₦airaland Forum

Nothing is ever guaranteed. Cameroon is a new opponent as far as our WCQ is concerned. When Chelsea and Arsenal used the 3-4-3 and they made an impact almost immediately. Why?

1.The formation may be easy to adopt after all especially if you have the right wing back players.
2. The technicalities the formation demands may not have been alien to the players.

Any coach that plays out only one formation in training is a bad bad coach.

The reason why coaches try out different formation in training is so they can switch up play easily. A static minded coach will find it hard to bail out his wards when in danger during a game.

Rohr has used the said formation as his second choice formation in the past during training. I will find the link. So let's not make it sound like the 3-4-3 is some rocket science that demands careful experimentation.

At the end of the day, whenever Rohr chooses to adopt it in an actual game, I'm confident he will succeed with it.

MODIFIED

Some of our players are more versatile than we think. For the wing back we need dogged players with a stamina who have speed, can support the attack and can defend well in the flanks.

Some ex-SE players in the past who can play this role: Taye Taiwo, Celestine Babayaro, Chidi Odiah.

Some midfielders we have that can be tried in that role: Etebo, Shehu Abdullahi, Ndidi (Mind you he played as a left back for Genk several times in the past)

Musa Muhammad will play that role perfectly.

Mujtahida:
Well said. The 3-4-3 system is the darling of systems now but let's qualify first before we sacrifice our good run on the altar of a sweet but untested strategy.

Seriously Iwobi as an example? Why didn't tht use Moses? You want a lengthy argument. The weather has changed and we have all been adapting. It has become warmer everywhere

AIG07:
I don't really have strength for lengthy arguements but I just need to answer your mention Sir.

wow! I now see. The beauty of the formation has clouded you guys judgement.

I can't even believe this is also coming from someone like you. The last time we played such formation under Phillippe Trouisser was prior to 98 world cup and thats almost 2decades ago. The weather we had then is incomparable to what we have now across the world.#fact. Africa has become warmer.

We all saw how Iwobi gased out during the second half in Ndola. Or you think our opponents will be fixing our game time to suits our boys coming from europe?

For the pitch I'm not a pro footballer, but I know what it means to play on a good and bad pitch...

Bottomline: weather and pitch quality are big factors when it comes to African Football.

Oh yes. I put it wrongly

Mujtahida:
You mean it's not just a Nigerian thing?

If you want to make a valid argument don't mention the African weather or pitch as it has been rightly pointed out that we have used the formation before in WC qualification successfully Let's restrict the argument to the question of if we have the players in the left flank to do the job. Mind you the best modern wingers play both flanks.

The solution is very easy. Let me hold my thought for a minute.

AIG07:
Good! Aside Moses, Kindly give me another WB we possess in our arsenal?

You need to factor other things when it comes to playing in Africa. I don't expect you to forget how harsh our Weather can be, the pitches are way different from what you can get in europe.

I bet you, the Moses you've just mention will burn out in 65mins if played in that role.

We can try any formation we need be it 2-7-1, 3-6-1, 3-5-2 or 1-8-1. Make we shall qualify first with the conventional 4 man defence our players sabi well well. Even with 4 men we no get clean sheet and you wan make we put 3 otondos for back.

Thank you! Which is why I said dynamism should ne the watchword of a coach. In fact players should be familiar with many formations. Meaning trying different tactics every now and than in training. And it's untrue we don't have the players to execute the sai formation. All I'm saying is we need to master the art of this formation which puts a lot of weight on the wing backs and gives the defensive midfielders an added role as a cover should the wing backs not track back in a timely manner. Let's test it in friendlies.

It's the formation of the future. I said this many pages back. Today Barcelona has joined in. Arsenal as well.

tbaba1234:
Arsenal just switched to a 3 4 3 formation a few weeks ago and their form has drastically improved. They are likely going to make top 4 even though it looked impossible a few weeks ago. It helps when you have two wing backs willing to defend. With Moses, we have one of the best in the world.

Rohr is having a camp, what better time to start testing it out. By the time, the Yaounde game comes, we can be more than ready to play like that if necessary.

It is not true that we do not have the players.

As much as I support the adoption of 3-4-3 which is very closel related to 3-5-2. We must not start this experiment with Cameroon. The idomitible Lions play with so much power and are very good at exploiting the flanks. Dynamism should alway be the watchword of any coach. We must be able to master smooth transition and switching of play before using the said formation in a crucial tie.

tbaba1234:
Iheanacho for Musa. This will be a good formation for the away game in Yaounde.

Germany, hands off he is ours!!! This may yet be our best thing since losing Alaba

tbaba1234:
Jordan Torunarigha's goal, Someone should alert Rohr


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjUcC7dlBh0&sns=tw

Very well said. But it's not exclusive to majority of Nigerians.

Mujtahida:
The great majority of Nigerian Christians worship an Idol they call God. Believe is the mother of idolatry.

"Those who say they believe in God and yet neither love nor fear Him, do not in fact believe in Him but in those who have taught them that God exists. Those who believe that they believe in God, but without any passion in their heart, any anguish of mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe only in the God-idea, not in God."
Miguel de Unamuno

Strengths and Weaknesses 3-4-3 Formation
by Stewart Flaherty

The 3-4-3 formation is a very offensive minded formation that many credit the legendary Ajax team of the 1970’s with pioneering. The 3-4-3 has the intention of providing options all over the field and creating a dynamic, attacking style of play.



Defending

The 3-4-3 offers a 3 man backline that is very strong against central attacks but can award space to the opposition down the flanks. It is important that one central midfielder has the ability to cover in the defensive spots if a central defender is sucked out side to pressure the ball. For this reason, some teams who use the 3-4-3 designate a holding midfielder to shield the back line, and cover when necessary. This style allows the other midfielder to join the attacks with less risk of being exposed on the counter attack. Diagram A illustrates the diamond formation some coaches adopt, with X4 being the holding midfield player;

Diagram A

3-4-3 Diamond

The midfielder X8 must contribute to defending but X4 has a head start picking up forward runs in this position. Wide midfield players X6 and X7 will be required to pressure out wide in this formation and X8 will be required to fill in the central midfield area. If X2 or X3 are sucked out wide pressuring the ball in this formation, X4 must drop into a defensive cover position.

The 3-4-3 formation allows a team to place pressure on the ball high up the field. Forward X10 can pressure the 2 central defenders while X11 and X9 sit on their pass to the fullbacks and look to intercept the ball and create dangerous turnovers in the attacking zone.

Attacking in a 3-4-3

The 3-4-3 formation provides a team with 3 forward players and many options to pass the ball forward or play through ball in behind the back line. X9 and X11 should look to get onto through balls in the channels between the centre backs and full backs. X9 and X11 should also look to receive the ball into feet and take the full backs on 1 v 1. If either X9 or X11 manage to beat a fullback off the dribble then the defense will be penetrated, or a central defender will be dragged out to cover freeing up space for X10.

When the ball is out wide the opposite wide forward should attack the back post. For example, in diagram A if X9 crosses the ball X10 will be in front of the goal and X11 should run in aggressively to gain goal scoring opportunities from over hit crosses. X8 should also run forward to provide enough target bodies in the penalty area.

From a deep midfield position, X4 should support all attacks by offering an easy get out pass to keep possession. X4 should then switch play if defense is concentrated to one side, or pick put the best pass in front of him.

Strengths

Forwards always high and wide to challenge full backs.
Four midfielders can provide width.
Forwards and midfielders have the ability to freely switch positions, particularly in the wide areas. This can make it very difficult for defenders to know who to pick up.
Defense very strong against central attacks.

Weaknesses

The diamond midfield formation can lead to either a lack of width, or large gaps to exploit for opposition runners. For example in diagram A if X7 and X6 play out wide on the sidelines, large spaces are there between them and the central players.
If a flat midfield 4 is used, midfielders must have the discipline to join the attack one at a time, or ability to recover quickly. Two high midfielders would leave the team very vulnerable to counter attacks.
Narrow back 3 can be vulnerable to wide attacks or quick switch of play.

Requirements

Fast and athletic defenders to cover length and width of field.
Disciplined midfielder to shield against counter attacks and drop into defensive cover spots.
High and wide forwards with ability to beat defenders off the dribble and provide crosses.
Good communication between defense and midfield units to defend well.

I agree with you in some areas. But disagree in other areas. We've had poor foreign coaches in the past. And a few good local coaches.

Secondly pitching Kanu, Amuneke and Utaka among players that have underachieved for SE in the past is a big big sin. Records don't support your assertion.

Calls for inclusion of players will always be a thing any SE coach will have to deal with. It's left for the coach to filter the noise, and invite the right players that fits his playing philosophy.

And yes the chemistry of the team is paramount -- especially a winning team like ours.

elyte89:
Sometimes when I read comment here,I laugh,any player making waves in abroad,we all will b yearning for his call up to d national team.d fact is,D man called Rohr knws what's doing.This is the 1st time I can beat my chest dt we have a first team,we all shld learn frm d past,we av invited so many untested players in d past like Bathlomew ogbeche(famous scissors kick)Ayodele makinwa,Kanu,amuneke,Utaka(brodas),dis gusy mentioned above contributed little or none to d development of d team,
Onyekuru,onauchi and odas,will av d time and proof their worth if need be,we can't just keep inviting evrybody and ulter d chemistry of the team.we need to be patient with Rohr based on his judgement inviting players to d national team,and if we check d trend,we tend to av a more stable under a foreign coach dan our so called local coaches wc really help d foreign coach to succeed dan d later.

I agree. But I'm afraid they will lose relevance in those leagues you mentioned. I'm judging by their quality and past records. At least the Veikkausliiga gives them an avenue to shine, helps them gain some confidence. Those other Scandinavian countries should be a next step.

tbaba1234:
The Finish league is not very good. It is far below the Swedish, Danish and Norwegian leagues.

The best league players should be aiming for better leagues.

Gbolahan Salami assist and goal helps Kups to a 2-1 victory over visiting HIFK in the Finnish top tier.

Azubuike Egwuekwe and Reuben Gabriel were both on parade for Kups for 90 minutes.

Aliyu Abubakar, one of the stand out defenders of Nigeria's world conquering U-17 class of 2013 featured prominently for Kups at Right Back before his free transfer to Georgia. Abubakar now plays for FC Dila.

The Finish league is a good destination for Home based Eagles players.

Please someone kindly direct me to a general Tennis thread on Nairaland. Roland Garros '17 is nigh.

What you really want is for Rohr to be micromanaged. Business as usual. Will Nigeria ever learn from history. In actual business, when you appoint a manager and he brings back reports showing huge profits time and time again you have no cause to worry. The man has shown he knows his job pretty well.

Who decides when they should sit? Pinnick?

goldfish80:
In other words, because we are winning Rohr should continue his job without supervision?
Which serious organisation runs their business like that?
I believe in structure.
I hope you know the technical committee interviewed and recommended Rohr to the executive committee of the Nff?

It's not good news if the technical group haven't been functional for a year.

Please kindly refer me to a general Tennis post on Nairaland

DoubleJon:
The world no 1 in tennis Andy Murray was kicked out of the Madrid Masters by world no 59 Borona Coric in round of the round of 16.
Murray was beaten 6-3 6-3by Coric, ranked 59th in the world, on Thursday.
The Briton has endured a tough season on clay, suffering a shock defeat in the last 16 of the Monte Carlo Masterslast month and also losing in the semi-finals of the Barcelona Open.
"I definitely think I need to be concerned about today," Murray said.
"It's not always the worst thing losing a match, but it's sometimes the manner of how you lose the match which can be concerning or disappointing."
Coric, 20, only gained a place at the tournament after Richard Gasquet withdrew - becoming the first lucky loser to reach the quarter-finals in the Madrid tournament's 16-year history.
The Croat broke his Scottish opponent three times in the opening set, and a further break in the second was enough to secure victory in one hour and 25 minutes.
Top seed Murray hit 14 winners to his 28 unforced errors, but insisted his poor performance was not down to a lack of confidence.
"I was just making lots of mistakes early in the rallies and trying to end points very quickly at the beginning, and the errors just kept piling up.I didn't feel that was down to confidence - I just wasn't focusing as well as I needed to on each point.
"I made a lot of unforced errors and I also didn't find any way to make it a more competitive match, so that's the most disappointing thing for me.
"You can lose matches sometimes, but the manner of today's loss was disappointing."

Okay oh. We have midfielders. From your earlier stats, they are not all world class. Which is why we should welcome those making a case for a call. Lawal is one. For now, he should maintain the tempo and I trust Rohr to look his way someday.

tbaba1234:
Raheem Lawal's goal


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUWwcCfAh4&sns=tw

As usual. I knew they won't know what to do with that success. #Clueless

tbaba1234:
Too young for senior football in my opinion..

3-4-3 is the formation for now and the future. I have been clamoring for SE to adopt it. It's not suppose to be a quick transition. But we must prepare for the future now. The experiment must be done again and again in training. Some say it will not work in Africa. Why not?

so who do we blame? The head of the technical committee or does Pinnick decide when they should sit or not?
Secondly, don't try to fix a problem where there is no problem. There are many issues that need to be fixed in Nigerian football and in other spheres of Nigerian life. But certainly not the department of the SE coach. We are on course to world cup qualification and we will qualify for AFCON finally. People need to stop picking the wrong fight. I'm sure if these men have sat our position right now in qualification will be complicated.

Rohr has proved so far he has a mission and he is serious about it. Let's enjoy the game as long as we are winning.

goldfish80:
Mr Lawal said that the technical committee have not sat since June 2016, which should be around the time we were in search of a coach if I am correct.
Lawal's revelation should raise more questions than just player selection.

gbam!!!

tbaba1234:
Garba Lawal statement centered around the selection of National team players. That should be totally the decision of the coach. The technical committee provides technical support for the coach, scouting, videos, reports on opposition etc but they do not select his team. Keshi had a running battle with the technical committee trying to tell him what to do. It is only the coach that loses his job when a team fails.

Theoretically, you are spot on but how much of what you listed was actually done by the technical committee?

Now we know why Rohr keeps inviting him.

terzurum5:
Wolfsburg Coach – Osimhen Has Special Qualities, He Has Great Potential To Be A Star

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/DA6FDEE9-065E-4F9A-B9E0-8092DA677311-9670-00000309EE2694C9.jpeg

Coach of German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg Andries Jonker says Nigerian kid wonder Victor Osimhen will could make his debut for the team in this weekend game against Borussia Monchengladbach.


Osimhen was named in the 18 man squad for the game against Frankfurt for the first time since his move to the Bundesliga team became official after his 18th year birthday.


He didn’t get to play in the game but coach Jonker has seen enough in the forward since his return from injury to predict he will have a big future if he maintains his focus.


” He (Osimhen) has made a very good impression, ‎ he can great potential in him. He is ambitious, quick and highly unpredictable, he will be a star in the future if he maintains his focus”, Jonker said in his pre match conference monitored by Owngoalnigeria.com.


While the coach is sure that Osimhen will be in his squad for theb game against Borussia Monchengladbach, he however ruled out ex Real Madrid teen prospect Borja Mayoral from the squad for the game.


” Both are different, Victor is a different type of player, strong, quick and hardworking. He will be in the squad for our next game. His debut is close”.

Osas Mahawi

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/11/wolfsburg-coach-osimhen-has-special-qualities-he-has-great-potential-to-be-a-star/

Good question. But don't forget they all followed different progression. 3 graduates from different schools will not necessarily gain employment at the same company at the same time even if they all applied.

Osimhen has the advantage from the world conquering 2015 U-17 class. So for him, timing is the essence. Since he was favored by every national coach that have seen him closely

Odey is probably in that list because of all the noise and distraction.

Onyekuru just caught our eyes in his first season.

Who is the best? It's too early to tell. But don't forget it's not who gets the first call up that is guaranteed longevity.

Coincidentally, the trio's last names all start with O.

zicky:
Odey is 19, Osimhen is 18 many possible promising yrs with SE are they better than Onyekuru

Ajax seem to be on a good path at last since their glory years. I'd rather want to see him in a more competitive league than the Eredivisie.

EmmGee:
Ajax seem to trust youngsters. The team is made of them.
That will be a good fit don't you think?

lol my bad.

I want to send you a link. Read it with an open mind and you will get my point about different perspectives. Generally it's the media that drives culture.

Mujtahida:

I no be woman ooo. Joebie don conclude say I be woman because I mentioned M&B.

Hahahaha. I no be woman ooo. Joebie don conclude say I be woman because I mentioned M&B.

Very well said. It's me first before country as always.

Icon79:
Trust me, all the hoopla with the home based players is just agents at work. It isn't because those home based players are better than the regulars but, all the noise is because some folks stand to make a few quick bucks with their invites.

O pari

So many factors my sister, I believe some of them have been touched on here by our beloved co-forumites

1. Our NPFL Clubs generally don't have a good scouting culture. Hence they rely on redundant players. Among those, their very best will catch the earliest flight to anywhere outside Nigeria. How do they try to solve the exodus problem? That brings us to number 2.

2. They recruit players from other clubs who failed in their bid to go abroad. And this happens yearly.

3. Where we have squads that are ever changing yearly, how can a player really develop? lack of continuity can result in confused players who don't really know their strengths and weaknesses. So what we have are players lacking in experience regardless of how many years they have been in the NPFL.

4. Our coaches are ill-prepared scientifically for bringing out the best in players. Tactically-wise our domestic league coaches are far behind compared to even their counterparts from the United States. The US' relative success in soccer in just a short time has been mainly due to them approaching the game scientifically. Of course we all know they are lacking in talented players.


5. Many talents went unnoticed for the aforementioned first point above, and also during our wasted years of fielding 30 year olds as under 17s many were never snapped up or did not get the desired development in the league.

Now we are left to rely on our U-17 grade. We need to have a very solid scouting coach as our U17 coach if we will really get to discover our best. But don't also forget that players who don't make the grade at the U-17 can develop within a couple of years to be better than those who were preferred initially. But where will those get such development? For now, most likely it is better they remain in the academies. Frpm there European clubs snap them up. Clubs from Europe rarely look at our domestic league. Maybe for the same reasons I've stated above.

Mujtahida:
I understand your hesitation as per home based
Homeboys have their merits but the truth is that at the national team level they rarely live up to the billing. Personally I don't fancy them. There's something unrefined and uncoordinated about them. Maybe it has to do with confidence, I really can't say.

u no lie at all. The Nigerian factor will always be a big factor. After all the distraction with home based quota in the team, let those home based boys no impress first.

Icon79:
The man definitely knows what he's doing. I just hope and pray that all the hangers on and soccer agents in Nigeria would give him a freehand to tinker the team. Every sports journo in naija, every NFF member, many ex-players, and even businessmen are soccer agents these days.

O pari

Decent friendly after all. I guess I was wrong.
Togo friendly is a welcome development.

terzurum5:
Corsica Will Give Eagles Firm Challenge, They’re Unbeaten In Last Six Games – Rohr

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/image-68.jpg

The proposed friendly between the Nigeria senior national team and the national team of Corsica won’t be a walk in the park for the Nigerians according to coach of the team Gernot Rohr.


Corsica‎ national football team is the unofficial football team for the island of Corsica, France, and they will play against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on the 26th of May in a friendly game scheduled to take place in Ajaccio.


The team comprising of players born in the Corsica region ‎of France won’t be push over as many thought despite not been an affiliate of FIFA, according to coach of the Nigeria team Rohr.


” Corsica will give us a firm test, they have very good players and am expecting them to be very hard to beat. They have not lost in their last six games including a 1-0 win over Bulgaria. They are no push over”, Rohr told Owngoalnigeria.com.


Check done by our editorial team confirmed the statement of the manager of the team as the last time they lost a game was on the 14th of May 1998, losing 0-1 to Cameroon.


They defeated fellow regional side Brittany‎ national team 2-0, before drawing 1-1 against Gabon which was followed by a shock 1-0 win over Bulgaria and another win over Burkina Faso on the 29th of May 2015.


Games against other regional sides, namely Basque and A Squadra Internaziunale ‎have ended in a 1-1 and 2-2 draw respectively with the game against Nigeria set to be their fourth game against a national team affiliated to FIFA in ‎three years.

Ade Emmanuel

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/11/corsica-will-give-eagles-firm-challenge-theyre-unbeaten-in-last-six-games-rohr/

Personally, I think he can do even better in Germany. He is so talented that he can do well in any league. But I don't think Premier League suits him BEST.. just my own thinking though. If he goes to Germany, he will explode. Mark my words.

EmmGee:
#PEP: Kelechi is a young player - a killer in the box. He is strong and fast. At the end of the season we will talk about individual players

I've not heard the likes of Siasia, Oliseh, Amuneke throw criticisms at Rohr.

I think Garba Lawal and co need to get busy.. You can't invite every good player at the same time. Onyekuru is 19 and has many possible promising years with SE. Why the noise? All these are distractions. As long as we are winning let's throw our weight behind the coach.

terzurum5:
Odey Can’t Challenge Eagles Stars But Onyekuru Can, Why Leave Him Out? – Babayaro

https://owngoalnigeria.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/image-63.jpg

Former Nigeria international Celestine Babayaro has criticised the exclusion of hot in demand KAS Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru from the list of players invited to the senior national team of Nigeria by coach Gernot Rohr.


Rohr called up 22 players to the senior national team of Nigeria for a training camp in France, and a friendly game against Corsica will also take place ahead of their clash against South Africa next month.


Onyekuru has scored 20 goals this season in all competitions for modest Belgian side Eupen, and Babayaro belives the forward who is linked with a big move this season should have been called up.


” When you talk about rewarding players for their performances in the season, no best way to do that than a national team call up. Why is the case of Onyekuru different?, Babayaro asked.


” He (Onyekuru) has 20 goals this season, and we’ll sought after by top clubs, his presence will provide the much talked about competition for places in the team. Obviously his presence alone will ginger other established forwards in the team to step up.


” With all due respect, the likes of Stephen Odey and Victor Osimhen are good but no match for the senior players in the team like Kelechi Iheanacho, Isaac Success and co. But Onyekuru will no doubt push them for a spot.


” I’m hoping he will be considered ‎for the game against South Africa, he has that in him which could make him the joker in our team”, the former Chelsea star told Owngoalnigeria.com

Osas Mahawi

owngoalnigeria.com/2017/05/11/odey-cant-challenge-eagles-stars-but-onyekuru-can-why-leave-him-out-babayaro/

it's not exclusively based on the darker skin, but other features as well.

My point is opinions differ among females. You may find studies that arrive at your conclusion. Other studies may dispute it, But saying it is a fact is yet another thing.

I've witnessed darker vs lighter debates among females countless times just as frequently as I have witnessed Naija vs Ghana debate. Please the word, FACT, let's use it carefully.

As regards Mills and Bones, let me give you an analogy. If I keep watching CNN, I will have one outlook as regards American politics. Conversely, FOX news will give me a whole different outlook if that's the only media news outlet I view. Still doesn't necessarily make one side factual

Mujtahida:
That's why I mentioned especially if it (dark skin) wraps a body that is muscular. The point I was trying to make was to support the fact that GENERALLY darkness /dark is taken to represent the yang (masculine) in the yin/yang equation.

I have a lady friend that has almost a visceral dislike for fair complexioned guys.

Did you read the popular Mills & Boons(M&B)? Girly stuff but I read them in my teens cos I had sisters and female cousins bringing them around. I remember that many of the authors - no doubt (white) - used to describe their male white characters as swarthy, dark, intense etc. I used to wonder why knowing this were white guys. Now I understand.

so a lanky darker guy is seen as more masculine than a well built lighter guy? lol

Not where I live oh.

I dont know where in this universe. It's totally new to me..

Mujtahida:
She's right about the dark thing being more macho especially like you said if it wraps a well chiselled body. Even among white guys, Latinos and guys with tanned skin have more masculine aura.