lexyman:



offensively , he will hold on to the ball wait for Mikel to run to him give the pass to Mikel and run back to his position ... played like an old school wing back ....(definitely he is one ) i noticed this on 3 different occasions

Yup.
His back pass are way too much too.
You are a goal down, and giving backward passes at the back.
I was really wearied of the string of back passes between the midfield and the defence yesterday.
C'mon that's where we need Ebuehi,Moses need not track back much if Ebuehi is there.
When you attack opponent tend to defend.

Hope am not the only one that always love to see Mexico and portugal play Both team can shake table less i forget Nigeria my country

SoarEagles

TheSuperNerd:
Sadly and unfortunately, thanks to a heavy dose of conservatism, Shehu is Rohr's first choice RB. And I can only keep supporting the team whether it is Shehu or Ebuehi picked at RB.

But that's synonymous to saying he is tactically handicapped or not reading the game well.
We don't need mediocrity at this stage!
I hope our Midfield-Attack is Fixed too.
Iwobi should be our playmaker at AMF.

Mickael2:



wait oh, so Ighalo was supposed to press the entire back four alone? So Mikel does not have to press even though he is the second most advanced player as per Messi or something? I think it was in the beginning of the second half when we actually created a chance for Ighalo did you not see his brilliant movement to get onto the wrong side of his marker? if not for that brilliant block he would have scored. There was a time Ighalo had the ball on the byline but Iwobi was too slow to get into the box, that summed up what was happening. Ighalo played upfront alone because Moses was busy showing off his skills in a wide area

Please please please TELL THEM OH

Pressing is a team effort not an individual one.

Time to watch very organized Teams. Time to appreciate the works of a real German who deeply and professionally understands the Game.

TheGoodJoe:


Mikel must not find Nacho. What matters is the playing in a deadlier fashion. With Nacho's movement, the team played better. Not Mikel finding Nacho. Think of the overall game play and not one person finding a player. Also keep in mind Nacho did not stay long upfront for Mikel to utilize. However, Nacho's movement showed how deadly we can be with the right movement upfront.

Sir Joe, I think what everyone here is trying to do is turn a blind eye to the fact that those defence splitting passes are usually preceeded by that sweet movement.

TheGoodJoe:


Why I prefer Mikel in the Middle is because of his ability to dictate play and read the play of the opposition. However, it will mean Ndidi doing a mountain work of covering much distance on the field to nullify threats.

The Etebo - Ndidi - Mikel combo still looks conservative to me. Iwobi is also hardworking too, so I will still opt Ndidi - Mikel - Iwobi. But it has to be a 3-5-2 offensive set-up because we need the width to come from Idowu.

Either way, the set-up yesterday with Ebuehi and Iheanacho replacing Shehu and Ighalo would have offered more than what we had yesterday.

We need Nacho pressing to disorganize the defensive build-up plays of the opposition, especially against the Argentines who like to Build from the back and also Ebuehi bombarding forward to keep the opposition cautious from their left flank.

Now you are going over the top, yoi actually think one man can press a whole team.

KC is very limited as a lone striker will be ineffective particularly against a very physical side. KC will not do better than Ighalo

BascoVanVeli:


At 2-0 Croatia knows the game is over. Even England knew that by half time. All they have to do from that point is contain.

Seriously? A game is 90 minutes.

maputohq:

Sir Joe, I think what everyone here is trying to do is turn a blind eye to the fact that those defence splitting passes are usually preceeded by that sweet movement.

I didn't follow the trend, but with this,are you saying no improvement can be done to this team?
Same tactics next game?
Same style?

TheGoodJoe:


Why I prefer Mikel in the Middle is because of his ability to dictate play and read the play of the opposition. However, it will mean Ndidi doing a mountain work of covering much distance on the field to nullify threats.

The Etebo - Ndidi - Mikel combo still looks conservative to me. Iwobi is also hardworking too, so I will still opt Ndidi - Mikel - Iwobi. But it has to be a 3-5-2 offensive set-up because we need the width to come from Idowu.

Either way, the set-up yesterday with Ebuehi and Iheanacho replacing Shehu and Ighalo would have offered more than what we had yesterday.

We need Nacho pressing to disorganize the defensive build-up plays of the opposition, especially against the Argentines who like to Build from the back and also Ebuehi bombarding forward to keep the opposition cautious from their left flank.

Well said.

Oasis007:


I advise we lower our Expectation on this Team and hoping for a Miracle to happen against Iceland and Argentina.

There are lots to pick from the first Match;

1 - I want Rohr to be retained not sacked no matter the outcome of our performance in this Competition.

2 - This should Competition should be the last Appearance for Mikel, Akpeyi, Echiejile, Ighalo, Ogu, Shehu, Moses, Idowu, Onazi, Musa, Balogun and perhaps Ezenwa. They should retire from International Football honorably after this World Cup.

3 - Ebuehi and Aina should be our RB and LB respectively, then we can scout for their Backups.

4 - Nwakali Brothers, Tosin should be drafted as Midfielders. Eze, Oyenkuru, are needed as Wingers in the Squad.

5 - in the striking Position, only Kayode I hope he becomes an integral part of the Team.

My Post-World Cup List for the Eagles;

1 - Uzoho
2 - Ebuehi
3 - Aina
4 - Ndidi
5 - Ekong (C)
6 - Omeruo
7 - Moses Simon
8 - Etebo
9 - Kayode
10. Nwakali K.
11. Oyenkuru
12. Adarabioyo
13. Musa Muhammad
14. Iheanacho
15. Awaziem
16. Alampasu
17. Eze
18. Iwobi
19. Ryan Sanusi
20. Nwakali C.
21. Amuzie
22. Kehinde
23. Okoye


Mind you........ this is strictly a Suggestion, pls don't come for my Head, just wanna divert our Attention away from the Loss.

i dont think aina is a good LB or rather we can get better LB.

i dont fancy onyekuru as a winger for nigeria .all this wingers who cannnot cross are the ones who have made our game a one way affair. there's nothing more problematic in football than crosses.

Exactly my good man. Mediocrity it is... And that is what I wanna see booted out in our next game.

As for our midfield... Mikel did his best as AMF and even pressed so high up the final third helping Ighalo in the press. He created a few chances here and there but that is all there was to his game. Mikel was decent and matched Modric for most parts of the game. The battle between both was so fierce.
Ighalo's poor off-the-ball movements also made matters kinda worse upfront when we had the ball. He did make some fine touche and held the ball up well on a few occasions but he flunked with his sad off-the-ball movements. He was no threat up top.


In all, I still want a Mikel stepping back to CM with Iwobi more advanced as AM and Ndidi as DM. Mikel's positional intelligence and discipline gained in his decade of playing DM combined with Ndidi's tactical ruggedness and Iwobi's dare/creativity ahead of both could give us a huge chance going forward. Like I once or twice or even thrice before have said... That combo could be our own Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets.

Mikel as CM playing closer to Ndidi could see him still dictate play from deep. We need to also consider this.

JSMMUYIWA:

But that's synonymous to saying he is tactically handicapped or not reading the game well.
We don't need mediocrity at this stage!
I hope our Midfield-Attack is Fixed too.
Iwobi should be our playmaker at AMF.

una see the way mexico dey rush and swamp germany? this thing is not a matter of quality. its a mind thing.

Mujtahida:

i dont think aina is a good LB or rather we can get better LB.

i dont fancy onyekuru as a winger for nigeria .all this wingers who cannnot cross are the ones who have made our game a one way affair. there's nothing more problematic in football than crosses.

He ain't a natural Winger, rather an inverted Winger with responsibility to cut in and either lay a Pass or Shoot at Goal.

Luckyroro:
Mikel has little or nothing more to offer to the team anymore. The earlier we realize that, the better for our lot. Again, 3 5 2 will save us from further embarrassments in Russia. Ighalo isn't doing the needful, Moses too. Let's see what others can offer, that's why FIFA made the list 23.

Are you serious? Attack wise I agree but not in all ramification. His calming presence is vital bro.

komekn:



Now you are going over the top, yoi actually think one man can press a whole team.

KC is very limited as a lone striker will be ineffective particularly against a very physical side. KC will not do better than Ighalo

.
This is quite reasonable.
It was the formation that was defective.
We have two wingers and An AMF,that should be enough to supply the striker.
But the midfield to Attack is not sharp.
Iwobi would have been more defense splitting in Mikel Position than the wing he is being played.
Then Musa on Iwobi's wing will have led to more connection to the centre forward considering his pace.
Moses was cutting in alone from the wing.
Should Ebuehi overlap to take Moses position, Moses could have join the centre forward.
It's just tactical deficit.
Rohr didn't read the game well and make the needed changes.

BTW;
What formation could have Iheanacho and Ighalo both on the pitch?
Right from England's game,it is obvious we can't play a lone striker,except we have an attack minded RB that allows the winger join the attack and a creative AMF,in person of Iwobi not Mikel.
Though Mikel gave some reasonable passes yesterday though.

tbaba1234:
Ighalo offers nothing.. No aggression, no runs nothing.. It is not a coincidence that he goes on extended barren runs for club and country. If Iheanacho is given as much time as Ighalo, he would do better, I have no doubt. Sadiq Umar as raw as he is, will do better.

Una don start? Fine ighalo played badly,but why calling sadiq umar? You think say world cup na childs play?

What makes you think sadiq umar will do better.

Oga make una wait after the world cup abeg,you dey call sadiq umar,a player who is yet to play 20 club football games in his career.

Make una take una time for this thread,i just dey look all of una yesterday dey laff,i made a post before the match that if we loose we go see different coaches and now you are one of them.

Mexico is a team you would always sweat to beat. If you like be Brazil

Mujtahida:
una see the way mexico dey rush and swamp germany? this thing is not a matter of quality. its a mind thing.

Currently watching Germany vs Mexico..

Africa really has a long way to go in football

See how the Mexicans are playing without fear, and are very coordinated in attack.

TheSuperNerd:
Exactly my good man. Mediocrity it is... And that is what I wanna see booted out in our next game.

As for our midfield... Mikel did his best as AMF and even pressed so high up the final third helping Ighalo in the press. He created a few chances here and there but that is all there was to his game. Mikel was decent and matched Modric for most parts of the game. The battle between both was so fierce.
Ighalo's poor off-the-ball movements also made matters kinda worse upfront when we had the ball. He did make some fine touche and held the ball up well on a few occasions but he flunked with his sad off-the-ball movements. He was no threat up top.


In all, I still want a Mikel stepping back to CM with Iwobi more advanced as AM and Ndidi as DM. Mikel's positional intelligence and discipline gained in his decade of playing DM combined with Ndidi's tactical ruggedness and Iwobi's dare/creativity ahead of both could give us a huge chance going forward. Like I once or twice or even thrice before have said... That combo could be our own Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets.

Mikel as CM playing closer to Ndidi could see him still dictate play from deep. We need to also consider this.

Well said.
Exactly my take.

@Thesupernerd, if Mikel did his best yesternight as Amf, then I can conclude that he is so so average!!!!

And that is to say, Gerrarahere.


The intensity of this world cup, Nigeria are yet to just update to it atall. it's too complex for us. These players don't even look like they've come to a tourney played once every 4years.


If Ghana was against Croats, I'm sure they would run upandan and cause trouble.

I saw the Peru game and those Peruvians were seen gasping Vs Denmark. They were ready to die. Asin die. The psychology of this mundial, our players don't show it. I'm not being judgemental. but till date, Ghana will continue to be a yardstick for us cos not only did they reach the qf, everyone saw that they were ready to defy allllll odds and die. Or is it only our politics thatvid do or die?

A forward with very low goals return will not act uncharacteristically in the World Cup. Club form is good but I would rather look at national team stats when it is most appropriate..

andrew444:


Una don start? Fine ighalo played badly,but why calling sadiq umar? You think say world cup na childs play?

What makes you think sadiq umar will do better.

Oga make una wait after the world cup abeg,you dey call sadiq umar,a player who is yet to play 20 club football games in his career.

Make una take una time for this thread,i just dey look all of una yesterday dey laff,i made a post before the match that if we loose we go see different coaches and now you are one of them.

tbaba1234:
Ighalo offers nothing.. No aggression, no runs nothing.. It is not a coincidence that he goes on extended barren runs for club and country. If Iheanacho is given as much time as Ighalo, he would do better, I have no doubt. Sadiq Umar as raw as he is, will do better.

But his fans will not agree

Oasis007:


He ain't a natural Winger, rather an inverted Winger with responsibility to cut in and either lay a Pass or Shoot at Goal.

all this inverted guys i dont like them. i prefer wingers who can cross abeg. there's an economy about crosses that i like:it saves time, energy, puts the opposition under stress and make them prone to mistakes.

Joebie:
Mexico is a team you would always sweat to beat. If you like be Brazil

are you seeing the wave after wave of attack on germany?Neuer has been solid. mexico gk dey rest.

I love the hindsight.


Nowhere in the stadium could we see a cluster of green white green supporters. why can't we just have this for once.


oh (Scratches head) They have no single connection to the team's fate.

Joebie:
A forward with very low goals return will not act uncharacteristically in the World Cup. Club form is good but I would rather look at national team stats when it is most appropriate..

Fine

But is sadiq umar at the world cup that the guy is mentioning? Nigerians should learn to accept what they have at the moment.

I am not sure the coach has ever dreamt of sadiq umar,but many dreamers here.

If Mikel is to play in a deeper role (close to Ndidi, the DM), then Ndidi should never venture beyond the half-way line, especially against the Argentines.
Mikel’s slack marking and pressing would put a lot of pressure on Ndidi and our backline.

krattoss:
Currently watching Germany vs Mexico..
Africa really has a long way to go in football

Yes, a really long-long Way to go.

Mexico dey play ball abeg

Nerdie @lastParagraph, you know I and I believe Mujtahida have been saying this na

TheSuperNerd:
Exactly my good man. Mediocrity it is... And that is what I wanna see booted out in our next game.

As for our midfield... Mikel did his best as AMF and even pressed so high up the final third helping Ighalo in the press. He created a few chances here and there but that is all there was to his game. Mikel was decent and matched Modric for most parts of the game. The battle between both was so fierce.
Ighalo's poor off-the-ball movements also made matters kinda worse upfront when we had the ball. He did make some fine touche and held the ball up well on a few occasions but he flunked with his sad off-the-ball movements. He was no threat up top.


In all, I still want a Mikel stepping back to CM with Iwobi more advanced as AM and Ndidi as DM. Mikel's positional intelligence and discipline gained in his decade of playing DM combined with Ndidi's tactical ruggedness and Iwobi's dare/creativity ahead of both could give us a huge chance going forward. Like I once or twice or even thrice before have said... That combo could be our own Xavi-Iniesta-Busquets.

Mikel as CM playing closer to Ndidi could see him still dictate play from deep. We need to also consider this.