot of young players that still have a lot to learn.

zicky:
Is this how we should treat our players. We should always support annd encourage them in difficult timess not just discard them, same thing we did to Anichebe

What I mean is we cannot rely on him any more.

We need to rely more now on the alternative(s).

When you think he is finally fit, you invite him to camp only for him to get injured in Camp.

I empathize with him but we need that World Cup ticket badly.

TheGoodJoe:
Not contradiction. It is just that people do not pay attention. I said a player develops himself on the training pitch and needs run of games to show his quality. I said at City, Nacho is going through development and with a run of games, we will see the improvement.

That your last sentence is exactly what we are clamouring for. We need to see how far pep's drills have made him improve. But going by what we are seeing presently and what plans Pep and City have for the 2017/2018 session the drills will continue without that same run of games u just mentioned.

Rohr and the rest of us are worried bc 2018 is a WC year. It is as simple as that. Instead you started pointing fingers at Iwobi as deteriorating even with game time. Haba TheGoodJoe! This your love for this one player is something else.

TheSuperNerd:
Sir Terzurum5.... biko forgive me if you have already posted this... I have to post this again..... that is if you have...
........................................................................................................

Fulham's Aluko Has Contributed To 20 Goals This Season After Scoring Against Aston Villa

https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/85559Aluko.jpg



Fulham strengthened their playoff chances after beating Aston Villa 3-1 at Craven Cottage on game week 43.


Nigeria national-teamer Sone Aluko helped Fulham to secure their third win on the bounce after netting his eighth goal in the second-tier on 56 minutes.


A cross found the winger and his volley hit Aston Villa goalkeeper Johnstone but still crossed the line, giving the Cottagers a crucial 2-1 lead in the process.


Aluko had a big chance to open the scoring for Fulham in the 17th minute but the goalkeeper made a magnificent save to deny him, and he saw his shot blocked in the 67th minute before drawing another save from the keeper with 11 minutes left on the clock.


The former Hull City and Rangers star has contributed to 20 goals (8 goals, 12 assists) in 42 appearances for Fulham this season.


Fulham, who occupy the last playoff spot, are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Huddersfield Town.


**Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : fulhamfc.com


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=22750

I wish this guy back in the Premier league.

TheGoodJoe:
I disagree with the whole men talk. It has a lot to do with abilities. We have had young players outclassing older players in the World Cup repeatedly. Why make it because an old player is in the squad then it makes the younger players play better.

The fact is that if the young player is better, he will do well. There was no player better than Shweinstiger then. If there was a younger player better, he will play.

We still have Mikel, Onazi, Moses, Balogun, Echiejile who are not kids in the squad.

I understand where goldfish80 is going. He has a point. But what do we do when the ones he calls kids are the arrow head of the team?

There is a stage in the WC where the experience of the big players carry the team through.

Pundits including my humble self believe that this team is likely to peak post 2018 WC. We see the 2018 WC as a good exposure and by 2019 AFCON and beyond we expect this team to be on top at least in Africa.

TheGoodJoe:
Film tricks. Players also deteriorate with game time. Players need to stay on their toes. Finito.

Yes, players deteriorate even with game time. How much worse players without game time. You saw Iheanacho against Senegal right? OK. Let Pep continue drilling him.

TheSuperNerd:
https://images.supersport.com/2017/4/Carl-Ikeme-Shengolpixs.jpg




Ikeme's injury persists

by Andrew Randa


Super Eagles goalkeeper Carl Ikeme is yet to recover from a niggling injury that might see him miss the rest of Wolverhampton Wanderers.


Wolves manager Paul Lambert told express.co.uk that Ikeme is definitely out of the game against Leeds United in the Championship (Wolves won 1-0 away at Elland Road) and isn’t sure Ikeme will play again this season.


"He'll definitely be out at Leeds. I'm not sure if he'll be back this season, it's not one where I'm thinking 'he's going to make it'. I'm not sure."Lambert revealed.


Ikeme’s injury meant he didn’t suit up for Nigeria’s international friendly against Senegal last month at The Hive in Barnet and might face a race against time for the Super Eagles first 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa in June.


The 30-year-old has played 31 teams for Wolves this season with eight clean sheets.


Source: http://www.supersport.com/football/super-eagles/news/170418/Ikemes_injury_persists

In my entire life I have never seen a goalie that gets injured like the way this guy does.
Even outfield players do not get half as injured as he does.

I think we have to move on without this guy.

TheGoodJoe:
You can not judge a player's quality with a few games. Also, Lukaku played a wrong position in most games at Chelsea. On the wings. He was not deteriorating. The fans were just being fickle. I tried explaining it to them repeatedly but they would not listen.

Simple play him in his right role and give him five games. Then judge. What matters was the young man worked hard and got his chance to show how good he was. He did not and was not deteriorating at Chelsea.

We need Iheanacho improved. Playing time is misleading. Ask.. .

Playing time is misleading?

Go tell that to Rohr.

In which case Iheanacho should just continue with the drills and forget about playing any game. I trust Rohr, I know what he can do. We will just dash him to City and groom another striker for the Super Eagles.

TheGoodJoe:
The point is that he did not deteriorate. He went somewhere and with a run of games, people saw he was good. Even his doubters saw it too.

With a run of games, Pogba showed class. Same with De Bruyne. This was a result of the hard work they put in before they moved. They were good because despite lack of game time, they kept working hard. Ask Mikel before Guus Hiddink came.

Lukaku was already deteriorating. Chelsea fans were already calling him trash.

He left and revived his career.

In the same way now iheanacho should leave before he deteriorates. Bc that period when he deteriorates it will affect his performances for the national team.

We need him playing ahead of the next WC Biko nu.

TheGoodJoe:
As long as Nacho works hard and keeps perfecting his craft, he will not expire. Players do not expire like that. Ask Lukaku.

Yes Lukaku left Chelsea and became relevant.

Infact that is a fantastic example. Hahahaha

He would have expired on the drilling pitch.

goldfish80:
I see you always mention Iwobi when you want to justify Iheanacho sitting in the stands.....

Truth is that Iwobi did not detoriate because he's playing. Rather I think Iwobi's form have been inconsistent lately because of fatigue.
This is his first full season as a professional and he has played 80% of matches this season when you factor in national team assignments, the numbers are venue higher. Arsenal seem to have noticed he is in the red zone and gradually withdrew him from the front lines, he needs a rest . He's just 20 afterall.

O may you live long sir!

Tell TheGoodJoe that Iheanacho is deteriorating due to lack of game time now him go set karate for you.

TheGoodJoe:
That time will come but Iheanacho has room for improvement. When he gets his run, it will be explosive.

Gabriel Jesus will be back next season and Pep is eyeing a big striker purchase against next season.

Make Iheanacho no expire before Pep throws him into the market o.

TheGoodJoe:
Time is ticking but Martins early exploit at Inter Milan did not culminate in him becoming one of the best hitmen in the history of the game. That is what I am pointing at. The hype does not mean development.

Development is reaching a level where he is operating at the best of his abilities. Martins did not reach it despite ticking early.

What of Kanu and Eto'o?

TheSuperNerd:
Gbamm!!!


Kita ki bia Chief.....

But shaa ooo... Drogba's light began to shine at age 24-25.... But again well said biko....

Drogba's case is just an exception. More over Drogba never had the opportunity to start at the stage Iheanacho started. He probably would have started shinning earlier.
Samuel Eto'o at 21 was already tearing defenses apart.

Iheanacho was an U17 champion and MVP. Got himself into one of the best football academies in the world.

4 yrs after that his mind blowing performance at U17 he should by now be tearing defenses.

TheGoodJoe:
21 is still formative. Iheanacho is only not playing because of the quality ahead of him. Not that he is not quality or improving. With a few run of games, people will see his quality.

What is most important is him working hard on improving. Just as we saw in Delph, if a player has improved, it will show.

He still has my blessings if he wants to take the Hoffenheim deal.

U saw the quality in the inter Milan attack when a 21yrs old Obafemi Martins took Europe by storm.

I hope you recall Kanu Nwankwo won the champions league as a 19yrs old. Not as a bench warmer but a starter in that Stars studded Ajax team.

Utaka at 21yrs was already the leading African striker in a French league that is flooded with West African talents.

Time is ticking.

TheGoodJoe:
What concerns me is Iheanacho becoming a better player in the near future. If rushing him to a team that will diminish him in the name of looking for goals and assists, I am wholeheartedly against it.

The whole game time thing has been blown of the map with Iwobi and Ighalo deteriorating with game time. It is misleading.

What is most important is Iheanacho's continuous development.

Hey Iwobi is not deteriorating IMO. He is just burnt out. He was a regular for Arsenal to close to 3/4 of the season. He is a young player and so needs that time out now. I believe we'll see a rejuvenated Iwobi next season.

TheGoodJoe:
Chinedu Ogbuke Obasi also played for Hoffenheim.

Yeah.

That was about the first thing I remembered as I read that article.

TheGoodJoe, sincerely speaking, I feel Iheanacho needs that game time now. He will turn 21 later this year. Comparing him with other great players at 21 you'll find out Iheanacho is yet to take off. At 21 Nigerian strikers like Kanu, Martins, Yakubu and Utaka, were already killing defenses.

BascoVanVeli:
Zesco was in the semi finals of the champions league last year. For Africa they are a big club jare.

Just like Sunshine stars were in the semi finals about 3yrs ago. Would you say they are big club in Africa?

Or, comparing apple for apple, would u say they were a big club in Africa 2 yrs ago?

TheSuperNerd:
Rohr wants the best for the super Eagles.... he was behind Mikel choosing any destination as long as he got enough playing time.....

Now he is saying to Nacho.... "You have to be playing... you are one of my most trusted and finest players in this team... I need you to get playing time even as you grow...."


People think say Rohr na fool? this man knows what he wants... and he will go as far as helping his players grow and be in the best position in their clubs...

U just nailed it.

Iheanacho, if he remains at City next season, is very likely to get less game time than he is even getting this season. The World Cup is next year. Are we going to field a non-playing striker?

See, I don't care about City or Pep's philosophy.
That one concern them. I am concerned more about Rohr's philosophy and plans for the Super Eagles. If Rohr's Philosophy and plan will lead to iheanacho moving to a club that will give him playing time and also ensure his development I am OK.

We are tired of all these talks of drills without game time abeg. At this stage we should be analysing Iheanacho's goals and assists and not all these drills, drills, drills and bench talks.

TheSuperNerd:
chaaaiiiiii..... see bolded bikonu.... Chief Icon4s.... you wicked no be small.....

Same papa Kelechi who wanted Nacho at City all along...?? na him u talk say "dey carry placards crying for nacho to leave"? him don join voices with #LetMyNachoGo niii...

Abeg I no fit laugh.... don't make me laugh....

I refuse to laugh.....


note: I remember when I defended the dad's decision for nacho to go to man city... if pellegrini remained with City... people will say the dad was vindicated. I still feel the dad was spot on.... but with pep comes great wahala... so nacho must leave

Hahaha. No blame me o.

I got that from an unconfirmed source. I learnt the man has finally owned up.

Well, next couple of weeks will tell.

BascoVanVeli:
What on earth are u talking about? I am not asking for any invites. All i said was the Rangers lost to 2 strong teams and it is not a big shame like people are claiming. They lost to big clubs but don't look away from the issues they had to go through because they are human. If Rivers win i sure will be happy just like i would have been beyond it if Enugu had won.

Zesco United. A big club.

So what do you say of clubs like Zamalek, Al Ahli, Esparence, Sfaxien, TP Mazembe, Mamelodi Sundowns.

I sincerely really didn't feel much bad when they lost away to Zamalek 4-1 and won 2-1 in Enugu.
But drawing 2-2 with Zesco in Enugu and losing 3-0 away is unpardonable.

BascoVanVeli:
Alex Iwobi captained the U23 last match and now he is back on the bench. Wenger is looking better than Pep so far... I hope he scores to repay the managers trust.

I told you not to worry.

Alex Iwobi has a long future with Arsenal.

TheSuperNerd:
Beautiful!!!!!!! Just Fantastically Beaurific!!!!!!!!


So you can see now that pep is not the only one who can nurture My Nacho man.....


So what are we waiting for?? #LetIheanachoGo

I am certain Rohr also has a hand in this..... and I am delighted to know more about the beautiful profile of thus young coach who have said he wants Iheanacho.....

And indeed Hoffenheim are gunning for UCL soccer.... and I hope they get it to make the club more attractive for Nacho to go to.... abeg ..... I wanna see Nacho in next year's UCL doing it alongside Monaco's mbappe and Juve's Dybala and also scoring against Man City

I pray they don't insert that rubbish "he won't play against us" in his contract like they didn't do with Patrick Roberts and Roberts almost buried them if not for Nacho's heroic equaliser


So biko.... I smell the hands of Rohr and also the same pattern with De bruyme repeating of Nacho makes the move (most likely a loan move... I want an outright sale) to TSG hoffenheim.



But I am Happy most that the coach of Hoffenheim has special interest in Iheanacho and sees him as a player he can work with .


So Biko.... Pep and Txiki.... #LetMyNachoGo

Abeg help me beg Pep and his PA TheGoodJoe. Abi dem wan turn Pharaoh ni?

#PepLetIheanachoGo!

I learnt Papa Kelechi has joined voices with people that want Kelechi out of City.

BascoVanVeli:
Then don't complain when they don't do well. Its simple as that because u already know why they lost. Zamalek has members of the African runners up on their squad but yet people can run online and say i told u so. This is not about calling players up, we all need to be behind Rivers United we win as a country and lose as a country. I don't know why u should be happy that our teams are not doing good. Even if u are in Alabama this looks bad on all of us.

So u sincerely feel reason why our clubs are not doing well continentally is bc their players do not play for the national team?

I repeat, don't you feel it should be the other way round. That is reason why the NPFL players are not in the national team is by they do not do well continentally.

Let's draw a case from the all conquering Enyimba team of 2003-2004. Before they won their maiden CAF title how many of them were playing for the national team? Just enyeama. Recall that after that back to back CAF tittle win players like Obinna Nwanneri, Onyekachi Okonkwo and Dele Ayenugba earned places in the Super Eagles.

Also the Zamalek players play for the Pharaoh's bc they do well at continental level.

And let me correct one impression. None of us is happy about the dismal performance of our clubs. I am a core Enyimba Fan. My loyalty lies more with Enyimba than even Arsenal.

The clubs just continue to justify what coach Salisu said about their players.

As I said previously, that if Rivers United manages to scale through to the next round. Good for them and their fans. And let me also add: good for Bascovanveli. Lol!

TheGoodJoe:
BABY MOURINHO who thinks he invented Football.


'What kind of nutcase are you?' Schmidt yelled. 'Do you think you invented football? Shut your mouth.'

That was former manager of Bayer Leverkusen yelling at Julian Nagelsmann, the coach known as the one in hunt for the signature of the promising Nigerian striker Iheanacho. This is just a snap view of what makes this young coach, youngest in the history of the Bundesliga when he became head coach of Hoffenheim at 28 years old, a good destination for Nacho.

Nagelsmann is a coach who worked under the promising Tuchel who is respected for his possessive style of play and eyes for promising young talents. His team plays at tremendous pace.

After Nagelsmann suffered knee injuries that put an end to his playing career, Tuchel who was coach of Ausburg gave Nagelsmann a job as club scout and part of his technical analysis crew. Nagelsmann was just 20.

He later became a youth coach at Hoffenheim and had a successful spell, including lifting the title. That was where he was dubbed the Baby Mourinho.

He rejected a job at Bayern Munich to work with their youth team and got an almost impossible task to save Hoffenheim from relegation. Being the youngest coach in the history of Bundesliga, this looked impossible.

Nagelsmann did not only save Hoffenheim, they now sit third on the Bundesliga table. This is remarkable considering he is 29 now.

A coach to watch out for. He plays a high intensity pressing style like Klopp when his team loses the ball. He also likes his team to keep possession like Guardiola and Tuchel.

With his history as a scout and working Tuchel who is good at Managing young talents, he seems a man who can spot quality young talents.

With his ability to transform a relegation threatened club into a team close to qualifying for the champions league in few months, it shows Nagelsmann has a lot to offer the game of football.

He may not have invented football but he is inventing something special.

If Nacho wants to make a move from City, I see Hoffenheim as a right direction.

I am suspecting Rohr who has deep knowledge in German Youth football.

cc: Icon4s, Kog45, TheSuperNerd, safarigirl, Joseph1013, lakesidepapa, goldfish80, Xzbit91, terzurum5, Bascovanvelli, lexyman, Humility017, ChrisKels, bigblangston, forgiveness, Chrismario, komekn.

A good one.

So, would you and Pep now release Iheanacho?

BascoVanVeli:
The point is I never bashed the NPFL or its players. U were the one bashing Manu's boys and now 4 of them are with the super eagles, in fact Iheanacho is a main piece to the puzzle and u said he wasn't there yet. The NPFL still has some of those same boys like Alhassan Ibrahim and Ifeanyi Ifeanyi who just led Akwa United to an away win. We expect players to do well on the continent yet give them zero continent experience. Is it Zamalek and Zesco who have full internationals that u expect to beat?

OK. I see the point here. So in order for the clubs to do well at continental level we need to give the players international exposure. Like flooding them into the Super Eagles team? Don't u think it should be the other way round?

Besides we have all agreed that the CHAN is there for them.

As for the Manu's boys my take Was The hyping was too much. I never bashed them.

tbaba1234:
I do not know every incident that has happened. It is not as if, I am following every game.

When Enyimba won the title, did they not face intimidation?

Biko, stop giving excuses.. It is part of the terrain.

....just bc of Stephen Odey. Hahaha