charlesemeka85:


hmmmmmm tough question i must confess

Icon4s:


Lovely question. So where do we fix him in a 3-5-2 formation?

BascoVanVeli:


Oga don't make it seem like I am against a certain player but where else would you put ViMo in that system?

EEGA:
The 4-2-3-1 remains our best formation.

Joebie:
Wetin be downgrade there? Do u know the meaning of the word?

Danielnino00:



Of course I do... Why did u have to mention Shehu to defend Ebuehi performance in the last friendly? "Shehu got nothing on a fully fit Ebuehi That was unnecessary...

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.

tbaba1234:


Ndidi is not on crutches... Did you not see him at the leicester awards.. He was walking. He will be administered pain killers to numb the pain.

He will just avoid difficult tasks and heavy lifting.

safarigirl:
we cannot say what his body may or may not be accustomed to. People have different systems, so, they heal differently.

Mickael2:



you start using crutches after the surgery

TheGoodJoe:


How does do more mean we should send coaches to all players? Na wa. Sometimes the talk here can go off point. I just gave an example of how Rohr is taking extra steps than depending on the clubs. I never and it is never the only way.

Icon4s:


We were not particularly poor against France. Infact we held the midfield until Onazi was injured.

Icon4s:


Moses is our major attacking threat. I would play him as one of the two false-9s.

Putting him at RWB in the SE is just a waste if his potentials.

BascoVanVeli:


U talk potential but what about the untapped potential at the RWB? Iwobi and Iheanacho were strikers not false 9s but all the same those positions are stacked and I believe Victor would derive more joy running on the flanks than having to fight CBs all day.

jihday:
bros I saw the game highlight on Sunday, the second half was atrocious, some Emenike speculative shots aside, we barely had a sniff while they really pummeled our defence

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.

Danielnino00:



Of course I do... Why did u have to mention Shehu to defend Ebuehi performance in the last friendly? "Shehu got nothing on a fully fit Ebuehi That was unnecessary...

Mickael2:



you start using crutches after the surgery

Icon4s:


That is a major reason I don't like that 3-5-2 formation. We will not be utilizing some of our best players.

Icon4s:


You think the 3-4 days maybe about 3 of 4 times in a year a young player spends in the Super Eagles camp will stop him from flopping if he is bound towards flopping?

So you will now pack all the young promising talents and put in the Super Eagles and say you want to prevent them from flopping?

Mickael2:



And I have been asking you since day1 to give another example of the 'special way' we can groom the players and you have never said anything else except sending coaches to them. So I ask again what other way can that be achieved?

TheGoodJoe:


A little from our side will help one way or the another. Better than folding arms and doing nothing. Even if we do a few, it is better than nothing. The point is too simple to comprehend.

jihday:
bros you just keep shouting pace, how many pace fabregas get? and he's one of the best AM in the world

Humility017:

big bro...me don't understand you at all..
are you after the eagles win or you just want to see your claim best players in the field of play...?
it is only one who don't know modern football tactics that will berate this 3-5-2 formation....

it is a strategy that we should adopt on sensitive matches...when need be.... especially when we play a team like Croatia.
you're talking of choking the midfield...that's the best formation to choke the midfield and same time bully the crots via wings...

TheGoodJoe:


I have written an epistle on it and that is from me reasoning. I say we make the team B a serious affair, play quality friendly matches building the team B and also holding series of camps with the team B until we have a formidable young squad to go with the Super Eagles.

This will do more to the development of our other potential quality players and give them the necessary exposure they need. There are other approaches but the worst is folding our arms.

Joebie:
Find it in the same link.
Players in bold positions here can be referred to as wingers

edi287:
Check this analysis on out team back in 2014. Not too much have changed since then in terms of style


Tactics: Analysing Nigeria’s tactical approach, formation, and set up

The Super Eagles of Nigeria booked their spot in Group G of the FIFA World Cup after what was in hindsight an easy qualifying campaign. Stephen Keshi’s side are now getting ready to face Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Iran for the honour of being in the World Cup’s round of 16. A feat that will definitely be a brilliant achievement from the African Champions. A lot has changed since Nigeria’s (led by Lars Lagerback) last appearance at the World Cup in 2010 that was summed up by Yakubu Aiyegbeni missing one of the easiest tap ins you will ever see. In fact 2010 was so forgettable for Nigerian football that the President banned the national team from any official matches. The said ban was only overturned when FIFA handed the Nigerian National team a ban of their own for government interruption. After a confusing period of switching manager after manager. The Eagles finally found the right man in Stephen Keshi. And since his appointment, Nigeria has not looked back. They won the 2013 African Cup of Nations and put out a good account of themselves and the continent in the Confederations Cup in a group that contained Uruguay and Spain. The Nigerian team is certainly capable of being a surprise package at the World Cup.

BASIC FORMATION

Stephen Keshi’s preferred formation since taking over has been the 4-3-3. Even though he at times experimented with a 4-2-3-1/4-4-2. If all players are fit and available, his starting XI is normally constant. Enyeama is a certainty in the post, with Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona being the centre backs. Efe Ambrose and Juwon Oshaniwa should be the starters at right and left back respectively, with a midfield trio of John Obi Mikel, Ogenyi Onazi and Ramon Azeez. Upfront, Ahmed Musa and Victor Moses are on the flanks and Emmanuel Emenike is the preferred striker. Although the inclusion of Peter Osaze Odemwingie and Shola Ameobi in the provisional squad means serious competition for the front 3 players.

Made using Tactical Pad

ANALYSIS

Stephen Keshi, since he took charge of the Nigerian team has favoured a more reactive style of play. The Nigerians have become very adept at holding off pressure from opponents, waiting for them to lose the ball, and then they counter with lightning speed. They are not the kind of team that camps players in front of their box looking to soak up press or “park the bus”, they look to press the opponents from the midfield, as such are closer to goal most of the time they win the ball. Even in the games versus Spain in the Confederations Cup where you would expect them to sit very deep, they actually came out and pressed the Spanish in midfield, and for a while Nigeria actually dominated the World Champions. When the ball is won in the centre, it is immediately passed to their quick wingers who use their pace and trickery to fashion out chances for the team. The fact that Nigeria’s fullbacks are not very adventurous in attack and the presence of three defensively solid central midfielders means that the defence is well protected. So most of the time Nigeria’s centre backs are more concerned with defending the box and are rarely forced out of position into the wider areas or high up the field.

The team has problems defending down its flanks especially in situations when they have lost the ball and the wingers are high up. This is caused by the fact that Nigeria’s wingers, although they try, are not very adept at tracking back and helping their fullbacks. In a situation where Nigeria were on the attack and lost the ball, the fullbacks would be isolated because they don’t go high up the pitch, and there is no way the wingers can track back in time to prevent attacks. This problem is more evident when Nigeria play against a team with an offensive fullback, as this leaves the Nigerian full back in a lot of 2v1 situations. An attempt from the midfielders to cover could leave the centre exposed, and the same goes for the centre backs as they are not comfortable defending the wide positions if their fullback is exposed. A good example of this is the goal that Spain scored via Jordi Alba to break the deadlock in the Confederations cup.

[/b]Another problem of the team is building up play via passing moves. Nigeria’s team is designed to hurt teams with quick transitions and find it hard to fashion chances against teams that are deep and compact.[b] This is mostly because they have wingers that are better with space in front of them or behind the opposition defence to run into. The fullbacks in the team are not the offensive types so do not provide width during attacks. Another reason is that Nigeria don’t have the type of creative midfielders adept at breaking down deep defences. Mikel’s passing is at its most dangerous during counters. These factors altogether make it hard for Nigeria to break down deep, compact defences.

Another factor that could deter this Nigerian team is their finishing. The Nigerians are often guilty of squandering an alarming amount of chances in big games. In previous tournaments, Emmanuel Emenike has been their only efficient finisher, with wingers like Musa and Moses being good at fashioning out chances but disappointing with the finish. The presence of more EPL standard strikers like Odemwingie and Ameobi could solve this problem though.

KEY PLAYERS

Vincent Enyeama | The keeper has had a wonderful season at Lille and how far Nigeria goes will depend on his form.

Jon Obi Mikel | The Chelsea midfielder at club level is mostly known for his ability to provide a solid and stable screen to shield the Chelsea defence. He provides stability and anchors the midfield and also helps Chelsea slow down games with his passing and ability to hold the ball. He does the same for his country, but with far more freedom to be creative. Once Nigeria win the ball back, Mikel is their main distributor, quickly locating the outlets or sometimes splitting defences directly with through or long passes on the counter. He is Nigeria’s main playmaker and midfield anchor.

Victor Moses and Ahmed Musa | They are Nigeria’s main outlets on the counter attack. If found on the run, they will look to run at defenders and beat them with a combination of pace and trickery to create chances or score them. They are also Nigeria’s main source of width as the fullbacks are not very offensive.

Ogenyi Onazi and Ramon Azeez | The two central midfielders in front of Mikel are the ones tasked with the important duty of pressing the ball in midfield and forcing turn overs. Both players have brilliant work-rates, are strong and dynamic, and when they do win the ball, they go for the short pass to a close team mate (mostly Mikel). Both players also make forward runs on or off the ball from deep to help the attack.

Emmanuel Emenike | The striker was a key player for the team that won the African Cup of Nations. Although the inclusion of Shola Ameobi and Osaze Odemwingie casts doubts over his role in the team, he will probably still be the starter at Brazil. A striker that possesses a dangerous mixture of pace, technical ability and strength could be a nightmare for opposition defences. Emenike holds up play well, drops deep to play with the midfield allowing the wingers space in the channels to work with. All this while having a thunderous shot in him. His form in front of goal could be key for the Eagles as his absence was clearly felt in the Confederations Cup.

TALENT RADAR KEY YOUNG PLAYER

Kenneth Omeruo (21) | The 21 year old Chelsea defender has been a regular starter for the Super Eagles since their successful Nations Cup campaign. A physically imposing player for his age, he is strong, fast a very good tackler and interceptor. If he can brush up the technical side of his game and add a bit of maturity, the sky is the limit.

Ramon Azeez (21) | The 21 year old central midfielder had a good season with Almeria, during which he showed the potential that won him plaudits at the 2009 Under-17 World Cup. A capable defensive or central midfield player, he offers decent playmaking ability among other players that are more physical. But he also doesn’t shy away from a physical confrontation. He is certainly a player to watch.

Ogenyi Onazi (21) | The Lazio midfielder has proven himself to be Nigeria’s most frequent ball winner. Combining his wonderful dynamism and work-rate with decent tackling and marking abilities. He has become a main stay in the Nigerian team.

Ahmed Musa (21) | Pace, trickery and dribbling skills; those are the attributed to best describe CSKA’s Ahmed Musa. The winger is well capable of providing moments of sheer brilliance on his own.

EXTRA

There is a lot of hope going into Nigeria’s World Cup campaign. They have already showed that they are capable of going toe to toe with the best in the World at the Confederations Cup. Bar any spectacular capitulation, and as long as they can brush up on the finishing, they are in with a shout to make it out of the group. The fact that they struggle against deep teams may not be a factor as I fully expect that most teams would come at them and try to attack, which will play into their hands.

This article was written by Ismail Bello. Follow him on Twitter @BiasFootball

http://outsideoftheboot.com/2014/06/09/world-cup-2014-tactics-analysing-nigerias-tactical-approach-formation-and-set-up/

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.