₦airaland Forum

Dele Alli is a midfielder
Ashley Young Wing Back

Kevin DeBruyne is a midfielder

Bottom line, none of those countries played 4-2-4.

And moreover, even if they did (and they didn't), you still gotta consider the opposition. For instance, Belgium was facing minnows like Panama, whereas Nigeria was dealing with some of the best midfielders in the world.


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Oasis007:


........ but England has Kane, Alli, Raheem, Lingard even Young in the same Lineup?! This Afternoon, Belgium had Lukaku, Hazard, Carrasco, and Kevin and they won convincingly.

Do you know what's common between them......?! 3 at the Backs!

Cc Safarigirl.

It's funny because I actually criticized that call on twitter but some mugus who don't even know the rules of the game kept telling me that it was a right call. I mean, I saw similar grabs during corner kicks more than 3 times in today's games alone.


His Majesty
@TalmudicSage
Jun 16
More
Definitely a tough call by the referee. How many times have you see a penalty given for holding during a corner kick? #CRONGA


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Nne, did somebody steal your handle or did you really post this with your eyes wide open?

So with this your ideal formation, we should have: VicMo, Iwobi, Kelechi, and Ighalo in the field at the same time? In the name of playing with a "support striker"? That's like playing with 4 forwards. And you'll just surrender the midfield to Croatia, right? C'mon Kelechi Iheanacho is a striker. So it's either him or Ighalo, not both.


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safarigirl:
I swear, you get am

Na wetin I don dey reason since afternoon, what is so wrong with Kelechi playing SS to Ighalo?

We don't have the personnel to play a single forward. If our lone striker was a Lukaku or Costa, you can try that, but Ighalo doesn't have the mass, nor the strength to pull their moves. He doesn't even have height.

Field a taller Kelechi with nimble feet and watch the pressure subside from Ighalo.

Rohr no dey too reason na wetin make and Salisu is just a minus 1 in that Technical department.

Thank you, my dear!

My Bible says:
In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array (1 timothy 2:9).

Shamefacedness - definition:
A sense of shame. Indicative of shame; ashamed: Extremely modest or shy; bashful.


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Colourich:
Not trying this shitt. They will use you and dump you.

If Dele Momodu is really a true friend then he ought to do something more than a mere visit for his friend. For instance, Mr. Momodu can upgrade his friend from a dutiful vendor to a dutiful business owner. I think that he friend deserves a promotion after twenty serving dutifully for twenty years.

Paying him a visit, doesn't put food on the table.


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The man definitely has lots of questions to answer. He was too scared of Croatia attackers to deploy 3-5-2, even though that same formation gave us results against Argentina and England. Does Croatia has better attack than Argentina? And by the way, he actually did his research on Croatia, he should've known that this Croatian team has big problem scoring goals. In fact, that's one of their major weaknesses during the Euro qualifiers. So all that story about their attack doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

I think he gave too much respect to Croatia and prevented our boys from playing their game. Just checking out the way, common Panama is holding their own against the mighty Belgium! And they didn't park the bus either.


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Bolowolowo:
When I saw the lineup head to head, the thought of winning literally left my head. My heart was thumping and I was just praying that they survived the match and not concede much. I nearly lost it when they started dominating possession. AFCON qualifications is right after so sticking with him is best then.

Bro, I was highly disappointed with what I saw on Saturday to be quite honest with you. But I would still want him to continue. It would be a bigger mistake to fire him right now, even if we lose all our matches in Russia


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Bolowolowo:
I will not be surprised if he fields the same players and benches the wrong ones. His substitutions scared me. Depending on how the Iceland game goes, we should start calling for his sack.

Oh he did? I must have missed that, please can you give me the link to the article or the post.

Again, this is the problem of thinking too much about your opponent. Sometimes you just play to your strength and let your opponent counter.


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TheLoneCitizen:
But didn't you see him condemn Okocha's analysis, he said he understood 3-5-2 to be great, but Croatia had attackers who needed more than 3 defenders.


The fact that he will be considering this in the next game is satisfying enough.

That's why we'll need to play 3-5-2 even if that means playing Moses as a LWB - to stretch the field and create spaces. They would come out of their shields to attack once we score them. Problem is, I don't see us not conceding because our defense is crap. They are slow and they can't mark anybody. And with all the tall players we have in the team, we can't seem to win any headers.


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Daninya11:
Iceland coach said he will pack the bus against Nigeria..

How can we get a win knowing fully well that the Vikings are well composed and organised in defence?..

Gernot has been with the team for well over a year going to 2 years but he still doesn't know his best team yet. He's probably the only person who thinks that Jude Ighalo is better than Kelechi Iheanacho. He's probably the only person who thinks that Shehu Abdullahi is better than Tryoone Ebuehi. He's probably the one person who doesn't agree that 3-5-2 is the formation that gives us the best chance to win.

That man has really made some strange decisions that kept me befuddled.


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This Rohr man is a joker .... a big one! He's always making this silly excuse of having the youngest team in the tournament. Somebody needs to tell him that quit making that silly excuses because it's becoming annoying. Instead of taking responsibility, he keeps deflecting with this silly excuse. Does he think that Nigerians are fools?

I still hope that we keep him to continue after the world cup regardless of how we end up in the end but I will definitely support his dismissal if he keeps playing us for a fool or something. All these having the youngest team crap is becoming old and very played out!



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Somebody needs to slap the dude and knock some sense into him. Short and simple!


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To be honest, after the first half, I thought Rohr was going to making 3 quick changes in personnel early in the second half and switch to a pure 3-5-2 to make more impact on the game. This would've have been his simple changes:

- Ebuehi for Shehu was getting burned all day. Some folks were blaming Moses for having a poor game but the dude was literally playing RWB in that game because Shehu totally out of his depth. Why Rohr decided to stick with him for the whole game is beyond my comprehension.
- John Ogu (Omeruo or Awaziem) for Obi Mikel - as a third CB then Iwobi would slide middle AM position
- KC Iheanacho for Jude Ighalo

Those three changes might not be the silver bullet that they would've given us a better chance of winning. It beats me why he decided to stick with the same tactics that wasn't working and mostly stuck with the same players until it was too late.


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darkelf:
This here is the problem bros.

Can such passion be kindled within such a short period if we couldn't kindle it since we qualified.

Truthfully, its gonna be hard bro

Guys, there's absolutely NO need to panic yet. Please let's calm down and stop all these emotional overreactions. The team still have a chance to qualify and that's all that matters. Nobody promised that they must qualify without losing a match, OK?

Did the team play well on Saturday? Certainly not. I am disappointed as much as the next guy because for the first time in recent memory (since SA 2010), I saw a Super Eagles team playing with fear ... I saw a Super Eagles team playing NOT to lose instead of playing to win the game. For the first time in recent memory, I saw a Super Eagles team playing without passion and fight.

Did Rohr has a game plan? I didn't really see one except trying to ensure that Croatia doesn't score. That's not our style. Team like Iceland and some Scandinavian countries can play that style but not us. Bottom line, Rohr got the tactics wrong and got the personnel wrong. After everything we saw during the friendly matches, it beats me why he abandoned the 3-5-2 formation. That doesn't make any sense at all. After everything we saw during the friendly, it beats me why/how Rohr would decide to stick with Shehu ahead of Ebuehi. Is it on his contract that he has to play, at least, one player from the north? Like I said before the tournament started, I am going to cry BLUE MURDER if Shehu starts ahead of Ebuehi in Russia. And that's exactly what happened, so I am crying blue murder!

But having said all those things, do I think that Rohr should be fired? No, I don't think so. Those who are calling for his firing are simply refusing to face the reality. The reality on the ground is that Nigeria (the NFF, to be specific) has a reputation in the football world. No serious coach would agree to coach the Super Eagles because our reputation. Hence, firing Rohr would mean hiring another European journeyman. The good thing about, is that he is willing to work and he has a program he's trying to implement. The previous coaches like Berti Vogts, Lars Lagerback, Bonfrere Jo, etc didn't have any program at all. They were only after their money. In fact, ever since Clemence Westerhof, Rohr is the only coach that actually has a vision for the team. So I vote that we stick with him, win or lose in Russia, at least thru the AFCON.

Anything else would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.


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Oh please! It would be a big mistake - a huge mistake, to write Argentina off. Remember South Africa 2010? Spain, the eventual winners, lost their first game. Like I told Safarigirl, we're only in the first innings ... there are still more games to go.

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BascoVanVeli:
The Argentina I saw not only can be beaten but they can also not make it to the next round. Football is not about who can keep the ball the longest it is about getting the ball in the net. I believe the template has been set, get extra men on Messi and let the rest beat you if they can. Iceland were lucky but luck is part of the game.

Bros, facts are facts. You don't go to a tournament like the World Cup without preparing adequately especially considering that a vast majority of their players are playing overseas. Argentina dominated the game but there was zero cohesion in their game especially in the final third. Those where some of the things a few quality friendlies would have helped Sampaoli to sort out.

I think they would get it right as they play more games together ... hopefully, it wouldn't be too late for them.


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Mujtahida:
you sound defeated bro. even argentines will not serve up such a cold and tasteless plate of excuses as you just dished out

Seriously. We played about 6 friendly games since we played the Argies. Do you know how many friendly games Argentina played during the same time? Just ONE useless game against Haiti.

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safarigirl:
LOL

Story for the gods

Argentina was a victim of lack of pre-tournament friendly today. They can only get better from here on. This is only the FIRST round of an EIGHT rounds bout. So let's not celebrate yet. Let's not crown Cristiano Ronaldo the GOAT yet, there's still many more games left to play. We will count scores at the end of it all. It's game on ....

And by the way, like I said on twitter, before you start celebrating the demise of Argentina, keep this in mind: This isn't a good result for @NGSuperEagles. It means that we have to win our first two matches because Argentina can only get better from here on. I don't see dropping another point. An Argentina win would've been better for us.

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safarigirl:
Messi Messi Messi

Abeg, anybody don see Icon79?

If I hear pim on this thread about Messi again ehn......

He had a god game, no question. With an assist from Spain.

Again, I would repeat that Spain is unlikely to get out of that group if they don't get their acts together.


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Mujtahida:
People don't really care about what Spain did or did not do if that would be interpreted to take the shine off Ronaldo's phenomenal game yesterday.

Mind you between Ronaldo and Messi, I lean more towards Messi but Ronaldo was on fire yesterday.

That would be a good idea. A very good idea.


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OMANBALA1:
Is it true Mikel is playing from defensive midfield ?

Nne, can I give you 10 likes for this post

Intelligence is sexxxy, yo!


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safarigirl:
so, did you expect De Gea to say it was a weak shot?

Coming here to quote the person that conceded the ball does not make the claim true.

There was zero power in that shot.

Nna, you're missing one thing tho: both things can be true. CR7 might have done well yesterday but it still doesn't change the FACTS that Spain shot themselves on the foot:

- Giving away a 4th min penalty
- De Gea making a surprising howler on a routine save
- And Pique giving away a silly free kick in a danger zone with a few mins to go


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Mujtahida:
It's a mark of nobility to acknowledge the quality of Ronaldo even if you don't like him. He did excellent yesterday

Don't get me wrong, he did OK. The free kick goal especially was a very well taken kick. But the fact is, it was a very silly foul by Pique at a very dangerous position. Any top player (Messi, Neymar, Iheanacho, etc) would've made that free kick as well. As a matter of fact, I told the folks around me that it's 3-3 immediately Pique committed that foul.


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Taliban:
Old striker from you, chisus!!!!!blood of zechariah, like my people say, if ones pikin is good, let us say it!!! CR7 was fantastic yesterday, calling him an opportunist is a disservice to football. Note am not a Ronaldo fan.

Haha!! My people, I reached one conclusions yesterday. Cristiano Ronaldo is the biggest opportunist in the history of this game. Spain gave away too cheap fouls (a penalty and a free kick) and he capitalized. And to make matters worse, De Gea who's arguably the best goalkeeper in the world gifted him a cheap goal as well

But that serves Spain right. Like I posted on twitter:
CR7 destroyed a disorganized and confused Spanish team. You don't fire your coach on the eve of the World Cup and still expect to do well. @SeFutbol is a hot mess. Talk about cut your nose off to spite yourself. Spain may not qualify for the round of 16 and that would serve them right.

Now, let's talk about the Eagus. I am predicting Nigeria 3 Croatia 1. What say you, my people


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safarigirl:
abeg leave icon79, he is not in the best of moods now

Oga will soon bring one 'daily nugget', where Kamoru the gateman declared Messi the best player in the world

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safarigirl:
sorry, we only take animals seriously here. Human beings have been proven to be ineffective in prophecies and predictions

You guys are forgetting that Balogun has been ruled out for tomorrow's game


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safarigirl:
drop Etebo, move Iwobi to the middle, shift Mikel to Etebo's position, field Ebuehi in Iwobi's position and you're good to go.

My brother, talk about self inflicted wounds. We gotta ban these Arab countries from representing Africa. For some reasons, they just can't hack it once they get outside the continent. Africans better start praying that Nigeria and Senegal would come through for them this time. I don't see Tunisia going anywhere either.


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Icon4s:
Bros how market?

Are serious? And the "psychic cat" was supposed to have 100% accuracy records as well. Plus the AI simulator is supposed to be near perfect score as well.

Well, I don't believe in psychics but if they foresee us reaching semifinals then I am all for it


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shogz89:
lol.. Even Marcus the pig pick us to reach the semi final and they said he has a 100% record.

We'll come through tomorrow, provided we don't concede cheap and silly goals like Morocco and Egypt. That's why the Euro pundits always call us naive


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soetanoreoluwa:
Balogun already ruled out of tomorrows match... We will settle down with omeruo...

But I see us going for counter attacking system provided Papi Rohr leave Ebuehi out of the starting eleven...

We just need our midfield and attack to come to party by converting every half chances... The first 20-25mins is very important we need to hold our own and be compart ... We can get a goal after 25mins ...

Nah, I don't think so. Morocco is playing well ... very well actually. They just need to avoid defeat today because I will take this Moroccan team over Portugal in the second game.


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Icon4s:
If Morocco fails to win this game, sorry, it is over for them.

First of all, if we play well, I don't really see them controlling possession tomorrow. Forget the big names, their midfielders are not exactly better than ours. Secondly, our fullbacks are not as bad as they think. Right now, my only concern is the goalkeeping department alongside the CBs if Balogun is ruled out. Omeruo is a solid player but he'll always give you at least one big howler in a game. He's like Joseph Yobo in that aspect ... tend to develop occasional lack of concentration.

Meanwhile, soetanoreoluwa, thank you for this scoop. We need more info on how our opponents perceive our team.



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soetanoreoluwa:
From Croatia fan page


moses vs strinic is a no contest i’m afraid. but football is a team game, if we control possession effectively moses will be starved of the ball in dandegrous positions, hopefully he’ll spend most of the match helping his fullback deal with perisic. nigeria are very weak at fullback. both their left and right backs are worse than strinic….

I definitely hope so. I am supporting ALL the African countries. And in addition, I expect Morocco to do well in this tournament so it would be great for them to make a winning start.


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andrew444:
Morocco will win