₦airaland Forum

7 pts off the pace

Stealthy:
Halftime at Iberostar Estadi: Mallorca 0-1 Barca

Points of note so far:

We nearly conceded a goal because Adriano lost possession while trying to play out of defence (he conceded a corner kick & Webo got a good header). Pedro also lost the ball later while helping the defenders & Mallorca got another chance. Pep really needs to tell the guys to boot the ball out of defence when opponents press our defenders.

I'll like to see Messi play on the right, with Villa in the middle & Pedro on the left. Pedro is usually quiet when playing on the right wing & we don't get the best out of him. When Messi plays on the right, the opposing team needs to put two men on him (their LB & one other player). With Alves/Adriano also charging down, they need one more player on that wing, usually their DMF. This frees up the centre for Xavi & Iniesta to do max damage. When Messi plays in the middle however, it's easier for the midfielders & CBs to limit his damage. Also, when Messi plays on the right, he can cut in & shoot. Once he cuts in, at least one CB must leave his position, leaving Villa space to run in.

Maxwell needs to stay back more often. We need only one fullback running forward (Alves on the right in most games). Having both fullbacks attacking leaves too much space at the back. Also, Maxwell is not good in the attack anyway, so why go forward. On the other hand, he's quite a good defender but with his lack of space, once he goes forward, he struggles to track back.

Talking about Maxwell, that was a great set-up for Villa & I can't believe Villa didn't even get a strike on that. Villa has actually looked off-colour so far. Hope he comes good in the 2nd half cos unfortunately we have no options in his position (I don't consider Bojan an option this season).

The goal from Messi was a very lovely assist by Keita. I've been harsh on him, but he has actually played very well today. He's actually been one of our most mobile players in the game.

Messi still looks a bit tired & I hope Pep does not play him against Zaragoza next weekend to give him 1 full week of rest between Valencia & Arsenal.

Adriano has run with a lot of power as usual (though he's far from Alves) and I'll like to see him play as LB more often (he & Maxwell rotating).

Abidal has been solid in CB, along with Pique. He has been one of our best players so far this season,

Asper why we never boot the ball out of defence, I read one of Xavi's interviews where he said it surprises him when Jamie Carragher or John Terry boot the ball out of their defence and they get applauds from the fans. He said if you try such at Barca, you get "whistles" from the fans. I think it's a part of our playing philosophy but sometimes, clearing the ball is just the right thing to do. But then, given the way we play, clearing the ball just disrupts everything and again, the average height of the squad is 177.88cm, that's about 5'6", we don't have people to contest the ball in the air if the ball is played out.

Result of match played on Thursday, 24/02

Pillars 0 vs Niger Tornadoes 0

Where's the charismatic enigma - Jeff Hardy? I've since lost interest since I don't see him anymore these days.

^^^ LOL

Sharks 4 vs Crown FC 3, 7 goals thriller, incredible!. Sharks, even without their leading scorer, Victor Ezeji, could score four goals, really amazing!
Too bad I couldnt see any of the games; terrible weather. I'll just wait to see the highlights.

Wow! Seems you were right all along. Funny thing is I was about to start a thread on Nigeria vs Mexico until I just stumbled upon a report that says we have no opponents. LOL. Obama Cup ko, Osama Cup ni

What a goal that was from Koké

she our Nazi bros don go into hiding?

she our Nazi bros don go into hiding?

hahaha. . . Schweinstiger, massively overrated

Plateau

Change Your Parade - Lynxxx.
I'm soooooo loving this song.

Torres scored a little over 80 goals in just over 200 appearances with Atletico, how is that bad. He played for them from when he was 16 till he was 23. Save for Messi, how many youngsters have a goal record this impressive? Again, Atletico wasn't so big back then, they only got promoted to the La Liga in '02 and he didn't start out as a top striker.

Seriously, I've never heard of the guy
I advice you cast and bind.

Criminal goalkeeping from Julio Ceasar. It's far from over though.

manmustwac:
@medjal
Inter who allowed spurs to score three goals in the second half at Milan, lost 3 1 to us at the lane and finished second to us in the group stage? I think you got this one wrong dude.

That's the group stage, now it's the knockout, levels don change.
Inter barely made out of the group stage last season, they qualified on the last matchday.

^^ any club where he'll get regular play time is okay.

Galadima stood no chance from the start. When they were supposed to support him and work out his campaign strategy, the Sports Minister and the NFF were busy chasing the waterfall called Amos Adamu's Appeal. Now we've lost. Well, the truth is, there was never any benefit accrued to us from having someone on the seat.

Nigeria's Ibrahim Galadima on Wednesday failed in his bid to replace Amos Adamu on the FIFA Executive Committee.

Galadima was among six men contesting for the two CAF positions on the coveted FIFA committee, but could only finish with 5 votes.

But the former NFA chairaman lost in the elections to Algeria's Mohammed Raouraou, who polled 36 votes along with incumbent Jacques Anouma, who also polled 36 votes.

Danny Jordaan who led South Africa's successful World Cup hosting, polled 10 votes while, Suketu Patel got 12 votes.

http://www.kickoff.com/news/20432/ibrahim-galadima-fails-to-win-fifa-seat.php

FC Porto vs Sevilla.
You guys will need a serious miracle to qualify for the last 16. Two unreplied goals at the Dragao, serious miracle.

Inter will edge it in this one.

Juve are considering moving for Bojan

http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/02/23/2365478/juventus-consider-swoop-for-barcelonas-bojan-krkic-report


Bojan still has a future in the team. He's only 20 and really talented even though he's finding it difficult to deliver on the promises he showed in his early years. We should loan him out to perhaps one of the teams in the Segunda division or any team that will guarantee him adequate time out on the pitch. Selling him now is a decision that may come back to hunt us.

We should see off Mallorca with or without Xavi. Xavi's injury should mean more play time for Afellay or Thiago or we may play with Masch, Sergio and Iniesta in the middle. Mallorca were lucky to get a draw at the Nou Camp. That Nsue's header was their only chance at goal and then, we were still struggling for form.

Madrid very close to getting one over Lyon. Before this game, Lyon had always beaten Madrid at the Stade de Gerland. Madrid definitely with the advantage heading into the second leg.

lay back and let her have her way

Result of the match played yesterday-
JUTH FC 2 vs Enyimba 1. Only the second win of the season for JUTH.

Idowuogbo:
hehehe
@op
whispering to him to stop before d neighbours no my name

stop? For real? I'll ter her she's beautiful. . .Still not letting her go.

What You Want - Mode 9 ft. Mo'Cheddah

^^ No. Eric Cantona was banned for 8 months.

usbcable:
True talk if Los che and Los Blancos gets eliminated even platini will not be able to defend laliga in front of the world.
To me Valencia is likely out
Real's game is largely dependent on tomorrow
Barcelona I expect will turn things around in camp nou.

Valencia have a good chance of going through. They have an impressive away record in the CL. They drew United at Old Trafford, defeated Bursaspor 6-1 in Turkey and drew with Rangers at Ibrox. They were one of the highest scoring sides in the group stage.

Not for long though, Caroline Wozniacki is back as no. 1.

Idowuogbo:
Hhehehe forget my name u no cLassic!!

@op
Playfully telin him to stop but indirectly telling him to release my demons

demons ko, esu ni
lay her on the couch and gently take off her top and continue kissing and touching her