CFCman:
How will the starting line up below fare against Zambia and Algeria?

-----------------------Ikeme---------------------------

---Shehu------Ekong----Omeruo------Oshaniwa---

----------------R.Lawal--Mikel-------------------

---Victor Moses----Iheanacho-------Iwobi--------

--------------------Ighalo--------------------

Note that Mikel would be a deep-lying playmaker in this system in the mould of Albertini or Xabi Alonso.

Icon4s:


I like your forward line of Ighalo in CF, Iheanacho behind him and Iwobi and Moses at the flanks.

Your defense, why drop Leon Balogun? and why Oshaniwa?

Onazi would be my prefered DMF while Mikel plays the CMF role.

CFCman:


Based on the Olympics and current form, I'd pick Lawal and Azubuike over Onazi. They're that good.

Oshaniwa is slightly better defensively than Echiejile, so he gets the nod.

Leon Balogun could replace Omeruo

Mickael2:


a number 10 is the main tempo. more like Xavi so if you ask me Xavi was more of a cmf than an amf so yes, a number 10 is more of a cmf.

you can try to play football without a 10 which was what we did in Egypt and we failed, so Iwobi was supposed to play as a 10 but that's just not his.natural wing so he drifted into an attacking midfielder predominantly and we lost control.

Iheanacho in that game did not spend up to ten seconds alone with the opposing defenders, Dr bruyne was always open for a pass relieving much pressure off him and giving him time to.drift and either play a through pass or create a scoring opportunity for himself so if we decide to push him up and leave him there like Chelsea used to do to Drogba then we have a problem because he can't handle it. do you now understand my point?

Mickael2:


a number 10 is the main tempo. more like Xavi so if you ask me Xavi was more of a cmf than an amf so yes, a number 10 is more of a cmf.

you can try to play football without a 10 which was what we did in Egypt and we failed, so Iwobi was supposed to play as a 10 but that's just not his.natural wing so he drifted into an attacking midfielder predominantly and we lost control.

Iheanacho in that game did not spend up to ten seconds alone with the opposing defenders, Dr bruyne was always open for a pass relieving much pressure off him and giving him time to.drift and either play a through pass or create a scoring opportunity for himself so if we decide to push him up and leave him there like Chelsea used to do to Drogba then we have a problem because he can't handle it. do you now understand my point?

Icon4s:


Raheem is more of a box to box midfielder and if invited it would be to boost our CMF options.

I would pick Ndidi ahead of Azubuike but Onazi remains my first choice DMF for this campaign. He (Onazi) is a very experienced campaigner on the African soil. He has also been very consistent in his Turkish club this season. He may just be instructed to cut his unnecessary forward over-lapping moves just like in the Tanzania game. He and Mikel have formed a very good partnership for many years now and we need to really exploit that advantage especially in our first two games (vs Zambia and vs Algeria). We have little or no time to experiments various midfield combos before those two games.

No qualms in replacing Omeruo with Balogun on your list. But I want to iterate the fact that Omeruo remains a valuable asset in the thick of that defense. Ekong may be getting more approval ratings from fans compared to Omeruo due to the former's involvement in the last Olympics, but you guys should remember that, Omeruo, prio to the Olympics was preferred ahead of Ekong. Also remember the Olympics is an age grade competition. Omeruo has been to the AFCON and World Cup where he faced some of the best oppositions both in Africa and in the world of which you know how he performed.

I still don't think Ekong is better than Omeruo. If Omeruo was also in the Olympics he too could have performed creditably well.

And when was the last time you watched Oshaninwa play?

TheGoodJoe:


As for Oshaniwa, I hope Rohr invites him to camp and check him. If he is good, he prepares him to the that role. If he is not up to the task then we drop. I am against us dropping him like that.

As for Omeruo vs Ekong, it comes to a preference of style. When it comes to playing a high line and ball playing, Ekong trumps over Omeruo. Ekong on the high line is so comfortable there. He looks a better passer than Omeruo and can make those, Bonucci/Kompany busting runs when there is a gap.


When it comes to staying deep, marking and clearing the ball, Omeruo is better.

Rohr's defence looks a very high line and ball playing defenders .

Icon4s:


Raheem is more of a box to box midfielder and if invited it would be to boost our CMF options.

I would pick Ndidi ahead of Azubuike but Onazi remains my first choice DMF for this campaign. He (Onazi) is a very experienced campaigner on the African soil. He has also been very consistent in his Turkish club this season. He may just be instructed to cut his unnecessary forward over-lapping moves just like in the Tanzania game. He and Mikel have formed a very good partnership for many years now and we need to really exploit that advantage especially in our first two games (vs Zambia and vs Algeria). We have little or no time to experiment various midfield combos before those two games.

No qualms in replacing Omeruo with Balogun on your list. But I want to iterate the fact that Omeruo remains a valuable asset in the thick of that defense. Ekong may be getting more approval ratings from fans compared to Omeruo due to the former's involvement in the last Olympics, but you guys should remember that, Omeruo, prio to the Olympics was preferred ahead of Ekong. Also remember the Olympics is an age grade competition. Omeruo has been to the AFCON and World Cup where he faced some of the best oppositions both in Africa and in the world of which you know how he performed.

I still don't think Ekong is better than Omeruo. If Omeruo was also in the Olympics he too could have performed creditably well.

And when was the last time you watched Oshaninwa play?

Icon4s:


You only saw the bolded due to his participation in the Olympics. Did you observe those when he played under Keshi or Oliseh? The nature of the opposition you face at the Olympics is not as tough as what you face at the senior team level. As I said earlier Omeruo also could have performed excellently well at the Olympics.

It also depends on the role the coach wanted each defender to play.

The last bolded was because we played a team like Tanzania who defended almost all through the game.

Icon4s:


You only saw the bolded due to his participation in the Olympics. Did you observe those when he played under Keshi or Oliseh? The nature of the opposition you face at the Olympics is not as tough as what you face at the senior team level. As I said earlier Omeruo also could have performed excellently well at the Olympics.

It also depends on the role the coach wanted each defender to play.

The last bolded was because we played a team like Tanzania who defended almost all through the game.

Icon4s:


No qualms in replacing Omeruo with Balogun on your list. But I want to iterate the fact that Omeruo remains a valuable asset in the thick of that defense. Ekong may be getting more approval ratings from fans compared to Omeruo due to the former's involvement in the last Olympics, but you guys should remember that, Omeruo, prio to the Olympics was preferred ahead of Ekong. Also remember the Olympics is an age grade competition. Omeruo has been to the AFCON and World Cup where he faced some of the best oppositions both in Africa and in the world of which you know how he performed.

I still don't think Ekong is better than Omeruo. If Omeruo was also in the Olympics he too could have performed creditably well.

zoboizee:
I must confess only two box to box or defensive midfielder have impressed me so much playing for Nigeria. Raheem Lawal & Azubuike Okechukwu. For their tenacity, skill & football sense. Its obvious he has issue with someone in the federation or some journalists. They always slain him. And never judged for football reasons.

PS:
I hope one day our journalists will not say Adeoti- Caen, babatounde, imoru and other beninoise footballers like jonathan ligali are also Nigerians to be called.

Icon4s:


see, I am indiffent about whether Raheem Lawal is invited or not. You can go all the way to dig up statistics or reasons why he should be included. That publication is just the author's opinion


I had to single out Azubuike bc he is the youngest on that list and just starting a career. He is just 19yrs old.

It is just like you including Taiwo Awoniyi, and Kelechi Nwakali on that list bc dey play for second division teams.

Remember I said "he may be out for now but not for long".

TheGoodJoe:


Just like we are seeing Ighalo at Watford. We need our forward players to show invention and not waiting for pass.

That is where Nacho does well. Same with Aguero, Tevez and Suarez.

Any up front that stays there is easily marked.

The long story ends with can Iheanacho play upfront? Yes he can. He shows this when he plays there for City.

TheGoodJoe:


From the Olympics to the Tanzanian game, it was easy to see that Ekong is a good ball player. I have not seen Omeruo express himself on the ball the way Ekong did or pass the ball like Ekong.

Even under Keshi, I never saw Omeruo as a defender who loves to hold the ball instead of clearing out from the back.

Mickael2:


correct me if an wrong but isn't Leon a ball playing CB too? having two ball playing CBs in the same team isn't always good because they two if them will want to hold the ball for longer in defence. so my simple point is that since Leon can play as a RB let him move there, he is tall and fast, reminds me of Smalling when he was still a full back

tbaba1234:


Onazi, Ndidi, Mikel are better than Azubuike.

Raheem Lawal can be invited.

Mickael2:


You are the boss, you have the perfect formation in mind, although Mikel in that position.....don't you think Etebo could be better? I mean Etebo paired with Sadiq yet he scored goals and Sadiq is well Sadiq, so with Nacho more goals will be guaranteed. so I might be thinking about bringing in Etebo and taking Mikel back the the dmf role or he can just be the actual10, that's the borderline between the dmf and the amf. apart from that your formation is great considering the resources we have

CFCman:
How will the starting line up below fare against Zambia and Algeria?

-----------------------Ikeme---------------------------

---Shehu------Ekong----Omeruo------Oshaniwa---

----------------R.Lawal--Mikel-------------------

---Victor Moses----Iheanacho-------Iwobi--------

--------------------Ighalo--------------------

Note that Mikel would be a deep-lying playmaker in this system in the mould of Albertini or Xabi Alonso.

Icon4s:


Raheem is more of a box to box midfielder and if invited it would be to boost our CMF options.

I would pick Ndidi ahead of Azubuike but Onazi remains my first choice DMF for this campaign. He (Onazi) is a very experienced campaigner on the African soil. He has also been very consistent in his Turkish club this season. He may just be instructed to cut his unnecessary forward over-lapping moves just like in the Tanzania game. He and Mikel have formed a very good partnership for many years now and we need to really exploit that advantage especially in our first two games (vs Zambia and vs Algeria). We have little or no time to experiment various midfield combos before those two games.

No qualms in replacing Omeruo with Balogun on your list. But I want to iterate the fact that Omeruo remains a valuable asset in the thick of that defense. Ekong may be getting more approval ratings from fans compared to Omeruo due to the former's involvement in the last Olympics, but you guys should remember that, Omeruo, prio to the Olympics was preferred ahead of Ekong. Also remember the Olympics is an age grade competition. Omeruo has been to the AFCON and World Cup where he faced some of the best oppositions both in Africa and in the world of which you know how he performed.

I still don't think Ekong is better than Omeruo. If Omeruo was also in the Olympics he too could have performed creditably well.

And when was the last time you watched Oshaninwa play?

CFCman:


Based on the Olympics and current form, I'd pick Lawal and Azubuike over Onazi. They're that good.

Oshaniwa is slightly better defensively than Echiejile, so he gets the nod.

Leon Balogun could replace Omeruo

forgiveness:


No wahala but age doesn't count in Football. What counts is your ability and your current form. As at now Raheem Lawal is currently in form than most of the players in the National team. Why deny him of his right to play for national team ahead of the inform players.


Even his Turkish club is doing better than Onazi's club.

andrew444:


juwon oshaniwa that does not make the starting line up for hearts of scotland?you want him to make the nigeria team,what do you take the super eagles team for?

chrisooblog:
i'm not comfortable with us dropping balogun for omeruo or shifting him to the RB position. at this moment leon is our most inform defender let's make good use him now in his natural position.

omeruo for some reason hasn't been at his best these past years but he would still edge it for me to partner balogun in center of defence due to his experience however ekong has shown enough IMO that he would be better than omeruo in the long run.

TheGoodJoe:


I agree with the bolded. Against an attacking side that causes us problems, the coach might want a strong defender to marshall the defence.

However, I think Rohr is a high line defending coach and I see Balogun and Ekong staying there. The next match will tell.

Icon4s:


I never said that.

chrisooblog:
ok apologies if i misunderstood you. although you did suggest that balogun should be shifted to RB as an emergency alternative for musa mohammed which i don't agree with. shehu or even onazi can play that role. Balogun is our best CB for now let him continue and build himself in that position.

Icon4s:


Raheem is more of a box to box midfielder and if invited it would be to boost our CMF options.

I would pick Ndidi ahead of Azubuike but Onazi remains my first choice DMF for this campaign. He (Onazi) is a very experienced campaigner on the African soil. He has also been very consistent in his Turkish club this season. He may just be instructed to cut his unnecessary forward over-lapping moves just like in the Tanzania game. He and Mikel have formed a very good partnership for many years now and we need to really exploit that advantage especially in our first two games (vs Zambia and vs Algeria). We have little or no time to experiment various midfield combos before those two games.

No qualms in replacing Omeruo with Balogun on your list. But I want to iterate the fact that Omeruo remains a valuable asset in the thick of that defense. Ekong may be getting more approval ratings from fans compared to Omeruo due to the former's involvement in the last Olympics, but you guys should remember that, Omeruo, prio to the Olympics was preferred ahead of Ekong. Also remember the Olympics is an age grade competition. Omeruo has been to the AFCON and World Cup where he faced some of the best oppositions both in Africa and in the world of which you know how he performed.

I still don't think Ekong is better than Omeruo. If Omeruo was also in the Olympics he too could have performed creditably well.

And when was the last time you watched Oshaninwa play?

CFCman:

Admittedly, I based his inclusion on his WC performances lol.

As you were saying earlier, Onazi would have to be disciplined in his DM role, because the team has 4 deadly forwards who can wreak havoc on any defense line.

Mikel could most likely be deployed as a deep-lying playmaker to help keep the midfield compact. The big reason why the Dream Team lost to the Germans was Siasia's refusal to drop Mikel from the AM position to the playmaker role. As a result, the Germans overran the midfield, exposing the defense to wave after wave of attacks.

Icon4s:


Asides the Tanzania game which other games have you seen Rohr's teams play?

forgiveness:



First of all, we need to find out if what is written here emanated from Rorh or na de author opinion.


As we can see, it is glaring that this author mischievously wrote this em em..... to show his biased mind towards some players here.

I agree that Efe is warning the bench, Nnamdi Oduamadi, Azubuike Egwuekwe and Paul Inobi are in obscure league, Igbonu has many to contend with in the wing, Azubuike Okechukwu is in a second division of Turkey, Aaron Samuel is in chinko land and Daniel Akpeyi do himself away from the team.

But why em con take style style put Raheem Lawal for list? He said he has no future with the National team because of many options available in the National team and he stands no chance. Chisos!

His he for real? Seriously, who are those plethora of options ba?

Unfortunately, he refused to mention one but decided to style style pull him down.

Raheem Lawal is a box to box midfielder, AM, DM and CM, so who do we have in the mold of Raheem Lawal dat e doesn't stand a chance?

I no sa dat Joel Obi name na decoy. He no mean am. Na joke em dey joke