PROVERBZ:
what do you think about Stephen odey of mfm for me he is better than most of all this German and english players with Nigerian roots we are going after

his coach already said his better than messi and christiano Ronaldo

he is one to keep an eye on for possible super eagles call up

TheGoodJoe:


Are you sure you have watched Mikel ever, to use the term overrated or dictate Tempo. Over the last few years, Mikel has clearly been our standout player. All through the AFCON, Qualifiers for the World Cup and Confederation Cup. He was the base of our play, the vision that steered the direction of the team. A player who shone at the AFCON and stood out in a midfield against the European and World Champions, Spain.

As far as I am concerned, he is even one of the most overrated players in football.

PROVERBZ:
what do you think about Stephen odey of mfm for me he is better than most of all this German and english players with Nigerian roots we are going after

his coach already said his better than messi and christiano Ronaldo

he is one to keep an eye on for possible super eagles call up

Joebie:
well well well, going by the standard of Super Eagles players, you have a point.. happy now.
Confederations cup only, I agree. But was never the man of the match during any of the world cup qualifiers.

Joebie:
Yes he was the man-of-the-match at the highest occasion in Ndola. Ndola now a yardstick. one game, too many

Joebie:
Without sentiments. Do you think we will figure out the missing link in defense before August? The likes of Idowu and Ebuehi are not even that good.

Joebie:
well well well, going by the standard of Super Eagles players, you have a point.. happy now.
Confederations cup only, I agree. But was never the man of the match during any of the world cup qualifiers.

TheSuperNerd:
You obviously haven't watched Mikel extensively in the Green and white.

Your comment on him unable to dictate the tempo of a game reeks of ignorance I cannot comprehend.

TheGoodJoe:


What about the repeated man of the match he won during the AFCON? The only reason why Mikel did not get celebrated in World Football is because he played a conservative role. He shone under Keshi because the Big boss gave him a creative platform to express his abilities and Mikel did not let the Big Boss down.

Icon4s:


Even with the defense we put up against Algeria, I believe we will beat that Cameroonian team in Uyo. Idowu or no Idowu or Ebuehi.

We just need our attacking midfielders to come to the party and the pressure will be on the Cameroonians. Get Iheanacho in good scoring positions and the Cameroonians will see wonders. We will unleash Etebo, Iwobi and Moses as AM/Wingers in that game and let me see whether that there defense will not crumble.

Though I have not rated this team that highly but I still believe in their abilities.

This team can get at least 3pt from that clash.

Joebie:
yes, I was expecting an insult of some sort. typical of nigerians in threads. I can make my point accross though without going that route. Your argument that his is the standout a player in the green white green, Please tell me what match? Or are you talking about the Olympic games or 3 years ago in the confed cup? He may be your favorite player, but not everybody's.. no need for insults. we are adults with different opinions. or do two commentators in a match usually agree all the time?

TheSuperNerd:
Had Mikel had a bad game in any of the WCQs games so far?? Had Mikel ever had a below 7-8 over 10 performance in any of those games??

Also when he picked up MOTM awards three times en route to Afcon glory in 2013, you didn't come out and talk then... *smh*

And what do you mean by "Standard of the Super Eagles"?? Insinuating we are bunch of rag-tags??

TheSuperNerd:
Saying your comments reek of IGNORANCE IS NOT AN INSULT mister....

You don't think you can just jump in here and start rambling without Facts and stats about Mikel's non-relevance to the Super Eagles and you think some of us would just keep quiet.

So mister... Your comment is Ignorance-laden and there's no insult intended in stating what is truthful about your comments.

Joebie:
I'm a super eagles fan. die hard for that matter. but i'm a realist. you are talking 2013. How many caps has Mikel? You are only speaking about a handful of matches. What's your yardstick Super Eagles wise? Can Mikel even be mentioned among our all time greats?

TheSuperNerd:
It's obvious what your agenda on this thread is okay... So save yourself the stress.

Mikel not among our all-time greats??... Lolll... Oga... Just say this, "I hate Mikel, he's not good jare... Wetin una see in that lad sef"

That way we would not be deceiving ourselves thinking we are having a healthy discourse on Mikel coz we are not... You just don't fancy the guy. Period.

Joebie:
ok my brother.. but remember not everyone will agree with you, and they are not necessarily ignorant. for me i take it as you have a different opinion.. i can now move on

Joebie:
I only said he is overrated. I never said he is not a good player. I don't dislike him.. logic over sentiments for me.

TheSuperNerd:
Then show us the logics in your saying he cannot dictate a game's tempo, and that he can be benched by ndidi or that he is overrated...

Show us with facts... Show us with reference to his performances in the Green and White.

Joebie:
seriously? my brother.. if we were having discussion with other Africans and you told them Mikel is our best player, I will seriously be ashamed.

TheSuperNerd:
It is not about Agreement... It is about Facts...

Show us facts showing that Mikel is overrated and not relevant to the Super Eagles or have never been relevant. We are waiting for you...

Some arguments have no absolutes so can attract different stands and facts stated from various angles.

Some other arguments are based on what we fancy and a bit of bias.

Some others are based on generic opinions and many many more.


But this, on Mikel is an absurd argument.

TheGoodJoe:


That is you but we are talking about a player who has stood out in recent years in African football. Nominated for the African footballer of the year and lost it to Yaya Toure who was in blistering form. We are talking of a player that stood out in the AFCON against Cote I'voire with the likes of Yaya Toure, Drogba and Gervinho on the field. Mikel's nicking the ball off Yaya towards the end of the match was one of the highlights of the tournament. We are not even talking about his Olympics performance.

Joebie:
He cannot dictate is relative.. take note that i'm making a comparison here.. For example I could have had other number 10s in mind when I said that.. e.g Okocha etc. And by overrated I mean he is not world class like you guys are making it seem. Please can you tell me how long you have been following the Super Eagles? Are you saying you can mention Mikel as among our all time greats, say, all time top 10?

Joebie:
He cannot dictate is relative.. take note that i'm making a comparison here.. For example I could have had other number 10s in mind when I said that.. e.g Okocha etc. And by overrated I mean he is not world class like you guys are making it seem. Please can you tell me how long you have been following the Super Eagles? Are you saying you can mention Mikel as among our all time greats, say, all time top 10?

TheSuperNerd:
Mikel is actually World class.... Name any other African midfielder today who can stand in Mikel's class apart from Yaya Toure.... Who?? Wanyama?? Ndidi?? Kessie?? Who naa?? Siani?? Kouyate?? Who??

And Mikel is not limited to the no.10 role... He also plays as the CMF of the team... The major engine room... Sometimes, he is a deep-lying playmaker like we saw at Afcon 2013.

Mikel is practically a midfield boss. Against Xavi and Iniesta at Fifa confed cup 2013, he was the boss on the day. Did you watch that game?? Na wa oooo....


@first bolded... If you've been following this thread, you'll know how long I have been following... Clue: Indomiegeneration at your service...

Football analysis is not in years of followership alone but in a deep-seated knowledge of the game that spans generations......


@second bolded.... Hahahahahahaha... Mikel is not just in top 10, he is in top 3-5.... #fact If you don't like it... Go tell Odegbami, Ehilegbu, Henry Nwosu, And co to pick up their boots and start playing again so as to surpass Mikel's legend...

TheGoodJoe:


A player who is not World Class can not do what Mikel did against Spain. Mikel set the whole world talking. Even Bleacherreport did a full article after the game about Mikel. Extravagance is not all the ten role is about. Mikel brings a class of maturity and intelligence you can hardly find in the game. He is a pure genius. If not the faith Big Boss Keshi had in Mikel we would not even have this discussion. And, Yes, Mikel is among the all time greats of the Super Eagles. Why do you think Okocha retired early when he still had so much football in him? He trusted the young Mikel to carry the touch on and the young man delivered.

Joebie:
Never said he is not relevant.. but the way the Super Eagles are building and we are lacking world class players until we prove otherwise. The youths definitely have the potential to become one in future. But like I implied, Mikel is replaceable even right now.

Joebie:
you have just implied he is second fiddle to those names you mentioned.. And we are talking Africa.. please.. he is nowhere near world class.. I'm not saying he is not good

Joebie:
Say you just like Mikel. I personally thought he did well in the confed cup.. but a world class player should show that consistency and a high level all the time. Where was he at the World Cup? I'm sorry he is a good player.. yes versatile.. but not world class. and someone wants to tell me to come with the facts..are what you stated facts.. a handful of games to buttress your point?.. you are purely sentimental. If legends in the game are asked to name their top 10, i'm sure Mikel will hardly be mentioned.

Joebie:
That Keshi team never improved after AFCON '14(with due respect to his late self). He didn't have anything more to offer.

TheSuperNerd:
By who exactly?? And I speak of that CMF role.... Not the no.10 role... Who can replace Mikel "super-comforably" (note the word "super".

Kelechi Nwakali?? Alex Iwobi?? John Ogu?? Who??
..................
Our team is young and the only world class players I can point to are Mikel and...... Oops... Just Mikel.

Victor Moses' super form and class just began this season. He needs to repeat same for the next few years to become fully world class... But he does function like a world class player now BUT I CANNOT TERM HIM WORLD CLASS YET as much as I would love to to show our Super Eagles isn't a bunch of rag-tags...


In Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and even Isaac Success... We have potential world class players...

In Troost Ekong, we have a defender rated as one of the very best (the top 5-10) in scandinavian europe before he joined Gent...

In Wilfred Ndidi, we have a fast-rising super performer in the DMF role. A player who floored Pogba in the EPL when their teams clashed. Onazi should be scared....

Our team is "NOT THERE YET" (Cc: Sir Icon4s)

It's a whole new generation...

I am sure back in 1990 and 1992, you wouldn't have termed the likes of Yekini and Finidi as world class.

TheSuperNerd:
By who exactly?? And I speak of that CMF role.... Not the no.10 role... Who can replace Mikel "super-comforably" (note the word "super".

Kelechi Nwakali?? Alex Iwobi?? John Ogu?? Who??
..................
Our team is young and the only world class players I can point to are Mikel and...... Oops... Just Mikel.

Victor Moses' super form and class just began this season. He needs to repeat same for the next few years to become fully world class... But he does function like a world class player now BUT I CANNOT TERM HIM WORLD CLASS YET as much as I would love to to show our Super Eagles isn't a bunch of rag-tags...


In Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi and even Isaac Success... We have potential world class players...

In Troost Ekong, we have a defender rated as one of the very best (the top 5-10) in scandinavian europe before he joined Gent...

In Wilfred Ndidi, we have a fast-rising super performer in the DMF role. A player who floored Pogba in the EPL when their teams clashed. Onazi should be scared....

Our team is "NOT THERE YET" (Cc: Sir Icon4s)

It's a whole new generation...

I am sure back in 1990 and 1992, you wouldn't have termed the likes of Yekini and Finidi as world class.