BascoVanVeli:
What is Rohr's deal? A blind man can see that Iwobi must always be Mikel's replacement but yet he keeps the boy on the wings and plays god knows who there.

A sports analyst once said Rohr's major problem is sticking to known failures (either in tactics or personnel selection). At the time, I thought the statement was ludicrous but now, it seems the man has a point.

elyte89:



Abi o,any small thing, na Mikel,I think his presence on d pitch of play will also solve our G.K crises

Abi. Even on the radio today, all people kept saying was "when Mikel comes back...bla bla bla...if Mikel was there......bla bla bla"

Mikel won't defend for you or score twenty goals a game. He's not even known to score so much goals.

Haba

Kog45:
MetalJigsaw i told you that we need to see Joel first and good we have seen him now left for fans to judge but Joel Obi not impressive so far.

They way they were hailing, hyping and bragging for the guy in this thread you'd think he's coming to bench Mikel LOL
Chaii!!

Humility017:
Lollzzz...so much suggestions...I will want him come after the world cup

precocious Arsenal Talent Nwakali Is The Solution To Nigeria's Midfield Problem


A playmaker with class, one highly rated by Arsenal and currently on loan at MVV Maastricht in Holland.
How is he not? It's a subject regular observers ponder. How is Kelechi Nwakali not included in the Super Eagles squad?
A player of grace, vision and football acumen, but one on the periphery at international level.

It's a strong national team, to be fair. And Nwakali is a creative midfielder – the Eagles are not short of those.
MVV fans would tell you how talented he is – one of the jewels of their campaign, a player to help facilitate the club's attacking principles.

Few midfielders are on the ball as much as the Nigerian in the Dutch second tier. Few can boast his passing accuracy, sitting at just over 87 per cent.
He is a fantastic player who is able to read the play before anyone else.

That's the major ingredient the Super Eagles lacked in their recent friendlies against Poland and Serbia respectively.
The former Golden Eaglets skipper will be hoping further great performances can aid a late bid for a spot in the national squad traveling to Russia.
It would be a fitting way to crown his time to date in MVV, where he feels at ease, national team or not.

Abayomi Ademetan

[b] source: ANS ]/b]

What has Kelechi Nwakali achieved in the Eredivise second division? Remember, He was benched in Eredivise.

For now, he is not hte solution. Maybe in the nearest future after he must have proven himself.

Well, for those interested in where the 2 friendlies have taken us to in the FIFA Ranking, we gained Ranking points from 609 to 635. We are expected to move 4places up(from 52 to 48).

andrew444:


Mr Forgiveness As usual from you,Always crying like a sheep for yoruba players to be invited,Who is talking about the trophies martins has won in europe? Did martins win champions league or europa league? Matrins is a great player No doubt,talk about individual performance than talking about trophies,that shows you have no clue in anything you are saying.

Who is martins better than in super eagles at the moment or your so called Ajagun? Na only yourba players you dey see ooo,Your eye blind to see others players,even your aluko who is he better than?

Martins is world class during his time and his time is past,I am very sure if yakubu aiyegbeni has not retired from football you will call for Yakubu.

Mr Forgivness your matter tire people for this thread,Abeg make we hear word

he hads a right to his opinions bro

darkelf:


A sports analyst once said Rohr's major problem is sticking to known failures (either in tactics or personnel selection). At the time, I thought the statement was ludicrous but now, it seems the man has a point.

I think this is harsh on the coach. If you say he is conservative, yes. All through Mikel years in Chelsea he was DM but any time he plays for eagles he is an AM, were the se coaches then sticking to failure concerning Mikel? With mikel already in the middle of the pack, iwobi surely will be drafted wide if they must play together

darkelf:


Abi. Even on the radio today, all people kept saying was "when Mikel comes back...bla bla bla...if Mikel was there......bla bla bla"

Mikel won't defend for you or score twenty goals a game. He's not even known to score so much goals.

Haba

Normal for people to say Mikel Mikel.......they know he is not a goalkeeper or defender neither attacker but his presence will uplift the team more but the team still need to do it without him cos with that we talk of a balance team.

Kog45:
Sir on Uzoho i know Rohr w do the needful cos i don't want to say anything regards our goalkeepers cos no quality options.

Oh our double standard for players here abi,sir am beginning to differentiate real football analysis from personal,sentiment and emotive analysis.

Sir, na today you know?

forgiveness:


Those who don't know Joel Obi claimed he is an AMF but I was the one that said no, he is not.

Joel Obi is a CMF or LM and that was were he was played in the two friendlies.

So, I don't know what you are talking about.

But you are one of those people that were claiming the guy can shoulder the creative responsibilities with his AM potentials.

somehow:
So its by ranking now right? selective objectivity? the last match Serbia play, what was the scoreline?

Yes we beat Argentina because we were more determined, yesterday we weren't and Serbia was more determined. one a normal day, lets say at the world cup proper and we are paired with Serbia, if we lose 2:0 just like yesterday, will you go and look for other people that lost to console yourself?

concern yourself with your team and stop looking for attachee in despair.

I can't take assurance as fact until it happens, so your assumption remains what it is. assumption.

what baffles me on NL is that you people will make assumptions first, then, when someone turns it on you, you will say it doesn't count.


Is it not you that claimed that because common Serbia won us 2-0, Spain will win us 10-0? Was that not you making assumptions? Now, you want to tank the same thing you did


If I am wrong, you are wrong as well. Spain cannot win us 10-0, so, no need to even assume the possibility


Before making a statement, reason it the other way around, lest you contradict yourself unwittingly

darkelf:
A contributor on brila just said he doesn't expect much from this team.

He said that he has his eyes set on Qatar 2022 and not this coming WC in Russia because it is a team for the future

He finally posited that we shouldn't expect much from this team and that we can only manage to survive the group stage in the WC

he is right

MetalJigsaw:
if it's only LM and CM he can play then we don't need him.

And you say he's better than ogu? someone that cannot trap ball or make any sensible pass?

Pls, watch the game again, you will see he offers more options to the team than John Ogu.
He can directly replace Onazi or even start ahead of himin some formatioms.

darkelf:


A sports analyst once said Rohr's major problem is sticking to known failures (either in tactics or personnel selection). At the time, I thought the statement was ludicrous but now, it seems the man has a point.

that is why he is just a sports analyst and not a coach. He knows nothing and you shouldn't subscribe to the ideas of people who know nothing.


That is how Oliseh was analysing on Supersports, only for them to give him work and he flopped. I don't take anyone without a coaching certificate and experience seriously, because all they can do is run their big mouths

I learnt something from this friendlies, The super eagles are learning how to press and move the ball more quickly. i will leave out the negatives and highlight the positives.

kennysville:


@ bolded is untrue. He was not even dressed for the match. Oliseh said so himself. (Watch his interview on youtube.... something with a caption Captain Fantastic)

OK Sir i think have made my point cleared to Sir Mujtahida.

Weaknesses:

No creativity from the midfield without mikel,

No good striker to bank on,

Keeper issues (I still don't have faith in Uzoho he clearly can't keep us in the game with those wow saves like Enyeama always did),

Positives: Our defence line is almost there. Awaziem had a good game & we still have balogun. I believe Ebuehi wasn't fit, nevertheless Rohr should make the position competitive &use the best player we can get.

My Opinion: Martins, Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru should be tried for the top 9 position.

Questions: How do we get a backup for Mikel Obi?
Will Uzoho come out better before the WC starts proper?

MetalJigsaw:
if it's only LM and CM he can play then we don't need him.

And you say he's better than ogu? someone that cannot trap ball or make any sensible pass?

Pls, watch the game again, you will see he offers more options to the team than John Ogu.
He can directly replace Onazi or even start ahead of himin some formatioms.

Icon4s:
First off, can the NFF please change those lemon jerseys we played with today?
1. They were very offensive to the eyes
2. They make the team look uncoordinated and unbusiness like
3. They make the team look childish and so ordinary
4. That jersey does not make a bold statement.

Can the NFF please make a white copy of the darker green as our away jersey while the darker green becomes the home jersey.

Peeps may wonder why I take this jersey issue this seriously. I take branding and image making seriously. Your national team jersey is your first medium of branding. I always make reference to the bigger brands in football and what their jerseys say about them. Nuff said on that.

Today's game, though we lost but we learnt some additional things that will help strengthen the team.

Some observations from our last 2 friendlies. I will drop more as discussions proceed:
1. This team has lost its passing and ball possessive abilities all in a bid to play more of counter attacking football. Rohr needs to do something about this as this has been a major strength for us especially when we play against European teams. Poland and Serbia totally dominated us.

2. Mikel is the heart and soul of this team

3. The oyinbo wall is the best CB pairing

4. We are going to the WC without cutting edge strikers.

5. Idowu's performance over the two games may have given Rohr reasons to take another look at Echiejile

6. Ebuehi is second choice to Shehu. Ola Aina: I fear for that lad. He may be the sacrificial lamb.

7. Uzoho had a better performance today but we are still in a crisis situation in that department. We may be watching the WC with our hearts in our mouths each time there is enemies incursion.

8. Alex Iwobi is the closest replacement for Mikel in that AM role. But when Mikel is in the team he may operate from the wings.

9. Onazi clawed his way back into a vantage position in the team. Presence of Joel Obi could be responsible.

9. Ndidi is the engine room of that midfield and should be handed the CM role while Ogu and Onazi should battle for the DM position.

10. Joel Obi's inclusion into the team, contrary to remarks on here, is value added. He has brought more steel to the midfield as he combines his skills with physicality. He may not make the first 11, though, with Ndidi as the CM and Mikel as AM.

11. We don't have business like wingers. Simon is not imposing enough, Musa never makes one perfect cross. Moses stands out but often plays to the gallery.
Iwobi some times does one trick too many and may occasionally get lost in the game

12. Odion Ighalo. I think we need to tell ourselves the truth. Once Mikel is back Iheanacho should take up that CF position. What do you call a CF that could not even test any goalkeeper over the two games?

13. We are most comfortable with the 4-2-3-1 formation with which we qualified for the WC. The other formations may just be back-up options that may be employed depending on the dynamics of the game.

14. One major positive: We have a better bench than that of the 2014 WC.

I am not shaken by this defeat even though I had wanted a 100% record in our build up process.
The team building is continuous even after the WC.

Over all, quality friendlies and quality oppositions. Yes we were tested.
Let's see what the team offers us in the May and June friendlies.

Mostly agree with you with some exceptions.

But you do not proffer any solutions.

KC is not a bonafide No 9, he can not play as a lone striker. That's a handicap, it's not part of his skill set to bully defenders, he doesn't have blistering pace or technical wizardry, finishing a resounding big YES. But without support he can be anonymous.

Iwobi lacks maturity, skill upon skill without doubt but end product in the final third very suspect.

Ekong and Balogun the best CB combination we have.

Aina is yet to play a complete game or half he hasn't been tested properly. So can we truly talk about his qualities.

We watched a Championship striker Mitrovic give our defenders a terrible time. Awaziem found out. There will be strikers in the World Cup that will be much better and more physical.

The team needs strength in depth.

The core of the current squad is good but they need 4/5 quality tried and tested additions. This will give us a fighting chance.

The world cup is not a sprint it's a marathon. You need to have capable replacement in every department. We shouldn't be looking at youth potential but players who are delivering for thier clubs consistently.

Dressers could even be an option Ideye, an additional striker is essential as well as Am.

We want to at least get past group stage anything less is not good enough.

stanbillion200:
Take it or leave it, the following players do not have any business in the Super Eagles. They are as follows; Joel Obi, Ahmed Musa, Uche Agbo Henry,Chidozie Awaziem. They are to be replaced by Sone Aluko, Henry Onyekuru, Brown Ideye and Efe Ambrose respectively.

Alex ferguson, I see you

fucklikant101:
I go like know the moniker here wey dey disgrace himself for xtratime Croatian forum sey we go win all those group games. The guy is a first grade mumu

That not realistic. But I strongly believe we can make the second round.

Teekim:
Weaknesses:

No creativity from the midfield without mikel,

No good striker to bank on,

Keeper issues (I still don't have faith in Uzoho he clearly can't keep us in the game with those wow saves like Enyeama always did),

Positives: Our defence line is almost there. Awaziem had a good game & we still have balogun. I believe Ebuehi wasn't fit, nevertheless Rohr should make the position competitive &use the best player we can get.

My Opinion: Martins, Ighalo, Henry Onyekuru should be tried for the top 9 position.

Questions: How do we get a backup for Mikel Obi?
Will Uzoho come out better before the WC starts proper?

Onyekuru is not a Top 9, this has been extensively discussed on this thread already. Playing him there will have similar effects to playing Iheanacho there

Which Ighalo should they try again? Has he not been over tried in that position?

Martins? So that he will waste our time the way Joel wasted our time, abi?

And for all of Okocha's influence, we never won the AFCON with him as the leader in the midfield (in 1994, Okocha was no leader in that midfield but a key young player who Westerhoff could bench sef. That team had Oliseh and Oliha too). But we win the AFCON with Mikel as undisputed leader in the middle. Mikel is in every way as super influential in this team as Okocha was in the 2000s. That is the truth.

Martz101:


Mikel this...mikel that, he won't play the 11 wings, the time you guys realise a better team can beat you irrespective of who place, the better for us, Mikel might add some advantage but he wont only save us from been beaten.

Mikel is not as influential as Okocha when he was in the team, we still get beaten even at his best

forgiveness:


Abdul Ajagun has played as an AMF for more than four seasons with a big club and is currently in a top 10 league but unfortunately people are demanding for players in backwater leagues. Smh

People have used the word hypocrisy and double standard when certain players are asked for.

But thier own words condemn themselves.

The basis for selection can only be consistent quality performances in your club not past glories.

Kog45:
MetalJigsaw i told you that we need to see Joel first and good we have seen him now left for fans to judge but Joel Obi not impressive so far.

One game doesn't make a player give him time.

forgiveness:


What has Kelechi Nwakali achieved in the Eredivise second division? Remember, He was benched in Eredivise.

For now, he is not hte solution. Maybe in the nearest future after he must have proven himself.

Sorry! U are not making sense on this bro, what has Agbo achieved? that he he kept getting called always. (just wasting space) Nwakali's time is now and not too young to play, he is in a good form now, he dictate from d middle to attack, he is a good finisher, a good passing accuracy, he holds on the ball well just like Odogu Mikel and a nice free kick taker.

Lol elyte89 mibros did u see ur man striking for us yesterday. He couldn't even manage a single shot on goal, not even an off target shot

Musa the headless chicken was a minus one

somehow:
Another assumption, if common Serbia could beat us 2:0, what makes you think Spain wouldn't have done a 10:0 to that yesterday's squad?

Serbia is not common and football is not logic

safarigirl:
Onyekuru is not a Top 9, this has been extensively discussed on this thread already. Playing him there will have similar effects to playing Iheanacho there

Which Ighalo should they try again? Has he not been over tried in that position?

Martins? So that he will waste our time the way Joel wasted our time, abi?

This is the problem, some folks think we still have the time to try new players. If anyone observes, rohr keeps using the core of his team for the friendlies with just one or two new injections. The man Sef no get time for too much experiment. The world cup is here already

komekn:


One game doesn't make a player give him time.

When the world cup has almost started ba

Goke7:


We went beyond the group stage, the last was in 98 with the olisehs and okochas. Martins and co could not get us beyond group stage

Group stage is your definition of performance?

Mikel Obi failed to qualify us one 3 occasions but later came back to redeem himself with a AFCON trophy and later took us to the so called second round. Why? Because he was still given the chance to prove himself. Chikena

somehow:
Reason why i am wondering the rationale to his invitation. our problem is not DM, it has always been AM, so why did he invite him?

Because as a CM, he is better on the ball than Onazi. That is the truth. He had a bad game. Just like Nacho, Shehu, etc did.
If Rohr doesn't invite him again, that's cool. But using these 2 games to say Onazi is better is just funny.