First Thoughts on Nigeria at the World Cup...

[txj]

http://africanfutbol.blogspot.com/2018/ ... d-cup.html

[txj]

Compared to previous versions, this is a very different Super Eagles team. The universal attention to nutrition and conditioning will mean that this is a world cup in which the gaps between teams will come from mentality and superior technique. Nigeria's athleticism will be a very important factor if well harnessed.

http://africanfutbol.blogspot.com/2018/ ... d-cup.html

[pastorhotr99]

the constant reference to athleticism shouldn't be emphasized by our people because it's these onyibos being pejorative again. our players are now exposed to the same training and conditioning regimes as theirs ..we are also more adept tactically and hadve always had technique so why always de emphasize the positives we bring and focus on physicality- Brawn! whic was the more physical team yesterday? we should perhaps ask Joel Obi and Victor Moses who were kicked and shoved to Yin yang yesterday

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

We forget that Rohr is yet to have more than a few days of practice before games since he took over. All this sour analysis really have no merit. The real SE will emerge after the team convenes for the WC camp in June.

[TonyTheTigerKiller]

http://africanfutbol.blogspot.com/2018/ ... d-cup.html

I find it quite disconcerting that you can be so insincere and untruthful in a bid to score points. You’ve had these same first thoughts for the last 4 years, at least. The purported stagnation of Nigerian players like Mikel Obi is certainly not new. You’ve been harping on and on about that for quite some time. Then there’s that patent falsehood about Nigeria’s inability to retain possession. During the match, you and your adherents kept ranting about how the SuperEagles couldn’t string more tha 2 passes together, in line with your blog narrative. Fortunately, someone posted the full match video right here on CE so, there’s abundant video evidence to rubbish that self serving narrative. Specifically, the vide shows Nigeria stringing short, medium and long range passes together for extended periods, especially in the first half. Nigeria had 44% possession for the match. That’s nothing to sneeze at for a young team playing away to the 6th ranked team in the world, without their leader to boot. In the first half, Nigeria probably had the edge in possession but after we took the lead, it is hardly surprising that there was an added urgency firmpolsnd to have more possession. They ended up with 56%. With Mikel in the mix for Nigeria, our possession % probably goes up drastically. Look, there’s nothing wrong with you giving an assessment of our World Cup chances but such an assessment has to be based on honesty and reality, not on your desire to write your own narrative


Cheers.

[zee]

http://africanfutbol.blogspot.com/2018/ ... d-cup.html

I find it quite disconcerting that You can be so insincere and untruthful in a bid to score points. You’ve had these same first thoughts for the last 4!years, at least. The purported stagnation of Nigerian players like Mikel Obi is certainly not new. You’ve been harping on and on about that for quite some time. Then there’s that patent falsehood about Nigeria’s inability to retain possession. During the match, you and your adherents kept ranting about how the SuperEagles couldn’t string more tha 2 passes together, in line with your blog narrative. Fortunately, someone posted the full match video right here on CE so, there’s abundant video evidence to rubbish that self serving narrative. Specifically, the vide shows Nigeria stringing short, medium and long range passes together for extended periods, especially in the first half. Nigeria had 44% possession for the match. That’s nothing to sneeze at for a young team playing away to the 6th ranked team in the world, without their leader to boot. In the first half, Nigeria probably had the edge in possession but after we took the lead, it is hardly surprising that there was an added urgency firmpolsnd to have more possession. They ended up with 56%. With Mikel in the mix for Nigeria, our possession % probably goes up drastically. Look, there’s nothing wrong with you giving an assessment of our World Cup chances but such an assessment has to be based on honesty and reality, not on your desire to write your own narrative


Cheers.

Thank you sir ...................I had to're-watch' the match twice b/c of the opaks folks were spurting here.
Our team played a tight and 'no-quarters-given' game against Poland................props to the SE

[txj]

the constant reference to athleticism shouldn't be emphasized by our people because it's these onyibos being pejorative again. our players are now exposed to the same training and conditioning regimes as theirs ..we are also more adept tactically and hadve always had technique so why always de emphasize the positives we bring and focus on physicality- Brawn! whic was the more physical team yesterday? we should perhaps ask Joel Obi and Victor Moses who were kicked and shoved to Yin yang yesterday

That's a very important quality in football; it matters little to me what angle a European pundit might see it from. It all comes down to how well you harness it. I think Rohr is using it to very good effect in the pressing game.

[The YeyeMan]

Good analysis.

Sadly for the team, the wide player Henry Onyekuru has had a difficult season with injuries and has been unavailable for integration into the side. His qualities on the left would have complimented Moses on the right, especially with the indifferent season of Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi. This in turn means increased pressure on the left side of the defence.

This wouldn't be alleviated by Onyekuru though...

[txj]

Good analysis.

Sadly for the team, the wide player Henry Onyekuru has had a difficult season with injuries and has been unavailable for integration into the side. His qualities on the left would have complimented Moses on the right, especially with the indifferent season of Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi. This in turn means increased pressure on the left side of the defence.

This wouldn't be alleviated by Onyekuru though...

By exerting more pressure in the other direction, he relieves pressure on Nigeria...

[The YeyeMan]

Good analysis.

Sadly for the team, the wide player Henry Onyekuru has had a difficult season with injuries and has been unavailable for integration into the side. His qualities on the left would have complimented Moses on the right, especially with the indifferent season of Moses Simon and Alex Iwobi. This in turn means increased pressure on the left side of the defence.

This wouldn't be alleviated by Onyekuru though...

By exerting more pressure in the other direction, he relieves pressure on Nigeria...

Ah, understood...

Though he'd need still to work harder when defending in the non-possession phase based on what I've seen of him at his club.

[txj]

How far can this team go?

Hard to say at this point, but it has a good chance to get out of the group. The team lacks exceptional individuals, like Argentina or top professionals, like Croatia, but it has its own qualities from a youthful and vibrant side. It also has a manager who is well aware of the team's capabilities, and who will play within this, regardless....

http://africanfutbol.blogspot.com/2018/ ... d-cup.html

[Robotnik]

With the team's current form, it will continue to find ways to win games until it comes up against Argentina, Spain, Germany or Brazil. This should give an idea of how far they will go - probably the Quarter final.

[cchinukw]

We should always remember what friendlies are fundamentally for:

a) As a means to prepare a team ahead of a tourney
b) To gauge a team's state of readiness before a tourney
c) To try out tactics
d) To try out new players
e) Try out tactical formations
f) As a means of bonding a team
g) To expose gaps in the team with a view to fixing them.

The scoreline and performance are important but secondary outcomes.

[TheHitman47]

I think grafting out results are the sign of a good team. We also should make the necessary adjustments to make sure that we are creating chances and keeping defensively and tactically disciplined.

Also for individuals, while many of our mainstay players aren't doing well at their clubs we need to find ways to generate consistent good performances for the country. Iheanacho and Iwobi especially. Also we have a project in Uzoho that with the right training and exposure could be a good goalkeeper for us.

[pastorhotr99]

for Christ sake this is not a very athletic team like 1994 or 1998 but that's not important. it's a bit more tactically astute and very great per technique. for this team it's about technique ...tactics and team spirit ..plus it's a young team. so there is plenty of energy to balance the inexperience

[Rawlings]

This will be Naija's worst ever performance at any competition
The oracle has spoken

[The YeyeMan]

2nd thoughts?

[The YeyeMan]

It's clear our opponents will aim to stop Mikel from playing....

What then?

The good news is Rohr and the staff know what the problems are - even before this defeat - the question is whether the right solutions can be found in time.

[txj]

It's clear our opponents will aim to stop Mikel from playing....

What then?

The good news is Rohr and the staff know what the problems are - even before this defeat - the question is whether the right solutions can be found in time.

The thing to note is as follows:

- That Rohr has a limited set of 'tools' in his toolbox
- That those may not be the sharpest 'tools' available in a football toolbox; and
- He will use those 'tools' faithfully, regardless...

[txj]

2nd thoughts?

What to do when the opponent plays thru our MF at pace; not the first pass, but the 2nd.
Croatia will be really stiff, I think...

[The YeyeMan]

It's clear our opponents will aim to stop Mikel from playing....

What then?

The good news is Rohr and the staff know what the problems are - even before this defeat - the question is whether the right solutions can be found in time.

The thing to note is as follows:

- That Rohr has a limited set of 'tools' in his toolbox
- That those may not be the sharpest 'tools' available in a football toolbox; and
- He will use those 'tools' faithfully, regardless...

It's becoming abundantly clear that given our limited toolset we'll need all the tools at our disposal. Options off the bench may prove critical in the opening game.

[mojojojo]

From the perspective of the team,

1. We need creative forces in the team. We struggle to create chances and are not clinical enough. Mikel always brings class but we need to reduce our reliance on him. Joel Obi is not a replacement, he is a DM.

2. We need experience in the team. It was clear against Serbia that they won the game using experience especially on the second goal with Ebuehi's inexperience showing when he left his target and went after a player that was being already tracked by Ekong, allowing his target to receive a pass and provide the assist.

3. We need another top class center forward. Ighalo is excellent but not prolific for SE. If not then we need to build a team that goal contributions come from all forward players. This will mean a lot of movements and position interchanges.

4. We need a backup for Balogun/Troost.

The Positives,

1. Idowu is superb. We have solved the LB problem.
2. Joel Obi is a good DM.
3. Uzoho is here to stay and I have not been this excited about a player since Enyeama's debut.

The Conclusions

1. Tyrone is not ready.
2. Ahmed Musa needs to step up.
3. In fact everyone needs to step up

[txj]

It's clear our opponents will aim to stop Mikel from playing....

What then?

The good news is Rohr and the staff know what the problems are - even before this defeat - the question is whether the right solutions can be found in time.

The thing to note is as follows:

- That Rohr has a limited set of 'tools' in his toolbox
- That those may not be the sharpest 'tools' available in a football toolbox; and
- He will use those 'tools' faithfully, regardless...

It's becoming abundantly clear that given our limited toolset we'll need all the tools at our disposal. Options off the bench may prove critical in the opening game.

Too many tools in the box can also be a hindrance; see Argentina and Sampaoli...
The important thing is to maximize what we have...