₦airaland Forum

I only copy quotes from their stories and paste here.. sometimes I retitle their stories and draw everyone's attention to the quotes. When there are not credible quotes, I ignore. CompletesSports is better than those two. But ANS try pass OGN.. OGN be like football version of Ikebe Super haha

soetanoreoluwa:
Typo error... Visit I mean...

Exactly... If you check their headlines you will observed your last three statements... Don't bring their news here... Completesports, ESPN

you say "if that's what we can offer", and you say "we are good to go".. a little conflicting, you know what i'm talking about.

Well for me, I think we should get these players early, so IF they come good, we can start integrating them early. I don't think gatecrashers will do jack. They have to blend with the team and play with the team. We have AFCON qualifiers as well. That's also quite competitive.

soetanoreoluwa:
Good.. For now we don't have access to Tammy...
You are right that's the best we have for now...

Then do we have solid ones?

Onuachu and dessers need to be tested before conclusion...

If that's what we can offer tomorrow that world cup is starting my brother we re good to go...

Good, we've had the arguments and it died down. Even after we qualified nobody talked about these players I think.

you say dem dey pay this thread? I actually think they come here to spy and try to get us talking about their stories. They want to stay relevant..

soetanoreoluwa:
Do you know have been observing that Owngoal?.. Them dey pay this thread...

Think issue of Martin started when Oga Michael want his inclusion to SE plus uche too..

They are the best we have FOR NOW. Solid? that's debatable. So why are we speaking about TAmmy, Onuachu, Dessers etc. if we are good to go? Are you confident in those 3 if there world cup were to start tomorrow?

soetanoreoluwa:
To be sincere ain't scared of anything... That's the fact... I could remember when obagoal was banging goals for inter Milan in Italy... A young champ... Very hot.. I bet a lot of Nigerians. Supported him till very end... They clamour for his inclusion to SE team.. First match for SE.. He banged a goal.. During the friendly I guess...

I have said it before... Everybody is entitle to his/her opinion ain't going to fight that... I love Martins.

But if we believe in Martins Now when we qualified then. That's unfair...

Again if coach Rohr believe he needs Martins ...he should call him if he fits in to his philosophy... He's the coach and he believe in him... No problem... Let see what will happen...


As for three solid CF

Ighalo
Nacho
Larrykay

GBAM
I throway salute. Today you get your Olorogun title.

Modified
I call it "turn by turn" syndrome

tglobal:
One recurring sentiment I think has been a serious setback for african teams over the years, has been this clamour for "new players" at every turn. Keshi was the coach for 3-4 years and up until he left, we still had a feeling that we were "building a team". I can assure you all that going by what I am reading on this thread and past trendss, these same players we are tagging as "fresh" and claiming to raise for 2022 will quickly be discarded and classified as "tired legs" by 2021. It's a cycle that never ends and I have been seeing this in play since our past golden generation of players. We have always been rebuilding and discarding players not based on what they do or do not offer but on perceived need to "inject new blood"...

Onigbinde did it, same with Christian Chukwu, Eguavoen, Siasia, Keshi and Oliseh.

I simply don't understand why the first hurdle for player invitation is age as opposed to performance. It's the National team and not an age-restricted competition! No team gets remembered for how young they are but rather what results they can produce at the time.Aime Jacquet didn't drop Ginola and Co because of their ages. He simply chose players that fit into his game plan.

Whether Martins receives an invitation or not is not my issue (I don't think he has anything better to offer than what we have). However, rejecting the idea of extending an invitation to him based on age alone is what I find puzzling.

oga sir.. let's leave the Martins issue. Rohr is not considering him, and nobody is forcing Martins on Rohr. Ignore that yeye report.

Mujtahida:
Ronaldo was not better than Romario. No be una dey use stats? Romario was playing and in form too for Vasco da Gama. Ronaldo hadn't played football for two years. There was no stats for Ronaldo to compare with that of Romario. If Ronaldo had history, Romario also had history and as a World Cup winner sef. But the coach picked Ronaldo. Point is it goes beyond performance sometimes
Who is Martins better than? Between Martins and Ighalo who is raving in China?

Okay better we change the subject. It should not even be a national debate in the first place. let's not fall to the antics of those lazy reporters.

daveP:
Be like you see boar kon shout in name! You've been objective about the Martins invite with your prev post up there. That's what i want us to understand, and not this age thing. My last post on this Martins issue!! Beta talk- Nacho to face man city in efl cup q/final.

Well seriously I'm tired of the them say news.. You know I use to just copy and post stuff from OGN, ANS etc.. These days I screen what I post. If there is no credible source or quotes I ignore. Because arguing based on just dem say is a waste of time.. Remember how the Tammy issue went..Was I not right? That issue gulped over 10 pages then, just because people ran away with the headline and didn't try to decipher the substance. We are doing this again with this Martins and Oboabona issue.

Is it not even unthinkable that some unnamed people in the NFF are making noise about Enyeama.. and trying to push for Martins? na today Rohr start to hold talks with Enyeama.. yeye news!

junnyjake:
I don't think you get my point.

I never clamored for him. And i'm not now.. but you guys are feeding off of some headlines and are now making it an issue.. if u guys didnt take that stupid report seriously nobody will be talking of Martins.

Mujtahida:
If not for that South Africa loss the man was driving on a fast lane to reduce the average age of the team. Wait ooo did Martins score 10 goal last weekend? I don't understand oo. Why didn't they clamour for him during the qualifiers. At least Enyeama's name has not left our lips since the qualifiers began even before Ikeme's challenge. But I didn't hear pim about Martins then but now trumpets are blaring.

Oboa wetin? well if he like he can come and fight for shirt. I doubt he will succeed haha

Mujtahida:
I hope they know that Oboabona is doing very well in Saudi Arabia. We need him in that central defence

Rohr is the coach. He is an expert. He knows what is good for the team when he sees it.. There will be competitive games..and if Martins score hat-trick against Spain for example, then who are we to talk about what he did 8 years ago? Why KC (for example) no stand up to the heat?

Seriously I'm not even calling for the inclusion of Martins. But IF Rohr invites him, I have no reason to be scared because he deserves the invite. I expect the likes of KC to outdo him. Martins have been benched before, and he can be benched again. But should he surprise me, then he has more to offer that we think.

The problem is what is causing all this Martins talk is stemmed from some rubbish report without substance. Let's go to sleep.

junnyjake:
You should know I was exaggerating.

I was trying to make you see that performance in the camp can lead us into making a superficial choice.

Yes it's all about tactics as well. so why are we even making noise? Rohr will do his job. And invite whoever he pleases. And please lets stop feeding off of whacky junkie headlines, without credible source -- fear mongers. Rohr or his assistants never said they are considering Martins. The NFF never said they are going to force Martins on Rohr. shekina

junnyjake:
Here's what I'd say about this trending topic on Martins.


I believe in tactics and systems. If Rorh is considering some tactics for the WC and he thinks Martins out of the others would fit into his style perfectly he'd invite him and there's nothing y'all can do about it.

I doubt, this would ever be the case because if it was he'd have at least been considered even if it was to make the standby list.

So, I think this transcends Present form, Past glory, Quality of league and stats.

We've all been speaking of recent stats.. so all this talk of old glory maybe that's for #TeamOldGlory oh
If you guys really believe the likes of Martins and yak(?) can dislodge KC etc from the team, then i'm afraid you don't even trust the young guys as much as I do

soetanoreoluwa:
Ooh! You saw the picture too... Yak the gym every time... Don't be shocked if he made it to Russia... He's very fit...
Atleast he's is the second highest goal scorer in SE.. And also scored over 100goals in Epl... I think he deserve a call up...

Nuisance

Please don't compare Martins to Aiyegbeni. That comparison has no substance. One cannot play actively, and the other has a pretty good recent stats. In fact Martins did an assist in his last match not too long ago. Saying a player is finished when they are actually performing is telling lies oh

Mujtahida:
And you want to go with Martins? Hahahaha hahahaha. Carry Aiyegbeni join. The same you that wants Thiago Ilori to go and face this attackers is now afraid for Iheanacho and Ighalo. Very funny

lol.. It's not Mikel. Both Martins and Mikel were in Oliseh's team. When Siasia took over na Mikel tell am not to invite Martins? Na Mikel tell Siasia to invite Azubuike, Madu, Etebo etc? Nobody shut the door to Martins. These players are known to the coaches, and they choose whoever they want to use to prosecute their programs.

All this conspiracy theories they tire me.

junnyjake:
I don't see anyone who's richer than him in the present crop of players we have. That dude is unarguably the most travelled SE star. From Italy, England, Russia, Germany, Spain, America and now China.



Mikel might be the most powerful reason being that Martins has been out of the Set-Up for a while. But I'm sure he's more popular to those at the glass house.

Just because somebody call for Martins, no mean say they believe in old legs. enough of the tagging. Forgiveness for example have always clamored for young players.. so just because he call martins that means say he is in #TeamOldLegs. Me i'm in #TeamPerformance oh.

so much talk about building for the future. The inclusion of Martins can never derail that. I'm not clamoring for Martins but why are we crying as if should Martins manage to make it to the mundial the career of the plethora of 21 year olds we have will end. In fact i'm impressed with the pool of players we have in that 18-22 age range oh.. And I must say so much can happen before Qatar 2022. Team building is a continuous process with a mix of young and old (that are relevant). And it should always be so. Show me 3 solid CFs today that are proven in SE shirt, then I will say forget Martins. But let's truth be told, even at his age many of these young kids can't match his recent stats. Well, but I will be fair, let them battle it in camp. Rohr will not accept bribes.

soetanoreoluwa:
Exactly.. . My question is can we win world cup in Russia? The chances are very low. Do we want instant result or long time result...?

Alot of fans think say we get team... This is a rebuilding team in progress... Should we begin to parade old leg for new team cos of instant result or we should look into future and have a concise goal.?..

Anybody that's clamouring for old legs.. That's their opinion.. They are not part of technical crew

And with coach Rohr statements and work so far... He believe so much on youths and few experience that can bring sth special to the team.. And he is also looking into future according one of his interview... He has a blue print of what he wants... He has goal might not tell anyone...

But if he believe in tired leg... Good for him but I don't see him going for any tired leg anyway ... Even enyeama case is getting slim every day...

I wont bother myself... Though

yakubu sef can't pass nacho for camp.. una dey talk like say camp na another ball game entirely. when competition hot up everybody must show he best oh. Even Okocha can't displace nobody in campt today. forget all those old man play play tournament. He can't stand the heat.

junnyjake:
@bolded, you funny die.

So if Yakubu come back camp, come perform pass Nacho, you go just pursue nacho abi?

E go clear for your eye wen Yakubu no go fit trap simple pass for WC.

"Not all" for a country that is blessed with so many good players.. You and I know that even Dessers and co have not even earned their first cap for SE. so what are we talking about? They are neither tested nor proven.

Mujtahida:
Not all and every deserving player will be in that pool. Not only in Nigeria but same holds everywhere. Many deserving players for Brazil, for France, for Germany, for England will not even make the first pool.

Sir, name 3 solid WC caliber #9 we have at the moment. You are comparing us to France, Brazil etc. of then

Mujtahida:
Not all and every deserving player will be in that pool. Not only in Nigeria but same holds everywhere. Many deserving players for Brazil, for France, for Germany, for England will not even make the first pool.

On Enyeama he was bereaved and his situation was handled so so badly. He has served us well. And he deserves an honorable memorial match whenever he deems it fit to retire officially. We need to respect our heroes. We should fault NFF on that issue. Let's call a spade a spade. Many of these NFF officials na only chop dem sabi. Many of them have not given to the country half of what these guys have done for the country. Enyeama was a captain who fought for the team. The problem is whenever someonee decides to stand up for what is right in Nigeria, we don't rally around them.

kennysville:
Friends, Countrymen, Nairalanders!!!
As much as we love to keep this present crop of super eagles all the way to the world cup, I think a bit of reflection is important. Its not a crime if a player is old. If he still has it in him, then he has it! At 50, George Foreman became a world heavyweight champion against a much younger opponent. What that says is simply experience came to play. I cannot exactly recall the match where Martins played last. I think it was the Tanzania game where oliseh fielded him as a 10. And boy, was he mercurial! We have to understand that some departments still need a bit of beefing up and if its because we feel Martins is a threat to our preferred players like Kelechi, Ighalo and other attackers we seem to have right now, then I say we should look at it from a different angle.

Disclaimer!.... I am not advocating for a return of martins. I AM ONLY BEING OBJECTIVE.

With that out of the way, let us take a cursory look at what Martins can bring to the table. He possesses power and a bit of pace, he does very neat dribbles and good with passes. He can be your average go to guy as a creative midfielder loaded with experience. Lets not forget how lethal he is in front of goal.

For some time we have been saying stuff like what happens when mikel is not in the team and how badly we play. Iwobi is good to a large extent but sometimes he may fade out under tight marking. He loses ball easily too. So lets not make it look like the set of guys we have right now are the dons of football. How do we preserve our attacking and possessional identity if Mikel is not in the mix? Let us not for one second think that our opponents are not watching our games. Right from 1994, the same tactics have always played out, whereby they take out or should I say neutralize our threat. Amokachi, Amuneke, Onazi, Kanu Nwankwo for those of us who like stats.

All that needs to happen is one mean tackle on our beloved Mikel and thats it. Game over. When we clamor for a player, let us define what such a player can offer before we start to make assertions as to who fits and who doesnt. There should be a good blend of experience and Youthfulness in our National team. If there is any one that we can make exception for in our National team, it is Martins , simply for the reasons stated above. My stand on Enyeama has never changed and that is no matter how big you are, you still need to respect authorities. If he is to come back, then he owes us all an apology for believing he is bigger than the national interest. He retired on his own and he should leave it that way. If Carl Ikeme werent sick, I bet he would have been totally forgotten by now. That is what time does. Even now he isnt doin pretty well. I wish him well in his endeavors but frankly for the sake of order and decorum and the good work that Rohr has done, he should steer clear. This is why you dont rubbish the legacy you build for 13years just because you want to prove a point to your coach and your FA. Cos as far as i am concerned, he is sinking fast into oblivion.

Osaze on his part, i wont advocate for him because of what he has to offer is limited.

To start with those are just fake headline stories.

Mujtahida:
It's not fear. The stakes are high. I feel taking Martins and co is letting some letting down on our prospects. It's those who clamour for Martins who I'd say are afraid, afraid of the future, lacking in guts and courage to drive to the future. Not taking Martins is not even a risk.

SPAIN: Copa del Rey - 1/16-finals

---

FULL TIME

Deportivo 1-4 Las Palmas
Good news for Uzoho who was not listed. The caretaker coach, Cristobal Parralo, hands polish goalkeeper, Przemyslaw Tyton a start. And the Pole failed the test woefully. Let's also consider that Deportivo played a man down from the 24th minute of the game after a player was sent off.

Girona 0-2 Levante
Olarenwaju Kayode was introduced from the bench in the 64th minute, but could not save his side from losing to Levante.
Kayode is still in search of his first Girona goal.

lol

daveP:
Take this...

right but u pick the deserving to make the initial pool

Mujtahida:
It's not discrimination. It's 23 players to make the cut. The initial pool from which this 23 will eventually be picked from is not wide like a civil service job interview or a common entrance examination.

how good are our alternatives?

Mujtahida:
It's not just performance. I just pointed out the Scolari /Romario /Ronaldo example. When Aime Jacquet was revamping the French team he left out an in form Eric Cantona, David Ginola (my my, I used to watch this guy and Klinsmann do incredible footballing jobs for Tottenham) and Jean Pierre Papin and built the team around a young Zidane. It's not just any kind of performing player a coach picks. Some he won't even pick at all.

WC no be for the fainthearted oh.. Abi how dey talk am that time?
The first test na fight for camp. if old man beat u, that means u never ready.. make u go play U23 first.

daveP:
a case of who wants it most. super young go backfire.

"he will have to wait for his time, but he is a talent the future must watch out for"

fake consolation!

Ighalo na, for who jambody pass haha. Abi na KC?

daveP:
Who does he wanna debench from the current bench? lol

hahaha.. u never taya reach.. u go soon yata.. calm down.. u too dey fear..

Mujtahida:
E no pain you reach me. Anger, plus vex plus annoyance mix to make me just taya. I taya

lol my brother I just think our image has improved, football-wise. Pinnick has been doing well in this regard. Serious work has to be done on the home front still. Looking forward to the next NPFL season to see if there will be improvements from the previous. How about the proposed youth league?

daveP:
lol. Any to make the watching worthwhile.

Our case has changed. Like the biblical 'the rejected stone is now the chief cornerstone' situo. Everyone scrambling to rep us, even at Olympics last year.(rem the canoeing guy) Even to one top bundesliga defender that regretted not opting for Nigeria. He plays for an average European team. Even if we eff up at this World cup, i'l be at least satisfied that pendulum has changed, Inasmuch they dont give a mediocre performance. Those time that we'l wait expect one boy we were begging to rep us....

As long as they are better that's the point. They are Nigerians. They have equal right for consideration.

junnyjake:
I don't know, maybe it's caz they don't think they are good enough for their country of birth.

Otigba I believe is in the Hungarian league.
senneger he's currently playing 3rd tier football in Germany. So I can understand if they say we have better players than both.

But for Dessers, I can't really say what's stopping them from calling him o.


And with the way things are going, we might have half of our lineup filled with foreign players. Wetin concern me?? They should sha be better than what we have already.

SPAIN: Copa del Rey - 1/16-finals

---

About 77 minutes played

Deportivo 1-2 Las Palmas

Depo don chop two goals oh. Who be this keeper when dem dey call Tyton?
Good news for Uzoho who is not listed. The caretaker coach is a caretaker indeed.

Modified
Depo pull one back playing one man down

Girona 0-2 Levante
Olarenwaju Kayode in Girona's bench

haha.. y the youngie no become super young?

daveP:
If they now give a good account of themselves nko? we know the mention of world cup camp can make an oldie become young again. lol