Mickael2:


yes yes yes, and they scored barely 5mins later

Lol, are you implying that it was because of Moses that they could not score Or is it the soft soft penalty that you are attributing to Zappa?

Hector Cooper coach of the year

BascoVanVeli:
Hector Cooper coach of the year

I agree..

Liamm:
I'm worried because most of our players arent getting enough playing time in their respective clubs. The few ones wey manage see ball play com dey f*ck up on top their performance. This is world cup year and we want our best legs in Russia. If by april/may we are still going back and forth over players being in form and players being afforded playing time, i'm afraid I may have to concede group stage elimination even before the ball is first kicked when we play croatia. Zapa is in form and if he continues in that way; his goals, assists, dribbles, lets just say with his improved overall impact, Moses will begin to see the bench more often than not.

good for u,some of us believed otherwise and we are better for it,cos we qualified for WC believing,come summer,we'll return home with our heads held high,with Victor Moses as our attacking weapon,even Kelechi.
and there is nothing u or likes can do about it.

SEE WHO CAN DEPUTIZE FOR MIKEL OBI IN THE ATTACKING MIDFIELD POSITION


Recently, we heard Rohr is searching for a player capable of playing the role of Mikel Obi. This is necessary should Mikel gets injury or suspension that could render him unfit or ineligible to continue or play in a match as witnessed in the last WC when we had no replacement for Michael and Onazi though Ramon Azeez could had easily replaced Onazi but for lack of trust wasn't played.


Therefore, it is indeed necessary and understandable to get a player who can slot in easily into Mikel's position without being felt.


However, we ought to know what exactly Rohr is looking for in a player able to deputize for Mikel. As we heard, he is looking for one who is able to hold unto the ball, give key and through passes, and also capable of defending.

Unfortunately, Rohr is not sold on Alex Iwobi and Tega Etebor to do the job hence the need to find a better player that can play the role of Mikel Obi comfortable without Mikel being missed.

As a fan of the SE, I have offered to contribute my quota by using the whoscored comparison data to compare the other players that have not been given the chance to prove themselves in the GWG shirt.

We will examine and compare their offensive, defensive and passing attributes and choose the better replacement for Mikel Obi and also reconsider Tega Etebor's place in the team if there is a better and quality option for him since our focus is on AMF/CM positions.

Here the contenders, Sone Aluko, Alex Iwobi, Etebor Tega, Abdul Ajagun, Raheem Lawal and Kelechi Nwakali.

I will use Mikel Obi stats as benchmark for these players and the Offensive part of their game will be the first to be compared.

I will bolding the attribute that is better than the ones in comparison.




Player Offensive Comparisons
Summary

John Obi Mikel
Tianjin Teda
Super league - 2017
Age: 30
DMC

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 13
Mins: 1170
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
SpG: 0.4
KeyP: 0.6
Drb: 1.5
Fouled: 0.7
Off: 0.2
Disp: 1.3
UnsTch: 0.3

PASSING
AvgP: 55.5
PS%: 85.4
Crosses: 0.1
LongB: 3.6
ThrB: 0.1

DEFENDING
Tackles: 1.7
Inter: 1.4
Fouls: 2.1
Offsides: 0.2
Clear: 1.9
Drb: 1.1
Blocks: 0.3
OwnG: -





Alex Iwobi
Arsenal
Premier League - 2016/2017
Age: 21
AM(CLR)

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 18(
Mins: 1463
Goals: 3
Assists: 3
SpG: 1.5
KeyP: 1
Drb: 1.1
Fouled: 0.5
Off: 0.1
Disp: 1
UnsTch: 0.9

PASSING
AvgP: 34.5
PS%: 87.5
Crosses: 0.2
LongB: 0.7
ThrB: 0.1

DEFENDING
Tackles: 0.7
Inter: 0.3
Fouls: 0.3
Offsides: -
Clear: 0.2
Drb: 0.4
Blocks: 0.2
OwnG: -



Oghenekaro Etebo
Feirense
Liga NOS - 2016/2017
Age: 22
AM(L),FW

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 21(2)
Mins: 1906
Goals: 2
Mins -
SpG: 1.6
KeyP: 0.5
Drb: 0.5
Fouled: 3
Off: 0.2
Disp: 2.2
UnsTch: 2.3

PASSING
AvgP: 24.4
PS%: 71.8
Crosses: 0.2
LongB: 1.4
ThrB -

DEFENDING
Tackles: 0.7
Inter: 1.2
Fouls: 1
Offsides: -
Clear: 0.9
Drb: 0.5
Blocks: 0.2
OwnG: -




Sone Aluko
Fulham
Championship - 2016/2017
Age: 28
AM(CLR),FW

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 44(1)
Mins: 3750
Goals: 8
Assists: 10
SpG: 2.8
KeyP: 1.1
Drb: 2.3
Fouled: 1.4
Off: 0.3
Disp: 2.1
UnsTch: 2.9

PASSING
AvgP: 38
PS%: 85.3
Crosses: 0.5
LongB: 1.2
ThrB: 0.1

DEFENDING
Tackles: 1
Inter: 0.4
Fouls: 1
Offsides -
Clear -
Drb : 0.6
Blocks -
OwnG -



Abdul Ajagun
Roda
Eredivisie - 2016/2017
Age: 24
AM(CR)

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 30(1)
Mins: 2568
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
SpG: 1.8
KeyP: 0.9
Drb: 0.5
Fouled: 1.2
Off: 0.2
Disp: 1.3
UnsTch: 1.5

PASSING
AvgP: 24.5
PS%: 73.5
Crosses: 0.4
LongB: 1.8
ThrB: -

DEFENDING
Tackles: 1.2
Inter: 0.7
Fouls: 0.6
Offsides: -
Clear: 0.3
Drb: 0.7
Blocks: 0.1
OwnG: -




Raheem Lawal
Kayserispor
Super Lig - 2016/2017
Age: 27
M(C)

OFFENSIVE
Apps: 16
Mins: 1276
Goals: 5
Assists: 2
SpG: 1.6
KeyP: 1.4
Drb: 3
Fouled: 3.9
Off: 0.1
Disp: 2.5
UnsTch: 2.1

PASSING
AvgP: 36.4
PS%: 74.9
Crosses: 0.1
LongB: 2.6
ThrB: 0.3

DEFENDING
Tackles: 1.4
Inter: 0.4
Fouls: 1.9
Offsides -
Clear: 0.3
Drb: 0.6
Blocks: 0.1
OwnG: -





Kelechi Nwakali
Venlo
Eredivisie - 2017/2018
Age: 19
Midfielder


OFFENSIVE
Apps: 3(6)
Mins: 298
Goals: 1
Assists -
SpG: 1.2
KeyP: 0.3
Drb: 0.8
Fouled: 0.3
Off -
Disp: 0.3
UnsTch: 1.1

PASSING
AvgP: 16.9
PS%: 80.3
Crosses: -
LongB: 0.7
ThrB: -

DEFENDING
Tackles: 0.4
Inter: 0.6
Fouls: 0.3
Offsides -
Clear: -
Drb: 0.4
Blocks: 0.1
OwnG: -




Mins: Minutes played Goals: Total goals Assists: Total assists SpG: Shots per game KeyP: Key passes per game Drb: Dribbles per game Fouled: Fouled per game Off: Offsides per game Disp: Dispossessed per game UnsTch: Bad control per game AvgP: Passes per game PS%: Pass success percentage Crosses: Crosses per game LongB: Long balls per game. ThrB: Through balls per game Tackles: Tackles per game Inter: Interceptions per game Fouls: Fouls per game Offsides: Offside won per game Clear: Clearances per game Drb: Dribbled past per game Blocks: OutfielderBlockPerGame OwnG: Own goals



Verdict on Offensive attributes.

In the shots per game category which has to do with the threat of shooting at goal in a game. Sone Aluko is better than all including Mikel Obi.

Here the rating is decided by the higher the number you have and this is rating style is also applicable to Key passes, the numbers of dribble (which has to do with your ability to dribble successful) and fouled (the ability to draw fouls and get your opponent a card).

Now, this is the rating for shots per game from number one till the last.

1. Sone Aluko - 2.8
2. Abdul Ajagun - 1.8
3 Raheem Lawal - 1.6
3. Tega Etebor - 1.6
5 Alex Iwobi - 1.5
6. Kelechi Nwakali - 1.2
7. Mikel Obi - 0.4

Next is Key pass.

What is the meaning of key pass?

A pass/cross that is instrumental in creating a goal-scoring opportunity, for example a corner or free-kick to a player who then assists an attempt, a chance-creating through ball or cross into a dangerous position.
https://statsbomb.com/2013/11/assessing-key-passes/

It opta denoted events of Assist and Key Pass, ie the final pass or pass-cum-shot leading to the recipient of the ball shooting (regardless of the outcome of the shot


To simply put it, it is a final pass that frees a player to shot at goal or the ability to create a chance for a player to score. They are the assist masters depending on the ability of the recipient to score goals.

In this category, Raheem Lawal is better.

1. Raheem Lawal 1.4
2. Sone Aluko - 1.1
3. Alex Iwobi - 1
4. Abdul Ajagun 0.9
5. Mikel Obi - 0.6
6. Tega Etebor - 0.5
7.. Kelechi Nwakali 0.3


Dribbles/Take-ons


This is an attempt by a player to beat an opponent in possession of the ball. A successful dribble means the player beats the defender while retaining possession, unsuccessful ones are where the dribbler is tackled, Opta also log attempted dribbles where the player overruns the ball.

This is the ability to complete a dribble successful, and the winner here is Raheem Lawal.


1. Raheem Lawal - 3
2. Sone Aluko - 2.8
3. Mikel Obi - 1.5
4. Alex Iwobi 1.1
5. Kelechi Nwakali - 0.8
6. Abdul Ajagun - 0.5
6. Tega Etebor - 0.5

Foul won

Where a player is fouled by an opponent. There is no foul won for a handball or a dive where a free kick is conceded.

Fouled is the ability to get free kicks in vital areas and the ability to get players earn a card. This was one of Guardiola's tactics at Barcelona.

In this category, Raheem Lawal is better because he draws alots of foul to himself.

1. Raheem Lawal - 3.5
2. Sone Aluko - 1.4
3. Abdul Ajagun - 1.2
4. Mikel Obi - 0.7
5. Alex Iwobi - 0.5
6. Tega Etebor - 0.5
7. Kelechi Nwakali -

Dispossessed

If he is in possession but not attempting to "beat" his man, then he will get a dispossessed. It doesn't mean you are good at holding the ball but it does means you don't like to hold the ball and rather release on time. Iwobi one two touches explains why he is number 2 on the list.

1. Kelechi Nwakali - 0.3
2. Alex Iwobi - 0.9
3. Mikel Obi - 1.3
3. Abdul Ajagun - 1.3
5. Sone Aluko - 2.1
6. Tega Etebor 2.2
7. Raheem Lawal - 2.5


Touch/Unsuccessful touch

When the ball bounces off a player and there is no intentional pass, we award a touch. Where there is a mis-control we award an Unsuccessful touch.

The UnsTch means bad ball control.

It is ranked from lowest to highest. Mikel Obi na baba for this category.

1. Mikel Obi- 0.3
2. Alex Iwobi - 0.9
3. Kelechi Nwakali - 1.1
4. Abdul Ajagun - 1.3
5. Raheem Lawal - 2.1
6. Tega Etebor - 2.3
7. Sone Aluko - 2.9


Based on the data garnered for comparison of these player's Offensive abilities. Who is the most offensive?

Raheem Lawal.

But if we remove Mikel Obi and Alex Iwobi from the list due to fact that they are guaranteed a place in team then the ranking should be like this.

1. Raheem Lawal
2. Abdul Ajagun
3. Sone Aluko
4. Tega Etebor
5. Kelechi Nwakali

In this case, Etebor has to drop for either Sone Aluko, Abdul Ajagun or Raheem Lawal because they offer better than him.

What is your own rating based on these data from whoscored?


PASSING

AvpG (passes per game)


This is the total numbers of passes in a game. Even if you pass horizontally successful, you could be adjourned better than than those who makes few difficult key passes and through passes vertically.



Pass completion

This is simply a formula where Successful passes are divided by Total attempted passes in whichever combination of passes is selected.
Usually, pass completion excludes crosses.
Crosses are usually treated separately and Crossing success is the percentage of successfull crosses out of the total attempted.


Long balls - a long high ball into space or into an area for players to chase or challenge for the ball

Through Ball - a pass splitting the defence for a team-mate to run on to.

Final Verdict on the passing attributes based on the data provided by Whoscored. My rating goes like this.

1. Raheem Lawal
2. Sone Aluko
3. Mikel Obi
4. Alex Iwobi
5. Abdul Ajagun
6. Tega Etebor
7. Kelechi Nwakali


Defensively speaking, Raheem Lawal is still the closest to Mikel Obi but take not that Mikel Obi's defensive attribute is better because he played as a DMF and DF in many games.

Final Verdict.

I think Raheem Lawal should be given the change to challenge John Ogu for the CM slot while Sone Aluko and Abdul Ajagun should be given the chance to slug it out with Tega Etebor. Mikel Obi and Alex Iwobi's place are guaranteed.


Sources are Whoscored and Optasports.

http://optasports.com/news-area/blog-optas-event-definitions/mbNewsContentTemplate

Mickael2:



I am pretty sure Zappercosta wasn't on the pitch when Arsenal scored their first goal

he was I think

Arsenal scored at the 63rd minutes while VicMo was substituted at the 56th minutes or so

OMANBALA1:


There are some people that dont shift grounds becuase of their strong conviction on matters based on verifiable facts, I dont play to the gallery. Moses has never been a fantastic player even when he got loaned over and over again to different clubs ,all to no avail. I have hammered on this guy for sometime now and everything I have pointed out in him can be reckoned. Moses has finished developing , he is not an 18 years old. At Chelsea he plays with caution but whenever he plays for Nigeria he throws caution to the wind and do what ever that comes to his mind to the detriment of the team and that to me is NOT ACCEPTABLE. Dont make this look like Moses was one of the best players in EPL last season because he is not up there. Dude is just a notch up ahead Moses Simon because of goals. He has been dribbling in the EPL for years but he has not gotten anywhere with it. Some people even said he is our best player, now that set off the rage in me.

then tell me who is your highest goal scorer during the qualifiers?

Voting closes by midnight. sirs tbaba1234, liamm, kog45, goldfish80, etc. im expecting o.

CAF award..

Player of the year: Mohammed Salah Women player of the year: Asisat Oshoala Youth player of the year: Patson Daka Coach of the year: Hector Cuper National team of the year: Egypt Women national team of the year: south Africa



Congrats Asisat ..The undisputed Queen of Africa football

Loogan:

I don't like it to because sincerely he's better than Willian Attacking wise, his penetration, skill creativity is something to behold in a GWG shirt. But as time goes on his goal tally will increase with more game time and confidence.

Willian is more productive.

Hmm. congrats leg over queen of african football!

Results of the NAIRALAND SPORTS AWARDS 2017....Sir joseph1013.... up next

Liamm:
I'm worried because most of our players arent getting enough playing time in their respective clubs. The few ones wey manage see ball play com dey f*ck up on top their performance. This is world cup year and we want our best legs in Russia. If by april/may we are still going back and forth over players being in form and players being afforded playing time, i'm afraid I may have to concede group stage elimination even before the ball is first kicked when we play croatia. Zapa is in form and if he continues in that way; his goals, assists, dribbles, lets just say with his improved overall impact, Moses will begin to see the bench more often than not.

Moses might be having a tough time presently but I don't think Zappa has done enough to confine him to the bench.

What a heck are you talking about? Did you even watch the game? Or are you one of the folks who post commentaries about the games you didn't even watch?

Omo, Zappacosta was on the pitch when both goals were scored. And both goals were scored directly from his wing. I am pretty sure that Arsenal's first goal by Jack Wilshere was scored after the 60th minute. And Moses was replaced by the 55th minute if I remember correctly. Either way, Moses was NOT on the pitch when any of the goals were scored.


O pari

Mickael2:



I am pretty sure Zappercosta wasn't on the pitch when Arsenal scored their first goal

Lol...the way everybody here just snubbed CAF awards this year ehn

Pesin no go even know say dem dey do am. Kudos to everyone.

OK. Thank God for the internet, here's the match on the bbc website:

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/42489693

Now, check out when VicMo was subbed out and when the goals were scored. I don't make stuffs up, buddy


O pari

Mickael2:



I am pretty sure Zappercosta wasn't on the pitch when Arsenal scored their first goal

Bia, omalicha nwa, you know that I am NOT happy with you, right?


O pari

safarigirl:
Lol...the way everybody here just snubbed CAF awards this year ehn

Pesin no go even know say dem dey do am. Kudos to everyone.

Does anyone know the prerequisites to get a player registered with Diamond Football Academy Umuahia? Ur help is needed plz

Chinese female league is good but not their female national team.

USA, Germany, north Korea, Sweden, Norway, England, France before anything else.

lexyman:


have you gone to check female football history in the past

weh nyou pick Germany, USA,Japan and China ... then others can follow in female football.... please get your fact right

jihday:
I'd have been surprised if you have a different opinion, shebi na you

What would you like me to say that because he is Nigerian. He is therefore the best right wing back in the EPL.

He was actually listed in 3 out of the 6 qualifying games not all.

krattoss:
I get it...u hate the dude...

so caf listing him in every qualifying team of every match 're fools..

him been in team of the tournament is a fluke..

hatred is not good..it creates a loophole in the heart and mind where u won't see any good of the person u hating..

somehow:
Chinese female league is good but not their female national team.

USA, Germany, north Korea, Sweden, Norway, England, France before anything else.

In the early days, China used to be one of the best female teams on par with the US. They have fallen a bit now but they are still a very good side.

tbaba1234:


Lol, are you implying that it was because of Moses that they could not score Or is it the soft soft penalty that you are attributing to Zappa?

you should really direct that question to Icon79 not me

tbaba1234:


Go and rewatch the game... Mikel dominated the midfield that day.

Nigeria had a very good game. Scoreline did not tell the full story.

dominated which midfield? He held his own but saying he dominated the midfield is as false as ever

Mickael2:


dominated which midfield? He held his own but saying he dominated the midfield is as false as ever

I thought this argument ended last year... Well I heard best African player based in Africa has been scrapped... Na true?

Certitude:

I thought this argument ended last year... Well I heard best African player based in Africa has been scrapped... Na true?

is it not better? That award was created specifically for Aboutrika so that the Egyptians can take home an award every year, good riddance

Mickael2:


dominated which midfield? He held his own but saying he dominated the midfield is as false as ever

The good thing about the internet is that you can always dig up facts.. Mikel did not just hold up his own, he was one of the best in that tournament.

A few stats:

John Obi Mikel completed more passes in the final third of the pitch (69) than any other player in the group stage of the 2013 confederation cup. This is a tournament that included Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta.

Only Andre Inesta completed more dribbles than John Obi Mikel. And that is just 1 more

In the game against spain, John Obi Mikel created 3 chances in the first half, more than any other player in the game.

We are talking about the game against Spain, not the entire group stage. Maybe you may want to dig up who created the highest number of chances in that Nig-Esp game and you won't know what to say again. Let me go and dig up the stat

tbaba1234:


The good about the internet is that you can always dig up facts.. Mikel did not just hold up his own, he was one of the best in that tournament.

A few stats:

John Obi Mikel completed more passes in the final third of the pitch (69) than any other player in the group stage of the 2013 confederation cup. This is a tournament that included Fabregas, Xavi, Iniesta.

Only Andre Inesta completed more dribbles than John Obi Mikel. And that is just 1 more

In the game against spain, John Obi Mikel created 3 chances in the first half, more than any other player in the game.

https://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/World/Confederations-Cup-2013-Brazil/match/1286869_Nigeria_vs_Spain

read this report. Like I said, the Spanish team could have won by more than 3 goals although we should have scored once but saying that we would have won even if it was Ronaldo that we had upfront is simply wrong. Also saying that Mikel dominated when we can all see that the Spanish team dominated the game is also very wrong, thanks to Mikel though the game looked slightly more balanced unlike the other games the spanish team played

junnyjake:



Willian is more productive.

I disagree actually, anyone who watches Chelsea knows willian is the least productive attactking threat. Moses plays as a wing back, imo Moses can be a better attacking threat than willian if played in a attacking position.

Mickael2:
We are talking about the game against Spain, not the entire group stage. Maybe you may want to dig up who created the highest number of chances in that Nig-Esp game and you won't know what to say again. Let me go and dig up the stat



https://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/World/Confederations-Cup-2013-Brazil/match/1286869_Nigeria_vs_Spain

read this report. Like I said, the Spanish team could have won by more than 3 goals although we should have scored once but saying that we would have won even if it was Ronaldo that we had upfront is simply wrong. Also saying that Mikel dominated when we can all see that the Spanish team dominated the game is also very wrong, thanks to Mikel though the game looked slightly more balanced unlike the other games the spanish team played

There is nothing in those stats that justify a 3:0 win. 6 to 4 shots on target??

Spain did not dominate, far from it

Some of the reaction of football fans after the game.

Mickael2:
We are talking about the game against Spain, not the entire group stage. Maybe you may want to dig up who created the highest number of chances in that Nig-Esp game and you won't know what to say again. Let me go and dig up the stat



https://www.soccerpunter.com/soccer-statistics/World/Confederations-Cup-2013-Brazil/match/1286869_Nigeria_vs_Spain

read this report. Like I said, the Spanish team could have won by more than 3 goals although we should have scored once but saying that we would have won even if it was Ronaldo that we had upfront is simply wrong. Also saying that Mikel dominated when we can all see that the Spanish team dominated the game is also very wrong, thanks to Mikel though the game looked slightly more balanced unlike the other games the spanish team played

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