It is Important for Nigeria to LOSE against Serbia

[danfo driver]

KOC is very well respected as a football journalist. Personally, I dont know him, so I cant comment on his ability to analyze football ... That said, I disagree with him. The Idea that you need to be "knocked out," In order to realize that you are not ready and need to improve, is assuming that you are not intelligent enough to analyze your situation. One can be "punched" and still realize that mistakes need to be ironed out.

This Nigerian team is not the usual emotional Nigerian team. This is a very tactical Nigerian team. We do not need to lose games or be humiliated to "wake up for the next match." We can work on our mistakes, tactically, and dispassionately apply our lessons to the next game.

Optimism is only a step away from over-confidence, and Nigeria need to leave the international break aware that there are many areas to improve.

Defeat against Serbia would ensure that the Eagles remain rooted in reality, as there are areas in the squad that need improving.

KPOM! We won against Poland and no one is papering over the goal keeping issues we still have. We know the problems we have.

Huh?
Why do you think the likes of myself, Imehjunior and Obong have been insulted on this forum lately?
Because we dare to highlight the GK 'problems' which some believe do not exist.
So pointing them out makes us 'tribalists/dropologisers/agents' (choose one as applicable).

I rather we keep winning and instill a sense of belief in our players that they can stand, compete against anyone and win even in situations where they don't play well. Also, a loss against Serbia can place undue pressure on the team and the coach with the usual asinine calls for a major overhaul of the team 2 months before the WC.

The only "downside" is that no one will underrate us come tourney time, but that's ok.

Kpom.

That is what you truly think?

[danfo driver]

KOC is very well respected as a football journalist. Personally, I dont know him, so I cant comment on his ability to analyze football ... That said, I disagree with him. The Idea that you need to be "knocked out," In order to realize that you are not ready and need to improve, is assuming that you are not intelligent enough to analyze your situation. One can be "punched" and still realize that mistakes need to be ironed out.

This Nigerian team is not the usual emotional Nigerian team. This is a very tactical Nigerian team. We do not need to lose games or be humiliated to "wake up for the next match." We can work on our mistakes, tactically, and dispassionately apply our lessons to the next game.

Optimism is only a step away from over-confidence, and Nigeria need to leave the international break aware that there are many areas to improve.

Defeat against Serbia would ensure that the Eagles remain rooted in reality, as there are areas in the squad that need improving.

Memory fails me of the Naijarian team either U17 or U20 where I commented on the same issue KOC raised... I think it was the U20 team.

A team that is not used to dealing with adversity and only faced adversity at the tourney proper and couldn't figure out how to overcome adversity despite having a good team.

I don't know if this team is capable of learning while winning. As in, being able to correct their faults and deficiencies despite winning.
There are bad habits that when you win are glossed over because you win. And there are bad habits that coaches can correct because the result of the game exposed those habits the coach has been hammering on.

We lost to SA, and we reacted!

We were 2-0 down to Argentina and we reacted!

We came under serious pressure after we scored in 60th minute vs Poland and we were resolute.

We dont need to lose to learn. Afterall, many people lose and never learn! Hell!! we are Nigerians, that is our modus operandi-- to lose and not learn from it.

This team has faced adversity.

[danfo driver]

KOC is very well respected as a football journalist. Personally, I dont know him, so I cant comment on his ability to analyze football ... That said, I disagree with him. The Idea that you need to be "knocked out," In order to realize that you are not ready and need to improve, is assuming that you are not intelligent enough to analyze your situation. One can be "punched" and still realize that mistakes need to be ironed out.

This Nigerian team is not the usual emotional Nigerian team. This is a very tactical Nigerian team. We do not need to lose games or be humiliated to "wake up for the next match." We can work on our mistakes, tactically, and dispassionately apply our lessons to the next game.

Optimism is only a step away from over-confidence, and Nigeria need to leave the international break aware that there are many areas to improve.

Defeat against Serbia would ensure that the Eagles remain rooted in reality, as there are areas in the squad that need improving.

KPOM! We won against Poland and no one is papering over the goal keeping issues we still have. We know the problems we have.

Huh?
Why do you think the likes of myself, Imehjunior and Obong have been insulted on this forum lately?
Because we dare to highlight the GK 'problems' which some believe do not exist.
So pointing them out makes us 'tribalists/dropologisers/agents' (choose one as applicable).

I rather we keep winning and instill a sense of belief in our players that they can stand, compete against anyone and win even in situations where they don't play well. Also, a loss against Serbia can place undue pressure on the team and the coach with the usual asinine calls for a major overhaul of the team 2 months before the WC.

The only "downside" is that no one will underrate us come tourney time, but that's ok.

Kpom.

I beg to disagree, Dr. Damunk.

No SE fan with a decent knowledge of the game will think that we are all set with the GK position.

The problem with you and others championing for Enyeama is that, that is all you are doing. You are not suggesting ways to improve the GK position.

A lot of people have said (with valid reasons) that having Enyeama in camp will make the team worse. I was around the team a lot during qualifiers and I can tell you that this is Mikel's team. The signal the coach is giving is that the pecking order is the Coach, Mikel & the troops. It is interesting that the former and Vice Captains have recently started on the bench, or might not make the team. Bringing Enyeama back might upset that fabric. Check out Mikel's body language when Rohr's was asked about this after Cameroon.

Secondly, Vince said he could not seat on the bench with the SE, as it would cost him his job with his club. The club job is mostly gone. Is he now willing to seat on the bench if he is deemed to be the 2nd or 3rd best available keeper?

Third, there are options that I believe are better than some of the guys in camp. Why the focus on Vince and not these guys. Pre SA match, I mentioned David Nwolokor, Femi Thomas and Francis Uzoho as options that were better than the 3 Keepers in camp for that game (Akpeyi, Alampasu & Ezenwa). Do you guys not know about these keepers. How come it is all about Vince.

BTW, I doubt than Vince will emerge among the top 3 if the pool is opened up to 6 of these, based on current form, without even considering the baggage he brings.

So, there is a clear distinction between calling for Enyeama's return and asking for an improvement of the SE GK position with a view to making the team better.

You guys don't seem to get that.

No need to waste your time with them anymore. 2 of them are hell bent on getting their townsman and benefactor into the game. The other one is a well known mad man with a badge. nonsense!

[ogasir]

Dear Nigerian football fans, $#% that happened decades ago is not relevant today

[charlie]

Thats one of the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

Its like telling your math teacher "Sir, I purposefully failed your spot quiz so I can take your exams more seriously!".

The most important part of friendlies is to improve your team dynamics (chemistry, weaknesses, find new talent, improve fitness levels, etc). Winning any sport competition should always be one of the objectives.

[mcal]

...it's important in the sense, so that agents will say, well I told you so.

[Scipio Africanus]

I know Ayo is hoping for a loss. Man must wack

[anointed]

Hmm...the man who saw tomorrow

[marko]

Hahaha, this man is psychic

[kajifu]

Hmm...the man who saw tomorrow

Yeah let him give me the number for power ball tonight

[platinum]

Hmm...the man who saw tomorrow

Hahaha, this man is psychic

He didn't predict a loss. He wondered whether a loss was necessary. If we go to Russia and get beat in all three games, this loss would have meant nothing.

[Cellular]

Thats one of the most stupid thing I have ever heard.

Its like telling your math teacher "Sir, I purposefully failed your spot quiz so I can take your exams more seriously!".

The most important part of friendlies is to improve your team dynamics (chemistry, weaknesses, find new talent, improve fitness levels, etc). Winning any sport competition should always be one of the objectives.

Wrong analogy.

It is like getting the answer right in a math quiz and your teacher insisting that you show your work.
Showing your work shows that you understand the principle being taught. That you will be able to get the answer right when the question is tougher.
Being infatuated with the answer does not mean you understand the principle being taught.

We have a team with a lot of faults that need to be addressed. It is typically addressed best when you just don't arrive at the answer but understand how to arrive at the answer.

The faults in the team has once again been exposed without us providing the answer that covers the fact we don't understand how to keep arriving at the right answer.