₦airaland Forum

Jodera:
Arteta no try for our academies this season sha.

Liverpool had Connor Bradley and Jarred Quansah that Klopp have introduced this season. Ben Doak would have joined them if not for injury

Manchester City have Oscar Bobb being introduced.

Even Man U get Kobble Mainoo.

Yet we had the chances to introduce Duberry and get done with this Saka replacement and he's not doing it. That guy just need exposure —that little exposure — being afforded to Teenage Martinelli and Saka for him to explode.

Imagine say he had to hear whispers and side talks before him introduce Nwaneri at 6-0 up.

That's just so sad!!!

Well, I think the fans need to define their priority for this season. Arteta is entering his 5th year and no league title. He has a squad of 25 players to choose from. Let me add that he paraded on of the youngest squad in EPL. This means he is under pressure to deliver because his employers have trusted him enough. If I were in his shoes, promoting youngsters would be the last thing on my mind. He is under pressure to win a silverware and it is only normal to trust the capable legs.

From your examples, what you're trying to imply is that since other teams are doing it, we need to do so as well. isn't it? Now let me ask, have you at a time tried to find out the motive behind the minutes those young players are getting in their respective teams? Can you compare the squad depth of those teams while also considering injury issues and the average age of the squad.

At least, these kids are training with the senior team every week. This alone shows he has plans for them. They need to be protected. They need to be carefully integrated if you want them to give you their best performance.

Although, I admit there are some games I would want to see these kids play because I'm eager to watch them too. However, if the coach thinks otherwise, it is his call. He is the one working with them at the London Colney. Calling Arteta out for not playing kids because other teams are doing so is just laughable.

Setaleonoz:
Always learn to read and understand…. Okoye is not coming back to the national team

But you clearly said he retired now. Wetin remain to understand?

Tomiyasu and White sign new contracts. Announcement expected soon

Emile Smith Rowe’s injury is not thought to be serious.

He sustained the injury from leaping over a slide-tackle in training. He landed awkwardly on his ankle as he landed and suffered some bruising and swelling.

Smith Rowe’s ankle will be monitored this week to see if he cold be involved against Burnley on Saturday [@charles_watts] #arsenalfanaticsnews

andrewbaba44:
But Barca have been trusting the academy more nah

Yea.. because of injuries.

Setaleonoz:
Man has since retired from the national team …he wont come back

Don't be too sure bro. He will surely come back. Maybe he was overwhelmed during those bad periods.

charlesemeka85:
when aribo came in the team was more attacking than defensive

Stop capping

You dey mind am... Be like na another Aribo he dey talk about.

charlesemeka85:
I doubt unless on caretaker basis

Maybe Finidi... on interim basis.

[quote author=charlesemeka85 post=128438595][/quote]The tailor wicked o. Shey Dem no take JPes measurement ni? Those two sleeves lasan, I go use am sew better top.

TheLoneCitizen:
The fact that NGA lost that final makes Next Year's AFCON even better.

Rivalry with SA, GHANA, Angola and, CIV reignited.

Nwabali, Bassey, Onyeka, Aina, Osimhen, Boniface, Orban, Moffi, Awoniyi would all be playing for top 5 clubs by then.

Middle of summer tournament, means best players will be available.

Means world will sit down to focus here.

Just forget that tourney bro. The Arabs will do everything to manipulate it in their favour.

Dsimmer:
What excuse are you talking about exactly?

Playmakers are supposed to control the midfield while dictating the play, not even create much to begin with because it's not their job. Their job is dominate the play! Go figure with Xavi or Modric.

Even the Seri that dominated Nigeria's midfield, how many chances did he create?

Of course some are quite audacious by creating a lot and Aribo is actually capable of creating, going by his display in the last afcon but the Guinea Bissau match was his first start in the afcon, hence he would be cautious. However he controlled that match.

Aribo controlled that match which was what Nigeria needed because Guinea Bissau couldn't threaten Nigeria or get a sniff but had to resort to feeding on scraps until Aribo left, after which Guinea Bissau started playing like world champions and even scored a goal which was cancelled.

In fact, I already stated that those who were wailing because Aribo didn't create much in that match was stupid because as soon as he left the match, guinea Bissau got back into the match and created a lot while even scoring a goal which was cancelled. As a matter of fact, Aribo's performance against Bissau actually reminded me of his CM performance against Sudan in the last afcon where the match suddenly changed to Sudan having much control as soon as Aribo left the pitch which was to rest him since Nigeria was already winning 3-1 in bag .

As I said already, Go check Aribo stat against Bissau as a matter of fact, if your eyes are blind. Of course he wasn't audacious by creating much like he did in the last afcon but that was expected since it was his first start of the tournament however he controlled that midfield.

I think you should bring the stat here.
BTW do you know how formation and tactic works? The two midfielders in that 3-4-3 were not tasked to dictate play. Did you even listen to Iwobi's interview. The coach just wanted them to be compact and protect the middle. So I wonder how Aribo dominated when we're not even the one that held more possession throughout the match. How Aribo wan take dominate play without the ball?
Bring the stat here if you're truly sure of what you're saying.

Baddestguyp:
I think we do to an extent...we have players who are good at holdup play...not as much as City but it can work...

On the wings we have Yamal and Felix who can retain the ball and draw fouls...I don't think Ferran can do that cos he's more direct tho...
But retaining the ball isn't technically the same thing as pushing back the defence. This is where Felix will struggle since he isn't used to staying wide...

It will still work if we have even just one winger pushing the line. Sometimes City play with Foden on the RW and Foden doesn't push the line but Doku or Grealish does it...
The RW only gets pushed in these cases by Walker


But we also have players like De Jong, Pedri and Gundogan in midfield who can hold the ball and distribute it.

Our issue will also be our defence. I'm not sure how well players like Araujo can hold up play. But he can remain at the back while the other CB can occasionally move up the pitch.

For it to work, our midfielders will constantly need to move around and make runs into the box...
They also need to press as well immediately possession is lost...

Lewandowski doesn't really press but even at City, Haaland doesn't press as much too but people like Alvarez and their midfielders make up for it

I believe all of these can be done through training...it's up to the coach

Good.. excellent analysis.
However, the issue is the player profile. Doku is more direct so he is better for counter attack. Grealish is the better option if Pep want to maintain possession at the final third.
In Barca, all the wingers are direct. The Barcelona of old didn't need wingers to sustain possession. They will use 'Rondo' to frustrate you until they carve out a loophole in your defence and Gbam! it is a goal.

The changes I would opine are
1. The mindset of the players. They need to believe again.

2. They should work on sustaining possession more. Coaches like Pep, Arteta and even Xabi who I followed keenly re particularly fixated on dominating their opponents. The trick is to hold the ball as long and as much as possible. Your opponent will only hurt you when they have the ball.

3. The players need to start doing the basic. Felix and Cancelo are the big culprits here. Where a simple pass to the nearest teammate is the better option, they would go solo and lose the ball.

4. The defensive structure needs to be worked on. Arsenal of last season and this season are different. This season, we're too defensive. That's because your attackers will only be able to 'play' when the home.is secured. I think a specialist can be added to the team.

5. Barca needs to trust the academy more. IMO, it is better to look inward instead of wasting money on poor players.

6. The team needs a good tactician!

Dsimmer:
It was his first start of the tournament.

That's not an excuse. Infact, that first start is when he should be overly-audacious because he is trying to fight for a starting spot.

And for those who said Iwobi can retire that you have midfielders that will replace him. I just wan remind you say Kingsley Iniesta Sokari still dey play ball o. Nwobodo, Ajagun and Dem Haruna Ishola are still pro. We gotta start singing for their invitation.

Iwobi needs to understand bullying and criticism are part of football. We have seen a lot of examples. Saka was a young lad that just came into the England team. His crime was missing a penalty. Despite the criticism and racial abuse, he stood against all and today, he is the darling of those who abused him then.


Kaita, Yakubu, Ighalo are other examples. Iwobi just need to ignore and move on. The matter is like person wey fart inside your mouth and pour salt inside. You no fit spit out the salt and you no fit swallow the fart. He was widely celebrated when he scored that goal against Zambia. Now it is time for criticism, he should face it. Na where matter tough we dey find a great man.

Okoye sef couldn't take it and ran away. The man ran for his sanity. I doubt he is going to come back soon.

Dsimmer:
Same Guinea Bissau who couldn't get a sniff at Nigeria goalpost but were feeding on scraps until Iwobi came in, after which Guinea Bissau started playing like world champions and even scored a goal which was cancelled? Those calling for Iwobi introduction into the midfield were dumb of course. Lol.

Aribo controlled that Guinea Bissau match. Go check his stat as a matter of fact, if your eyes are blind. Only thing was he wasn't audacious by creating much like he did in the last afcon and that was expected since it was his first start of the tournament but he controlled that midfield.

Just curious, what stopped him from being audacious?

safarigirl:
I hope all of them are happy now.

The ones that are looking for midfielders to join the team, will show us which quality midfielder in his right senses will pledge allegiance to Nigeria after they have finished trolling Iwobi.

Wicked, spineless, useless bunch of animals that have nothing going for them.

Instead of them to use this vim and chase out that failure in Aso Rock that appointed an idiot that has overseen woeful power failure, they are going to bully a young man that just wants to play footy and vibe.

I have never seen a more cowardly group of idiots in my life. They never have all this anger for their leaders, it is disgusting

They are mad ni. If they can just channel their anger towards the current situation of the country, we will achieve something. To think most of these guys might have been showing up because of the fans to represent Nigeria despite the inhumane treatment they are always subjected to.

mostob:
Haller and Adingra starting tomorrow will be a game changer of we're not careful. All those long balls Krasso was wasting will be well utilized by Haller.

We will need Simon tomorrow to help with Adingra otherwise I would have opined Moffi or Nacho should start alongside Osimhen.

Chai... And I talk am o. eh

Baddestguyp:
Whenever I watch Barca I get shocked at Xavi's tactical ineptitude.

We play the same tikitaka with Man City yet Xavi cannot seem to understand the basics of how Pep defeats Highline.

Whenever our opponents play the Highline, Xavi just spams long balls hoping for some magic...which is quite shocking since that is exactly what our opponents want.

The reason our opponents use Highline is to force us into pointless long balls and make it so that they can switch to attack instantly in any ball recovery for them

As someone who watches Man City a lot, I'll explain the simple way Pep beats Highline.

It boils down to 2 main things:
1. His wingers advancing the line
2. His midfielders and defenders advancing with the wingers.

Xavi fails in both aspects.

Pep constantly has Grealish or Doku or even Bernardo taking on players on the wing...the purpose most of the time is not to beat their marker but to advance the line by pushing their marker back.

Grealish is one of the best at doing this...he won't take on, but he will push you all the way to your box then pass back and instantly the entire Man City team is in your half...

Rodri and the other midfielders are also constantly moving around and covering for lapses in different areas of midfield.

Their defenders also do the same...take on the midfield role when needed to advance their line.

This way even when the opponent recovers the ball, they have a long way to travel to even start any attack since they are completely pinned down around their own box.

It's a basic tactic that Xavi should have emulated since but for some reason he can't see it or doesn't want to...

Instead our wing just exists to cross the ball

Even when Dembele was here he was reduced into beating opponents on the wing and crossing the ball instead of retaining possession and pushing the line

Excellent analysis.
Based on this, do you think Barcelona has the team to execute this? If yes, can you like name your preferred lineup.

komekn:
Your wrong .

Actually Ademola tried to play for the U17 Eaglets him alongside Oviemuno Ejaria. Both were not selected somehow.

It took less than 6 weeks for Zaha to get clearance from FIFA to play for CIV.

You get problem sha... The announcement of Lookman's switch was done on which date?

DRC no wan score and RSA dey romance ball without penetration.

Barryseal:
Exactly. Haven seen how a tall frightened our defence against SA, it's a given they will start Haller.

And that is where Ajayi comes in ... But it is like Ekong will.be the one to handle him tomorrow.

Goke7:
let them prove themselves on the pitch tomorrow, all these name-dropping no dey play ball, na so we no hear word on top Mabululu and co for Angola including SA keeper Ron Williams, make everyone show themselves for the game make we know who better pass.

Ok sir

Omo...this tension must be something else. this one everybody is quoting the Bible

Joebie:
It’s a case of a cup half full or half empty.

In this case, where a slim victory via pk was the first outcome, it’s more of a motivation to revenge not a fear to lose again.

Oya.. they should leave the vengeance to God and let us carry the cup. Dem kuku no need am.

Joebie:
We need a little more owambe no doubt. I wish the trophy can really unite us. Because I know it will not translate to better governance. We need it for unity sake.

Yea... for unity sake. Nigeria is a happy country without the usual tribal and religious nonsense.

Haller and Adingra starting tomorrow will be a game changer of we're not careful. All those long balls Krasso was wasting will be well utilized by Haller.

We will need Simon tomorrow to help with Adingra otherwise I would have opined Moffi or Nacho should start alongside Osimhen.

Joebie:
The bolded is it. CIV is not under any damn pressure. That’s a motivation, not pressure.

I'm not disputing that. They are motivated and at the same time they will be under pressure to win.

DissTroy:
Fans are completely fixated on the fun of trolling Ghana and South Africa all year long that we are looking past the actual game.

For us Twitter banter supersedes the possibilities of the 90 minutes on the pitch.

Exactly..... Hopefully, we will carry the cup. A win tomorrow will be great for the country.

Joebie:
Thats the point. Our players need all the motivation like they never met CIV before. A team that lost scandalously to EG 4-0. Chamged rheir coach and have managed to pull through to the finals in front of their home fans each game, have only one thing in their minds which is revenge. They are not under pressure to win the trophy because all hope seemed lost at a point. They are determined to beat us, and if they do, the trophy will just be an icing on the cake.

I repeat, what we need right now is the right minds around the players talking the right talk, not politicians which could be counter productive .

If you're out for a revenge against a team that defeated you days ago, you will feel.a pressure. All you will carry in your mind is the fact that you must not lose. As for Nigeria, we already know what to expect from them. They're coming for revenge so we will be better prepared. Mind I remind you that CIV is at home. They're the host.... They will be under pressure to win the cup.

DissTroy:
And this overconfidence from fans and players alike might be our undoing.

I don't think the players are overconfident. Only the fans are boasting. And, it may lead to something serious health-wise. Tomorrow like this, if my heart no fit take am, I will just off phone and go on a stroll.

Joebie:
So u could not stop to think if we were in their shoes.
I excuse ladies for being overly emotional. However men need to apply a great deal of logic.

I want us to win tomorrow. In fact I’m praying for it. But I will always be objective, because God is also an Ivorian lol

What exactly are you saying? I gave you my opinions and why I feel CIV will be under pressure. Wetin bring emotion and ladies talk?
Whether we're in their shoes or in their boxers, the scenarios are still the same. Nigeria would never want to lose twice to a team in a single tourney.