Please provide another link for second half

Mujtahida:

IDENNA, food don done oo.
Thesupernerd, superb analysis, you outdid yourself this time.
But one more question: don't you think that with our defensive frailties, a midfield trio of Ndidi - Nwakali - Aribo/Iwobi makes soft in the middle?

I just want a SE team that will blend into a formidable squad , play beautiful football, hold possession and score some breathtaking goals ; that's what I want them to achieve in this AFCON tournament , not trophy.

Nwakali doesn't have to be there if we have a better replacement who could deliver the same expectations. Amoo could have been invited and I would still be satisfied.

I will admit... a Midfield trio of Ndidi-Onyeka-Aribo looks more "Hard core" and "really strong" from a defensive standpoint but my problem with that set up is the lack of a true MF controller. One who would keep the ball and dictate the rhythm of the middle game.
We would be hard to break down but what happens when with one crack, we cave in and we have to respond? How are we gonna do it when we cannot truly keep or wrestle back control of the middle game technicalities.



But see this, An Ndidi-Nwakali-Aribo combo can still do a job in defensive phases. It would be a matter of tactical complimentary workload. Ndidi and Aribo have the better workrate compared to Nwakali... But Nwakali has the better passing range and lines breaking ability compared to both. So they will complement one another in their roles.

Ndidi is the undisputed shield. He will sit but he will also track danger and truncate it.
Nwakali's pressing has improved and he even had up to 4 fouls in his last game for Huesca showing he really can get physical if need be. He will help out but not to outdo Ndidi because Ndidi thrives much more with a less defensive-minded partner. That's when the true defensive beast of Ndidi is unleashed and he is very happy to bear that responsibility.

Aribo will also be key in defensive phases. His very impressive workrate will make up for Nwakali's somewhat Languid style just as Nwakali's playmaking will make up for Aribo's deficiencies in that area of the middle game with him pushed further forward in the #10 role.

So it may look soft on paper because in Nwakali and Aribo, we have two technically gifted forward thinking MFs, leaving Ndidi as the only defensive thinking MF. But never forget that Aribo tracks back with ease. In defensive phases, he won't be found between the lines of the opposition, he will rather drop deeper and help out Nwakali and Ndidi in choking the middle.... then when we win back the ball, he finds his way up to the final third exploiting those gaps and looking to strike like a panther when needed.
It is tactically possible because Aribo has the lungs for this. His workrate added to his technical abilities makes him very important for me and that is part of why I will play him ahead of Iwobi at #10.


Although let me add that there is the possibility of Eguavoen toying with Ejuke in the #10 role depending on in-game dynamics.

Mujtahida:

IDENNA, food don done oo.
Thesupernerd, superb analysis, you outdid yourself this time.
But one more question: don't you think that with our defensive frailties, a midfield trio of Ndidi - Nwakali - Aribo/Iwobi makes soft in the middle?

Can anybody confirm if dessers has been called ?

TheSuperNerd:
I will admit... a Midfield trio of Ndidi-Onyeka-Aribo looks more "Hard core" and "really strong" from a defensive standpoint but my problem with that set up is the lack of a true MF controller. One who would keep the ball and dictate the rhythm of the middle game.
We would be hard to break down but what happens when with one crack, we cave in and we have to respond? How are we gonna do it when we cannot truly keep or wrestle back control of the middle game technicalities.



But see this, An Ndidi-Nwakali-Aribo combo can still do a job in defensive phases. It would be a matter of tactical complimentary workload. Ndidi and Aribo have the better workrate compared to Nwakali... But Nwakali has the better passing range and lines breaking ability compared to both. So they will complement one another in their roles.

Ndidi is the undisputed shield. He will sit but he will also track danger and truncate it.
Nwakali's pressing has improved and he even had up to 4 fouls in his last game for Huesca showing he really can get physical if need be. He will help out but not to outdo Ndidi because Ndidi thrives much more with a less defensive-minded partner. That's when the true defensive beast of Ndidi is unleashed and he is very happy to beat that responsibility.

Aribo will also be key in defensive phases. His very impressive workrate will make up for Nwakali's somewhat Languid style just as Nwakali's playmaking will make up for Aribo's deficiencies in that area of the middle game with him pushed further forward in the #10 role.

So it may look soft on paper because in Nwakali and Aribo, we have two technically gifted forward thinking MFs, leaving Ndidi as the only defensive thinking MF. But never forget that Aribo tracks back with ease. In defensive phases, he won't be found between the lines of the opposition, he will rather drop deeper and help out Nwakali and Ndidi in choking the middle.... then when we win back the ball, he finds his way up to the final third exploiting those gaps and looking to strike like a panther when needed.
It is tactically possible because Aribo has the lungs for this. His workrate added to his technical abilities makes him very important for me and that is part of why I will play him ahead of Iwobi at #10.


Although let me add that there is the possibility of Eguavoen toying with Ejuke in the #10 role depending in in-game dynamics.

Why is no one talking about goal scoring?

Let's not think too far ahead of ourselves. My advice.

Be like Joebie... take it one game at a time in the group stage then we can begin assessing our chances from the first KO round.

The team has fine potentials but let's mix excitement with a little bit of caution.

And yes, thanks so much Sir Soetan. I appreciate the welcome. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO AND TO EVERYONE JUST WALKING INTO THE THREAD AND SEEING I'M BACK. Great to see y'all.

soetanoreoluwa:
How far do you think we can go in this Afcon?

Cc: all.

ThesuperNerd good to have you back.


Let the game begin!!!

ChrisKels:
Please provide another link for second half

Match don finish boss....But manage this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3EeWH3ytGA

komekn:


My response is two pronged.

My personal preference is for entertainment football .

However, clubs have got to way too scientific and tactical and that means team discipline and the right decision making is paramount.

Within that quest is end product.

I have been disappointed with most of our wingers in recent times. The quest for personal glory overshadows best options and best possible decision.

Finally, why can't they cross the ball properly ❓ You have a man mountain like Onuachu and you just don't play to his strengths or give him accurate crosses.
Something just struck me now. You see there are two kinds of entertaining players. The one who sets out to entertain, sets out to earn glory for himself and the one whose style of play is just entertaining not because he sets out to entertain but his style is just entertaining and beautiful to the eye.
Most of our players exemplify the first type who are not productive (with the exception of Obi Mikel) while Zidane, Ronaldinho who are productive.

I think the reason why our wingers do not cross (and do not know how to cross which is a shame given that we have tall strikers) is that we have inverted wingers who dribble or run their way to the final third and then pass the ball or make an attempt at goal themselves.

If I have one problem with our style of football, it is the fact that the tempo of our football is slow. We need to ramp up the tempo of our game

There are two types of entertainers in football. The first set to which most nigerian players belong to are those players who set out to entertain. These players are selfish and gun for personal glory.

The second type of entertainers do not set out to entertain. Their style is entertaining. Players like Zidane and Mikel exemplify this kind of players.

We have poor crossers of the ball(which is a shame since we have tall attackers) perhaps because of this trend of using inverted wingers who either run to the final third or dribble their way and then pass the ball or shoot at goal.

But I did. More reason why I want Aribo as our #10.

But if you mean the CF position, then that's not a problem. If the midfield and wingers click like fire and create chances from all over the pitch, the Strikers will definitely bury them. I have fine faith in Don Sadiq Umar and even Awoniyi. Not forgetting, Iheanacho, the Lad with the best and most clinical left foot in the country.

Sportilitica:

Why is no one talking about goal scoring?

nelszx:

Match don finish boss....But manage this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3EeWH3ytGA

Ohhh Chris no know? Hahahahahaha... Chris in the mud.

M7even:


Remember when he said he understood Russian language and I think you tried to conjure some sense of responsibility in him by tasking him to do a brief analysis of the cities to host 2018 world cup

Hahaha hahaha hahaha exactly, my my. You remember wella. Such a colorful character. I miss him.

Mujtahida:

This guy!!!
Guys are just emerging from the woods like warriors who are returning home. Hope to see tbaba1234 and Joseph16 wetin (can't remember his full moniker again)

Lawyer lawyer.. I hail

Super Eagle's business to me can't be ignored.

TheSuperNerd:
Lol... his moniker is Joseph1013. You all should be thanking that fine man daily. He was the pioneer. Always remembered in my books.

And as for Tbaba1234... who knows if he is secretly working with the GKs ahead of the Afcon. I mean, reports from camp say Akpeyi is doing very okay and I am left stunned. Could it be the Tbaba effect?

Recall that he was close to making Russia 2018 when we had GK crisis. He volunteered his services and Rohr almost caved in.

Yes! Joseph1013. Great guy. I hope they'd pitch in this footballing season.

Mujtahida:

Good to have you back. We've sorely missed you incisive analysis and encyclopedic knowledge of the game.

Thanks Great Learned One. I appreciate your words of kind praise.

Again, wishing us all a Super Fantastic 2022.

TheSuperNerd:
Let's not think too far ahead of ourselves. My advice.

Be like Joebie... take it one game at a time in the group stage then we can begin assessing our chances from the first KO round.

The team has fine potentials but let's mix excitement with a little bit of caution.

And yes, thanks so much Sir Soetan. I appreciate the welcome. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU TOO AND TO EVERYONE JUST WALKING INTO THE THREAD AND SEEING I'M BACK. Great to see y'all.

Exactly, I'm just patiently waiting for the first two games. That's when one can really access the team. I hope and pray that coach Austin will work well with other coaching crew and not be an island of knowledge.

IDENNAA:


Advanced role like where and what formation and tactics would you employ ?

Bro , we need creativity in our attack and I dont see how Aribo is the solution.

You can try him in AM position but soon he would be demystified like Iwobi , because I don't actually see anything the boy brings to the table.

Read thesupernerds excellent analysis. And then watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XxKkPG7uBY

TheSuperNerd:
The question of Aribo vs Iwobi for AM is a very simple one for me to answer right now. My Pick is Aribo. Easy peasy.
Insane current form. Mad confidence.. Dude is on fire. We need that right now. We cannot have that on the bench abeg.

But let me analyse a little...

Close to the box, we know Iwobi has shown how good he can be for the GWG with a few goals & assists to show for it, but Aribo showed same in his first two games in the GWG before Rohr began restricting his plays to deeper in midfield.
We never saw Aribo play so close to the box again except on few occasions in the last game where his ferocious strike from the Edge of the box almost won the CV game for us.

I have watched enough of Joe Aribo to know that he is no Central Midfield Playmaker or one to dictate plays. He has other attributes. We waste his talents when we play him far away from the box. He's in beast mode close to the box. He is a MF with a direct way to goal.

That lad, Aribo, carries a mighty goal threat from between the lines in the final third and has the touch and the technique to navigate his way towards goal scoring openings either to set up or go for goal himself WHEN PLAYED CLOSE TO THE BOX. Aribo loves situations that allows him to combine in the attacking third with his teammates to create openings for a chance at goal. This is why he is so adept at 1-2 interchanges and making incisive short passes.

Iwobi has the better vision but his shooting is not as consistent or as constantly threatening as Aribo's. Aribo's shooting is way better. Aribo also has the better workrate in addition to his technique and eye for goals. Thus chances of us causing an overload in attack in offensive phases leading to Goals is more possible with Aribo than with Iwobi.

Also, since Aribo will operate behind the striker, close to the box, does it mean the playmakimg duties falls to him? Nope. His own is to roam and exploit the gaps between the lines (gaps in the final third between the defence and defensive Midfield of the opposition) and use his technique and ball control to create further openings of intrusion into the opponent's danger zone.

Who then would playmake if Aribo plays #10? Your answer is Nwakali.

Nwakali is a natural in deeplying Midfield conduction. Iwobi can playmake kinda but not as deep as Nwakali can in Midfield. And this is because Iwobi does not boast the unlimited passing range of Nwakali.
Passing range is key because it means a MF or player is able to quickly pick out passes across any distance on the pitch.
Also, it enables one to switch plays easily and swiftly across any part of the pitch. This skillset can be a game changer and this is where Nwakali comes in apart from a few other attributes he boasts.

And his numbers in la liga 2 speaks volumes of his passing range.

Ndidi is a World Class ball winner. No one does it better in terms of defensive actions than Ndidi. For the past 4.5 seasons in England he has ruled in that respect. Ball winning, tackling, pressing, interceptions are Ndidi's forte.
But Nwakali would also assist on a decent level especially in the areas of interceptions and pressing. His numbers are Decent in these respects.
Aribo's workate would also help out coz he covers ground quite well in both phases of the game (defensive and offensive).


So to answer the last question... Yes, My learned One.

An Ndidi-Nwakali-Aribo Midfield will be more than good enough because it would be probably one of the most tactically balanced MFs we would parade in our MF Options arsenal.

An Ndidi-Nwakali-Iwobi MF trio is also very decent. Can compete but I would not wanna miss out on Aribo's close-to-the-box Dele Alli/Lampard-like beast mode. That guy, should start... and having a genuine DLP behind him might just see him emerge as one of the stars of the Afcon.

Time will tell.

Na Happy New Year be this!!!

Welcome Big man. Na Supersports Studios una suppose dey o.

TheSuperNerd:


Ohhh Chris no know? Hahahahahaha... Chris in the mud.

I'm having a nice time with a fellow Achara Layout old boy, Usumi(Uchebo) so I could not keep up with the match

[quote author=Mujtahida post=109112165][/quote]
The crossing issue is a long standing one.
I have seen some African teams lower in the ranks cross the ball. I have even seen some clips from the Nigerian league and they cross but it seems it is never part of the game plan. A good coach might address this sooner or later. That said I believe these set of players can do something if they put their mind to it.

Mujtahida:

Hahaha hahaha hahaha exactly, my my. You remember wella. Such a colorful character. I miss him.

See who we have here. Govr!!!

do4luv14:



Congo4ka sir, the guy set sabi Ukraine girls wella,

the guy wine safari no be small

Bad guy. Yes it's congo4ka not congoshiner.

soetanoreoluwa:
How far do you think we can go in this Afcon?

Cc: all.

ThesuperNerd good to have you back.


Let the game begin!!!

Long time bro. I greet you in the spirit of the season

IDENNAA:


I just want a SE team that will blend into a formidable squad , play beautiful football, hold possession and score some breathtaking goals ; that's what I want them to achieve in this AFCON tournament , not trophy.

Nwakali doesn't have to be there if we have a better replacement who could deliver the same expectations. Amoo could have been invited and I would still be satisfied.

I share your sentiments but winning the trophy will also be good.
I doubt if Amoo can play from deep. He's more likely to vie with Iwobi and Aribo for that AM position.

Sportilitica:

Why is no one talking about goal scoring?

We take it for granted that our problems is not with scoring goals but creating goal scoring opportunities

Just finished watching the Algeria vs Ghana friendly, one never allow Algeria to dominate the midfield dey will run riot on your defense, two they surely know how to put pressure on opponent defenders with their run into the penalty box same way ekong gifted them an own goal last afcon is what happened with that Ghanaian defender doing a replica of ekongs goal, Algeria has a compact defense line but their number 9 isn't such a good finisher and Ghana no get keeper that guy na akpeyi version 2.0

IDENNAA:


Dont speak on this you have no clue of. You are definitely mistaking me for someone.

This is you...

Mujtahida:

Read thesupernerds excellent analysis. And then watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XxKkPG7uBY

Joe Aribo's next contract will be his most important, he is already 25 this is the best time to move to the EPL

TFLASHOGEE:
Just finished watching the Algeria vs Ghana friendly one never allow Algeria to dominate the midfield dey will run riot on your defense, two they surely know how to put pressure on opponent defenders with their run into the penalty box same way ekong gifted them an own goal last afcon is what happened with that Ghanaian defender doing a replica of ekongs goal, Algeria has a compact defense line but their number 9 isn't such a good finisher and Ghana no get keeper that guy na akpeyi version 2.0

One thing that has always wowed me was how the Algerians dominate the midfield, they will disconnect the attack from the midfield that the attack is basically useless, that's why they can afford to miss a lot of goals because they can always come back for more

IDENNAA:


Dont speak on this you have no clue of. You are definitely mistaking me for someone.

Idennaa

ChrisKels:


I'm having a nice time with a fellow Achara Layout old boy, Usumi(Uchebo) so I could not keep up with the match

Hahahahaha... lekwa this my man. Flavour 2.0 that we took to WC that year, O kwa ya? Lol

Enjoy yasef.

FIFApresident1:

This is you...

Scram , Nigga! You dont anything worth paying a mind. Show proof , next time.

isan:
Can anybody confirm if dessers has been called ?

I think the issue here is not that Dessers isn't eligible, but that they're still trying to know if Ighalo will reach an agreement with his club.