Mujtahida:

Sweet analysis. The 5-3-2 strategy should be perfected to a high pitch so that we can use it against top sides like Brazil, Germany, France, Spain etc.
Mikel has very good understanding of the movement of all those in front of him from Ighalo to Moses to Iheanacho to Iwobi. But truly there was a fluidity in the flow between him, Iheanacho and Iwobi. I really do wish that that understanding cuts deeply across the forward line such that all our offensive players have telepathy amongst themselves.

Rohr has a tough decision to make:I don't think it's good for us to feature both Ndidi and Onazi at the same time. He has to chose because truly Ndidi played better with Ogu. I feel it has to do with the fact that Ogu is predominantly left footed and balances the play by stretching it towards the left hand side of the pitch leaving Ndidi to run on the right. Watch the match again:you'd rarely see Ogu on the RMF or Ndidi on the LMF. But both Ndidi and Onazi are predominantly right footed and tilt the game in only the right direction and thereby choking each other. So if you understand the dynamics of Yin /Yang you'd see why Ogu and Ndidi flow better than Ndidi and Onazi who both provide Yang/Yang energy. Joel Obi too should be brought to play as LMF. He's predominantly left footed.

Balogun is not pacy. He should be in the middle of the back three. Or better still Omeruo should slot right in there till Balogun regains his form. Beyond being slow, Balogun is now shaky. I don't know why. I think Rohr is still searching for a player that can play as LCB and I feel he'd snatch one of those German boys. I'm still not convinced about Idowu. He should be tested again.

On the attack Kayode has more to offer us than Nwakaeme. He should be given a run of game to show his quality. Onyekuru, Musa, Ighalo and Simon Moses are good for our attack. Your analysis on Victor Moses is quite perceptive cos I remember that at Brazil 2014 he was flat as an offensive player like you rightly said. His career too flip flopped while he played offensively for various clubsides. He's been reinvented as a RWB. We should be bold and put him there. Ebuehi will deputise for him. I don't know yet who will be our LWB or sub even.

On the whole the 5-3-2 is another tactical option which we just have to fine tune since we tried it within a squeezed time and we used it to great effect against Argentina. It shows that if it's practiced for an extended period of time our players will grasp it. Let's keep it in our tool bag waiting to unleash it on the appropriate opposition.

this is great! I agree with most of the things you said.

Nice one

Abusule007:

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

Who won in the final

Icon4s:


If Rohr should adopt this system, then 2 of Aina, Ebuehi, and Shehu may not make it to Russia.

sir, can you please shed more light? thanks in anticipation.

MetalJigsaw:
You're right

thanks!

blueto:
sir, can you please shed more light? thanks in anticipation.

If V. Moses plays the RWB as you have suggested, then it means we need only one back-up RWB.

Very good question. Never seen him deployed there.

blueto:
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?

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

It depends on his form and you cannot ascertain cos prior to Algeria match Ogu was behind Etebo and Agu but now they are behind him.

Etebo and Agu just need to up their game cos any moment Rohr played Nwakili and he was able to put up a convincing performance, bye bye to Etebo and Agu.

Take note we still have Muzzam, Joel Obi,Ajagun,Azeez,Esiti,Lawal waiting for a call.

@bolded , rightly said, especially as they are all versatile

Icon4s:


If Rohr should adopt this system, then 2 of Aina, Ebuehi, and Shehu may not make it to Russia.

Mujtahida:

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.

I wonder. People are just against that against that guy (Ogu) ehn. Even some of the things they say about him aren't true. I wonder why his club keeps playing him week in, week out if he truly plays as how people have described him on this thread. They should stop watching players with “preconceived” notions as sir Joseph would say.

komekn:


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.

Moving from fryingpan to fryingpan
That's not progress.

We will have a good chance, yes. But, some of these countries are good at switching up play.

Abusule007:

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

Icon4s:


If V. Moses plays the RWB as you have suggested, then it means we need only one back-up RWB.

That back up can be Ebuehi, while Shehu will be selected as a midfielder who are also play RB depending on the formation adopted for a game.

How exactly did we reach the conclusions that Mikel Agu and Etebo are now behind John Ogu in the pecking order?

First of all, Mikel Agu was injured and not in camp for the two games. Hence, he wasn't even in contention. Who says that Rohr wouldn't have selected him ahead of Ogu in those two games if he were available for selection?

Secondly, the Argentina game was a friendly. Rohr was just using it to assess some players, especially the players who haven't had many chances to play (this includes Ogu but excludes Etebo who had started many more games under Rohr than Ogu). Bottom line, that Ogu started and finished those two games didn't really tell us anything about the pecking order yet. As far as I know, Rohr is still tinkering and trying to find his best team.


O pari

Kog45:
It depends on his form and you cannot ascertain cos prior to Algeria match Ogu was behind Etebo and Agu but now they are behind him.

Etebo and Agu just need to up their game cos any moment Rohr played Nwakili and he was able to put up a convincing performance, bye bye to Etebo and Agu.

blueto:
I wonder. People are just against that against that guy (Ogu) ehn. Even some of the things they say about him aren't true. I wonder why his club keeps playing him week in, week out if he truly plays as how people have described him on this thread. They should stop watching players with “preconceived” notions as sir Joseph would say.

Ogu should really pray for God to help him ooo

blueto:
That back up can be Ebuehi, while Shehu will be selected as a midfielder who are also play RB depending on the formation adopted for a game.

What of Aina?

No question, I give him A for effort. He's a very hardworking player. I give him that. However, his game still needs some refinement if he wants to make hay on the biggest stage. Or else, his late and hard tackles would be red cards waiting to happen when we get to Russia. I am already concerned about Onazi, I don't wanna worry about another CM in the team.


O pari

Mujtahida:

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.

Icon79:
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

Etebo plays everywhere but how I wish he can be superb in one or two positions cos right now I don't even know how good he is. He is gradually becoming memory.

Joebie:
@bolded , rightly said, especially as they are all versatile

Versatility is a major strength of this team. A lot of our players are versatile.

I don't knw aw good al hassan Ibrahim is,if d guy is good and he's given a chance also to proof himself, he shld b able to replace Mikel in matches if issues since he naturally plays 8,


Or worst case scenario, iheanacho can thrive in mikels position also


I think where we shld b worried more is d gk,full backs and adding an out-out striker to compete with ighalo cos he seems to b d only true 9.

nelszx:


Who won in the final

Hahahaha hahahaha. Don't mock him ooo. That's how someone said we would beat Argentina and he was laughed to scorn. Turns out his 'foolish' prediction happened.

Azubuike Okechukwu? My bad. Azubuike actually went to the Olympics.. hmm home based? I dont know

Abuzuike is quite good in holding the ball

lexyman:


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

blueto:
I wonder. People are just against that against that guy (Ogu) ehn. Even some of the things they say about him aren't true. I wonder why his club keeps playing him week in, week out if he truly plays as how people have described him on this thread. They should stop watching players with “preconceived” notions as sir Joseph would say.

Thank you for this great observation,sometimes we throw away objectivity and started talking as if some of this players are not professional.

I remember on this thread some were wondering why Agu should started ahead of Ogu but some believe Agu was better but forgetting coaches sometimes always getting it wrong with some players,preferring Agu ahead of Ogu was one of Rohr mistake cos it was glaring Ogu was better, good Algeria and Argentina have proved it.

Ogu had a great performance against Algeria and Argentina and i doubt Agu can put such performance, so we need to appreciate him.

Kog45:
It depends on his form and you cannot ascertain cos prior to Algeria match Ogu was behind Etebo and Agu but now they are behind him.

Etebo and Agu just need to up their game cos any moment Rohr played Nwakili and he was able to put up a convincing performance, bye bye to Etebo and Agu.

Take note we still have Muzzam, Joel Obi,Ajagun,Azeez,Esiti,Lawal waiting for a call.

Hahahaha hahahaha hahahaha. Both of them failed to live up to the billing. Ogu meanwhile grabbed his opportunity. They are the ones at risk now not Ogu(at least for now)

lexyman:


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

Do you mean Kingsley Sokari? He plays in Egypt now I don't think he has lived up to expectations yet after the raves he made he was first discovered.

We want versatile players, but we also want players with specialty.
I think for Etebo, it's SS

Mujtahida:

Etebo plays everywhere but how I wish he can be superb in one or two positions cos right now I don't even know how good he is. He is gradually becoming memory.

Did you watch him versus Algeria in Uyo? He was fantastic. He was arguably our best player on that day (along with Leon Balogun).

Like I said, he has only had two bad games:
Versus South Africa in Uyo. My excuse: He was trying to do too much. Both Mikel and VicMo did not play so Etebo was overloaded in the midfield....trying to be the playmaker. In addition, the whole team had a stinker in that match, so we shouldn't single him out.

Versus Algeria in Constantine. My excuse: The pitch was too bad for anybody to play in. And the poor pitch impacted Etebo's ball playing style more than other people. And Iwobi and Kelechi had bad games too .... that's because the 3 players play similar style.



O pari

Mujtahida:

Etebo plays everywhere but how I wish he can be superb in one or two positions cos right now I don't even know how good he is. He is gradually becoming memory.

Joebie:
@bolded , rightly said, especially as they are all versatile

I don't really get. Is it that if Rohr adopts the 4!5-3-2 method we can only go with one spare RWB? And dropping two? I see us dropping one not two. Abi we go play only 5-3-2? What happens on a day we decide to play 4-3-3- where will the substitute for the RB come from if we have already dropped two out of the three we have?

Joebie:
We will have a good chance, yes. But, some of these countries are good at switching up play.

Germany especially. If fact Germany switched play to the extent that it cost them in Euro 2012. Go to false9.com I trust you will enjoy thier write ups.

Icon79:
How exactly did we reach the conclusions that Mikel Agu and Etebo are now behind John Ogu in the pecking order?

First of all, Mikel Agu was injured and not in camp for the two games. Hence, he wasn't even in contention. Who says that Rohr wouldn't have selected him ahead of Ogu in those two games if he were available for selection?

Secondly, the Argentina game was a friendly. Rohr was just using it to assess some players, especially the players who haven't had many chances to play (this includes Ogu but excludes Etebo who had started many more games under Rohr than Ogu). Bottom line, that Ogu started and finished those two games didn't really tell us anything about the pecking order yet. As far as I know, Rohr is still tinkering and trying to find his best team.


O pari

You forget that just like Ogu, Mikel Agu had two run of games. He wasn't convincing. I am one of those who believe in him. But Ogu impressed at least more than Agu. If Agu were fit I don't think Rohr would have played him.

Mujtahida:

Hahahaha hahahaha. Don't mock him ooo. That's how someone said we would beat Argentina and he was laughed to scorn. Turns out his 'foolish' prediction happened.

Nah it isn't mockery oo just wanted to know who'll win in earnest so I can start the celebration early.....But it'd be sweet if Nigeria wins this coming world cup oo (E go sweet me to pieces )

Icon79:
How exactly did we reach the conclusions that Mikel Agu and Etebo are now behind John Ogu in the pecking order?

First of all, Mikel Agu was injured and not in camp for the two games. Hence, he wasn't even in contention. Who says that Rohr wouldn't have selected him ahead of Ogu in those two games if he were available for selection?

Secondly, the Argentina game was a friendly. Rohr was just using it to assess some players, especially the players who haven't had many chances to play (this includes Ogu but excludes Etebo who had started many more games under Rohr than Ogu). Bottom line, that Ogu started and finished those two games didn't really tell us anything about the pecking order yet. As far as I know, Rohr is still tinkering and trying to find his best team.


O pari

Oh Argentina match a friendly meaning Echiejele still remain our best LB cos am seeing guys already rating Ebuhei, Idowu ahead of others

I remember James Obiorah used friendly match to displace Wilson Oruma from 2002 WC team

Mike Emenalo used ordinary friendly match to displace Nduka Ugbade from US 94 team

Enyeama used friendly match to pushed Ejide to number 3 prior to 2002 WC.

Dosu Joseph pushed Emma Babayaro to number 2 through friendly match

My man any match either friendly or official match is enough to determine a player.

As it now i w rather pick Ogu than Agu cos have watched both and i know what they can do.

sontoly:


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.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion. He never told you or anyone to take his as the gospel truth.