₦airaland Forum

darkelf:
It will end in tears

When it is all tears.

I salute you The Chairman board of wailers

zuchyblink:
He was part of the team that won the world cup. He didn't LEAD them.... No coach has achieved greatness with inexperienced players

When Osimhen was paired with Ighalo did you remember who clearly is the boss?

Kog45:
We need more creative in the midfield than choke the midfield with two DM irrespective of their style of play....unless we want to seal up a game.....like our match against Argentina at 2018 WC,someone like Onyeka would have seal the match for us by replacing Mikel or Etebo.

Is Frank Onyeka just a DM?
Whenever we watch a player, let's try to remove ourselves from preconceived notions built around the player, so that we can know the player for who the player really is.

Frank Onyeka's started his career as a forward where he recorded good performances. In fact he has played more in the RW and ST positions than he has as a DM, but the CM position remains where he has prevailed the most. You don't even need research to ascertain this, just study his movements and preferences with the ball, his proclivities for layoffs. The fact that Frank Onyeka is a complete midfielder, makes him a good candidate for the DM role.

Aside Mikel, Frank Onyeka is the most complete midfielder to show up in GWG in recent times.

Subzero047:
Why not, have you seen Ndidi perform well with another DM or pseudo DM?

Who are the DM's he didn't perform well partnering?

Kog45:
Sir,my point is that I cannot start Ndidi and Onyeka together as a coach.

Why?

Kog45:
Ndidi and Onyeka no for me....even of recent my rating on Aribo and Iwobi in SE GWG has dropped...we are having serious issue in our midfield and I don't know maybe we can give real AM a chance irrespective of his club performances,just like the way Rohr gave fourth division Maduka a chance.

Ndidi and Onyeka are different players.
Just because Onyeka can slot into the DM role, doesn't make him similar to Ndidi.
They show different playing styles and preferences with the ball.

yinkeys:
No Dennis ?
That boy on fire
Are you watching super eagles at their clubs ?
I doubt you have recently

I do watch them, but until Dennis gets an invitation and features.

When Osimhen was paired with Ighalo, It was very clear to everyone who the boss is.

I said the above because of the guys that keeps whining experience.

nelszx:
You see that CB position you placed Ekong. It's just a recipe for disaster and Iwobi has been off form so he needs to be benched or improve his game

He is not.

How do you guys see these.

Mujtahida:
It is either Onyeka or Ndidi. I chose Onyeka.

Onyeka has been playing as a central midfielder for Brentford.
His combination with Ndidi may not be the ideal, but will be better than what we have now.

zuchyblink:
I said it! Ighalo and Moses. Next is Olise Ndah

Add Ozonwafor, Ikechukwu Ezenwa.

kellycute:
Happy birthday to me.

Happy birthday Kellycute.
It's a great year for you, with goodnesses everywhere.

fabyom:
Ejuke plays street football. He needs massive improvement. Always dribbling without purpose!

Ejuke plays street football, but still the CSKA Moscow player with the highest rating by Whoscored for the current league season.

Which of the dribbles was without purpose in the match against Zenit?
Tell me.

Meliforme:
[color=#003300]What are the basic requisites for the wing forward role[/color]

A wing forward or an outside forward is a forward occupying the wide areas in a front three attacking caste notable in a 4-3-3 tactical setups.

The skillsets needed for the wing forward role should include the following:

Pace: This is the rate of movement. The ability to cover more grounds in a given time.
The more in pace a player has, the better the player for the wing forward role. A good pace is also important for high pressing football.

Finishing: This means to complete the attack by scoring.

Dribbling:: This is the ability to control the ball past an opponent without being intercepted.

Passing skills: Through passing, cutback passing and linkup play are arguably the most emphasized for wing forward plays especially for teams that thrive on positional play.

Does Victor Moses have more pace, finishing, dribbling skills, and the highlighted passing skills in the writ above than our current wing forwards especially Chidera Ejuke and Samuel Chukwueze?

The simple answer is No.

If you have any view(s) contrapuntal, please say it now, let's look into it, otherwise let any lips coming here to say that Victor Moses is better than our current wing forwards be stoppered..

Let's allow honest assessment and facts sans sentiments gain preeminence on this thread.

[color=#003300]What are the basic requisites for the wing forward role[/color]

A wing forward or an outside forward is a forward occupying the wide areas in a front three attacking caste notable in a 4-3-3 tactical setups.

The skillsets needed for the wing forward role includes the following:

Pace: This is the rate of movement. The ability to cover more grounds in a given time.
The more in pace a player has, the better the player for the wing forward role. A good pace is also important for high pressing football.

Finishing: This means to complete the attack by scoring.

Dribbling:: This is the ability to control the ball past an opponent without being intercepted.

Passing skills: Through passing, cutback passing and linkup play are arguably the most emphasized for wing forward plays especially for teams that thrive on positional play.

Kog45:
Reading some comments on Victor Moses and I was like another Victor Moses or who...the guy deserves some respect.....

The present wingers can do better but for now they are not in the same class with Victor irrespective of stats you guys are using to back up your claims.

Abi no be Simon Moses,Samuel Kalu,Ejuke and Chuckwueze again

With due respect Sir, Nobody has disrespected Victor Moses. The people shouting disrespect are the ones shoving Victor Moses's disrespect to our faces, painting disrespect where it was not.

if there are posts made on this thread containing disrespect for Victor Moses, i will like to be notified of them.

Is Victor Moses better than what we boast of in wide positions, has been the topic of debate in recent times and this is no where a disrespect, but an honest appraisal of his skills.

Victor Moses thrives well as a wingback in 3-5-2, 3-4-3 tactical setup, but will be less productive as a wing forward in 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 formation, the later is where our present wing forwards clearly beats him.

It will not be right if we continue to push sentiments.

drDoom3:
Also, I would prefer if Osimhen stayed with his club and helps them win the Scudetto than if he comes with us to AFCON, because there is no way we remotely deserve to win that AFCON.

It is better we get beat in AFCON and learn from it

than we masquerade with Osimhen carrying the team on his shoulders and end up getting bronze or something again, then we look like a decent team when in reality we are not.

"There is no way we remotely deserve to win the AFCON"
I ponder what made you say those, especially using the word remotely.
Nevertheless you are entitled to your views.

"It is better we get beaten in AFCON and learn from it".
You prefer to be beaten before learning. We are always looking for something new to learn from defeat and we keep learning and learning.
Defeat doesn't teach anybody anything.

"We masquerade with Osimhen carrying the team on his shoulders"
Osimhen is not the one carrying the team on his shoulders.
We will admit that there are matches he did exceptionally well, but to say that he is the one carrying the team on his shoulders is wrong.

drDoom3:
It is good news for me. We are not ready for this next AFCON. We need to use this AFCON to develop a team that will go far in the World Cup. To me, the AFCON is but a training ground to really hone the arsenal we have for the bigger stage.

AFCON a training ground to you.
[Laughs out Loud, and claps]

minfelix:
OSImen should be coming down please we can't afford to be losing our Hitman like this

So if it were to be the actual world Cup this is how we would still lose him make him they take am easy abeg

It shouldn't take more than six weeks for the cheekbone to heal.

They did not disclose the type of repair surgery carried out on him.
The repair that i am even suspecting since the procedure was carried out in a country like Italy shouldn't take more than three weeks to heal.

TheGoodJoe:
I have hinted before. One thing I know through time that has been our strength is the ability of our players to run at a fast rate for a long time.

From the likes of Amunike, Finidi, Taribo, Jero Shakpoke, Eguavoen, Iroha, Tijani Babangida, Mobi Oparakwu, Aghahowa, Pius Ikedia, Victor Ikpeba, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, Babayaro and a host of others.

In the near past, we had Nsofor, Osaze, Ike Uche, Martins Obafemi, Onazi, Ambrose, Echiejile, Okoronkwo, Obasi etc.

Today you can see Chidera Ejuke, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Onyekuru, Ndidi, Iheanacho, Sanusi, Aina, Ebuehi etc.

This remains our critical attribute. Which means, we have to play a system that will utilize our stamina. That is the high press. This is key to the Catalan/La Masia philosophy.

Another key attribute is keeping possession by passing. What this does is develop the basics of the players. We have had a history of failing in the basics of passing to keep the ball. Training with this system will enable that.

Cutting the risk of getting scored is another feature of this system. If we keep possession high up the pitch in the opponent's half, we cut the chance of conceding meaningless goals.

Finally, this system demands concentration and will help in the tactical development of our players.

So that is why I hammer on it and Amunike is well versed in it. Going for another coach based on sentimental reasons will only keep us from progressing and making use of this great set of players God gave us.

I stand with you.
They keep throwing names, but i am yet to identify a coach better than Amunike in their purveys.

Aside footballing concerns, there are other reasons Amunike should be engaged.

My only fear is: Amunike might be too stiff not just for the NFF, but to the fans. On the other hand, i am not advocating servility.

TheLoneCitizen:
I don't know why we are so obsessed with the AM role in Nigeria.
The primary attribute of an attacking midfielder is technique which is why strikers like Lacazette, Muller, Firmino, Kane and Iheanacho can perfectly slot in there. But Lukaku, Osimhen, Aubameyang cannot survive there.
Dennis is a star play, but even in his wonder performance yesterday, you could see he lacks technique. Same thing with Ejuke.
Why turn a top player who can excel anywhere across the frontline (LWF, CF, RWF), into a poor attacking midfielder?

Meliforme:
What is your definition of technique Sir?
It is good that we are clear on the metric you used for the appraisal.

TheLoneCitizen:
Sir, technique refers to the way a player receives, passes or shoots the ball. As well as the body posture when taking this action. (modified).
It's one of the very few attributes that never leaves a player even as they age.

TheLoneCitizen:
As I said before, how you receive, pass and shoot the ball, as well as your body posture while performing this action is called your technique.Defending, tracking, positioning or movement are what you do without the ball, technique is generally what you do with the ball.
These are the basic requirements of an AM.

TheLoneCitizen:
Technique is not what you do with the ball, that's decision making.
But I get where you are driving at, so let me ask.
What are the most necessary on the ball attributes for both an inside forward, not winger and AM?

You were talking about technique as the essential for plying the attacking midfield position. (Remember we weren't discussing the role of an inside forward)

You were very kind in giving me the definition, but since it wasn't technique you were defining but decision making. Please sir, can you now define technique for me.

God bless you

TheLoneCitizen:
The ability to track and defend is not technique, I have read some articles that have wrongly labelled this.

Creativity and goalscoring are skills, not technique. But there's no creative player on earth who doesn't have good technique, never.

As I said before, how you receive, pass and shoot the ball, as well as your body posture while performing this action is called your technique

Defending, tracking, positioning or movement are what you do without the ball, technique is generally what you do with the ball.

There are passing techniques, shooting techniques, and even dribbling technique. Goalkeepers also have catching technique, but reflexes and shot stopping are skills, not technique.

But the thing is, if you have good shooting technique, you automatically have good passing technique and vice versa.

For example, for shooting technique:

Do you shoot with the vamp, or inside of the boot, or outside of the boot?

Do you apply a curl or knuckleball effect?

How do you control the ball?

But most importantly, what is your body posture before, during and after shooting?

This determines your shooting technique.

Ndidi has the decent shooting power, but Etebo has the better shooting technique.

Osimhen has decent shooting power, Iheanacho has the better shooting technique.

Lukaku has more shooting power, Suarez has better shooting technique.

Examples of players that possess good passing and shooting techniques in every aspects are Ziyech and Thiago. These are the basic requirements of an AM.

Going by your definition, technique is generally what you do with the ball, which is described by how you receive, pass and shoot the ball.

The how in your definition, does it denote efficiency and accuracy, for example passing accuracy, shooting accuracy or does it relate only to body posture peculiarities.

If the later is your denotation, how do you describe a poor technique?

Thank you sir, i just want to clearly understand the parameter you harnessed for your list of AM's.

TheLoneCitizen:
Sir, technique refers to the way a player receives, passes or shoots the ball. As well as the body posture when taking this action. (modified).
It's one of the very few attributes that never leaves a player even as they age.

Do you agree that technique also includes ball control skills, the ability to track back and defend and high pressing (for forwards,

Do you also agree that the ability to create goalscoring opportunities (creativity), and goalscoring itself are excluded from the definition of technique.

Please be patient with me, i really want to get your stand with the definition.

TheLoneCitizen:
I don't know why we are so obsessed with the AM role in Nigeria.
The primary attribute of an attacking midfielder is technique which is why strikers like Lacazette, Muller, Firmino, Kane and Iheanacho can perfectly slot in there. But Lukaku, Osimhen, Aubameyang cannot survive there.
Dennis is a star play, but even in his wonder performance yesterday, you could see he lacks technique. Same thing with Ejuke.
Why turn a top player who can excel anywhere across the frontline (LWF, CF, RWF), into a poor attacking midfielder?

What is your definition of technique Sir?
It is good that we are clear on the metric you used for the appraisal.

Meliforme:
Emmanuel Dennis is a fantastic player, but he is not the strongest neither is he the fastest winger in the current crop.

Nevertheless he deserves an invitation.

Joezinho:
The SE coaches need to take a serious look at Dennis..

He has been excellent all season.. He is a more direct player than our other options. He does have an advantage in that he's bigger and stronger than the others. And he's likely the fastest of them all.

He has speed to burn. He’s definitely worthy of a spot on the team and the coach can find a use for him as an AM, a second striker, even LW. I’d take him over Kalu or Simon on current form and definitely ahead of Musa..

We thank God for the riches we have.

Emmanuel Dennis is a fantastic player, but he is not the strongest neither is he the fastest winger in the current crop.

Arabiandude:
Which of the Maduka?
Maduka that will officially start playing for Watford when this season end's?
He was loaned back to Sparta after signing for Watford

You just spoilt his show. You should have allowed the gathering of wailers to commence.

Blueelf:
You guys shouldn't forget that Maduka was not even on the bench for watford and he is SE starting GK

That is worrisome!!!

I salute you, the Chairman board of wailers.

TheGoodJoe:
What about playing with three defenders. A traditional 4-4-2 can work. Depending on the way the coach sets the team.

If we are to play 4-4-2, Osimhen should play the SS, while the Iheanacho the CF.

But the fact on ground is that we don't have the midfield that a 4-4-2 requires.
Only Aribo can fit in on the right and maybe Ejuke on the left.

Consider the image below.

TheGoodJoe:
First of all, Mane does not fit the bill because he is a wide forward. I don't think Rodgers is ruining Iheanacho but the role will actually shape him for what I feel is his natural wing. A false 9, what I term a free 9.

Where it gets disjointed is when you play him with a striker that is disorganizing the shape of the attack.

With Vardy, I see him actually playing a free role too which is off the team's build-up strategy.

I can't talk too much about the Nigerian team because I have lost interest in watching them. I have used up my tolerance for boredom.

However, I think what is affecting the team is setting up the team based on "in form players" instead of setting up the team to play a particular system and players that suit it.

Rohr should have a template and use players that suit the template. Not how a player performs in his club.

Osimhen should be deployed always a lone striker.
Partnering Iheanacho with Osimhen depletes our midfield further.

Kog45:
Ekong again when we have Awaziem..I don't buy idea of having Ndidi and Onyeka starting together but good line up especially Ebuehi and Aina.

There are many reasons why Onyeka should start alongside Ndidi.

Notable among the reasons are:

Winning the ball in advanced areas of the pitch
In Onyeka plying a more outfield position as a central midfielder we are guaranteed winning the ball in more advanced areas of the pitch. This will give our forwards more opportunities and orientation to express themselves. Since we have found it difficult in many instances of it, to transition seamlessly from defense to attack, winning the ball further up the pitch could prove a viable solution to the paucity in goals we are in.

Direct play
Frank Onyeka has more forward passes in his locker than many of our midfielders in recent times. The momentum he provides going forward with forward passes makes him a slots him well in central midfield. He takes a lot of risks.

Good reading of the game.
Frank Onyeka's reading of the game is very impressive. Besides Ndidi, no other midfielder in recent times reads the game better.

Insane work rate
No player in the current crop has Frank Onyeka's work rate, only Victor Osimhen comes close. The central midfield is fulcrum to how a team plays and ergo demands a lot of input. If you have noticed, our midfield lacks presence and this has been worse in Etebo's absence. What the midfield lacks in creativity, Etebo made up in work rate. Frank Onyeka has even more to give you in work rate.

As far as i am concerned the central midfield spot is still vacant, but Frank Onyeka is the only player who has more to give than any other as things stands.