Mickael2:


so you have never seen Iniesta in the defensive 3rd before? Is he a box to box or an Amf?

See, there is this classico, in Luis Enrique's first classico, Iniesta was the second to the last man, he lost possession there and they conceded, that does not mean that he was a box to box but he was the person defending then. This is football for God's sake not basketball, rigidity isn't another name for football. Just because you saw Mikel in our defensive third does not mean he wasn't playing as an AMF, he is the captain and he felt that we were under undue pressure and that was why he came back to offer support. Good captains do that a lot, some who are even strikers might be seen in such positions trying to offer guidiance and motivation, that's not rocket science but how can you even argue that Mikel was a box to box? Ok so your point now is that we were not playing with an AMF? then what's the point of playing a 4-2-3-1? Haba, the formation should have already told you what we are doing na. Go and watch that Germany vs Brazil match again, even Ozil was found in defensive 3rd sometimes, that's the meaning of GERMAN TOTAL FOOTBALL, and we have a german coach too. Onazi was the sitting DMF, except if you know better than Mikel who once said that Luiz was told to sit while he could roam forward.

safarigirl:
...wait, but even at UAE, he scored close range goals more than spectacular 20-yard goals.


Anyway, every player has a 'turn' with Nigerian fans where they question their talent and relevance to the team. This game means it’s Kelechi's turn, so knock yourselves out.

By the next game, una go forget

TheSuperNerd:
Nacho the super hybrid forward (a no.10 with the instincts of a no.9... A no.10/9 hybrid.... An AMF/SS/ST super combo)..... Hehehehe...


This is the only thing I know that is cooking for Our boy as 9..... He will only get deadlier in his other abilities a the super hybrid that he is...


The bolded is tantalising and makes me water........... False 9/Raumdeuter extraordinaire/10-9-8 hybrid...

Hehehehehe..... Makes me smile....

[img]http://media./media/o6x9tX1Csr7gs/giphy-facebook_s.jpg[/img]

TheSuperNerd:
I agree. The Defence did great except for Omeruo who was skinned a couple of times by Brahimi. Omeruo just did his best but he wasnt great.

The DMF didnt help matters much hence the pressure on the defence for some good periods of the second half.

I just say make I manage the write-up as even Goal's ratings of our players was really somewhat.

joseph1013:


The tone of this article shows the hand of Solace Chukwu. As much as I like him, he is like goodjoe, when he likes a player he likes him, when he doesn't, he doesn't. He doesn't like Ekong and he is always criticizing him unfairly. Someone who thinks Ekong's performance in the olympics was a fluke. For the life of me, that defence was solid and if not for the lapses in DMF, Algeria would not have scored. The chances Algeria had were from the lapses in the DMF.

I say that this nairaland thread is perhaps the best source of information about the Super Eagles on the net.

BascoVanVeli:


2017 Will be the year of WHAT IF? For Nigeria. What if we were in Afcon? What if we were in ywc? Fact is we could have done a double and won both. Chai na U20 no wan let me sleep well.

TheGoodJoe:


Haba. I made my dislike for Echiejile's style of play public but I was quick to acknowledge his quality performance against Algeria.

I insist you retract your statement before I order Yara Yara to sue you for damages.

Sorry, retracted!

BascoVanVeli:


No i raised exception to some of the comments made and i was giving u my take on things. U should know i don't bash people for not liking a player, i have a pretty good track record for tolerance.

safarigirl:
Guys, any thoughts on the BBC APOTY nominees?

Any disappointments? Anyone on that list made you go 'how'? I know there are no Nigerians there, but, what do you guys think of the list?

terzurum5:
[b][size=14pt]
AF Nigeria 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Africa Cameroon
How Algeria will qualify for World Cup at expense of Nigeria - Captain
[/size]
Algeria captain Carl Medjani has said he believes his team could still qualify for the 2018 World Cup at the expense of Nigeria.


The Desert Foxes are one of the leading teams in Africa and were widely tipped to win a “Group of Death”, which also has Cameroon and Zambia.


However, after two rounds of matches, they are bottom of the standings on a point.


“We can still qualify for the World Cup,” declared the 31-year-old Leganes midfielder.


“We need to win our remaining four matches and hope the Super Eagles lose a game before their final match in Algeria.”


Nigeria are runaway leaders of Group B with six points after two rounds of matches.


In August 2017, they will first play host to Cameroon, before they travel for the reverse fixture four days later.


Algeria, on the other hand, are bottom of the standings and they will face Zambia in Ndola in August and welcome the Chipolopolo days later.


In October, Nigeria host Zambia and Algeria will be away in Cameroon, before the qualifying series are rounded up on November 6 with the Eagles away in Algeria and Cameroon out in Zambia.

By Kola Daniel

africanfootball.com/news/663792/How-Algeria-will-qualify-for-World-Cup-at-expense-of-Nigeria-Captain
[/b]

joseph1013:


Sorry, retracted!

tbaba1234:
I think Mikel should be played in Defensive Midfield.

In the game against Zambia, It took the introduction of Esiti to calm thing down. Against Algeria, the midfield collapsed again. Mikel is the most experienced defensive midfielder on the team, I believe that if he plays there alongside Etebo, Ndidi or Onazi, the defense will be better protected.

TheGoodJoe:


Team strategy. That is what matters. If Rohr wanted a mesmerizing performance from Nacho, he could easily ask him to drop deeper. That was not the plan. The plan was to keep the defenders of Algeria engaged and give room to the other players.

It worked. That is what matters. Mesmerizing is easy for Nacho. Done it for too long. Rohr knew what he was doing and it worked well.

As for Nacho, Guardiola is trying to make a Messi out of him. Give him time. We will prefer a false 9 scoring loads of goals than a trick pony receiving verbal accolades.

Jefersoun:
Don't get me wrong, i said it earlier on, that the plan of the coach was successful. Iheanacho was able to drag some algerian players to him, there by giving other of his team mate the room to do the damage. But such performances cannot win him accolades. Therefore going forward, if we are to keep using him as a false 9, he has to be more physical an imposing on his opponent. I concluded by saying, the style his team adopts can also limit how much he gets the ball.

TheSuperNerd:
Thank you for that top post Sir Tbaba1234....

I wanted to post but you beat me to it... Loolll

Interesting revelation indeed.... Just what Sir TheGoodJoe and I stated in our talks on Nacho's performance.

Your post puts it so explicitly...

TheSuperNerd:
Now that you mention it.... Yaya Toure on that list is a scam!!!

Cc TheGoodJoe

Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong

tbaba1234:


The point is simple. I am not against Onazi. He misplaced a pass that led to the goal conceded and faded in the second half. I did not say bench Onazi or replace him. I gave an assessment of his performance. I have defended him on this page, when he was bashed.

In the game against Zambia, there were weaknesses at the full back positions and some players were criticized. It is normal. In the game against Algeria, our weakness came from the center which exposed the defense to pressure. Onazi was in my opinion the biggest culprit.

tbaba1234:


I still feel that he was ineffective on the ball. Off the ball, he was good.

BascoVanVeli:

Ur opinion differs from wat i saw.
Was it Onazi who told the defender not to rush out? Like i said before i disagree with u but there is no issue in disagreeing. To me his passing was class. For the third goal he beat a man and put the ball on Musa's foot, he also started off the one Iheanacho missed. At the end when Iheanacho got roughed up Onazi put his body at risk to get one back. Nigeria can't do without players like Onazi, he gives us toughness. To me he can be our Vidal if we push him up and free him a little, he can destroy, create and score.

TheGoodJoe:


Maybe, popularity list. BBC might have put Yaya Toure's name to attract traffic.

TheGoodJoe:


I say Mikel maintains his role. If people feel Onazi is not good enough for the role, then we play Ndidi. With Etebo working like a monster, we can have a solid midfield set-up.

joseph1013:


If Mikel sits back with Onazi, we can free up space for Iheanacho, Etebo, Aluko, or Iwobi to play AMF. It would be a delight to watch.

optional1:







Dad robosky02 i am so so proud of you dad you always the best when it comes to naija football...


Happy Sunday...

TheGoodJoe:


We can not push Onazi forward to bring in another defensive midfielder. Either he is ready to shield the defence or Rohr will have to pick another four ready to sit and break down the opponents attacking play. With Etebo and Mikel in the squad, there is no room for Onazi to go forward.

BascoVanVeli:

Ur opinion differs from wat i saw.
Was it Onazi who told the defender not to rush out? Like i said before i disagree with u but there is no issue in disagreeing. To me his passing was class. For the third goal he beat a man and put the ball on Musa's foot, he also started off the one Iheanacho missed. At the end when Iheanacho got roughed up Onazi put his body at risk to get one back. Nigeria can't do without players like Onazi, he gives us toughness. To me he can be our Vidal if we push him up and free him a little, he can destroy, create and score.