Icon4s:


Sorry abt the 'e'. Slip of fingers.

I have never expected much from Ighalo.

I have followed him since 2009 when he was with Udinese and also played for the Flying Eagles. He turned out average at the WYC of 2009 much to the disappointment of most enthusiasts then.

He resurfaced again with the dream Team V alongside, Oduamadi, Igiebor,Ujah, Raheem and the likes. Oduamadi, Igiebor and Raheem were the stand out performers from that crop. Ighalo flopped again.

Enroute qualification for the 2011 All Africans where they won the first leg 3-1 in Benin, I met the team at the International wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport where they were to board their flight to Accra. Toyin Ibitoye of Channels TV was with them. Among the very few faces of players i could recognise then were those of Oseni, Lukman and Ighalo. I no sabi all them Oduamadi, Igiebor, Ujah by face then.

I personally walked up to Ighalo. I told him "Ighalo the whole of Nigeria is banking on you o".
All he did was to smile and rubbed his hand on his chest meaning "cool temper". I smiled back and went my own way. We lost that game 2-0! and we crashed out.

His rise in profile was so sudden. From my experience, such players turn out to be a flash in the pan. They usually have abt 2 or at most 3yrs of good games thats all.

Brown ideye is not any better.

For now i dnt really consider Anichebe reasons for which u know already. Except things would have changed by now.

Victor Osimhen, I dnt think he can shoulder the responsibility by 2017. He may not likely be our main striker even at the 2018 WC though he 'may' make the squad. He is just abt to start his professional career in January. Lets see him develop and very importantly lets see if he can transfer his U17 performance to the senior level.
If he develops well I see him more post 2018 WC.
2018 WC is abt 18months away. E no far like that o. He is not yet a professional player.

Kayode is hard working. He has always been like that since his U17 days. Let us see him in a friendly. But as i have earlier said i dnt see him as the heir apparent to that Position.

I would want us to also try Isaac Success as a CF in the march friendly. He is already more deadly than Ighalo at Watford. I see him as a better prospect in the nearest future.

terzurum5:
Simon Zenke scores, restates promotion target in Belgium


Simon Zenke

Ex-Nigeria youth international Simon Zenke has insisted his promotion target with Tubize is still intact after he scored the winner in a 2-1 win over visiting Lommel United.

The former Samsunspor of Turkey striker said his team can still finish top of the table to qualify for the promotion playoffs.


Tubize are fifth on the league table with four points from three games in the second round of the Belgian second-tier league.

"I feel really good to score a goal that gave us victory after I missed our last game, which we lost 3-0 due to illness,” Zenke said.


"I have the game on my mind, it was a game we knew victory will move us closer to the leaders. We had chances to score more, but the victory is what we needed.


“With the way we played Lommel, I am hopeful we will get the promotion."

By Olusola Alao

http://africanfootball.com/news/667526/Simon-Zenke-scores-restates-promotion-target-in-Belgium

TheGoodJoe:


If based on his growth, I believe he will gain more working with the likes of Barcelona. But, he will not get the playing time people crave. That is the point.

This is the time for education. People who want Nacho to leave City want playing time. Some suggested Bournemouth. That is where I have a problem.

Hasn't played a game for us during the last month now. And Aguero hasn't even been at his best. Loan move in January? He needs to get more gametime to develop. He could easily been brought on today with 20-25 minutes to go and the same goes for the match against Palace. He's only played 7 minutes in CL this season (still scored a goal despite that)

Iheanacho is being shafted. Can't even get minutes after Aguero's minor injury, drop in form and overall superb strike/assist rate. Looks like it may well be time to move on. Even Pellegrini seems to have treated the lad better...

Should at least give him some minutes. He's on the bench every game but never gets subbed on. If it wasn't for Agueros suspension he would barely have played this season (PL and CL). Pep needs to find a way to give him playtime.

If we go by stats Iheanacho has 11 goals and 5 assists in 1038 Premier League minutes, which puts him about equal on a GPG ratio, while ahead in terms of assists. Could be at least getting 15-20 minutes. Also its not like he's a pure forward - you can play him on the wings or behind the striker. I'm biased obviously, but there is no good reason to not play him more. We had the same issue with Pellegrini, but at least you could see the progress there - Iheanacho was getting more and more minutes as the season progressed.

Even today - why replace Aguero for Jesus Navas in the 88th minute? Couldn't that have been Iheanacho and lets say the 80th or 85th minute? Especially given Aguero had a minor knock midweek, is injury prone and just played almost three entire games in a week.

From my personal perspective this has been a very dissapointing last month for Iheanacho's progression. Over a month and not a single minute, just permanent bench duty. Even when Aguero has an off game and he's had quite a lot of those lately.

Can only assume Kelechi will drop to 3rd choice once Jesus arrives? Can we seriously hope to maintain happiness in 3 strikers and give them each "enough" minutes when we play a system that has 1 striker?

I must admit I'm worried about losing the lad.

Absolute quality but understandably he's not getting the game time currently. Next summer will be interesting for him if Jesus comes in and gets more minutes from the off.

No, I wouldn't drop Aguero for him. I would however rest Aguero now and again or at minimum give him 15-20 minutes to come on and make a difference. Great Aguero scored two today, but having not known this it would have seemed a great idea to give Aguero a rest after two games straight in a week, a minor knock and have Iheanacho start today. Most of you guys are voicing the same about Iheanacho.

I would also give Iheanacho a run out in other positions (second striker, winger, AM), but I understand given the tactical setup most of those roles aren't for Iheanacho, while Man City is overloaded with wingers.

It all comes down to pep and whether he sees Nacho being part of his plans. If he senses he doesn't, it is understandable that he would hanker for more game time elsewhere. With Kun getting the games, even when out of form, it looks like the writing may already be on the wall.

He must get getting a bit frustrated at his lack of opportunities recently and with Gabriel Jesus arriving after Advent things not looking too promising for the near future.
On the other hand the league games will be coming thick and fast with no international breaks and extra fixtures over festive season and that Watford game in mid December so surely Kun will need a break there and there's the FA Cup on the horizon.
We certainly should not be loaning Kelechi out but Pep needs to reassure the lad that he's a big part of his plans going forward.

The difference being that Kelechi could end up being world class . The saddest part is that he's overachieved lofty expectations and seemingly has done absolutely nothing wrong and STILL couldn't make it here. Crazy to think of. Obviously we're making some leaps to judgement on what's going on but I think it's definitely plausible that he isn't around next year.

He can play alongside Aguero when given the opportunity. As for playing wide we have never tried him there. My fear is that if he doesn't get the playing time and doesn't get moved on to a good club that his talent can be wasted. Also if he does go to another good club that he shines there and it becomes a Pogba, KDB or Sturridge situation. I see that there are a lot of people that don't rate him here but he will improve. He won't improve on the benchanting though.

I think he'll move on in January, something odds gone on behind the scenes.

Bewildered he hasn't featured in any of the last few games.

For his age I can't think of many if any are better. If you loan him to the wrong club then he becomes a flop and that is bad for the player. The problem is too many people on this forum are already writing him off.

Dont think anybody doesnt rate him, but its hard to see how he gets enough games over the next 18 months to improve. We wont play 2 up front, we have Sterling, Sane, Norlito, Navas to play wide, and Jesus to come. The problem is an 18 month loan would be good for us and for him. But leaves us short of a striker to cover Sergio unless we trust Jesus to be able to step in. Its a trick balance to get right.

joseph1013:
I still maintain that Pep is not being fair with Kelechi at City. The only backup striker you have has not played five games in a row. WTH!

Interestingly, even City fans are saying this:u are on point

joseph1013:
I still maintain that Pep is not being fair with Kelechi at City. The only backup striker you have has not played five games in a row. WTH!

Interestingly, even City fans are saying this:

TheGoodJoe:


There is big difference in working hard in training and doing well. There still comes a stage of excelling in most drills. Even some of the best do not attain that level. So, Iheanacho might impress Pep with his dedication and hard work. His improvements can also impress the coach. However, that does not mean he is performing at the level the coach wants.

Iheanacho should welcome the competition from Gabriel, Sane and whoever comes in. Rumors have it a big star might come in at the end of the season. A mega deal.

Whoever it is, Nacho needs to stick to the drills because, that is what will make him improve.

Nacho is a big City project.

safarigirl:
Pep is trying to kill Kelechi's talent ho ha. And let me even say this, the Jesus these fans are raving about won't even last longer than Kelechi under Pep because he's black as well.

Kelechi should move in January cuz he can't continue like this till the end of the season. Pep can eat his silly football knowledge, who e don epp?

Kelechi isn't Sane, nor Maffeo or Angelino, so he shouldn't be compared to people who can't even make the roster for their National teams, he's a first teamer for us and it is imperative he gets game time.

chrisooblog:
i agree that training with world class players and working under a genius like Pep will improve iheanacho's game but without actual game time it may go to waste. he needs real game situations to test himself not long periods of sitting on the bench which will only stagnate his game and lead to loss of confidence. imagine coming on for few minutes to the end of a crucial match with the added pressure of performing excellently because any slight mistake back to bench. what you have been preaching would have been easier to swallow if other players were being treated the same way. nolito, sterling haven't been extraordinary as of late but they have still been getting healthy playing time.

by the way today is my birthday

chrisooblog:
i agree that training with world class players and working under a genius like Pep will improve iheanacho's game but without actual game time it may go to waste. he needs real game situations to test himself not long periods of sitting on the bench which will only stagnate his game and lead to loss of confidence. imagine coming on for few minutes to the end of a crucial match with the added pressure of performing excellently because any slight mistake back to bench. what you have been preaching would have been easier to swallow if other players were being treated the same way. nolito, sterling haven't been extraordinary as of late but they have still been getting healthy playing time.

by the way today is my birthday

chrisooblog:
i agree that training with world class players and working under a genius like Pep will improve iheanacho's game but without actual game time it may go to waste. he needs real game situations to test himself not long periods of sitting on the bench which will only stagnate his game and lead to loss of confidence. imagine coming on for few minutes to the end of a crucial match with the added pressure of performing excellently because any slight mistake back to bench. what you have been preaching would have been easier to swallow if other players were being treated the same way. nolito, sterling haven't been extraordinary as of late but they have still been getting healthy playing time.

by the way today is my birthday

Kog45:
My sweet sister i always gbadun u.How can a player we are backing on in the national team should be going through learning and not kicking ball.

safarigirl:
Pep is trying to kill Kelechi's talent ho ha. And let me even say this, the Jesus these fans are raving about won't even last longer than Kelechi under Pep because he's black as well.

Kelechi should move in January cuz he can't continue like this till the end of the season. Pep can eat his silly football knowledge, who e don epp?

Kelechi isn't Sane, nor Maffeo or Angelino, so he shouldn't be compared to people who can't even make the roster for their National teams, he's a first teamer for us and it is imperative he gets game time.

TheSuperNerd:

Happy birthdat to you Sir Chrisooblog.....

[img]http://m.popkey.co/552449/e0bg1.gif%3Fc%3Dpopkey-web%26p%3Dpopkey%26i%3Dhappybirthday-events%26l%3Ddirect%26f%3D.gif[/img]

Courtesy of Yara Yara and myself.... Wine and cake for you and everyone....




Forgive me for not being so enthusiastic.... But Iheanacho's situation at Man City is really biting me.


But hey!!! Happy birthday all the same

BascoVanVeli:


Happy Birthday boss.

joseph1013:


Happy birthday sir!

Chrismario:



Anoda new name

tbaba1234:


New name?

Simon Zenke has been around forever..

Mujtahida:

I agree with you. A player has to be exceptionally good sometimes before he can break into the first team of a big club. It is better for upcoming players to go to smaller and less known clubs where they can have sufficient game time and hone their skills and then patiently wait for the big break. Clubs in Belgium and Portugal are very good nurseries for budding footballers.

Chrismario:
Abeg ooo

Supernerd....
Wats d meaning of dis yara yara of a tin....I'm kinda new and I don't really knw wat z all abt.

TheSuperNerd:
Honestly, you need to go back a few pages....

But Yara Yara is my personal labs super-assistant and Security protocols head of my Dynamic super labs with so many divisions... Including the sports science and Nigerian players monitoring radar division....

Fact is he's fictional okay... But the likes of theGoodJoe and I know how Yara Yara rolls on here... So try to keep up...

Chrismario:


New to me then


DAT means we has loads of attacking players,,,,known and unknowns......

chrisooblog:
i agree that training with world class players and working under a genius like Pep will improve iheanacho's game but without actual game time it may go to waste. he needs real game situations to test himself not long periods of sitting on the bench which will only stagnate his game and lead to loss of confidence. imagine coming on for few minutes to the end of a crucial match with the added pressure of performing excellently because any slight mistake back to bench. what you have been preaching would have been easier to swallow if other players were being treated the same way. nolito, sterling haven't been extraordinary as of late but they have still been getting healthy playing time.

by the way today is my birthday

chrisooblog:
Thanks Bro

TheSuperNerd:
Simon Zenke is no new name at all.... He played for Nigeria at the 2007 African Youth Championship (Ideye's set) but he didnt make the U-20 world cup squad.

safarigirl:
happy birthday sir, wishing you many more years

Napoleon55:
happy birthday