charlesemeka85:
one of mikel's best performances in super eagles jersey was against CIV in 2013 afcon where he was deployed as a central midfielder by the late keshi. he orchestrated the team's play from the middle and was a handful for yaya toure and the late tiote that faithful day. he helped out defending and even cleared a late minute equalizer. he was classy and too hot for the ivorians to handle

Icon4s:


Let me direct this question to his senior advocate in the person of TheGoodJoe.

safarigirl:


1) 2013 was five years ago. In that time, Enyeama and Emenike have retired, Mikel is now Captain, Musa is not a starter, Echiejile is washed up. Should we really judge how good Mikel is in a position based on a five-year old game? We didn't even have better wingers then

2) CIV is not Croatia or Argentina or even Iceland. So, what makes you think Mikel will work as good in that position with our World Cup opponents? Bear in mind, once again, that game was 5 years ago.


We might as well bring up Mikel's game against Spain in the Confeds of that same year to defend the stance that he is better as an AM. That is arguably his best game in a Super Eagles jersey

Mickael2:



I am not sure that there is anything I can add here at all. theGoodJoe keeps on saying we should do more, so does that mean we should be sending special coaches to every Chrisantus, Sani Emmanuel and Okoro that shines in the U17 world cup? the thing is that even if you start sending them these coaches some of them still won't make it not to mention the financial constraint involved. How many coaches you go hire? He keeps saying this thing but I am not exactly sure I understand his point

charlesemeka85:


mikel being deployed as a number 10 by rohr is because of the team's lack of a creative midfielder. if mikel is a super 10 why didn't any of chelsea's coaches risk him in that position during his stint with the londoners? in his present club in china does he play as a 10 often? lets not allow sentiment cloud our sense of reasoning. he is loved by all but his talent and experience will be better utilized if he is deployed as a central midfielder

charlesemeka85:


mikel being deployed as a number 10 by rohr is because of the team's lack of a creative midfielder. if mikel is a super 10 why didn't any of chelsea's coaches risk him in that position during his stint with the londoners? in his present club in china does he play as a 10 often? lets not allow sentiment cloud our sense of reasoning. he is loved by all but his talent and experience will be better utilized if he is deployed as a central midfielder

charlesemeka85:


lol i'm just saying the way i see it. mikel playing as a central midfielder doesnt mean he is a lesser player but the best position where his enormous experience will be evident and utilized by the team

charlesemeka85:


mikel being deployed as a number 10 by rohr is because of the team's lack of a creative midfielder. if mikel is a super 10 why didn't any of chelsea's coaches risk him in that position during his stint with the londoners? in his present club in china does he play as a 10 often? lets not allow sentiment cloud our sense of reasoning. he is loved by all but his talent and experience will be better utilized if he is deployed as a central midfielder

Danielnino00:



Of course,Mikel can play the CM role very well.. he has been doing that for long.. But the thing is,age has caught up with him.. His pace as reduced unlike before... CMFs have to be fast and disciplined enough to cover the defence and attack at the same time.. Mikel should keep playing the AMF role.. Iwobi can always come in for him in the second half..
A midfield combo of Ndidi -DM Etebo-CM Mikel-AM will be juicy... if Mikel is subbed off in the 2nd half, Iwobi can move to AM while Etebo to the wing or another player takes the wing..
Our team has a lot of versatile players...that's a big plus for us

Icon4s:


As I said before, that is why we have age grade competitions.

Salisu Yusuf is the coach of the U23 team. Let Osimhen and K. Nwakali make themselves available for selection.

Uzoho's case is different cos he is a goal keeper and we find ourselves in a dire situation in that department. For what reason will you send a special trainer to Osimhen or Nwakali. Oga that does not count here.

You mentioned having a system where a country will have a large pool of young players to select from. You cannot achieve that by picking one or two players saying they are special talents and sending special trainers to them. You can only achieve that kind of system by ensuring all your young talents are actively involved in your youth programs. From U17, U20 to U21/23.

I still insist we need a standing U21 team. That is where we can pick from a large pool of players who are to be promoted to the senior team.

Icon4s:

Haha, I told you.

charlesemeka85:


because of his age and lack of speed that's why he will perform better as a central/deep lying play maker. Mikel naturally doesn't have the pace to strive as an attacking midfielder but as been deployed as a 10 during his days with the Nigerian youth team and few matches international football. the attacking midfield 'role will be too stressful for him judging by his lack of pace to move tro and fro in a match. sitting as a central midfielder and having a youthful Iwobi in front of him who has the energy to burst forward and return when the need arises will be a plus tothe team.

charlesemeka85:


because of his age and lack of speed that's why he will perform better as a central/deep lying play maker. Mikel naturally doesn't have the pace to strive as an attacking midfielder but as been deployed as a 10 during his days with the Nigerian youth team and few matches international football. the attacking midfield 'role will be too stressful for him judging by his lack of pace to move tro and fro in a match. sitting as a central midfielder and having a youthful Iwobi in front of him who has the energy to burst forward and return when the need arises will be a plus tothe team.

Icon4s:


Mikel has been most effective for us in recent years as a number 10. Why take him back to CM?

charlesemeka85:


because of his age and lack of speed that's why he will perform better as a central/deep lying play maker. Mikel naturally doesn't have the pace to strive as an attacking midfielder but as been deployed as a 10 during his days with the Nigerian youth team and few matches international football. the attacking midfield 'role will be too stressful for him judging by his lack of pace to move tro and fro in a match. sitting as a central midfielder and having a youthful Iwobi in front of him who has the energy to burst forward and return when the need arises will be a plus tothe team.

MetalJigsaw:
See all the possible football positions here and let's settle this once and for all.


https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winger_(association_football)

TheGoodJoe:


I wonder where you got send coaches to Osimhen and K. Nwakali. I just gave you an example of Rohr knowing folding his arms and waiting for international break will get us no where. We need to do more. One is to get the team B more active and a testing point for our top Potentials. Hold larger camps in this level and have unbiased screenings. Those that show real quality can have chances to train with the main team. These are just points off the top of my head. How it turned to just send coaches to teams beats my imagination. I just pointed out that Rohr has shown we need to do more.

Icon4s:


I know. I just made a general comment which is in line with people's preference for Iwobi over Mikel in that number 10 role. And heck no. Iwobi is definitely ahead of Iheanacho and Etebo in that role.

charlesemeka85:

thats because the the lacks a proper number 10. if rohr can experiment a bit against england by deploying iwobi as the the team's number 10 you all will clamor for him to hold onto that position. believe you me mikel will shock the world in the upcoming world cup if rohr plays him as a central midfielder which will bring out his best for the world to see.

Danielnino00:



@ bolded are u now trying to downgrade Shehu?

Icon4s:


Firstly, please keep this discussion as civil as possible. No need for the use of provocative words. We are only rubbing minds and discussing tactics.

Now, back to the discussion. Yes I watch matches almost everyday mostly club matches. And during international breaks I watch national team matches across different continents.

What most of us here don't understand is the national team setting is usually different from club settings. Club coaches find it convenient staying with coaching of clubs while national team coaches find it convenient coaching the national teams.

Look at the way national teams play and look at the way clubs play. Dont you notice any difference in the approaches?

With clubs a coach can come up with any form of tactics and go out in search of players they feel can fit into such tactics but for the national team you are only limited to the players you have. You cannot buy a ready made player to come and play for you.

National teams are set up such that if you don't win don't lose because the chances to redeem yourself after losing a game are so few. The WC is held every 4years. Unlike Clubs that play weekly at times twice a week. You get whipped on Wednesday you have another competition on Saturday to correct your wrongs.

National team tactics are mostly conservative!

Watch how national teams play and Watch how clubs play and you will understand. You now wonder why so many AFCON and WC group games end in draws. And penalty shoot-outs at knock out stages.
Yes, football is dynamic and has evolved over time but the national teams would always adopt the safest approach. You are citing cases of Real Madrid do we have the kind of quality those clubs have?

To your point, you are saying we should gift them the midfield and follow the wings. I hope you don't see the midfield as only the center circle. For your information, part of the wings are also part of the midfield. When you lose possession of the midfield how will you get the balls across to the wingers?

Hold on to your beliefs and let me hold on to mine. No one gets a trophy for winning any arguments here. But once again try remain civil in your comments.

BascoVanVeli:

Has he ever played the role for Nigeria under Rohr?

Icon4s:


So why were you now citing the case of he sending traininers to Uzoho? It simply means that example does not count here.

TheGoodJoe, see how I just dey look you. No be point wey I raise you dey butress so?

Anyways I Don talk my own Finnish on that matter.

realpoacher:


At bolded, i am terribly sorry if my post upsets you. I didn't intend it that way. I was only trying to be aggressive with my point,..

But if my intentions were read wrong. I hereby tender my unreserved apologies

charlesemeka85:


mikel being deployed as a number 10 by rohr is because of the team's lack of a creative midfielder. if mikel is a super 10 why didn't any of chelsea's coaches risk him in that position during his stint with the londoners? in his present club in china does he play as a 10 often? lets not allow sentiment cloud our sense of reasoning. he is loved by all but his talent and experience will be better utilized if he is deployed as a central midfielder

TheGoodJoe:


It counts. It shows Rohr knows that we can not just count on foreign clubs to get our players playing at their best and thought outside the box. Sending trainers to them was a brilliant idea than folding arms.

Icon4s:


Yes. In the friendly against Senegal.

Danielnino00:



Somebody should correct me if I'm wrong o.. but isn't it the CM primary role to dictate play by covering both the attack and defence? The CM can also play the box to box role..

Mikel's lack of pace is what make him best suited for the AM role.. A young and energetic Ndidi and Etebo will b there to cover for him..


But biko,why do u suddenly have a problem with Mikel's role?? He has been playing the role since Rohr took over he's been great there...

charlesemeka85:


because of his age and lack of speed that's why he will perform better as a central/deep lying play maker. Mikel naturally doesn't have the pace to strive as an attacking midfielder but as been deployed as a 10 during his days with the Nigerian youth team and few matches international football. the attacking midfield 'role will be too stressful for him judging by his lack of pace to move tro and fro in a match. sitting as a central midfielder and having a youthful Iwobi in front of him who has the energy to burst forward and return when the need arises will be a plus tothe team.

BascoVanVeli:


My point was that Etebo and Iheanacho have been played there way more than Iwobi. In Rohr's depth chart they are above him.