TheGoodJoe:


When you say someone had a bad game, it is not just goal scored but overall play. Overall, we did not have a balance midfield. We could not stay organized at the back and we could not make the right final balls to cause damage.

That is why Mikel was greatly missed.

TheGoodJoe:


We can run in circles but the fact remains, when Rantie nodded that ball, it was close to Akpeyi and he should have saved it. The ball was close to Akpeyi.

Icon79:
I think we can handle South Africa. They would always remain our wife

I am more concerned with those plantain boyz from Cameroun. They are one team who knows how to rise to the occasion anytime they meet Nigeria. I am really concerned.

O pari

TheGoodJoe:


As long as you do not want to accept that Onazi did not make very poor final boys to Iheanacho, you are being economical with the truth. This was not an isolated incident. It happened multiple times. I am not talking of intercepted passes but over hit passes. Etebo also made the same. Na wa O!

Oasis007:
Thank God Onazi is not on Nairaland, he would have voluntarily retired from International Football.

Why is it so hard for some Dudes on this Thread to be objective and fair with their respective Analyses?!

Ndidi, Etebo were completely poor, yet Onazi must be blamed because he's the Captain?! Seem Dudes forget he played as a DMF?!

Iheanacho, Iwobi were below average, yet Simon must be blamed because he's the Messi of the Team?!

Awaziem was outstandingly poor, but Akpeyi should be blamed instead?!

SMH!

TheGoodJoe:


We can run in circles but the fact remains, when Rantie nodded that ball, it was close to Akpeyi and he should have saved it. The ball was close to Akpeyi.

Humility017:


Bro...please watch the match highlight again
what was onazi doing upfront... ?
was he not supposed to cover up for the defenders who went forward to try make use of the set piece situation...?
onazi and awaziem should be blamed more for the 2nd and 1st goals.....
both guys erred

nacho...wasted that opportunity he got in the first half...likewise ndidi wayward shot in the RSA 18 yard box....those chances would have been judiciously used....
also etebo failed to score the ball already worked by kayode when he tried play bass the RSA goal keeper

Icon4s:


Again you omitted Adi.

You still haven't mentioned that goalie o.

Humility017:


Bro...please watch the match highlight again
what was onazi doing upfront... ?
was he not supposed to cover up for the defenders who went forward to try make use of the set piece situation...?
onazi and awaziem should be blamed more for the 2nd and 1st goals.....
both guys erred

nacho...wasted that opportunity he got in the first half...likewise ndidi wayward shot in the RSA 18 yard box....those chances would have been judiciously used....
also etebo failed to score the ball already worked by kayode when he tried play bass the RSA goal keeper

GoodBuhari:

One thing with Fanen Adi that most people do not know is that, he is a two in one player.

Kog45:
Don't mind them,they just want to turn eagles to rookies team,no wonder Porto B defender manned d defence

I just finished watching d match again,Rohr goofed big time on Awaziem,looking at first goal,i laughed in greek,no wonder Awaziem fans here keep on blaming non composed Akpeyi whereas Awaziem was too amateurish in his reaction to d cross that led to first goal.

I'm not here to blame d young man but truth need to be told d guy lack d class for now and looking at d second goal,keeper needed to rush out,almost 30 yards with no defender at glance,one on one situation and guys here are still trying to shed their favorite players from blame,some even said Akpeyi should have fouled d guy and got red card may be d game would have turned in favor of Nigeria,10 against 11 and one goal down,funny and arrogant analyzer.

Funny enough against Cameroon,some are agitating for Osimeh to lead attack,pls on what criteria,Rohr boy Abi even Iheanacho is on hot seat now,Rohr knows what is at stake,no need to gamble on any player.

goldfish80:
England's Young Lions can handle the Golden Generation tag - Abraham

England Under-21 striker Tammy Abraham insists the Young Lions can handle being called the next Golden Generation.
The 19-year-old is confident Aidy Boothroyd's youngsters are ready to take the spotlight following the Under-20s' World Cup triumph on Sunday.
Paul Simpson's side were crowned world champions after a 1-0 win over Venezuela, with the Under-21s now aiming to echo their success at Euro 2017 in Poland.
The previous group named the Golden Generation included David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney but never got past the quarterfinal stage of a major tournament.
Chelsea forward Abraham is preparing for Friday's tournament opener against holders Sweden in Kielce and believes the new crop can cope if they are given the same nickname.
He said: "We definitely can handle that tag. We have guys who are talented, can work hard and have everything. It's just about blending in and becoming one, not just thinking about yourself.
"They did the country so proud and we would love to follow in their footsteps by winning the Euros. Obviously being the Under-21s we want to show we are the next up and coming players for the England squad, so there is a bit of pressure.
"But then we have some amazing lads, so we think we can go far as well. We can't have them bragging they won and we didn't!''
Abraham, who has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle or Brighton, was eligible for Simpson's Under-20s squad but was selected by Boothroyd for Euro 2017 after scoring 26 goals on loan at Bristol City last season.
He could have been a world champion but is determined to focus on succeeding in Poland with the Under-21s.
Abraham, who will wait until after the tournament to decide his future, said: "Yes it's bittersweet, it's true. It's a great achievement. I'm sure they're proud of themselves.
"The whole country is proud of them. They deserved to win it. But obviously I'm here to win the Euros and we've got a lot of good players, so we're in with a chance.
"A lot of the boys watched the whole game at St George's Park after training. I'm proud to have helped them get to the tournament, of course, but obviously I'm so proud to be here as well.
"Hopefully what I've done all season is paying off and we can win the tournament. The boys are buzzing.
"It's massively inspiring. We're going into a massive tournament now with the Under-21s and it would be nice to end it on a blast. The boys are confident.
"We've had a great season. We just want to top off with a win. Some of the lads have played in the Premier League, in top teams, we have an amazing team. Hopefully we can show that. We're all excited and we just have to prove it.''

http://kwese.espn.com/football/england-u21/story/3143272/englands-young-lions-can-handle-the-golden-generation-tag-abraham


.........................
Tammy Abraham is already talking about being part of the golden generation of England players. Seriously, the way people talk up the prospects of some of these players dumping European countries for Nigeria perplexes me.

Is it that we haven't learnt from previous experiences that Nigeria will never be considered if such player is in the ascendancy with top career prospects.

Let's continue making derogatory comments about our home grown players and league while talking up the chances of Nigerians abroad to make babies who will represent us. Let's continue deluding ourselves.

If Tammy dumps England for Nigeria, I will quit my job and become a Thai monk for a year.

Humility017:

sir goodjoe I don't agree wit u on this one at all
awaziem erred in that first goal big time
Leon that I know will never let that ball get to rantie....
likewise onazi going upfront leading to that 2nd goal was not necessary.... what was he going to do upfront when he is one of the shortest players in the team...he should have wait to cover up for troost and awaziem

Kog45:
Pls go and ask Peter Rufai what happened between him and Keshi against cote d voire in semi final at Afcon Tunis 94,d same scenario nothing difference from what happened between Akpeyi and Awaziem.

It was d match that cost Keshi's place in Eagles,just a weak corner kick but Keshi refused to jump and nod and before u know it Rufai was caught napping,just,last week Rufai tell d story.He said Keshi why and Keshi said oh Rufai i thought u are in for it but Westerhoff said Keshi u are at fault.

Keshi was dropped in d final for Uche Okafor and this prompted Westerhoff to drop his rigid stand against invitation of Chidi Nwanu for World Cup.

My man it's simple and no need to argue this,have watched d scene over and over again,a good football analysis we not blame d Keeper even Rohr admitted it that Akpeyi was not at fault.

Apart from d goal,pls go and watch Awaziem footwork against South Africa,u w agree that d guy is not yet there,no need to defend what is not defendable and u keep on saying u are comfortable with Awaziem as CB against Cameroon,pls on what ground.

Oasis007:


I do not need to re-watch the Match Dude. I'm convinced Onazi was the best among the 3 Midfielders played by Rohr.

Hence, I really don't understand why some of you are pinning the Blame only Onazi. What were you expecting him do do?! Kill himself on the Pitch?!

Good chances were missed by both Etebo and Ndidi, yet they were stylishly left out of Criticism?! Why?!

Kindly chill a bit and free Onazi of sentimental Blames.

Icon4s:


But why has it been difficult for you to admit that Awaziem had a very poor game? Why?

TheGoodJoe:


Nice points and smooth read cheers. My opinion in cases like these has always been simple. Come up with a strategy and select the best squad for it. I am also about playing to our strength. If we try matching Cameroon with strength, we will play into their hands. We have to go against them with speed both on and of the ball.

Defend as a unit and win the balls with tidy interceptions. This gives a picture of what we need and we can sort the players that suit it.

Probably a false nine formation to keep the striker away from the huge defenders of South Africa. We need to keep the ball moving and our players will not need to dwell on the ball.

Strategy - selection - tactics.

TheGoodJoe:


I wonder where you got the notion that I felt Awaziem had a good game. The young man was awful and I even went as far as saying even Franco Baresi would have a poor game in such situation. The young man was exposed.

This not just an Awaziem issue but an issue I hope Rohr addresses. That was why I pointed out the changes Keshi made that brought stability to our defensive set up.

One was the introduction of Hope Akpan and the other dropping Echiejile for Oshaniwa.

So I am not exonerating Awaziem but saying the situation made having a good game difficult.

Humility017:

sir goodjoe I don't agree wit u on this one at all
awaziem erred in that first goal big time
Leon that I know will never let that ball get to rantie....
likewise onazi going upfront leading to that 2nd goal was not necessary.... what was he going to do upfront when he is one of the shortest players in the team...he should have wait to cover up for troost and awaziem

Icon4s:


Eh na so. Even Messi would have had a poor game.

Baresi would have jumped and missed that header and played those wayward kicks. Just continue giving excuses for your favorite players.

Nobody gets a prize here for winning an argument. We are here to discuss for the growth of Nigerian football.

Icon4s:


Why is Onazi being blamed for the second goal?

Which Players are supposed to be the last backline when you are on the offensive? The CBs or the DM?

Nobody is even blaming Simon for losing the ball in such a cheap manner that led to the counter attack.

TheGoodJoe:


Which footwork are you talking off? Apart from some clearances he missed, he was comfortable passing from the fact.

My critique of Akpeyi is not in comparison With Awaziem but his keeping ability. The ball was close to him and he failed to save it.

Joebie:
You do have a point. As a coach I will look at the different possible approaches we can take and pick the one that would most likely work against the Cameroonians.

However we would need some physical and robust players to match their strengths. Especially in the African game, referees may permit some challenges as fair.

TheGoodJoe:


You keep making it look as if the game is about missing header. I am talking of how he found it difficult to contain the SA players. It was a loaded day for the young man.

Icon4s:


'Some clearances' you said?

So he is supposed to miss all the clearances he made before you criticize him?

And please stop this your 'the ball was close to him' talk. It doesn't speak well of you as a football analyst.

Icon4s:


TheGoodJoe that I know would have nailed Omeruo to the Cross if he was the one that put up the kind of show Awaziem put up that day.

TheGoodJoe:



I do not hurl criticisms at Vidic or Hummels when he misses clearances. The judgment comes from overall play. If Onazi drifted off position a few times, he will not earn critical statements from me. If Echiejile was off position once in a while, he will not get criticised by me.

However, these men have defaulted repeatedly for years to a point it is suffocating. Then doing it repeatedly in the last game earns my frustration.

Onazi could not deliver on good final ball and he kept fighting to give it. That is why I criticise him. Not because of a few. Keep in mind I was one of the few who gave Omeruo a nod despite his mistake in the game against Zambia. Because, apart from that mistake he had a good game.

TheGoodJoe:


Read my last comment and rethink your allegation.

TheGoodJoe:


Duly noted but I fell the best solution to power and strength is speed and quick passing. If we do this, it will prove difficult for the Camerounians to use their strength to make a different.

Even a quick forward who keeps moving will prove difficult to mark than a stationary forward waiting for long balls.

My best bet is speed and quickness in play. They are already stronger.