₦airaland Forum

i've just posted something on the dynamics of CB partnership. My people. There is more to it than just picking two defenders that are good individually. Football is a science. over to you Icon4s

forgiveness:
This is one of the reasons I always cry out for better replacement for each position but many are satisfied with the first eleven.

By now, Rohr ought to have know who should replace who. Abi we never learn reach from 1994 world cup to 2014 world cup. Commot one player and the team go fall yakata.

Now, back to the discussion. Why then did you mentioned 2013/2014 AFCON and wc if you point is the second paragraph?

Performance in training is very important though other factors may be considered.

How many times has Omeruo partnered Ekong?

This is Super Eagles, the players currently inform should be considered ahead of any expired legs.

Introduction

This guide is going to look in your central defensive set-ups, and how to achieve a cohesive backline. I will discuss your common central defensive pairing.

Central Pair

You have 3 central defensive roles and 3 central defensive duties to choose from. The roles are as follows:

1. Central Defender
2. Limited Defender
3. Ball Playing Defender

and the duties are as follows:

1. Defend
2. Stopper
3. Cover

The roles are fairly similar in most respects, and defensive distribution is the most significant difference in the roles.

The Limited Defender tends to simply clear the ball as far away from goal as he can - ensures you do not get caught in possession at the back, but it does turn over possession to your opponents quicker and can leave you under sustained pressure. A good idea if your team does not possess the skill to keep hold of the ball in the backline.

The Central Defender will distribute the ball to nearby teammates, helping you keep possession in the backline, and to calmly distribute the ball to the midfield. There is the risk of getting caught in possession at the backline, however it can alleviate pressure on your backline by keeping the ball, and building attacks and distributing the ball to players in the midfield capable of influencing the game in the middle and final thirds.

The Ball Playing Defender will look to influence counter-attacking opportunities by playing through-balls in to players wide of, or in front of himself. He can also help the team maintain possession with his superior passing skills and licence, although he must me fairly creative and a good passer, otherwise you can turn over possession if your player tries overly ambitious passes he is not capable of.

PAIR COMBINATIONS:
1. Central Defender & Central Defender
2. Central Defender & Limited Defender
3. Limited Defender & Limited Defender
4. Ball Playing Defender & Central Defender

You can pair Limited Defenders as they do not affect the balance or overall passing structure as they simply play direct, same with a pair of Central Defenders who simply play a short passing game. The Ball Playing Defender however plays through balls, and due to the increased creativity should generally only be paired with just a simple Central Defender - this is because the Central Defender can help maintain possession at the back, passing to his more creative partner instead of hoofing the ball clear like a Limited Defender and his "safety-first" approach. Having 2 Ball Playing Defenders can see your defenders playing with too much creativity, and attempting too many risky passes.

The duties provide the variation in defensive approach, and these can significantly change the way your defence balances.

The Defend duty is the standard approach, aiming to defend merely as guided by team instructions on marking and pressing, holding the defensive line and winning the ball when appropriate. It is a balance of the 2 "extremes" offered by the Stopper and Cover duties.

The Stopper duty aims to step up early to engage the opposition and quickly win the ball back. This can expose your team and open up space for your opposition, stepping ahead of your defensive line.

The Cover duty will drop off to try and catch any players breaching the defensive line. This can leave your opponents more time and space just in front of your defence unopposed, but it can also prevent your opponents from breaking through without a player to cover and track their runs, reducing their chances of getting a clean shot away in behind.

DUTIES COMBINATIONS:
1. Defend & Defend
2. Stopper & Cover
3. Stopper & Defend
4. Defend & Cover

You can play most combinations of duties in the backline, however most importantly you CANNOT play a pair of Stoppers or a pair of Covering Defenders. The Stoppers will expose too much space in behind, and the Covers will gift too much room in front of the defence, and fail to challenge for the ball often enough. Both pairings can badly expose your Offside Trap too, by either allowing room behind the full back's or behind the centre backs, played onside by the full backs. The Defend-Defend pairing tend to stay in line better and are significantly better for shape retention, and playing an Offside Trap. The Stopper-Cover pairing tends to exaggerate the best qualities of each individual, with an aggressive defender to attack the ball early, reducing room for the opposition forwards, and the covering defender can make up for the aggressiveness of the Stopper with his excellent positioning and pace. The Stopper can make up for the Covering Defender's deeper positioning and sometimes lack of aggression by closing down the space in front of the defence. This pairing can cause problems maintaining the Offside Trap with the Defenders in line, allowing gaps for your opponents to exploit.

I asked a simple question. Has Omeruo performed well as Center Back under Rohr? Yes or no

Icon4s:
This man you make me laugh with the way you are being so assertive about this.

Don't come here on June 10 and cry fowl o.

Novak Djokovic trails Argentine, Diego Schwartzman, with scores currently
5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 0-1
Are we about to witness another upset?

As center back? Wait and see

Icon4s:
Hahaha my friend.

Don't say I didn't tell you.

SUPER EAGLES OPPONENT WATCH:


Cape Town - With Stuart Baxter soon to begin his second stint as Bafana Bafana coach, the question of who he will name as his captain has been thrown around.

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt believes Baxter should look no further than the Students' title winning skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo, who led the national team a number of times under the sacked Shakes Mashaba.

Hunt and Baxter had an extensive conversation before the Englishman named his first squad, and the Wits coach has revealed that he told the new Bafana boss to consider giving the armband to Hlatshwayo.

“Well I think if you’re going to go into a new era‚ new dawn‚ new feel‚ and you want to build your team‚ I mean he (Hlatshwayo) is the perfect guy to build your team around‚” Hunt was quoted by Sowetan Live.

“I told Stuart that. If you want to build your team‚ he’s not going to be bashing down doors and screaming and shouting. But he’s going to lead with endeavour‚ and his professionalism on and off the field.

“But Stuart’s going to make a decision once he gets into camp and works with the players for a week.

“There are a few candidates‚ which is good. You need a few candidates. You want the team to work by itself. You want a lot of captains there.

“But‚ ja‚ if Stuart’s looking to go forward‚ (Hlatshwayo is a) good option.”

One of the things Mashaba was criticised for during his failed tenure as Bafana coach was his rotation of the captaincy - and goalkeepers - which didn't sit well with Hunt, who added that whoever was appointed captain was the coach's first name on the team sheet.

“For me that can’t work‚ hey. That can never work‚” Hunt said. “Obviously if there are injuries you have to. But you need to put your hat with somebody and go with somebody‚ and go feel it. And build your team around them for the next three or four years‚ or until the next campaign‚ at least.

“I’m sure Stuart will do that.”

http://www.sport24.co.za/Soccer/BafanaBafana/hunt-to-baxter-tysons-your-man-to-captain-bafana-20170602

gbam!

safarigirl:
I'm.not speaking from the perspective of someone who has straffed calabar girls. I am speaking from the perspective of someone who has seen people married to calabar women and still not having good luck.

I have calabar relatives, it is all myth. Stereotypes even, it's just as true as the Igbo men use their family for rituals stereotype.

The girl is not performing any magic, and Musa's career is experiencing the usual flicker of hope that occurs twice in a year.

No calabar jazz can wipe away betrayal

Has Omeruo ever performed well as a CB under Rohr?
And some people are talking about him starting as a center back in a crucial game. This is Rohr 2017 my friends.

I also implied that. In fact I posted that report a while ago.

MODIFIED.
Miscommunication between a pair can be costly. That itself is equally important. The center back position is the most critical position. It can make an average keeper look very good (shutouts).

Mujtahida:
It's not just that he has bonded well with Ekong. That in itself is good but the greater good is that he defends well. From the reports so far both from the Corsica and the match yesterday the young man has defended well. As reported by owngoalnigeria.com, a French journalist who has monitored African football for 20 years rated Awaziem higher than all the debutants.

I also implied that. In fact I posted that report a while ago.

Mujtahida:
It's not just that he has bonded well with Ekong. That in itself is good but the greater good is that he defends well. From the reports so far both from the Corsica and the match yesterday the young man has defended well. As reported by owngoalnigeria.com, a French journalist who has monitored African football for 20 years rated Awaziem higher than all the debutants.

The GK war is a sorry one. There is no clear number one in the absence of Ikeme.

TheSuperNerd:
Akpeyi Reveals When He'll Report For International Duty, Super Eagles Check Out Of Hotel

https://allnigeriasoccer.com/football_pics/84152Etebo.jpg

Allnigeriasoccer.com understands that Chippa United glovesman Daniel Akpeyi is still in South Africa, about a week after the conclusion of the South African Premier Division.

The Super Eagles goalkeeper has revealed that he will link up with his international teammates in Abuja this coming weekend ahead of the crucial African Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa.

With Wolves star Carl Ikeme not making the latest roster as a result of injury, it is a no-brainer that Akpeyi is everyone's pick to be in goal next Saturday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles players that prosecuted the friendlies against Corsica and Togo had checked out of the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Paris as at 1054 hours Nigerian time, and are presently at the airport waiting to board a flight to Lagos.

Only yesterday, Gernot Rohr's side thrashed Togo in their last warmup game before their meeting with Bafana Bafana.


**Ifeanyi Emmanuel


Source: http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=23271

Upcoming

Venus Williams takes on Elise Mertens of Belgium

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0NSLV_KLec

Third Round Results/Update:

Dominic Thiem outwits Steve Johnson
6-1, 7-6, 6-3

Rafael Nadal drops only one game to see off qualifier Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia
6-0, 6-1, 6-0

Garcia Lopez retires to Milos Roanic early due to injury with the Canadian leading
6-1, 1-0

Novak Djokovic trails Argentine, Diego Schwartzman, with scores currently
7-5, 1-1

French Journalist Rates Awaziem High Among Players Who Made Their Debut Against Togo

Mitchell Paul who watched the Super Eagles of Nigeria against Togo in their 3-0 win have given his view on the ten Nigerian players who made their debut in the friendly game.

The French journalists who has been covering African football for close to two decades said the future of the Super Eagles is assured judging by the rate at which young players are been given a chance by coach Gernot Rohr.

A total of ten players made their debut in yesterday’s game which is officially recognised by FIFA unlike the game against Corsica, which has no bearing on the caps of a player as Corsica isn’t an affiliate of FIFA.

” Ten promising players made their debut for Nigeria yesterday, and I saw a glimpse of what the future looks like for Nigerian football. Very bright if you ask me. Rohr has gotten a near perfect match of young but widely experienced players in the team”, he told Owngoalnigeria.com.

” I was particularly impressed with the FC Porto defender Chidozie Awaziem who played in central defence alongside William Troost-Ekong. He was very confident on the ball and assured in duels. He is my top pick among the ten players who made their debut.

” Osimhen didn’t do badly after coming on, so too Mikel Agu, but Awaziem had a display to remember in defence for Nigeria. Porto have a real gem on their hands “.

Michael James

http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/06/02/french-journalist-rates-awaziem-high-among-players-who-made-their-debut-against-togo/

If Troost start to make mistakes tomorrow people will bad mouth him. That's the game for you. It's the demand of being a sportsman -- consistency. Ambrose is not finished yet. If he gets his club career going well in a top tier league, he could get a recall in future.
Let's call a spade, a spade. Omeruo is not the Omeruo of 2014. We can't live based on the past. The team is always based on current form, as you can't win a current match based on your past performance.

Echiejile is still very much starting due to lack of competition #fact.
No one said he is finished.

MODIFIED
Echiejile, Rohr's favorite in the Left Back role. Or did you mean just one of his favorites?

Icon4s:
Omeruo's second. That is Efe Ambrose. I know that is where all these is going.

The way you guys bad mouthed Ambrose. Omeruo still holds lots of promises, he is not likely to go the way of Ambrose yet.

Despite the hatred for Echiejile here he remains one of Rohr's favorites. You cannot buy experience from the market. Same goes for Omeruo.

If Troost start to make mistakes tomorrow people will bad mouth him. That's the game for you. It's the demand of being a sportsman -- consistency. Ambrose is not finished yet. If he gets his club career going well in a top tier league, he could get a recall in future.
Let's call a spade, a spade. Omeruo is not the Omeruo of 2014. We can't live based on the past. The team is always based on current form, as you can't win a current match based on your past performance.

Echiejile is still very much starting due to lack of competition #fact.
No one said he is finished.

An experienced player still have to be in good form

Icon4s:
Omeruo's second. That is Efe Ambrose. I know that is where all these is going.

The way you guys bad mouthed Ambrose. Omeruo still holds lots of promises, he is not likely to go the way of Ambrose yet.

Despite the hatred for Echiejile here he remains one of Rohr's favorites. You cannot buy experience from the market. Same goes for Omeruo.

It only took a couple games for Ekong and Balogun to show they were a great pair. Or should it take a tournament for two CBs to show playing understanding? What were those friendlies for?

Sure no one here is Rohr. And im making my comparison here with the CB position as context. Let me repeat Omeruo will not start as a CENTER BACK against South Africa. Let's wait and see.

Awaziem was super consistent for Porto B this past season. He is young and getting better and better. Omeruo, though young, is not improving at the same rate as Awaziem. No one is dismissing Omeruo completely. But we are talking about who will start as center back versus South Africa.

Icon4s:
What Chemistry?

From just two low profile friendlies?

You are not Rohr and I am not Rohr.

But me will personal take Omeruo for that SA game ahead of Awaziem. Awziem that never made match day squads when Balogun and Omeruo were in the team.

I raised two points.

1. Awaziem's chemistry with Ekong recently
2. Omeruo has not played as CB recently owing to a better Balogun-Ekong partnership, also and when Omeruo did play as CB in the recent past he made costly errors.

Awaziem has proved to be a good replacement for injured Balogun, not only because he is good, but because he has bonded well with Ekong -- Chemistry

Icon4s:
Awaziem and Ekong played CB against Corsica and Togo and that is enough to push out Omeruo who has played that position from 2013 AFCON to 2014 WC qualifeirs and series of other qualifiers.

You may give Awaziem the nod based on other factors but not based on chemistry with the other CBs.

Owngoal says:
"Ahmed Musa looks settled…marriage must be good
He scored twice within the first 20 minutes to equal the number of goals he had scored for the Super Eagles over the last two years. Overall, he looked sharp despite not playing often at Leicester and was a constant threat for the Togolese. We guess his new marriage has something to do with his new improved state of mind."

so just maybe it will be different from now on hahaha

safarigirl:
his ’good days' come once in 6 months

He is unplayable on his good day. We need consistency from him.

kennysville:
I say make I no talk first. But lets hope he brings on hia 'A' game on the 10th

the kain Musa bad belle eh. So no body notice say Ahmed Musa no get rating. I dey take notice oh

TheSuperNerd:
Nigeria 3- 0 Togo ; Players Ratings – Iwobi MOTM Despite Brace From Leicester City Musa

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/IMG_3001.jpg

The Super Eagles of Nigeria defeated their counterparts from Togo in a friendly game played in France yesterday to help both teams prepare for their upcoming AFCON 2019 Qualifiers.

Nigeria maintained their unbeaten run under coach Gernot Rohr with a convincing 3-0 win over their counterparts from Togo, Owngoalnigeria.com Michael James who was at the stadium rates the Super Eagles players on parade.

Ratings

Ikechukwu Ezenwa – Truly was on holiday for most of the 70 minutes he spent oxn the pitch. Although impressed with his constant barking out of instructions to his defenders which helped in keeping them on their toes….. 6/10

Shehu Abdullahi – Solid display from the right back position. Won his tackles neatly and also used the ball to good effect, was quick in joining the attack when he had to. Justified his starting spot….. 7/10

Elderson Echiejile – Senior man like most of his young teammates call him kept it simple at the back, wasn’t caught out of position, held his line brilliantly and his forays upfront helped dragged the Togolese defenders out of position which profited the forwards of the team…..7/10


Chidozie Awaziem – Strong in tackles, loves to play with the ball at his feet and very dominant in aerial duels. Had a game to remember alongside William Troost-Ekong in central defence. No doubt the FC Porto man has a bright future in the team if he maintains or improve on his current rate of progression….. 7.5/10

William Troost– Ekong – Plays with an unusual show of authority, big, strong and commanding. He has grown into one of the leaders of this team, and once again his partnership with Awaziem protected Ezenwa who had little to do due to their hardwork….. 7.5/10


Wilfred Ndidi – Simply unplayable, he was very dominant for Nigeria in the middle. Linked up well with the likes of Alex Iwobi and Oghenekaro Etebo in the middle with him. A future Super Eagles captain…..8/10

Mikel Agu – The FC Porto man appears to have won the heart of coach Gernot Rohr, he was quick in spotting danger and sniffing it out. Won his own fair share of tackles and barring any late minute change of mind could start against South Africa on the strength of his showing in training, and in the games against Corsica and Togo….. 8/10

Oghenekaro Etebo – Unselfishly set up Kelechi Iheanacho for Nigeria’s third goal. Guilty of losing possession early into the game but grew as the games progressed. Very lively for the time he was on and came close to scoring twice….. 7.5/10

Alex Iwobi – Man of the Match. Has way too much class for the Togolese defenders. Operating from the left he set up Ahmed Musa for his both goals and showed some nice pair of heels to get pass his markers with ease. His neat range of passes left the defenders of Togo in their wake….. 9/10


Ahmed Musa – Had another lively performance just like the Corsica game and capped it up with a brace. Took his goals with the calmness of a veteran forward. Surprisingly doesn’t looked match rusty despite his lack of game time at Leicester City during the just concluded football season in England.


Kelechi Iheanacho – Seven goals in ten games for Nigeria says it all. Twice brought out saves from the Togolese goalkeeper before tapping the ball into am empty net for what might be one of his easiest goals in the Nigerian shirt. Took up goal scoring positions and dragged the Togolese defenders out of position with his non stop diagonal runs across the backline of Togo….. 8.5/10.


Substitutes:

Dele Alampasu – Just like Ezenwa had nothing to do for the 20 minutes he was on the pitch. Will be glad his debut ended with a clean sheet for Nigeria…..5/10

Tyronne Ebuehi – Lost his starting spot to Shehu Abdullahi but still showed his qualities when he was introduced. Very attack minded and his willingness to get on the ball most times speaks volume of his abilities as a modern day full back….. 5.5/10

Victor Osimhen – Had to shake off the ball and very confident even in tight areas. Came on when Nigeria have taken their foot of the gas, but still did enough to make his presence noticed….. 6/10

Sikiru Olatubosun – Didn’t touch the ball enough to warrant a rating…..

Olarewaju Kayode – Showed his quick pair of heels and abilities to get past his markers. Loves to defend as well, and always looking to play forward passes to help maintain the team momentum going forward….. 6/10

Henry Onyekuru – Got involved when he came on but didn’t get into goal scoring positions unlike the previous game against Corsica. Still showed glimpses of his potentials with good link up play and neat passes…… 5/10


Alhassan Ibrahim – Mu’azam didn’t really influenced the game like he did against Corsica as he lasted just five minutes on the pitch. Not enough to earn a rating…..


**Michael James

Source: http://owngoalnigeria.com/2017/06/02/nigeria-3-0-togo-players-ratings-iwobi-motm-despite-brace-from-leicester-city-musa/

So my people. We just wasted like 4 pages arguing whether that Togo friendly counts or not FIFA-wise . na wa oh I dey look una dey waste pages lol. Corsica nko?. Don't forget the purpose of friendlies. Whether it will add to the ranking or not, something was achieved. And that's the most important thing.

Central defense parings are very crucial. It is hardly changed if it's working. Awaziem will start alongside Ekong. It is the Right back position that is a toss up between Shehu and Omeruo.

Omeruo won't start as a central defender. He hasn't played that position for us MOST recently.

Icon4s:
You did not think of team chemistry when you were criticising Onazi and Mikel midfield combo. Infact you practically disliked that phrase.

E don reach for Awaziem you quick-quick remember 'team chemistry'. See how I dey look you.

We don't forget things here o.

Roland Garros enters Day 6: TOP THREE MATCHES OF THE DAY

GARBIÑE MUGURUZA VS. YULIA PUTINTSEVA

These two Roland Garros lovers will kick off play on Chatrier on Friday. We all remember that Muguruza beat Serena Williams in the French Open final last year, but Putintseva was also up a set on Serena in the quarters. Muguruza, who has a significant size and power advantage over Putintseva, won their only meeting, last year in Beijing.


DOMINIC THIEM VS. STEVE JOHNSON

Steve Johnson mourning the death of his father even as he plays, has expended a lifetime’s worth in his first two wins. But the American has also played exceptionally well, throwing caution to the wind and letting the ball rip from his forehand side. If Johnson does that again, this could be a must-see baseline battle. Thiem won their only previous match, three years ago in Nice, France, and he has bigger plans in Paris.


KRISTINA MLADENOVIC VS. SHELBY ROGERS

These hard hitters will face off in the early afternoon on Lenglen. Mladenovic is a Frenchwoman with designs on the title, while Rogers is a budding and unlikely French Open specialist from South Carolina; she made the quarters here last year. The crowd will be behind Kiki, but will that fire her up or make her freeze in her tracks? Mladenovic is ranked 19th and Rogers is 48th, but the American won their only meeting, last year in New Haven.

Adebayor epp us?

zoboizee:
Alampasu should be considerate with his countrymen being a son of a togolese migrant & let in a goal. It will be fair that way.

73' The game is moving at a slower pace due to numerous substitutions from both teams. Togo trying to get back in but the Eagles defense holding strong as Nigeria seem to have reverted to a defensive style Read more: https://sports.naij.com/1107658-live-nigeria-3-0-togo-friendly.html?source=notification

From Osimhen or Kayode

Mujtahida:
I need just one more goal at least then I'd be satisfied.
Rohr should instill ruthlessness in our boys.

na coincidence jor. na where ur mind dey.

Clementoke:
Yoruba's replacing Ibos. Is it an arrangement?

70'

Iwobi, Iheanacho, Ezenwa out, Olanrewaju, Olatunbosun, Alampasu in.

I doubt o.

PROVERBZ:
is it on tv??

my living room haha

PROVERBZ:
please where are u watching??

59' SUB for Nigeria:
Etebo, Ndidi out, Agbo, Onyekuru in.