OMANBALA1:


Joel is out of form as he is just coming back from an injury set back. I told you guys no sane coach will drop Joel Obi. He plays in a top league and has been doing it for many years. Give him time, he will come around.

TheSuperNerd:
The People’s MOTM, this 22 year-old Gunner is One to Get Fully Behind
(written on June 3rd)





It is fair to say that Alex Iwobi has his critics among the Arsenal faithful. He was only six weeks old when England beat the mighty Oranje in 1996 (4-1) and that tells you how young he still is. Yet there really are already more than a handful of Gunners who want him sold! They have seen enough, they tell me. Everybody is entitled to have an opinion, of course, but come on: give the boy a chance!!


https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44343704


Yesterday, Alex was voted Player of the Match by the fans, and quite rightly so (see link above).

The Super Eagles were played off the pitch by the Three Lions in the first half, but Alex was the only one who dealt well with the impressive press that was applied by the home team. He constantly held on to the ball and made space for himself without it and with it. He then found a fellow player in enough space to pass the ball to regularly, and thus start an attack from beating the press. I was less impressed by Iwobi’s fellow midfielders who often lost the ball when the slightest bit of pressure was applied to them, which then left the defenders exposed time and again.

England scored twice and should have scored more goals as they outclassed Nigeria completely during the first half.
However, Gernot Rohr did a fab job in making tactical changes – three at the back and four substitutions – and getting his team re-focused for the second half, whilst England’s boys clearly felt they had done enough in the first half and/or were unable to respond adequately to Nigeria’s changes.
The Super Eagles scored within two minutes and then their wing-tales were up, the away crowd were behind them even more and the midfield was dominated by the visitors till the end of the game. It was Iwobi who set up the deadly attack with a fine ball to Ighalo from the centre of midfield; the former Watford striker hit the post with his precise diagonal strike and he was unlucky not to score; but the ball bounced back towards the ‘D-area’ and there was Alex to calmly steer it past defenders and keeper to score a fine, Ramseyesque goal.

Alex kept making himself available and linked up the midfield with attack constantly. At the end he tired and he may have picked up a small injury, but Rohr was not going to sub his best player – one of only five players who played the whole game.

With 1.4 key passes per game, 5 assists and three goals in
26 PL games last season, our 22 year young brightest attacking star from our youth ranks is one to get fully behind and believe in. And I cannot wait to see more of him at the Oranje-deprived WC in a couple of weeks time.


**By TotalArsenal.


Source: https://bergkampesque.com/2018/06/03/the-peoples-motm-this-22-year-old-gunner-is-one-to-get-fully-behind/




For the most parts we owned that second half. Many agree with this. Let us not be conservative with the truth. We know we must improve but the truth remains that we indeed owned England in that second half. Enough of the overly conservative talk. We dominated the midfield in that second half for the most parts from beginning to end and the ref even ended the game when we were on the attack with seconds on the clock left before 94 mins. EOD. And Iwobi was definitely our star man at Wembley. Our no.1 top performer on the overall.

OMANBALA1:


Listen very well mister, Onazi's form is in the downward trend not stagnant or fluctuate, he has consistently failed. Forget few flashes of brilliance you see like the cross against Cameroon that led to the goal Kelechi scored. His time is up but Rohr was never gonna drop him due to his status in the team

safarigirl:
abeg shift!

Look at how you have been dragging Onazi everywhere on this thread, only to make excuses for Joel as if they were not dragging worst performer medal.

No sane coach too will drop Onazi, forget that he is currently out of form. You cannot be making excuses for Blind Bat Joel, only to be insulting Fat Boy Onazi.

Joel has been trash since March, but he is recovering from injury abi? If you like insult Onazi again, Joel is rubbish, thank God Ndidi is back, Joel can go and dust the bench.

nelszx:

You see the kind mentality our DM get?
You need not run around just cover your ground not run around and leave spaces for opponents to punish. When Ogu was introduced, was he running around like Onazi? That's the hallmark of a DM (positional play).

asha80:
is he firing shots at mikel? Hope no crises in camp oo

ChrisKels:
I dont care how you lot see this but Rohr's over conservatism and rigidness might cost us a fortune at the long run.

No matter how u guys paint it, he goofed with the judgement of Aina's position in the team. Why not give the boy as much chances in the RB which is his main position, he instead preferred a make shift in Shehu.

Aina should have been giving as much opportunity to see if he could replicate his Hull showings on the RB position, he should have been the one fighting it out with Ebuehi while Shehu fights for his place in the midfield with Agu, Agbo, Onazi and Joel.

If Ebuehi and Shehu had played on the left side, would they have done better than Aina did? If Rohr was honest with his judgement and wants to accommodate Shehu, the either of Onazi and Joel would have joined Agu so that Shehu shifts to the middle while Aina slogs it out with Ebuehi.

As bad as Joel and Onazi are they are headed for Russia ahead of Aina, Agbo, Azu and Esiti yet someone wanna make me believe Rohr is an honest man? Smh

I'm not pro innit boys but Aina was treated unfairly

MetalJigsaw:
Germany Drop Sane, Name Ozil, Rudiger, Neuer, Kroos In World Cup Squad
June 4, 2018 11:53 am

World Cup champions Germany have released their 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia with Manchester City winger, Leroy Sane, the biggest omission.

Sane, 22, played a key role for Manchester City who won the English Premier League title and Carabao Cup.
He scored 14 goals and made 17 goals in al competitions for the Citizens.
He will, however, play no part for his country in Russia this summer after being cut from coach Joachim Low’s 27-man preliminary party.

Sane has failed to translate his club form to the national team, scoring no goal and getting only one assist in 12 appearances.
The three other players dropped are; Bernd Leno, Nils Petersen and Jonathan.
Sane Manchester City teammate, Ilkay Gundogan was however included in the team as well as regulars like Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos, Sami Khedira and Jerome Boateng

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer gets the nod despite his recent injury struggles, while Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus will get the chance to put his previous fitness issues behind him – with the 29-year-old having missed out on a successful World Cup campaign in 2014.
Germany are set to open their 2018 campaign against Mexico on June 17, before going on to face Sweden and South Korea in their other Group F fixtures.

THE FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (PSG)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Mats Hummels (Bayern Munich), Niklas Sule (Bayern Munich), Antonio Rudiger (Chelsea), Matthias Ginter (Borussia Monchengladbach), Jonas Hector (Koln), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Marvin Plattenhardt (Hertha Berlin)

Midfielders: Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City), Leon Goretzka (Schalke), Sebastian Rudy (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Julian Brandt (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (PSG), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)

Forwards: Mario Gomez (Stuttgart), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig)



https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/germany-drop-sane-name-ozil-rudiger-neuer-kroos-in-world-cup-squad/

EEGA:
Ndidi-Ogu is the best because we have never lost a match with the combo.

I'll like to see Ndidi-Etebo combo against Czech.

mazimee:


We have seen Ndidi & Ogu pairing. It was far better than Onazi & Ndidi pairing.

Martz101:


if na naija we will hear NFA and Rohr were biased

MetalJigsaw:
Benteke Dropped, Kompany, Januzaj Included As Belgium Name World Cup Squad
June 4, 2018 10:54 am

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke has been dropped from Belgium’s 23-man squad released on Monday ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Benteke’s omission was reportedly due to injury. Romelu Lukaku’s younger brother Jordan was also excluded, along with Watford’s Christian Kabasele.

However, Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany was included in the squad despite going off with a suspected injury in Belgium’s friendly against Portugal a few days back.

Former Manchester United youngster Adnan Januzaj, who missed out on a place at Euro 2016 after a difficult season, is back in the squad and will play in his second World Cup.

Meanwhile, notable names like Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen, Dries Merten, Moussa Dembele and Maroune Fellaini made the final squad.
Belgium are in Group G at this summer’s World Cup and will face England, Tunisia and debutant Panama.

Belgium’s 23-man World Cup squad:
Toby Alderweireld
Michy Batshuayi
Dedryck Boyata
Yannick Carrasco
Koen Casteels
Nacer Chadli
Thibaut Courtois
Leander Dendoncker
Kevin De Bruyne
Mousa Dembele
Marouane Fellaini
Eden Hazard
Thorgan Hazard
Adnan Januzaj
Vincent Kompany
Romelu Lukaku
Dries Mertens
Thomas Meunier
Simon Mignolet
Youri Tielemans
Thomas Vermaelen
Jan Vertonghen
Axel Witsel


https://www.completesportsnigeria.com/benteke-dropped-kompany-januzaj-included-as-belgium-name-world-cup-squad/

Martz101:


carassco and witsel made the team despite playing for China, every coach have his criteria for inviting players

OMANBALA1:
Nerdie, you actually believe Onazi is 25yrs

BascoVanVeli:
Rangers are close to completing a season-long loan deal for Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria. (Source: SkySports)

BascoVanVeli:
Rangers are close to completing a season-long loan deal for Liverpool midfielder Ovie Ejaria. (Source: SkySports)

elyte89:




Onazi is nothing less Dan 34/35years so certain


U c,I don't knw y we like to sugarcoat d truth on dis thread,when we c glaring truth


When I worked at airport in 2015,precisely MM1, in Ikeja,I do c onazi younger brother whenever he wants to travel and we do rapport very well...looking at his brother face alone,u will knw dis guy can't b less Dan 28years,back den in 2015..onazi don old o

Even DT Joel can't b less Dan 35years

Toylove:
I just dey reason am for my head say na Nigeria sane dey play for, Rohr come drop am, this thread will not contain all of us. As one person dey shoout tribal b.s na so another go dey talk say Rohr is corrupt. Another person go talk the NFF is so corrupt they influenced Rohr......#just thinking out loud

Martz101:


Bros you can't judge people age by just looking at there face

asha80:
:oenugu rangers?

charlesemeka85:
Permutation: Nigeria's Likeliest Starters At The 2018 World Cup
Published: June 04, 2018
Permutation: Nigeria's Likeliest Starters At The 2018 World Cup After the rough-and-tumble cracker at Wembley on Saturday evening which threw up bitter-sweet feelings amongst the Nigerian folks, Super Eagles gaffer, Gernot Rohr acted quickly, having seen enough of every of his wards, to name his final list for the World Cup

While Alex Iwobi's performance, Tyronne Ebuehi's showing and a host of others showed succinctly that Rohr still has quality in his ranks, the less said about the dismal displays from a couple of their peers, the better.

With another tune-up game versus Czech Republic still to take in and with Nigeria's squad now fully known, much attentions will now turn to the Super Eagles World Cup opener against Croatia on 16 (12 days from now) bearing in mind that such a game could go a long way to define how well Nigeria fare at the tournament this year.

Judging by what we saw in London this past weekend, we will try to pick out those who might have earned or nailed down a starting berth for themselves with their performances against such top quality opposition like The Three Lions.

Francis Uzoho seems to have been installed as the team's first choice goalkeeper having been picked for the last four games, with Daniel Akpeyi and Ikechukwu Ezenwa firmly behind him in the pecking order.

The team's central defensive pairing of Leon Balogun and William Troost-Ekong has yet to do anything that could raise eyebrows but who flanks them has been another story altogether.

Tyronne Ebuehi made a huge shout for a first team shirt at the expense of Shehu Abdullahi and Rohr still has one more game to observe them in close quarters before making up his mind.

As for Brian Idowu who didn't look entirely convincing yesterday, Elderson Echiejile who is the established starter at left-back for the team continue to wait in the wings.

It would not be a surprise if the team's vice captain, Ogenyi Onazi drops to the bench following his slap-stick showing versus England, a misdemeanor which show calls for his head are understandable.

At this point, John Ogu or Oghenekaro Etebo seem even more preferable options.

For all the hype, Joel Obi has suddenly become even more undesirable after earning four consecutive run-outs and of course, would not lay a glove on Wilfred Ndidi if the Leicester City youngster gets back to full fitness just before the Croatia game comes around.

Team's skipper, Mikel Obi was the only midfielder in this 23-man squad who came out of yesterday's first half with head held high and is always likely to be selected to try and pick out the attackers.

From there on, the rest of the team largely picks itself — the duo of Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi to run the channels which they did fairly well yesterday. Odion Ighalo is charged with leading the lines.

Super Eagles likely starting XI from England showing :

Francis Uzoho, Leon Balogun, William Troost-Ekong, Tyronne Ebuehi, Brian Idowu, John Ogu, Mikel Obi, Victor Moses, Alex Iwobi, Odion Ighalo

Martz101:


carassco and witsel made the team despite playing for China, every coach have his criteria for inviting players

Joebie:
Yes but we seldom threatened still. Did Pickford ever pull a nice save all match long?

Modified
We make it seem like we did to them what they did to us in the first half -- remove goals.. that's what I find appalling. The second half was for the most part even.

Goke7:


@the bolded, which we are not seeing enough from the almighty victor moses, someone need to talk sense into that guy's skull

elyte89:




Onazi is nothing less Dan 34/35years so certain


U c,I don't knw y we like to sugarcoat d truth on dis thread,when we c glaring truth


When I worked at airport in 2015,precisely MM1, in Ikeja,I do c onazi younger brother whenever he wants to travel and we do rapport very well...looking at his brother face alone,u will knw dis guy can't b less Dan 28years,back den in 2015..onazi don old o

Even DT Joel can't b less Dan 35years

Martz101:

how many matches have Ndidi partner ogu ??
keyboard coach

Icon4s:


Yes,we were not significantly better but we looked like the team that could get the next goal.

elyte89:



Chairman,if I c my age ,I go knw,me and onazi younger brother be age mate

OMANBALA1:


That is because he has lost form ,SIGNIFICANTLY! I was one of those that saw the guy's diminishing form very early but according to Sir. Icons4 experience is everything even if the player can barely complete a simple pass. Breeze don blow fowl yansh don open.

Onazi has been trash for a very long time but that leadership position he has kept him in the team. It will even be suicidal to give him another chance because his confidence is currently in the gutter

Oasis007:
Super Eagles should be reset after the World Cup. In the GK Department, Dele Ajiboye should replace Daniel Akpeyi in the Team immediately after the Mundial.

I hope to see Tyrone and Musa Muhammad jostling for the RB, while Shehu is moved to his preferred Position - DM. Echiejile should be retired to pave way for Aina and Idowu vying for the LB Position.

In the Midfield, Onazi and Ogu should be replaced with Nwakali Brothers, Ajagun should be invited also to fight for a Spot in the Team. Finally Iwobi should be classed and played as an AM for the Team.

Upfront....... Kayode should be brought back to replace Ighalo in the Squad. Simmy should be retained.