₦airaland Forum

If this rumor is a serious one and Mourinho really wants Taiwo on his team, then it will be between Real Madrid and Liverpool.

My predictions:
1. Netherlands
2. Cameroon
3. Denmark
4. Japan

For me, the players to watch are:
- Netherlands: Van Der Wiel, Elia, Affelay; we already know what Van Persie, Van Der Vaart, Sneijder, Kuyt and Robben can do.
- Cameroon: Choupo-Moting, J. Matip, Mbia, Enoh.
- Denmark: Bendtner.
- Japan: Honda, Matsui.


My favourites to win this year's WC is THE NETHERLANDS! Yes, before England and France because these 2 have already won the trophy once. Spain are my 2nd favourites and 3rd would be Argentina.

It's all in this French article, for those who understand Molière's tongue >> http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/breves2010/20100606_102557_mourinho-apprecie-taiwo.html


Yes, I'm just as flabbergasted as you are. . .

^ Oh. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [size=14pt]WOW[/size].

Obasi scored 7 goals this season.
Martins scored 6.
Yakubu scored 5.
K. Uche scored 9.
Obinna Nsofor scored 9.

I. UCHE DIDN'T START MORE THAN 1 GAME ALL SEASON AND PLAYED IN 2-3 MATCHES.

Source >> espn.com

Way to show bias. . . Even though their stats still pale in comparison to the Argies', it's still worth mentionning correctly because the total tally of our strikers this season is now 36 goals.


Besides, our keeper, Enyeama, scored 9 too this season. Do the Argentine goalies have such a record to show for?

lol at "chin" shin. XD
Priceless.

I try to be oblivious to such. I don't judge. But I feel awkward when I see 2 dudes kissing in front of me.
I don't mind 2 chicks going at it though. And that's an understatement.

Yup. Bias and hypocrisy rule this world.

Burnt pizza.

RSA:
Bafana's last six games

Paraguay 1 South Africa 1(in Paraguay)
SA 2 Jamaica 1 (in Germany)
SA 4 Thailand 0( in SA)
SA 1 Bulgaria 1 (in SA)
SA 2 Colombia 1
SA 5 Guatamala 0

Obviously I am not getting my hopes high but SA has improved and will suprise lot of teams,15 goals in 6 matches is a good record.

Yeah, you guys are really growing into a solid unit. I loved the match against Guatemala. South Africa played very well. I like Tshabalala, Modise, Gaxa and of course Pienaar. You have a nice crop of players.

Good luck during the WC! I'll be sure to cheer for SA.

My observations of Taiwo's performance against Colombia:

Positives:
- Good addition forward, brings valuable help to fellow winger
- A few good interceptions
- Physical strength

Negatives:
- Lack of composure (poor passes)
- Mediocre defensive tracking
- Bad zone coverage
- Slow recovery
- Sometimes shy to do something with the ball, often caught back/side passing
- Inaccurate crosses and long range shots

He was a disappointment in that match. He wasn't piss poor either. Just not what I believe he can be. And no, I don't see him playing as a winger either. Not only is he our only left full back (Echiejile is a HUUUUGE letdown atm) he also lacks the necessary skills and grinta that a natural winger would have (cf. Obasi and Odemwingie league).

Marlbron:
Iyineda,

Formations should be fluid and not static over 90 mins. it should neutralize the opponent and help you win where possible. Against Argentina who are faster on the ball with poor defenders, a conter attack strategy should be employed.

Agreed. I just wanted to point out Lars' preference in terms of default formation. I believe he would start with a 4-4-2. But depending on the way a game evolves, we might see some modifications.

Marlbron:
Kaita is not really a winger, so is the winger Osaze or Utaka or Nsofor?

Here you go:

Iyineda:
1
                    Enyeama
                  15             5
  17          Afolabi     Adeleye        3
Odiah                                      Taiwo
                10             19
      7       Mikel        Haruna       11
  Obasi                                  Osaze
                   18          8
                Nsofor   Yakubu


Captain: Osaze
Free-kick takers: Taiwo, Nsofor and Haruna (depending on ball angle and distance)
Corner-kick taker: Haruna
Penalty-kick taker: Taiwo

Regular subs: Martins (for the Yak), Kaita (for a winger if we need to break the oppositions attacks)


Lars will probably give the Yak the arm band. And if he prefers the Yobo-Shittu duo, then the arm band will be Yobo's.

^ You are so right.

^ 100% agreed.

honeric01:
why would any sane coach to J utaka ahead of Ideyen, I.K Uche, Anichebe or even his younger brother?

For reasons related to (match) fitness and expectations not being met during certain tasks done in training.

^ Meh. Don't read that deep into that statement. I think Lars is happy he has found the only guy in his 23 man squad that can play in 3 different positions: DM, full back, winger. Obasi should get the starting shirt on that right flank.

^ Just one friendly match played for about 55 minutes cannot justify the inclusion of a player, especially when he is in competition with others (exceptions being the likes of Mikel, Osaze and Enyeama).

Anichebe was probably the best Naijaman against the Saudi but Lars also got to judge him in the 7 training sessions they have had. It's better to wait for Lars' official explanation and in the mean time give him the benefit of the doubt.
I too was EXTREMELY disappointed by Anichebe's exclusion. . .

^ Not bad, not bad (bar the right and left sides switch). I'd add a few changes though. . .

                         1
                    Enyeama
                  15             5
  17          Afolabi     Adeleye        3
Odiah                                      Taiwo
                10             19
      7       Mikel        Haruna       11
  Obasi                                  Osaze
                   18          8
                Nsofor   Yakubu


Captain: Osaze
Free-kick takers: Taiwo, Nsofor and Haruna (depending on ball angle and distance)
Corner-kick taker: Haruna
Penalty-kick taker: Taiwo

Regular subs: Martins (for the Yak), Kaita (for a winger if we need to break the oppositions attacks)


Lars will probably give the Yak the arm band. And if he prefers the Yobo-Shittu duo, then the arm band will be Yobo's.

Lars is going to play with a 4-4-2 formation. I don't get all these 4-3-3/4-5-1 fantasy lineups you guys are throwing out there. In 2 matches in a row the SE have played with 4-4-2. Kaita playing on the right flank is the major indication of this new formation if anyone feels like saying the contrary. There was no sign of 4-5-1 nor 4-3-3 in the match against Colombia. If the lines weren't as distinguishable, it's because of the fatigue factor as time goes by.

We will see a SE lineup with 2 wide players, 2 holding/attacking midfielders and 2 forwards (1 anchorman, 1 support striker).


Edit:

Oops, I didn't see this post.

snakova:
@Marlbron
need some changes in your team and considering Lagerback prefers a 4-4-2 rather than a 4-5-1, proposing its variant would be more likely

Thank you!

Disappointed about the exclusion of Anichebe and inclusion of Ayila - when we already have 3 other DMs in the squad.

Happy with the inclusion of Haruna - which was a given after his performance against Colombia.

Skeptical (at best) about the inclusions of Kanu and J. Utaka.

Sad for Ike Uche and Apam.

MAJOR SHOCK = Anichebe OUT.

I thought the OP was just joking. . . o_O

Ouinculé!

^ You shouldn't even pay attention to the people who always write off Mikel. It's becoming rather bland and pointless. He's one of the few who was already sure to book his ticket to SA, even without playing the 1st 2 friendlies. He has an AUTOMATIC shirt. And he has deserved it.

Haters be hatin'.

^ I'm sorry but I'm not convinced by Etuhu. I have watched various matches he has featured in this season with Fulham. I was far from impressed. Especially against Atletico Madrid in the Europa League final. He wins balls but doesn't know what to do with them. He has ZERO clairvoyance and lacks composure. He gives away the ball too easily. Oh, and he lacks speed man. Big time. Very sluggish.

Definitely not a starter as far as I'm concerned. Probably a guy you'll need if you are trying to defend a goal advantage in the 2nd half.
I tip Mikel and Haruna pair. Kaita impressed me today. And I was one of those who didn't even want him in the 30 man list. . .

Kgdavid:
it was not only 4-4-2 that was tried out and for a 4-4-2 the players that were used would be very unothordox particularly in the Saudi game. in the first game we played something more simlilar to

                         
                     Ayila    Haruna

Obasi                    Kanu                k.Uche
                         Anichebe

and today it looked to me like

     Kaita      Etuhu     Ayila

Nsofor       Yakubu     Odemwingie

No. It was a clear 4-4-2. Kaita played on the right wing. We had 2 men upfront and 2 wide midfielders.
There has NOT been any different formation used by Lars other than 4-4-2.

Vs Saudi it was:

       Ayila    Haruna
Obasi                 Anichebe

       Kanu     K. Uche


Vs Colombia it was:

       Ayila    Etuhu
Kaita             Odemwingie

      Yakubu   Nsofor

Sometimes, Odemwingie, Yak and Nsofor swapped positions.

^ Haruna Lukman, No 19.

Kgdavid:
judging fom the shape of the two friendlies im of the opinion that we are going to see either  4-5-1 or 4-3-3
with: 

Odiah    Adeleye     Afolabi    Taiwo

           Mikel          Etuhu

                  K.Uche/L.Haruna
Odemwingie                                Nsofor
                    Anichebe/Yakubu

How can you say that we will see a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3 in the next matches of the SE?
Lars has used the 4-4-2 twice already. He doesn't have time to experiment on formations. We have 1 more friendly before the Argentina clash. .

Haruna is growing on me.

Fantastic strike against Colombia.

Nobody said he was a DM. That isn't what 12large said. He said that Haruna plays in a DM position with Naija but it doesn't suit him because of his rash tackles and hot temper.

@manuch
Based on the 2 friendlies alone, I would drop the following 7:

- P. Utaka
- J. Utaka
- Aiyenugba or Bassey
- Suswan because Kaita can actually play right back
- Ayila
- Ideye - don't need to see him play
- Kanu or Ik Uche

Ranoscky:
I'll lyke to say that haruna lukman is a good player. he had a very good game today and i see him as a talented

player. this is ma first tyme of watching him and i'm really impressed with what i saw about him but i'll lyke to tell u

guy's that i don't see him benching mykel in any level.     daz ma opinion, thanx!

Neither will bench the other. They can play together. I hope they do!

Based on today's game, we can finally be sure that Lagerback will play with the 4-4-2 formation. Here's my prefered lineup:

                      1
                Enyeama
               13         5
    17    Afolabi  Adeleye     3
Odiah                           Taiwo
              10        19
     7    Mikel   Haruna   18
 Obasi                       Nsofor
              11         15
          Osaze   Anichebe

Regular subs: Kaita, K. Uche, Martins

Captain: Osaze
Freekick specialists: Taiwo(indirect), Nsofor (direct) and Haruna (direct and indirect)
Penalty specialist: Taiwo
Cornerkick taker: Haruna

Man, I cannot wait to see the final list Lars will unveil tomorrow!! XD

@sultan003

The big bully he is actually ran around the pitch a lot. I was impressed by his mobility and hunger for the ball. He didn't create goal-bound chances though. But he clearly deserves to be in the final 23 man team if not the 1st 11.

@12large

You are right. Fixed.

Iyineda's player ratings:

- Enyeama: 6.5
- Odiah: 7 - the most purposeful Super Eagle on the pitch, some good moves down the right flank, but too many wasted passes
- Afolabi: 6.5 - Reads the game well but lacks speed to catch up a through pass from the opponent
- Adeleye: 7 - Caught in some phases of the Colombian attack but was rock solid overall
- Taiwo: 5.5 - Very poor passes but some wonderful defensive challenges

- Kaita: 6.5 - Impressive in some attacking set-ups given his defensive background
- Ayila: 4.5 - Poor performance, almost transparent on the pitch during the 1st 30 minutes of the game
- Etuhu: 5.5 - Lacks passing and dribbling skills, doesn't take risks at all
- Odemwingie: 6 - Not helped during the 1st half but had his usual grinta play on

- Nsofor: 6.5 - The most dangerous upfront, good shots
- Yakubu: 6 - Mobile, hungry and a big bully!

Subs:

- Martins: 5.5
- Haruna: 7 - Undoubtedly the most influential player in the 2nd half, got a good long range goal with his trademarks strikes
- K. Uche: Not enough time to shine
- J. Utaka: Anonymous

First 30 minutes: I saw the Saudi match repeat itself in front of my eyes, only this time we were one goal down with the likes of Osaze and Enyeama.

15 minutes before halftime: There was a slight improvement and more purpose. Kaita and Odiah are the players who caught my attention during this period of the game.

The 2nd half: Haruna Lukman ---> GAME CHANGE, big time. More fluidity, much more purpose, some nice skills. A team was born. Seriously. It's been a while since I last saw coordination in the Eagles' game.

My player ratings (coming up).

Dude. You are confused. This thread is 2 years old. But to answer your question, No 19 = Haruna Lukman.

^ That's Obi Mikel on top of the eagle.