Kog45:
Taiye Taiwo better than Celestine Babayaro?

Of course.

forgiveness:


How did you know? Did you follow him?

Why am I even asking? Because from your statement, you know nothing about him.

Easy bro on this Aluko thing, its at a point where I can sense the emotions in your words on aluko almost like you guys are related somehow.

Like you rightly pointed out, creavity is not the strong point of the EPL or championships.

Yes, the EPL and it's likes are slowing down on the kick and follow style but it's still glaring in the UK. I wouldn't for the life of me advise Musa to go to the championship nor league one when he can play top football elsewhere even in Germany, Holland or Turkey.

If he can't move back to Russia, he should consider Turkey or Germany come Jan. I don't know if Spanish clubs like his kind of speedy attributes but he can try there too.

komekn:


I cannot completely disagree with you but things have and are changing quite a lot.

You have to look yourself as a player and critically evaluate your strengths and weaknesses. The reason why Leicester was always going to.be hard fit for KC. Then choose a club that complements your attributes not just consider the money.

In the EPL there are mostly footballing sides and effective delivery outweighs entertainment football and playing for the gallery. De Bruyne doesn't do unnecessary rainbow flicks, drag backs, step overs and cruyff turns to please the crowd. But he is considered one of the best midfielders in the EPL as it stands now, with the highest number of assists Some of these unnecessary skills and show boating slow the team down.

So in the EPL since the demise of Stoke under Pulis you will not find kick and rush teams anymore. Speed intension effective delivery with end product has become more pronounced. It's not flair football but very effective and intense. Skill is used for competitive advantage not just entertainment for the gallery.

The championship has a lot of kick and rush teams. However a lot of them will play good quality in the deck football. Fulham. Hull, Reading, Derby. Wolves Middlesbrough to name a few will play on the deck.

League 1 you will find Charlton Athletic, MK Dons, Peterborough and a very few other play good technical on the go football.

It's a different set of skill sets required to dominate in the EPL and Championship. Where skill has to be merged vwith physical resilience, speed and intensity

forgiveness:


@bolded suggest this writer knows nothing about Nigerian football.

So, he doesn't about Taye Taiwo who was a better player than Babayaro, huh?

Babayanro is easily our best LB of the modern era of Nigerian football. It's not even up for debate.
Taiye Taiwo and Udeze should be hugging each other. They are on the same level as far as performance in the Gwg is concerned.

Mujtahida:

It's expected na. Even if Rohr plays Uche Agbo now and he performs people will say such.

But personally I didn't expect him to be played against Cameroon in the double header or against Zambia which he wasn't even invited for. Cameroun are too physical for him and the stakes too high. Mind you he made a mistake in the friendly against Corsica.

But forgiveness and I really expected him to be capped against Algeria. In any case it's good he had good 45 minutes against Argentina.

Muj man let me tell you the truth Rohr doesn't trust the boy. Remember Ebuhei was dropped from main team to standby,but the boy came in with expanding team from 23 to 25 man list,against Algeria he suppose to be capped but No.

A lot to were saying Ebuhei, Idowu,Uzoho came in cos of poor displayed of some players in the first half,No,Rohr already have it in his mind to give them 45 minutes.Rohr doesn't care about our result against Argentina whether we win or not.This made him to use 3-5-3 formation which the boys struggled with in the 1st half.

A good coach w always uses friendly to plan new idea and test some players especially the one you are doubting his ability and he was able to achieve it.

I know with Ebuhei performance,player like Uche Agbo w get the opportunity soon may be he is equal to the task is left for him.We have seen a little bit of Oyekwuru, Kayode but not enough,I know Rohr w give them more chance to impress.

Dedebanky85:
Pass that kush u de blaw to another person. It's making you hallucinate. Aluko was close to which three lions? The English national team or abi u mean the 3 lions that were in the zoo? Please say something else. You keep coming up with excuses to paint Naija coaches bad and paint your beloved English born players as worldies. You said Fashanu was on the bench. But I remember reading that Otto Gloria didn't like his style of play. So how many games did your talented Fashanu play for England?
That you hail from England does not guarantee you a playing shirt. Aluko was never ever close to playing for three Lions. Please name which outfield player has played for England from Rangers in the past 2 decades. I can't even see any suggestions online. Closest was Forster a goal keeper at the time with Celtic. Even though I appreciate Aluko's talent, but he's not all that else he would command a shirt like Moses and Iwobi. Or abi no be England those ones been grow up?
Guy chill on these your okirika players e.g. Aneke and Co.

Was Iwobi close to playing for the England National team before he played for Nigeria?

Without the National team Arsenal wouldn't have renewed his contract because he was never rated but now see what the national team did for his career.

Dude, talent wise, Aluko is never behind Iwobi.

forgiveness:


Of course.

OK o.

Mujtahida:

Babayanro is easily our best LB of the modern era of Nigerian football. It's not even up for debate.
Taiye Taiwo and Udeze should be hugging each other. They are on the same level as far as performance in the Gwg is concerned.

Even Taiye Taiwo dey do Tuale to Master Cele Babayaro.

Mujtahida:

Babayanro is easily our best LB of the modern era of Nigerian football. It's not even up for debate.
Taiye Taiwo and Udeze should be hugging each other. They are on the same level as far as performance in the Gwg is concerned.

Oh! You were not on the other thread were I dismantled this false notion that Babayaro is better than Taye Taiwo.

You may do your research on that thread anyway.

Which modern era? tell me about Babayaro expoits in Caf competition and club.

goldfish80:

My apologies for jumping into your discussion. I feel Aluko switched to Nigeria for political reasons.
Sone's dad being a senator from Ogun state, must have thought it wise for his political ambitions to have Sone play for Nigeria. He cannot afford to have his 2 kids represent England, could be a nail on his political career.
His opponents will use it heavily against him.

Secondly, we know how patriarchal the African political climate is. It won't be out of question that the Aluko political dynasty could be eyeing up Sone as a replacement for his father's seat in the future. The Nigerian constitution restricts dual nationals political office.
It could be a political chess move.
I say this because Eniola blatantly refused to play for Nigeria. Being female, she could get away with it.

For me, that is what I can make out of the situation. Not for a fact though, just my thought.

No not for political reason,Sone Aluko is more Nigerian forget that he was born in UK.The family are the type that believe you must come home for xmas every year not struggling type that went to UK to hustle.

Hope you know Aluko family very,his grandfather the great professor of economics was highly influential in Nigeria and his Father former Senator is presently DG in one of the Oil and Gas company.

Sone Aluko choosing Nigeria did not have any political undertones, how many people know that UK great athlete Philip Idowu was the son of highly influential multi millionaire and sport guru Chief Nathaniel Idowu,nobody used his son representing UK against him politically.

Hope you remember a Nigerian Remi Moses that played for Manchester United between 1981 to 1989,his family were highly influential politically back home then but nobody cares.

Nigerian politicians doesn't take sports seriously as we fans take it passionately.It was due to this we are always having mediocre as sports ministers.

forgiveness:


Was Iwobi close to playing for the England National team before he played for Nigeria?

Without the National team Arsenal wouldn't have renewed his contract because he was never rated but now see what the national team did for his career.

Dude, talent wise, Aluko is never behind Iwobi.

The way you talk as if aluko hasnt played for Nigeria before, as if we havent seen what he is capable of doing, but let me let you know that talent wise he can never bench anybody in the current squad.

You have been shouting solanke since morning cos he plays for liverpool and you forgot about jordan ibe who was even said to be better than him but where is ibe now??.

I bet you didnt watch leicester last game cos u wont be talking abt iheanacho this way, you must be a novice in the knowledge of football, you pour all your sentiments out hoping that we are all kids that will swallow everything u vomits.

For your information we have the best players that we need, if the coach decided to stretch his hands to try new leggs it wont be because of ur online rant on nairaland.

So for ur information respect d coaches decision cos i know u aint better.

Kog45:
Thank for this observation,no coach w dropped Shehu for an untested Ebuhei even Shehu still remain first choice at RB.

Good to see a good Ebuhei and Idowu but we need consistency which Shehu was able to give us but good the team is evolving having great guys like Shehu, Aina,Ebuhei and Idowu competing not forgetting Echiejele.

Truly Ebuhei gives us option which is good for the team but i have a question to ask why it took Rohr so long to debut Ebuhei, though he came out to say he knew what the guy can do but I disagreed.

Rohr doesn't trust the boy until Argentina match and the boy knew that was his last chance to convince Rohr and he grabbed it to the surprised of everyone.

I have watched the match repeatedly and I want to say the first half we couldn't get the rhythms of the game and i can say all the players were below par except Ndidi and Iheanacho.

On Shehu and Aina,i watched all their movement in the first half,I want to say they are not bad at all,the worst outfield player in the the first half were Balogun and Iwobi but the latter came out strongly in the second half with a bang.

We should not be carried away with our performance against Argentina sometimes it happened in that way and people believing Ebuhei or Idowu have wrestle the RB,LB,RWB,LWB,should just relax,let's see more of them but no doubt they are very good players,watching the match again Idowu didn't do much except the goal but Ebuhei was awesome.

Oga icon4s salute for your propose suggestions letter to NFF,honestly good idea and is welcome.THUMB UP.

Good word of caution. Even Rohr knows not to be carried away by the victory.

I also said something about Idowu not offering as much offensive play down the left as Ebuehi did on the right but note two things Sir:he was in the box when Iwobi scored the equaliser and he was in the box to score the third goal. I expected more movement from him sha after the goals but I think he was being cautious given the short time he had to train with the team. He's not yet used to the team's rhythm. Ebuehi has at least trained with the team so many times but Mikel didn't get the boy's movement cos he opened up on one or two occasions for Mikel to pass to him but Mikel didn't. Mikel even apologised. But Mikel's understanding of Iwobi and Iheanacho's movement is top notch. When Ebuehi crossed that ball to Iheanacho, Iwobi was standing right at the edge of the box with his arms raised calling for the ball. The players have not fully understood themselves.

I will not however say that Ebuehi is better than Shehu as a RB until he's tested there at least two times and even if he's better it just means our squad has depth. If we see Shehu there we won't panic, if Ebuehi we won't panic too. But the good thing about him was that he was very composed on and off the ball. He didn't panick at the sight of Di Maria, one very dangerous player. Shows that Ebuehi is exposed.

Loogan:


Easy bro on this Aluko thing, its at a point where I can sense the emotions in your words on aluko almost like you guys are related somehow.

Aluko is not on the radar at all for the Super Eagles. But some don't want to face reality.

Mujtahida:

Good word of caution. Even Rohr knows not to be carried away by the victory.

I also said something about Idowu not offering as much offensive play down the left as Ebuehi did on the right but note two things Sir:he was in the box when Iwobi scored the equaliser and he was in the box to score the third goal. I expected more movement from him sha after the goals but I think he was being cautious given the short time he had to train with the team. He's not yet used to the team's rhythm. Ebuehi has at least trained with the team so many times but Mikel didn't get the boy's movement cos he opened up on one or two occasions for Mikel to pass to him but Mikel didn't. Mikel even apologised. But Mikel's understanding of Iwobi and Iheanacho's movement is top notch.

I will not however say that Ebuehi is better than Shehu as a RB until he's tested there at least two times and even if he's better it just means our squad has depth. If we see Shehu there we won't panic, if Ebuehi we won't panic too. But the good thing about him was that he was very composed on and off the ball. He didn't panick at the sight of Di Maria, one very dangerous player. Shows that Ebuehi is exposed.

Yes highly composed,good to have depth in the team especially full backs.

Sometimes ago we complained about our fullbacks but see now Shehu, Aina,Ebuhei, Idowu and Echiejele.

Respect to Rohr.

Mujtahida:

Aluko is not on the radar at all for the Super Eagles. But some don't want to face reality.

That's it no thanks to incessant changing of coaches.

Kog45:
Muj man let me tell you the truth Rohr doesn't trust the boy. Remember Ebuhei was dropped from main team to standby,but the boy came in with expanding team from 23 to 25 man list,against Algeria he suppose to be capped but No.

A lot to were saying Ebuhei, Idowu,Uzoho came in cos of poor displayed of some players in the first half,No,Rohr already have it in his mind to give them 45 minutes.Rohr doesn't care about our result against Argentina whether we win or not.This made him to use 3-5-3 formation which the boys struggled with in the 1st half.

A good coach w always uses friendly to plan new idea and test some players especially the one you are doubting his ability and he was able to achieve it.

I know with Ebuhei performance,player like Uche Agbo w get the opportunity soon may be he is equal to the task is left for him.We have seen a little bit of Oyekwuru, Kayode but not enough,I know Rohr w give them more chance to impress.

The boy grabbed his opportunity with great aplomb. Nwakaeme toh, I don't think he'd make it to Russia unless injury happens to Ighalo or Iheanacho. Uche Agbo and Kayode will most likely get their run in our next friendly. I see Onyekuru making it to Russia(my desire sha).

Kog45:
No not for political reason,Sone Aluko is more Nigerian forget that he was born in UK.The family are the type that believe you must come home for xmas every year not struggling type that went to UK to hustle.

Hope you know Aluko family very,his grandfather the great professor of economics was highly influential in Nigeria and his Father former Senator is presently DG in one of the Oil and Gas company.

Sone Aluko choosing Nigeria did not have any political undertones, how many people know that UK great athlete Philip Idowu was the son of highly influential multi millionaire and sport guru Chief Nathaniel Idowu,nobody used his son representing UK against him politically.

Hope you remember a Nigerian Remi Moses that played for Manchester United between 1981 to 1989,his family were highly influential politically back home then but nobody cares.

Nigerian politicians doesn't take sports seriously as we fans take it passionately.It was due to this we are always having mediocre as sports ministers.

I remember Philip Idowu, he represented in England in long jumps.

I sensed political undertone abit from Aluko's case because his sister refused playing for Nigeria. If they were as patriotic as we think, they both should have played for naij.

Sone could have political ambitions in the future. It would have been impossible for him to get top political appointment if he represented another country. Recall Fashanu, even with his connections and influence was not permitted to run for any electoral office in the glass house.
He tried a couple of times and gave up.

Kog45:
Yes highly composed,good to have depth in the team especially full backs.

Sometimes ago we complained about our fullbacks but see now Shehu, Aina,Ebuhei, Idowu and Echiejele.

Respect to Rohr.

Suddenly them come berekete. Shehu would always make the team cos he can be drafted into the midfield. In fact I want to see him in the midfield in a friendly match so that we can see what he has to offer there. At least we have seen him as RB and RWB and we now know which one is his strength. Ebuehi too should be tried as pure RB and then LB cos he uses both feet.

Balogun needs to get himself into shape. Ekong is now more composed than him.

safarigirl:
i actually beg to differ.

I hate it when European and South American sides blame physicality after losing to African opposition. It connotes that the black man can only win the whites when they exploit the basest of human traits. Why can't they ever acknowledge the fact that they were outplayed? They were outclassed, they didn't get the tactics? Why always blame physicality?

I watched the second half at least three times and while they held the ball more than we did, we certainly had the better game plan and that is how we won.

They were outplayed and outclassed, no need to add physicality to it....abi is it Ebuehi that is lepa like that that was physical? With what mbok?

lolz ! Ebuehi has physicality too oo

Kog45:
Even Taiye Taiwo dey do Tuale to Master Cele Babayaro.

That's the first time I'm hearing that Taiye is better than Babayaro. How long did Taiye even play as our LB?

Shey some people were arguing that Mikel is not a role model

Kalapizim:
lolz ! Ebuehi has physicality too oo

He has running energy but I doubt if he has stamina. He's just 21,same age as Iwobi and Iheanacho. By the time this guys get to 24-25 Hmmmm, Africa go hear am.

This is what was said of Ebuehi months back:“He is really quick but the physical nature of African football is what he is gradually getting used to. It’s a slow process, he was educated the Dutch way where emphasis is less on physical duels. So he need time to adjust to African football befeore he is thrown into the deep end
Source:Dailypost.ng

---

I think he's learnt some good jambody balling from us.

Kog45:
Yes highly composed,good to have depth in the team especially full backs.

Sometimes ago we complained about our fullbacks but see now Shehu, Aina,Ebuhei, Idowu and Echiejele.

Respect to Rohr.

chai see options, na so musa Muhammed just miss out ! that boy has potentials too o

Mujtahida:

He has running energy but I doubt if he has stamina. He's just 21,same age as Iwobi and Iheanacho. By the time this guys get to 24-25 Hmmmm, Africa go hear am.

This is what was said of Ebuehi months back:“He is really quick but the physical nature of African football is what he is gradually getting used to. It’s a slow process, he was educated the Dutch way where emphasis is less on physical duels. So he need time to adjust to African football befeore he is thrown into the deep end
Source:Dailypost.ng

---

I think he's learnt some good jambody balling from us.

yeah ! I didn't notice the jam body the first time I watched him play for his club last year, fast forward to Tuesday he is going on a jambody level with the opposition.
He sure learnt it from us I can only imagine his first training session with the eagles, etebo go don jam am well

Kalapizim:
yeah ! I didn't notice the jam body the first time I watched him play for his club last year, fast forward to Tuesday he is going on a jambody level with the opposition.
He sure learnt it from us I can only imagine his first training session with the eagles, etebo go don jam am well

Hahahaha hahahaha hahahaha. No be Etebo, na Simon Moses.

I checked the Russia2018 World Cup Regulations book, and there was no such thing like that. Is it a new rule?

Well this is what I got from page 24 (List of Players):

19 List of players
1.
Each association entering the preliminary competition shall provide the FIFA
general secretariat with a provisional list of at least 50 prospective players for
the preliminary competition no later than 30 days before its fi rst qualifying
match. This list shall show each player’s last name, fi rst name, current club,
date of birth and passport number as well as the coach’s last name, fi rst name,
date of birth and nationality.
2.
This list is not binding. Further players may be added, showing the same
information, at any time but no later than the day before the qualifying match
in question.
3.
The only document considered to be valid proof of a player’s identity and
nationality shall be a passport that explicitly states the player’s day, month
and year of birth. Identity cards or other supporting offi cial documents shall
not be accepted as a valid means of identifi cation. The participating member
associations shall present each player’s valid national passport for the country
of the participating member association to the FIFA Match Commissioner
on the day before the match. A player without a valid passport shall not be
entitled to play.
4.
23 players may be entered on the start list (11 players and 12 substitutes).
The 11 fi rst-named players must start the match, the other 12 are designated
as substitutes. The numbers on the players’ shirts must correspond with the
numbers indicated on the start list (numbers 1-23 only). All goalkeepers and
Preliminary competition 25
the captain must be identifi ed as such. Three players must be goalkeepers,
with the number 1 shirt reserved for one of them.
5.
Both teams must return their start list to the referee at least 85 minutes before
kick-off. They shall also provide the referee with two copies of their start list.
The opposing team can request one of these copies.
6.
After the start lists have been completed, signed by the team administrator
and returned to the referee, and if the match has not yet kicked off, the
following instructions apply:
a) If any of the fi rst 11 players (starting players) listed on the start list are not
able to start the match for any reason, they may be replaced by any of the
12 substitutes. The replaced player(s) may no longer take part in the match,
and the quota of substitute players shall be reduced accordingly. During
the match, three players may still be replaced.
b) If any of the 12 substitutes listed on the start list are not able to be fi elded
for any reason, the player(s) concerned may not be replaced on the bench
by an additional player, which means that the quota of substitutes shall be
reduced accordingly. During the match, three players may still be replaced.
7.
Although no longer eligible to play as a substitute, the injured or ill player who
was removed from the start list may be seated on the substitutes’ bench, and if
so, would then also be eligible for doping control selection.
8.
No more than 23 people (11 offi cials and 12 substitutes) shall be allowed to
sit on the substitutes’ bench. The names of these offi cials must be indicated
on the “Offi cials on the Substitutes’ Bench” form to be provided to the FIFA
Match Commissioner. A suspended player or offi cial will not be allowed to sit
on the substitutes’ bench.
9.
The use of any electronic communication equipment and/or systems between
and/or amongst players and/or technical staff is not permitted.

Mujtahida:

Tbaba1234, Joebie, Icon4s and everyone else please help me confirm the above.

forgiveness:


Of course.

Finally it is confirmed!!!!!! What is 'confirmed" can be interpreted in different ways.

junnyjake:
I've seen people coming up here and blabbing all they can about the EPL being an oveehyped Mediocre league.

Wait a minute, without England, what kind of players would you have in your National team??

Just take a look....


Carl Ikeme: if not for his illness, he's the number 1 candidate in the post for us. He plays his football in England.

Ekong: Surprised?? He was a youth player at Tottenham Hotspurs, he and Harry Kane were mates, he spent a large part of his development in London. Is he one of the starters in your team?

Aina: is a Londoner, we all know that, many of us here consider him an upgrade to the 'experienced Elderson.'

Mikel: Your captain, with whom you can't win a game without, Chelsea wasn't part of his success story were they?

Iwobi: I seriously do want you to tell me Arsenal is club based in Azerbaijan, he's been with them since he was five, how would he have developed to a player you all love to watch without the education he received at the Emirates.

V.Moses: He's one of your favorite players right, can you remind me where he plays? I seem to have forgotten.

Iheanacho: All we would have been hearing about that kid would have been, "That boy was a star during the U-17s, where is he? had he not made a move to Mancity to develop his talent.

Ndidi: How many matches has he played for the Eagles?? Has he always play the full 90 mins?? And why is that?

Musa: Although, many of us won't really support his continuous call ups to the team(myself inclusive) but he's invited by the way, he's still in England, last I checked.

Ighalo: This man didn't get a call up while in Udinese or Granada, until when he was tearing down the championship and premiership with goals, making him an all time goal scorer for his club. Who's the top 9 in the present eagles team? Uh, tell me?



Now, close your eyes and imagine us playing without those players listed and tell me in all honesty why you think the League is just nothing but a hyped mediocre league despite 87% of your best players currently play there or have developed there.

These are not just members of the team but also undisputed starters.

Chrismario:


I'm not supporting such treatment but Aluko is not the first neither would he be last.

Your last paragraph though, I'm sorry to say he has not progressed much. The youngman has been moving sideways and I wonder why he has no been snapped by teams like Bournemouth. He might be good but not too good against our current players when placed side by side.

National team boost a players career. If Aluko was in the National team at that early stage of his career, he would have played in a better club. Ask Ndidi, Troost and Iwobi.

Mujtahida:

Yeah I noticed you've been offline and I was wondering why considering how hot and juicy the win over Argentina was.

Etebo stands the risk of losing his place - for example - to a fit and in form Joel Obi. I don't know whether it's a case of Rohr being unable to properly use him or Etebo himself underperforming. Ogu has acquitted himself and it's safe to say that if he's fit and in good form he's Russia bound. I'm happy for him cos he lost out last time to wuru wuru players like Uchebo and Ruben Gabriel.

I dont think he lost out then he wasnt ready he played for a club that he wasnt even playing regurlarly now hes playing regularly he has grown in confidence he is now an overall better player ...

Oga I don't mean to pick on you as I have shared some of your posts in the past. but as regard the bolded hmmmmm
1. Siblings are different. So just because a family member makes a decision does that throw questions on the entire family?
2. Your judgement on patriotism. Maybe you need to expatiate

goldfish80:

I remember Philip Idowu, he represented in England in long jumps.

I sensed political undertone abit from Aluko's case because his sister refused playing for Nigeria. If they were as patriotic as we think, they both should have played for naij.

Sone could have political ambitions in the future. It would have been impossible for him to get top political appointment if he represented another country. Recall Fashanu, even with his connections and influence was not permitted to run for any electoral office in the glass house.
He tried a couple of times and gave up.

Mujtahida:
Hahahaha hahahaha hahahaha. No be Etebo, na Simon Moses.

hahaha simon the fox