Mujtahida:

What we should aim for is measured dynamism. What if as in 2014 Moses flops as an offensive player? What then?
Here's Amunike speaking recently to Completesportsnigeria.com.
“Obviously, nobody gave the team (Super Eagles) a chance to beat Argentina in Tuesday’s international friendly but we all saw how they rattled Argentina. They must be prepared for tougher and better teams than the Argentines in Russia.
“If our team can be a bit dynamic and less predictable like they were against Argentina then we stand a chance of shocking these so-called big teams"

I repeat this is not the time to have just one or even two tactical formation. We go hear am if we do. We need to perfect at least three formations. We simply cannot afford to be static.

I agree with you. We also need to secure a formation that suits us playing without Mikel do you think its possible? You have any idea of a formation?

Joebie:
I like the 3-5-2 formation.

AS IT STANDS (of course we still have more friendlies to play that could change my opinion), these are my picks based on 3-5-2.

Key: ...... (slots yet to be filled)

The way you positioned your wingbackes makes them too high up the pitch. They should be situated beside the three defenders at default and and when we attack they should be situated beside the attacking MF.

blueto:
Greetings!

This is my preferred starting eleven for now in the 3-5-2 formation.
Moses should start for the RWB role while the likes or Ebuehi and Shehu can come in as subs. We can recall during the last world cup edition in 2014, Moses couldn't do very well against world cup teams in a forward role, despite his impressive runs against African teams in Afcon and other subsequent games against African sides, so why not avoid the same mistakes this time?

Another point is that, he can also impress in the wing back role, he is indefatigable in running, he can draw players to himself, thereby providing more space for Iheanacho and Iwobi to do some serious damages to the opponent's defenses. He can also drift in the 18 yard box to cause havoc when Nigeria is attacking just like how Idowu was found in the 18 yard box of Argentina too from the LWB role.

Another very important thing that Nigeria stands to benefit if Moses plays wing back is a very good defensive cover. Chelsea rarely concedes a goal from the right side if Moses is on the pitch and he is playing RWB, I can tentatively say that Chelsea have NOT conceded a goal from that right side with Moses playing the RWB role and even if they have, it will be on very few occasions. he always have that side looked against any team, and since he got injured now, Chelsea have been conceding many goals from there, which goes to show what Moses have been offering in that role. Now imaging him playing that role again for Nigeria and replicating that form, that will be a big plus to Nigeria.

Another point is that the flow between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho combination should not be tempered with for now. If Moses is made to play a forward role now, his style of football may not suit the flow and thereby disrupting it. The combination between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho have been devastating to defenses and should continue.

Why I picked Ogu ahead of Onazi for now is because of his good combination with Ndidi. We see the best of each other (Ndidi and Ogu) when they play. Ogu have showed he also has some pace and can use his positioning also to neutralize attacks, which can come in handy against those highly rate teams.

Awaziem is good with his left foot so he should play in the LCB role while Balogun should move to the center beacause of his "lack of pace."


So here is my preferred line up for now

Ogu for me has had one good game and that's about it. He is way too slow and his defensive recovery very limited.

I would rather have Onazi who covers a lot of ground and plugs gaps in the defence as well as creates openings in the attack. And has far better recovery than Ogu.

Playing against a team with pace Ogu can easily become a liability. We have one slow very competent player in Mikel we do not needs another.


Mikel is not known for pace. To be honest as good as Mikel is he sometimes slows the team down. His lack if pace is compensated by his ball distribution.

Chrismario:



Yes, I'm not doubting that but.....
He made his SE debut at 20, isn't that early enough?
The truth is that the youngman failed to reach 50% of what was once predicted. It is unfair to place all the blame on SE.

What was predicted

He just moved to Reading for near £8 million in the championship that's an indicator of his quality considering his true age.

Cool. You could also have saved it in word and post it as attachment on their twitter handles, but I think you've done enough.

Good job, boss!



O pari

Icon4s:


Done!

Posted on both Toyin Ibitoye and the NFF twitter handles.

The text box could not accommodate the whole message so I only posted the subject and referred them to the link to view the full message.

I also put a link to this great thread in the open letter so Toyin and the NFF can have a better view of more of our discussions here.

Well done all.

Mujtahida:

Let it not be that we win high profile friendlies and then go to the WC and be knocked out first round. The world needs to see this team go at least qtr final at the WC.

I see Nigeria playing in the world cup finals against France.

chrisooblog:
my World Cup List of Sure Bankers (barring injuries) as of today

GOALKEEPER

1. Francis Uzoho (for now he takes the 3rd rookie spot)

DEFENDERS

2. Leon Balogun
3. Troost Ekong
4. Chidozie Awaziem (rookie spot)
5. Shehu Abdullahi
6. Tyronne Ebuehi (i'm satisfied with what i've seen of him)
7. Ola Aina (he's an upgrade on elderson that i'm sure of might still lose his starting position to brian idowu)

MIDFIELDERS

8. John Obi Mikel
9. Wilfred Ndidi
10. Ogenyi Onazi
11. John Ogu

STRIKERS

12. Victor Moses
13. Alex Iwobi
14. Kelechi Iheanacho
15. Odion Ighalo
16. Simon Moses

with the above mentioned list this leaves 7 positions to be filled. GKs really difficult to say who will take it. enyeama? ajiboye, ezenwa and alampasu to fight for the final 2 spots. DF i would like to go with 8 so two spots are left. brian idowu (want another look at him before i make up my mind), elderson, omeruo, uche agbo, efe ambrose to slog it out for the final 2 places. MID 5 players for me so one more spot left. joel obi, etebo, sone aluko, josh onomah? to battle for the sole spot. STK 7 attackers get my nod so 2 places left. kayode, onyekuru, ahmed musa, dessers, awoniyi? osimhen? bonaventure to slug it out for the final 2 spot

y'all don't know ikeme will be fit before Russia am sure of that. that's why am not too worried about the gk issues

MetalJigsaw:
I agree with you. We also need to secure a formation that suits us playing without Mikel do you think its possible? You have any idea of a formation?

4-2-4

Icon79:
Etebo is definitely going to Russia but whether he'll get a game is a different story, especially if Joel Obi gets called into the mix.
Etebo had his chances but he didn't exactly grab it with both hands. Two stellar performances and 2 poor performances under Rohr. I think the bad pitch in Constantine really impacted his game badly.

Verdict: the jury is still out on him, as far as Rohr is concerned.


O pari

Etebo's chances of even going are slim if Joel Obi gets into the mix. We would most likely go with five central midfielders Mikel, Onazi, Ndidi, Ogu, (Obi/Etebo /Agu are in the probables basket) John Ogu with his fine performances over the two games has warmed himself into the team and possibly the first eleven.

[quote author=chrisooblog post=62463740]nigeria i think with a favourable draw can do quite well. senegal i think are the most star studded african team but i don't have much faith in their coach to get the best out of them but they are definitely capable. egypt has only salah. tunisians always flatter to deceive do well in qualifiers and collapse like a pack of cards in the main show. morocco? with herve renard they could spring a surprise

[/quotetrue

Joebie:
I think we need a good ball holder and passer like Mikel. I think those are the qualities we miss whenever he is not on the pitch.
I think emphasis needs to be put on ball holding before we start throwing names

Modified
Okocha was somewhat a ball holder because it was hard for an opponent take the ball from him because of his sublime tricks. Mikel, rather, guides the ball so well, hence was able to replace Okocha in this respect. Okocha's passing is supreme though.

You re right , a good ball holder will do the magic . Their is a guy in the Nigeria League , still trying to remember his name . He played during the Olympic qualifier and had issue with Sia1 . Please help me with name . Where is that guy he plays that role better too , what league is he presently

Joebie:
I like the 3-5-2 formation.

AS IT STANDS (of course we still have more friendlies to play that could change my opinion), these are my picks based on 3-5-2.

Key: ...... (slots yet to be filled)

If we perfect this formation, we will win countries like Germany and spain with it easily.

blueto:
Greetings!

This is my preferred starting eleven for now in the 3-5-2 formation.
Moses should start for the RWB role while the likes or Ebuehi and Shehu can come in as subs. We can recall during the last world cup edition in 2014, Moses couldn't do very well against world cup teams in a forward role, despite his impressive runs against African teams in Afcon and other subsequent games against African sides, so why not avoid the same mistakes this time?

Another point is that, he can also impress in the wing back role, he is indefatigable in running, he can draw players to himself, thereby providing more space for Iheanacho and Iwobi to do some serious damages to the opponent's defenses. He can also drift in the 18 yard box to cause havoc when Nigeria is attacking just like how Idowu was found in the 18 yard box of Argentina too from the LWB role.

Another very important thing that Nigeria stands to benefit if Moses plays wing back is a very good defensive cover. Chelsea rarely concedes a goal from the right side if Moses is on the pitch and he is playing RWB, I can tentatively say that Chelsea have NOT conceded a goal from that right side with Moses playing the RWB role and even if they have, it will be on very few occasions. he always have that side looked against any team, and since he got injured now, Chelsea have been conceding many goals from there, which goes to show what Moses have been offering in that role. Now imaging him playing that role again for Nigeria and replicating that form, that will be a big plus to Nigeria.

Another point is that the flow between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho combination should not be tempered with for now. If Moses is made to play a forward role now, his style of football may not suit the flow and thereby disrupting it. The combination between Mikel, Iwobi and Iheanacho have been devastating to defenses and should continue.

Why I picked Ogu ahead of Onazi for now is because of his good combination with Ndidi. We see the best of each other (Ndidi and Ogu) when they play. Ogu have showed he also has some pace and can use his positioning also to neutralize attacks, which can come in handy against those highly rate teams.

Awaziem is good with his left foot so he should play in the LCB role while Balogun should move to the center beacause of his "lack of pace."


So here is my preferred line up for now

The wingbacks should be positioned side by side with the back three unless we're attacking.

Napoleon55:
nice suggestion,but i'm afraid only Iwobi can comfortably play that role Mikel is playing.

Iwobi present position provide more goals for us . I have noticed that . We must have that replacement and let iwobi play has SS . Even if Rohr is changing tactics , we still someone who can role with the ball in that middle and a player with an eye for splitting passes .

Mujtahida:

Etebo's chances of even going are slim if Joel Obi gets into the mix. We would most likely go with five central midfielders Mikel, Onazi, Ndidi, Ogu, (Obi/Etebo /Agu are in the probables basket) John Ogu with his fine performances over the two games has warmed himself into the team and possibly the first eleven.

I will keep saying it 1million times,dt any sane coach irrespective of d formation we choose to play at d world cup will take a "multifunctional energetic" ETEBO to world cup ahead of any oda midfielder asyde Mikel,although he might not b spectacular in some games,but he's an asset to any team,worse case scenario if Joel obi comes into d mix and proof himself beyond doubt to d coaching crew cos no more automatic slot,

We would take six midfielders instead of d usual five dt comprise d likes of Mikel john obi,O. Etebo,ogenyi onazi,Wilfred ndidi,Joel obi and john ogu

MetalJigsaw:
I agree with you. We also need to secure a formation that suits us playing without Mikel do you think its possible? You have any idea of a formation?

To play without Mikel? We did so in Algeria na . What we lack is a good sub and it's dangerous. Even Sampaoli bewailed their over dependence on Messi and said it's not good. A team is healthy when no matter how good a player is, there's a good replacement for him. We don't have his replacement yet and I don't know if the technical crew are aware of this cos Etebo has not lived up to it and Iwobi should rather play with Mikel than sub Mikel. We've seen Rohr worry about the gk department, the full back, good substitutes for the DM and the attack but I've not seen any move to find a good sub for Mikel.

Mujtahida:

I'm sorry to say this - from reading you here I have the impression that most of our players are not good enough in your eyes and I don't think you'd be satisfied until our first eleven is made up thus:

------------------------Arthur Okonkwo - - - - - - - - - - -

Aina/Odubajo - - - Iorfa - - - Fikayo T- - - SeyiOjo

Onyedinma----- Aneke /Aluko - - - Josh Onomah


Solanke - - - - - Tammy - - - - - - - Edun

Your statement is prejudiced negative sentiment.

I take it as comedy.

MetalJigsaw:
The wingbacks should be positioned side by side with the back three unless we're attacking.

that is not an issue. where there are placed doesn't matter. A wing back is a wing back. The formation changes to 5-3-2 when defending and switches to 3-5-2 when attacking. that's simple

komekn:


Ogu for me has had one good game and that's about it. He is way too slow and his defensive recovery very limited.

I would rather have Onazi who covers a lot of ground and plugs gaps in the defence as well as creates openings in the attack. And has far better recovery than Ogu.

Playing against a team with pace Ogu can easily become a liability. We have one slow very competent player in Mikel we do not needs another.


Mikel is not known for pace. To be honest as good as Mikel is he sometimes slows the team down. His lack if pace is compensated by his ball distribution.

When you say Ogu had one good game which do mean? Against Argentina or Algeria?

You guys said he has no pace but he came good with the pacy Argentinians meanwhile he freed up Ndidi to go do his thing all over the pitch. Seeing Ndidi against Argentina It further confirmed my pre existing observations that he and Onazi do not jell and I've explained why I think they don't in an earlier post. For some opponents, Onazi and Ndidi will not work. So if you are afraid of having a slow Mikel and a slow Ogu then we just need to bring back Joel Obi if he's fit into the team(abi Aluko which I doubt).

On Mikel and pace, consider that Pirlo didn't have much pace. Mikel slows down the play for us to catch our breath and organise. Not once did he slow down our attack. He contributed to at least two of our goals. What Mikel has is a good sense of the team's pulse and beat. He knows when to up the tempo and when to slow it down. He's the maestro, the conductor of the orchestra. What we need is a good substitute for him.

Abusule007:

If we perfect this formation, we will win countries like Germany and spain with it easily.

Bro don’t be over ambitious . We need to do Well and passed the group stage . A semifinal is a good outing . I know we re in the verge of doing better than the past record we had in the past . Looking forward to a great World Cup outing .

komekn:


Your statement is prejudiced negative sentiment.

I take it as comedy.

Hahahaha hahahaha komekn it's not comedy ooo.

elyte89:




I will keep saying it 1million times,dt any sane coach irrespective of d formation we choose to play at d world cup will take a "multifunctional energetic" ETEBO to world cup ahead of any oda midfielder asyde Mikel,although he might not b spectacular in some games,but he's an asset to any team,worse case scenario if Joel obi comes into d mix and proof himself beyond doubt to d coaching crew cos no more automatic slot,

We would take six midfielders instead of d usual five dt comprise d likes of Mikel john obi,O. Etebo,ogenyi onazi,Wilfred ndidi,Joel obi and john ogu

Versatility is good but it's like Etebo's own has become a limitation for him.

It tells me that Solanke is British footballer and Iheanacho is a Nigerian. Short and simple!

Don't forget that both Liverpool and Chelsea also fought tooth and nail to have Oxlade Chamberlaine but Alex Iwobi, who had kept him on the Arsenal bench for most parts of last season, was not considered by the bigger clubs in England.

What does that tells you


O pari

forgiveness:


Iheanacho and Solanke were available during the transfer market but Iheanacho was not considered by the bigger clubs in England.

However, Chelsea and Liverpool fought nail and tooth to have Solanke.

What does that tells you?

Now, Iheanacho is a bench warmer in almost a relegated threatened team. A team that most of the first team can't smell the bench of Liverpool neither the U23.

What does that tells you?

komekn:


Ogu for me has had one good game and that's about it. He is way too slow and his defensive recovery very limited.

I would rather have Onazi who covers a lot of ground and plugs gaps in the defence as well as creates openings in the attack. And has far better recovery than Ogu.

Playing against a team with pace Ogu can easily become a liability. We have one slow very competent player in Mikel we do not needs another.


Mikel is not known for pace. To be honest as good as Mikel is he sometimes slows the team down. His lack if pace is compensated by his ball distribution.

Argh! Enough of this issue na. The Ogu I saw against Argentina is not a "too slow” player despite how some people said he will be outpaced by the Argentines prior to the match. the two players (Mikel and Ogu) played in the game and had good games. Ogu was instrumental in that game with his timely interceptions, tackles and shielding the back line, even see how he was there on time to impede Dybala's shot in the early minutes of the game which may have led to the first goal for Argentina if he hadn't anticipated and quickly ran into the box to defend against it after they (Argentines) had gone past Balogun with fast passes. He also came into the box to clear some crosses and relive the defense of pressure. Abeg wetin this guy do una sef? with all his impressive performances, you guys still try to make him look bad. He has impressed in all his matches under Rohr (Senegal, Algeria and Argentina) and yet we keep hearing hearing this!

Joebie:
I like the 3-5-2 formation.

AS IT STANDS (of course we still have more friendlies to play that could change my opinion), these are my picks based on 3-5-2.

Key: ...... (slots yet to be filled)

Yes, the decision can be changed before the world cup. But for now, I agree with your opinion, but can Ekong play comfortably on the left side?

In that case, then John Ogu would have to be dropped. First, Etebo is a better all round player. Secondly, unlike Ogu, Etebo is a utility player who can player several positions (AM, CM, DM, SS).


O pari

Mujtahida:

Etebo's chances of even going are slim if Joel Obi gets into the mix. We would most likely go with five central midfielders Mikel, Onazi, Ndidi, Ogu, (Obi/Etebo /Agu are in the probables basket) John Ogu with his fine performances over the two games has warmed himself into the team and possibly the first eleven.

Wow! The world must be coming to an end because even Komekn has started making sense. *J/K*


Seriously, I am yet to understand what the hype about John Ogu is all about. I totally agree with you that he has only had one good game. And even on his good day, Ogu still have heavy touches, limited passing ability, hard tackling, poor decision making etc. A well coached team like Brazil, Germany, Spain etc would eat him for lunch.


O pari

komekn:


Ogu for me has had one good game and that's about it. He is way too slow and his defensive recovery very limited.

I would rather have Onazi who covers a lot of ground and plugs gaps in the defence as well as creates openings in the attack. And has far better recovery than Ogu.

Playing against a team with pace Ogu can easily become a liability. We have one slow very competent player in Mikel we do not needs another.


Mikel is not known for pace. To be honest as good as Mikel is he sometimes slows the team down. His lack if pace is compensated by his ball distribution.

blueto:
Argh! Enough of this issue na. The Ogu I saw against Argentina is not a "too slow” player despite how some people said he will be outpaced by the Argentines prior to the match. the two players (Mikel and Ogu) played in the game and had good games. Ogu was instrumental in that game with his timely interceptions, tackles and shielding the back line, even see how he was there on time to impede Dybala's shot in the early minutes of the game which may have led to the first goal for Argentina if he hadn't anticipated and quickly ran into the box to defend against it after they (Argentines) had gone past Balogun with fast passes. He also came into the box to clear some crosses and relive the defense of pressure. Abeg wetin this guy do una sef? with all his impressive performances, you guys still try to make him look bad. He has impressed in all his matches under Rohr (Senegal, Algeria and Argentina) and yet we keep hearing hearing this!

That's how I used to read here that Iheanacho doesn't have pace and because I only watch highlights of the EPL, I was almost taking that view not until I saw Iheanacho run several times into attacking positions with good pace did I say chai, this guy has pace na. What do they want again? In fact he has good pace on the ball too. But he cannot dribble. Twice he couldn't dribble Otamendi when Argentina were thin at the back.

blueto:
that is not an issue. where there are placed doesn't matter. A wing back is a wing back. The formation changes to 5-3-2 when defending and switches to 3-5-2 when attacking. that's simple

You're right

Icon79:
Wow! The world must be coming to an end because even Komekn has started making sense. *J/K*


Seriously, I am yet to understand what the hype about John Ogu is all about. I totally agree with you that he has only had one good game. And even on his good day, Ogu still have heavy touches, limited passing ability, hard tackling, poor decision making etc. A well coached team like Brazil, Germany, Spain etc would eat him for lunch.


O pari

That's how una talk against Argentina ooo. Now it's Brazil, Germany, Spain. I go just dey watch. One thing I've noticed about Ogu he might be slow, poor in tackling, interceptions, passes as you guys say but he's very, very determined to go to Russia. Only injury will stop him. If Rohr gives him more opportunities he would work harder. He wants to so much go to Russia. Did you read how he said he had to pay for one specialists like that in a race to be fit for the match against Algeria? He knew that was his opportunity. He's grabbed it.

Mujtahida:

To play without Mikel? We did so in Algeria na . What we lack is a good sub and it's dangerous. Even Sampaoli bewailed their over dependence on Messi and said it's not good. A team is healthy when no matter how good a player is, there's a good replacement for him. We don't have his replacement yet and I don't know if the technical crew are aware of this cos Etebo has not lived up to it and Iwobi should rather play with Mikel than sub Mikel. We've seen Rohr worry about the gk department, the full back, good substitutes for the DM and the attack but I've not seen any move to find a good sub for Mikel.

That's what I'm saying.. an alternative for Mike in case he's injured or something