₦airaland Forum

Who did I root for against Naija, I’m assuming u know what it means to root for a team

ChrisKels:
I did and still do rate and hype them but I have never and will never root for any of them against my own team.

The only people in such boat are Komekn, Joebie and Goldfish80

you mean in Everton or in the NT?

komekn:
This is an area of concern, one of the things that we always ask about a player. Is what is his unique selling point.

An attribute that gives you competitive advantage over your opponents. That makes you stand out.

When I look at Iwobi, l truly struggle to see what his unique attribute is. Something that makes him invaluable to the team.

It does not mean he is a bad player or not good. But what puts you ahead of everyone else.

Josh Maja in top 10 of GPM (19/20 Season Ligue1)

What is odd about Cavani? lol

Top 10 in GOALS PER MIN (EPL)

I think at the club level he faces a stiffer competition for those roles.

Philosopher1979:
Whoever wrote this article is right. Iwobi is better off as an attacking midfielder or deep lying forward. Its funny to see Nigeria knows this while his coaches in England do not see it

Alex Iwobi Quickly Needs to Figure Out What His Best Position Is
By Max Haley | Jul 22 2020

Hands up if you know Alex Iwobi's best position. Anyone? None of Arsene Wenger, Unai Emery or Marco Silva could figure it out either.

Throughout his professional career, Iwobi has been used on the left, the right and through the middle. That could be seen as versatility, but in Iwobi’s situation, it is most likely due to a limited number of great performances in any given position.

Since Carlo Ancelotti joined Everton in December, the Nigeria international has predominantly played on the right of the Italian's favoured 4-4-2, and has had one of his best performances for the Toffees there. But, much like the majority of Everton’s midfielders, he has struggled to get to grips with his manager's system.

Iwobi does offer exactly what Ancelotti wants defensively from his wide midfielders; hard work and concentration, and he also has an ability to carry the ball up the pitch.

However, his final product leaves a lot to be desired, and he is not someone who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck, instead more of a peripheral figure. Scoring just once in the league this season and failing to pick up an assist, both Silva and Ancelotti have failed to get the best of him.

At Arsenal, Iwobi showed glimpses of being a devastating forward. His first goal for Arsenal - against Everton - was a wonderful combination of speed, drive and composure, and when he was sold it came as a bit of a surprise for many Gunners fans.

In an unsettled Everton side, Iwobi has struggled. But he has on occasion looked as though he could prove to be a valuable investment. His best performance for Everton came at Norwich, undeniably the worst team in the league, where he ran the game from the right of the midfield, showing his trademark dribbling ability and delivering a number of dangerous crosses.

When he is on his game Iwobi can be a real threat. He has an admirable work ethic, always leaving everything on the pitch. He also has incredibly quick feet and developed a habit of pulling off some spectacular nutmegs while at Arsenal. But, as well as his best position remaining a mystery to managers and the man himself, Iwobi is also inconsistent and lacks a real cutting edge.

If Ancelotti is to get the best out of Iwobi, where should he look to play him?

As a left winger under Silva he failed to impress, and under Ancelotti he has generally looked uncomfortable on the right of a midfield four. If you isolate his key attributes - control in tight spaces, driving runs, link play and hard work - Iwobi may be best used as a withdrawn striker.

In the Premier League, players like Roberto Firmino, Alexandre Lacazette and Harry Kane have all thrived as deep-lying forwards. While he is miles off those strikers, Iwobi could utilise his main qualities in this role.

It will be a tough decision for Ancelotti, as Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin have both looked very good playing up front for the Toffees.

So where else could he be used?

Against Sheffield United, Gylfi Sigurdsson played back in his usual number ten role, and prospered. But at 31, and his impact on games generally dwindling, Sigurdsson’s days at Everton may be numbered. You can already see him in an Ajax shirt, eh!

Perhaps Iwobi could utilise his wonderful dribbling ability and his tendency to carry the ball forward in that number ten role and Ancelotti could keep Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin in the team too.

Until he is used in these two positions though, Iwobi has to prove - whenever he gets the chance - that he can do a job for Ancelotti’s side, and then maybe he’ll get his chance to shine.
--90min

I thank God for you bro. Stay safe!

andrewbaba44:
Good morning my people

Happy bday 2 me

I am Grateful.

Lol

Blueelf:
Its not a steal if the person wants to be taken

Its more of a seduction

Michael Olise stats in their home loss

---

Congrats to Ajayi. Welcome to the elite league of England!!!

Eze dey ball!

Osayi out!. All the naija players on the pitch for both sides are representing well

Eze glides past you. He doesn't dribble

WBA lead again!

modified
it's 2-2 my bad

England will "steal" Eze. I no dey put mind lol

Eze!!!!

Oh my bad. I actually had Michael Olise in mind, not Amos. Just a mix up.

komekn:
Amos will undoubtedly agree to play for Nigeria the same with Tega and Ovie is already in the bag.

But in terms of quality Tega is better.

We can't wait for Eze if Amos is interested. I like what i've seen about the lad.

komekn:
He is good but not better than Ovie and Tega.

Eze seems to have slowed down. The Luke Amos guy, do we have a chance of getting him?

komekn:
No be small ting.

QPR probably has the highest number of Nigerian in their team at least in England.

There are three Nigerian on the bench.

Thanks boss

Olulong:
I think AS Trecin (Kalu and Simon former club) is in partnership with an academy in Nigeria

Modified

didn't read the link before. Now I get what u meant

Who see Ajayi vs Osayi just now?

Bright Osayi can worry like Ekpan fly

Behold, the Nigerian Army! See how QPR is lined up against Semi Ajayi's WBA

no wahala my bro.

ChrisKels:
Damne I didnt notice you posted a link oo, sorry

Exporting players is always good. But take your time to read the entire post in that link if you haven't.

ChrisKels:
I wish Kunle Soname could help us do this wit Feirense. By the way, Apugo is doing something similar through Diamond Academy Umuahia. We have got too many Diamond former players in the Portuguese lower divisions

This is more about Exporting the Ghanaian culture. I'm more about the supposed philosophy than the nationality of the founder. Please don't digress

ChrisKels:
Is Tom Vernon a Ghanaian? If no, then, RTW isn't an indigenous institution

The matter get as e be.

Edopesin:
Wow I thought Wigan were one of the money clubs in the division

Our academies are just operating as POSs. We need a structure backed up with a progressive philosophy Made in Nigeria.

Philosopher1979:
Yeah, that's the proper way to develop football. African kids are good they just need developmental football or a good structure and they will succeed. Football academies in Africa will make an African country win the world cup one day.
Hope they come to Nigeria but then we have football academies here and it is really helping us.
I want us in Nigeria to forge an agreement with Red Bull Salzburg

Oh, they went into administration.

modified
just did my research

Edopesin:
I don't really understand the reason though

If you get the time for this long read, you will hope we can have a similar philosophy in Nigeria. See link below.

FC Nordsjaelland is owned by Ghana's Right to Dream Academy, who have forged their own route for their graduates to follow into the European club scene.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/53487058

Onyekuru:

"I have been with players like Keita Balde from my days at the Aspire Academy, Cesc Fabregas is a top guy, who welcomed me when I arrived at the club, it's like going back home,"
"Monaco are a big club they know how to work with their players when it comes to transfers, just look at Anthony Martial.
"I hope to make a good season or two and hopefully the future will be bright."
However Onyekuru also admits that playing well with his club is no guarantee of a call-up to the Super Eagles.
"I don't think the national team is based just on performances at the club, the coach knows his first eleven," he explained.
"He (Gernot Rohr) is the type of coach who doesn't change when everything is going well. I'm there to contribute but hopefully I will get the chance someday."

--BBC