₦airaland Forum

Although I had opined that Moses is our best player since 2016, I've given him a fare good number of criticisms here. Go back and read my Half-time and Full-time analysis of the Zambia match in Uyo.

However, nobody can take anything away from him. Even Rohr himself said VicMo was his best player in the qualifiers.. Someone is talking about headless chicken. You can take whatever you want and run with it. it's always a choice.

Mickael2:
if I say this now they will say I am highly critical and that VicMo was playing to instructions by not passing the ball, sure beats me

We've seen so much of Siasia, than Rohr, who is barely 14 months at the job. I still maintain that Rohr maintained a conservative approach during the qualifiers because what we had was working for us. We have been winning and was always on top of our group. Much is yet to be seen about Rohr in other situations. Did he say something like we will be shopping for a lot of new players? I'm not sure. I want to believe he sees the World Cup challenge as a whole different ball game.

Siasia has made some bad decisions tactically. I like his all attack playing philosophy but that does not always guarantee victory. Siasia has proven himself more at the junior levels.

Mickael2:
Simple, we are here arguing the truth instead of looking for things to do about it before the world cup proper.


For all the members of team Tactical Rohr could y'all please answer this question- is/was Siasia a better tactical manager than Rohr?

Cc Joebie, Mujtahida, MilitaryControl, Chrismario, Icon4s

I agree

tbaba1234:
I think the whole Giwa-Pinnick fiasco contributed to missing the nations cup. The nff is more settled now.

I've been in support of Pinnick most of the time. But for his handling of Tammy's issue, most of the time he has been on point with his decisions. Today, we are a force to recon with in CAF -- many thinks to Pinnick. However he's been blamed for Nations Cup miss. He has time to right a few wrongs and even surpass his predecessors' achievements. Pinnick should get credits for getting it right with the choice of Rohr. Rohr should get credits for taking us on one of our best world cup qualifying journeys. And he too should get credits for great player management skills, and tactics (YES).

Modified
Oh and the way he's building the SE brand, with lots of sponsorship, and less reliance on FG. Shehu Dikko gets some credits too

terzurum5:
We need to recognize the inputs of the Amaju P. led NFF, they have done a wonderful job.
If we had not qualified for the World Cup. Criticisms would have been flying left and right.

Yes Oruma was very direct and a result driven #10. But Okocha was a phenomenon, sometimes to our own detriment.

I will have to watch Josh. I'm sure their U21 coach had a vision -- good for us.

komekn:
He remind me of Wilson Oruma who was highly under rated over a much more skilful and flamboyant Okocha who was quite often not that effective in occasion.

Of course. I'm sure I mentioned that earlier. You have to be full of running when the opponent's CBs have the ball as well. I see lots of forwards to that. It's not necessarily a strength.

Mujtahida:
Didn't you see him do that to Mweene?

I'm not still very comfortable with Awaziem. I want to see him more in SE colors. That will have to apply to Iorfa as well. For now it's just Balogun and Ekong. But yes I think we have some good set of players. Hopefully we get the kind of bench that also deserve to start.

PDPGuy:
I would also deploy him to the RB position cos we know that he is actually a natural RB. My full-backs to the WC would be Aina and Echiejile (at LB), and Shehu and Iorfa (at RB) Awaziem, as the specialist CB, would be back up to the Oyibo Wall.
Of course, if both Balogun and Ekong are unavailable, then Awaziem could partner with Iorfa at CB.

In fact, I like how the team is brimming with current and future talent.
With appropriate tactics and luck on the side of the team, a World Cup quarter final isn’t out of the question.

A few caps may not be the reason.. there are many reasons not to be proud of Nigeria. you know that. We have no idea of their personal experiences besides just having a few caps. If I had a son that was good in football. Would I want him to play for Nigeria. Hell yea! Because I'm not only passionate about Nigeria football, but I hardly support other countries when it comes to football. So different strokes for different folks.

Well Iorfa snr and Ojokojo are different. They have walked different paths and have different experiences. We can't be mad over people's personal decisions or how they choose to advice their children. That's why it's theirs, and we have ours.

Mujtahida:
It depends jare@few caps cos that might not be the reason. Iwobi's Dad wished he(as in the Dad himself) played for the Eagles. He never got the opportunity and so therefore when the opportunity came for his son, ooohh Joebie the man gave it all his support. Read this article on this link from 2015 and you'd feel the man's overweening support for his son to play for us. http://opera.pulse.ng/sports/football/alex-iwobi-arsenal-youngster-keen-to-play-for-nigeria-father-insists-id3516087.html

On Dominic Iorfa I think he said that he wants his son to play for England at the youth level and that when the guy is 21 or so then they'd know which direction he'd pledge his international career. That to me is better than Ojokokojo who discouraged his son point blank. But we are all human beings and we do change our minds, don't we?

You've made a very good case for Salah.

Moses has World Cup qualifying performances and his immense contribution towards Chelsea becoming EPL champions, to his favor.

Salah's nominations will come to mind but Roma's achievement will also be checked
Salah also has Nations Cup appearances to his favor, and he coincidentally, single-handedly denied Moses from participating.
Salah single handedly made Egypt qualify for the world cup since 1990.

At the end of the day it will all come down to voting. I personally thought Auba should have won the last APOTY ahead of Mahrez. But Leicester made a whole lot of noise because it was a fairy tale run to the crown for them. Mahrez played a huge part. And he was crowned the player of the season? Auba only had goals and AFCON participation to show for it.

In a nutshell, it's who makes the most noise throughout the calendar year that would likely take it. For me, it's looking like Salah. But I hope it would be VicMo. if not this time, I believe a good World Cup showing for Moses will earn him the prize.

goldfish80:
No doubt Moses had a good season with Chelsea but when you consider his achievements compared to Mohamed Salah, it becomes very difficult to see how Moses will take the gong.

For starters Aubameyang was at the Nations cup with Gabon to start with. Moses wasn't with Nigeria in the year under review.

Yes he won the Premiership with Chelsea but for the super Eagles he basically played 3 good games in the year under review. Hang on, Moses as good a season he had was not nominated in the Premiership team of the season.

Now, when we compare notes with Salah. It becomes very clear he is 2 paces above Moses.

First of all, Salah has been nominated in the Seria A team of the seaon back to back. He single handledly bundled us out of the nations cup party and was one of the stand out players of the tournament.
At the world cup qualification series, he has stood out for Egypt enroute their qualification for the World Cup after almost 30years absence.
Egypt also played up to the finals of the AFCON.


According to FHIS Salah was the bargain buy of the season. As a matter of fact Liverpool got him almost 3 times less than his actual value. So far in the Premiership, he has won several man of the match awards and on multiple occasions, he have been in the Premiership team of the week.

I understand out pan Nigerianism on this thread. But I cannot leave the truth and buy the lie.

Mo Salah will take home the gong. You can take it to the bank and cash it out through the atm come January 2018 at the glo gala night in Abuja.

Very good points..

komekn:
I had this discussion with you sometime ago but you still do not get it.

The EPL is unlike any other league across Europe. It is a completely international league in which English players have become the minority.

When you look at the top 6 on a lot of occasions they may field a first 11, with no more than 1-3 English players in the team. On some occasions not a single English player. That will never happen in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, France etc.

So although the EPL us the most competitive league in the World you it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO LARGELY with national team prominence and or dominance.

On the other hand there is no top 5 ranked nation by FIFA that will not have at least a number of thier highest performing and or top playing in the EPL.

I ask you directly. Can you say that of the Turkish, Belgium, Austrian, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, Swiss, Ukrainian, leagues, etc to name a few.

The comparison that you make is not substantively underpinned just mere sentiment.

Shehu is an exception and far very far from the general trend. Better players play in top leagues full stop and the best in the best teams and best leagues.

Let me throw this in.. Just want to give you an idea about how coaches make their decision. To start with, coaches have different winning philosophies and systems. They have preferred formations. And for a formation to do what it suppose to do players will have to have certain strengths.
You want to look at where the player played in the past, what was that coach's formation and philosophy, how the player contributed to it. And if that team succeeded. These are different variables. When the player moves to another club, most times he meets a new coach with a different philosophy or preferred formation, and different set of teammates with different qualities from the those he once had. Which is why often times players are deployed to a different position, also considering the other player's strengths in the team. However, this change are rarely made as regards some playing positions.
For example consider the former Ajax youth system. This is an excerpt from Edgar Davids interview I just stumbled across (take note of the bolded):

You started at Ajax as a left-winger and struggled. How did you make the transition to midfield?
Andrew Edmonds, via e-mail
Davids: I started as a left-winger and second striker: a No.10. What is different in the Ajax system for a midfielder is that they can attack and also defend, so it is maybe that you have the holding player on the outside who is always protecting or defending. That's the system. It was Louis van Gaal's idea to move my position. Marc Overmars started playing on the left and was really good, so he had to adapt the situation to where I played in the midfield. On the left wing I felt isolated, but in the middle I was more part of the game.
Read more at https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/edgar-davids-one-one#TgjPfXrrymOdtOyq.99

forgiveness:
If you ask about Joel Obi ability in the AMF role 4-5 years ago, I will have to agree but now, I don't know until I see him play there.

I am conversant with Joel Obi.

Talking about pressing Ighalo does that a lot. Coaches instruct players to try to win the ball back. it's pretty basic to me.

TheGoodJoe:
It is clear. As I said, thank God it is foreigners who have no interest in Iheanacho that backed me.

Also, you clearly saw the pressing that led to winning the ball but I can bet, hard to get a praise for that. So, did Nacho have a poor game, no.

Also, Rohr needs to step up his game play.

I would love to see KC (considering final balls) at the wings as opposed to Moses Simon, but the problem is he cannot cover defensively. The full backs will need that sometimes. I prefer Iwobi as an AM. Iwobi was once described as similar to Edgar Davids, meaning he also has some defensive attributes. But as an AM Iwobi would have a wider angle than either of the wings, spreading passes forward, left or right.

TheGoodJoe:
Iheanacho was not caged by the South African defence. Algeria yes. But in the South African game it was not caging but our inability to deliver basic final balls. Some even went to the goalkeeper. They were that poor.

Iheanacho has thrived in the role. Unfortunately, we are a team that is not utilizing his ability. If we attack with pace and dynamism, Nacho will flourish in the role.

In the modern way, with a lot of emphasis in team work, a player can thrive and do well in different roles. Restricting a player to one role now is diminishing the quality of the player.

Smart keeping versatile players..
But would you confine Aina to the LB?

PDPGuy:
I’d go with Dominic Iorfa as a back-up to Shehu Abdullahi at the RB position. His versality will come in handy when the team needs a CB if something happens to the Oyibo Wall.

haha.. After Ajagun had played as a CMF for so long in Roda JC, where did Kortrijk deploy him immediately? Did the coach there just go by where he has been playing in Holland? I'm sure the coach could have looked at the stats like yourself and decided he would only play Ajagun as a CMF. Coaches consider other factors my friend.

Second question, Is Joel not very attack minded in a way that is typical of an AMF. He has it in him as well. Stop judging solely on what some coaches do with him. If you want to be good at analyzing don't focus on stats alone. Watch videos and study what the player brings to the team.

forgiveness:
If you are not playing regularly in a position your are used to for too long, bros you will find it hard to at first to cope and gather yourself.


If the coach wants to play Joel Obi in the AMF position, he must play him there for at least 4 - 5 games then after that he can draw his conclusion.

I don't know why you call that a distraction. The CF's job is to open, and the opposing CB's job is to mark him. How is that a distraction? That's football basics. All CF's get marked that way. Victor Moses clearly evaded his markers. You make it seem that Iheanacho attracted them and Victor Moses had a free run to the goal haha.. I don't want to keep arguing.. the video is here. Let others watch and have their views.

Modified
The second goal? hahaha

TheGoodJoe:
Please, Iheanacho's movement was also a distraction to the defenders for the second goal. Even in the first minute, you can clearly see Iheanacho's pressing causing Victor Moses to win the ball.

I know where a player can play based on their attributes and strengths not just purely on where their clubs coaches play them. Coaches make decisions based on other factors as well. Statistically Joel Obi has played once as an AM..

Now let's get more practica. Watch Joel Obi's assist in our famous friendly win over Argentina. Was that not typical of a right winger? You guys talk as if football is that rigid.

forgiveness:
Joel Obi is a player I have been following since before he made his debut for Nigeria. That was when Italy wanted him.

So, I know he is a confirmed CMF, LM and sometimes he plays as a DMF.

In short, prior to his move to Torino, he was largely played as a side midfielder.

yes we won. We converted our chances.

chrisooblog:
yeah we were under a lot pressure for parts of the game from the algerians. we did well to weather the storm

Come to think of it, the formation deployed by a coach may alter the player's playing position. This positions are not as strict as some of you make it seem. Actually Joel Obi can play as any.

forgiveness:
Joel Obi is not an AMF neither Aluko any.

Joel Obi is largely a CMF and LM.

Ojokojo can be convinced. Even his son does not become a starter for us, it will be great to secure him in advance. Qatar already on my mind.

Icon79:
Well, we need to find a way to communicate to the NFF because we gonna need that guy at the World Cup. And moreover, he would be easier to convince than the likes of Tammy Abrahams ... he knows or ought to know that his chances of breaking into the loaded Germany side is close to zero.


O pari

seconded

chrisooblog:
been reading all the comments from yesterday must say its has been entertaining viewing all the back and forth. i think victor moses has been the best player in this successful world cup campaign. i had thought he played his best game against algeria but against cameroon he was simply unplayable. the cameroonian defenders will be having nightmares about the man. i think it would be stretching it abit to say KC provided space for moses to flourish against the algerians. victor was just a different beast that day.

on iheanacho i rate him highly but like other posters have said it won't be doing him any justice if we keep blaming other factors for his poor or above average performances. the first game against zambia in ndola was his best game. his movement and guile confounded the zambians. his second against algeria he wasn't as threatening as he could have been. to juxtapose this look at his performance against senegal in the international friendly earlier in the year. he always occupied the senegalese centre halves and was always a source of menace to them even though the service wasn't great. that senegal game is the reason i can't readily exonerate him in the SA match. yes the service too was poor but kelechi didn't do himself any favours in that game just waiting for everything to be perfectly laid on a plate for him. ighalo before his recent form was also like that waiting for nonexistent service but now he know he has to hustle. it's because of this i'm not too critical of odion's performance against the zambians. he did not have the rub of the green goal scoring wise but he continued to make himself a nuisance to zambians.

i think it's also a bit harsh to question herr rohr's tactical ability. we qualified out of a group of current and former AFCON winners if that's not impressive then i don't know what is

Parents advise their children based on their personal experiences most times not other parents'. You have said it, they had few caps with Nigeria...
So it's understandable they don't have that great spirit as you put it.

Kog45:
I understand your point but Irofa snr and Ojokojo snr should know better.I know both right from old Nigeria league but funny enough they are d ones try to stop d young lads from playing for us.

It's like Keshi,Siasia, Okocha, KANU advising their kids by saying don't play for Nigeria, u should know is not possible.

I don't blame d duo they don't have much caps with Eagles,I remember Irofa very few caps and Ojokojo i can't really say,so that great spirit of Super Eagles is not in them, Irofa fall my hand big time,one time Lobi star chairman in NPFL..

Let everyone watch and analyze for themselves.. You can only make your argument on the first goal. But your argument won't still hold true on that one for obvious reasons. On the other two goals Iheanacho was barely involved in any way.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_m64ISLoAM

Modified
I must say this was not one of our best games. forget the scoreline

TheGoodJoe:
Shocking this coming from you. There is a game I think Eto'o scored a goal for Barcelona. In that game Bojan Krkic played. After the goal, Guardiola praised Bojan with Gestures for his perpetrating runs which created room for the scorer.

This is basic and I am not to explain this. We have two central defenders. If a striker keeps them occupied and distracted, it creates room for others to exploit.

Have you not heard of the term attracting players and creating room for others? Na wa.

No News on recent approach on Torunarigha

Icon79:
I will start monitoring Nura Abdullahi effective immediately (starting this weekend). I mean, if this dude can start for AS Roma then he's quality....we need to pay attention.

Joebie, any news on whether the NFF has made any contacts with Jordan Torunarigha?


O pari

QUOTE: GERNOT ROHR SPEAKS ON EZENWA

---

“I don’t have a world class goalkeeper now but we’ll go with what we have. Ezenwa is progressing so much that in the past few weeks he is becoming a very good goalkeeper and that is why he kept in the games against Cameroon and Zambia. He is a goalkeeper much stronger than before, we shall have to see what will happen in the next few months.

“It is a very important position for any team. For the moment, we are very happy about the performance of Ezenwa. He has suddenly become an important member of the squad and we would keep working on him and see how how it goes,” said in Abuja shortly before departing to Lagos for the Aiteo Cup Final

SOURCE: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/10/13/super-eagles-coach-gernot-rohr-ezenwa-is-not-a-world-class-goalkeeper/

Waiting for Kayode to light up the La Liga the way he did.

junnyjake:
Would we ever have another striker who'd set the La Liga on fire the way Uche did (in recent times though)

Till tomorrow, Villarreal fans love him and are hoping he'd come back to finish his career with them.

His Spanish is also very fluent. I never expected less from him, having spent his entire career in Spain.

Still waiting for Kayode to light up the La Liga the way he did.

junnyjake:
Would we ever have another striker who'd set the La Liga on fire the way Uche did (in recent times though)

Till tomorrow, Villarreal fans love him and are hoping he'd come back to finish his career with them.

His Spanish is also very fluent. I never expected less from him, having spent his entire career in Spain.

okay cool.. noted.

tbaba1234:
I think, you have it covered. Uduokhai can also play LB.

If they didn't want their kids to play initially, they have their reasons. Some of these parents want to explore the option especially if their children meet the grade there.. They believe it's better professionally for their wards. Parents look for the best for their children. When it becomes apparent Nigeria may favor them more they have a change of heart.
It's human, even our parents sometimes make decisions for us that they THINK is best for us.. but later rescind. It's a choice.. I have a niece who is already showing promise in track and field at the age of 7. I'd never advise her to run for Nigeria if she makes it to that pro level, as long as the way we do things in athletics today stay the same. I want the best for her.

Kog45:
Honestly am highly disappointed in Dominic Irofa and Ojokojo coz they are part of us from d root,this guys played for BCC Lion of Gboko and shooting star respectively,so i expect easy switch from their ward.

missing any name?

tbaba1234:
I do not think, Musa Muhammad is in contention..

Russia 2018 Full Back Contenders

Right Back ONLY Options
Shehu Abdullahi
Nura Abdullahi
Dominic Iorfa (CB also)
Kingsley Ehizibue

Left Back ONLY Options
Jordan Torunarigha (CB also)
Elderson Echiejile
Stanley Amuzie

Left&Right Back Options
Ola Aina
Tyronne Ebuehi
Musa Muhammed (surprisingly LB all current season)

Moses Odubajo (NOT IN CONTENTION)is expected to be back around May 2018

Missing any name?

I think we will get Torunarigha eventually. The boy want to play for Nigeria. His dad will relax at some point. Dominic Iorga Snr did the same, talking about his son getting to 21 first. Uduokhai is even a slight step higher.. would be great!

Modified
Getting Akpboguma later on (after Russia) won't be a bad idea

tbaba1234:
I mean i expect Felix Uduokhai to play for Germany in the next few years (3-5 years). That is how highly i rate him.

Getting him now will be great.