forget this match, what can should we do diff. next game?

maceo4 · Post by **maceo4** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:30 pm

B4 i start, I'd like to say a quick "#$%$ u" to CCC for his useless tactics...

Firstly, for the next match we need to get it into CCC's head that we need to have a solid midfield to be able to beat any team in this tournament. Olofinjana was just over-run as the sole DM and this was our main problem. We need to bring in Ekwueme or Ekong to partner Seyi.

Secondly, we need to drop Yeyegbeni and play Utaka centraly!!!! Playing this guy wide is wasting his talents, the one time Utaka got down the center forwards area, he had good understanding with Jag and even got a very good shot on goal which the goalie saved. Yak playing centrally all game did not get ONE shot on target.

Third, Kanu must be shot, hung, or sent to the bench, whichever one will do. A midfielder he is not!!!! CCC are u listening????

BTW: Okoronkwo was getting used like crazy out there, I see why wolves have not been using him!!!!! But we on the other hand have no choice since Ribo is out

My formation:

************Enyeama
*********Yobo*********Okoronkwo
Abbey*********************************Baba

*******Olofinjana******Ekwueme

**ikedia********Okocha

*********Aghahowa****Utaka

#$%$ CCC!!!!!!!

theYemster · Post by **theYemster** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:34 pm

Firstly, drop Kanu; bring in another DF - I assume the only person we have is Ekong (or Lawal); move Cele up and put Udeze behind;

As bad as Okoronkwo was, I shudder to think of what other options we have - Romanu Orjinta?

Move Okocha up and keep Utaka on the right.

AreaDaddy · Post by **AreaDaddy** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:38 pm

Drop Kanu and Aiyegbeni....Playing Aiyegbeni, Kanu, Okocha, Utaka & Kanu in a single lineup ....Lord Have mercy....Even Abbey was pushing forward all the time.

It is all about the midfield and Nigerian had none. He needs to sorth this out. Bring in Ekwueme for one.

Chief Bambostic · Post by **Chief Bambostic** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:38 pm

I think we were all disappointed with the line-up that was fielded today. Unfortunately Chukwu has been exposed as tactically inept by fielding 4 strikers and 1 attacking midfielder in what can only be described as a 4-2-4, 4-1-1-4 or even 505 formation which has no place in modern football.

It was a real masterstoke of stupidity to start with strikers on the wing, especially Yakubu on the left. And many forumers had alluded to the fact that Chukwu wouldn't have the balls to bench Kanu and this proved to be true. This match showed that good tactics win football matches, not big names.

Okoronkwo was a weak link in defence. Again a big name has prevailed over the sensibility of playing a match fit player - Enakakire (sp)

Based on this game, this is the line-up I'd like to see against South Africa:

Enyeama
Abbey, Yobo, Enakakire (sp), Babayaro,
Ikedia, Okocha, Olofinjana, Udeze/Ekwueme
Aghahowa, Utaka

If we can get in better crosses to the front two, then we should be able to create more chances

But the biggest tactical error is playing Okocha deep!!! That removes the effectiveness he has - the dude needs the freedom to attack as in Bolton where only one usually plays ahead of him. Sadly when you play 4 attackers, Okocha has no choice but to sit deep and play the Oliseh role spraying the ball out to attackers, when frankly Olofinjana should be doing this.

This is why we also need 2 defensive midfielders so that Okocha's skill is not wasted trying to track back. Another possible formation is 4-4-1-1
Enyeama
Abbey, Yobo, Enakakire (sp), Babayaro,
Ikedia, Lawal, Olofinjana, Utaka
Okocha
Aghahowa

Good luck Naija. I will have to watch SA vs Benin to see what we're up against...

omonoba · Post by **omonoba** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:40 pm

Since chukwu will insist on 4-4-2 anyway, here goes:
Today, our best midfielder was Babayaro. which is shocking when u think he was playing at left full back. But he had zero protection from aiyegbini who never tracked back , and only put in about 6 tackles the whole match! As a result babayaro had to push up to midfield and did a very good job. This of course left the defence skewed, but relieved some of the pressure on the back line in the 2nd half.

A simple way to bring balance to our team is to play Babayaro on the left wing; he can tackle, he can pass , he can cross. Udeze should be back from suspension in the next game. Let him handle the left back position. Give okocha the roaming role he wants and drop kanu and let garba lawal/ifeanyi ekwueme support olofinjana in midfield. I would prefer lawal as his experience will balance olofinjana's lack of nations cup experience. Push Utaka from the right wing to support JAG up front and let okocha do the job from the right wing with abbey coming up to block the gap when he roams.

Pemba · Post by **Pemba** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:45 pm

I think Morocco was as bad as it will get until the next round. Morocco is more organized than South Africa and Benin and has the talent.

Now Nigeria has to SERIOUSLY start training and playing and lose the primadonna-ism. First they need to:

1. Shore up the defensive midfield
2. Tighten up the man-marking at back
3. Force wings to either defend or foul.

Second, they need to get a system of attack going that produces.

1. Put Utaka in the attack.
2. Move Ikedia out wide.
3. Drop Kanu to the bench
4. Put Lawal on the left.

My formation:

-------------------------------------- Enyeama --------------------------------------

-------------------Yobo --------- Okoronkwo --------- Babayaro ----------------

------------------------- Olofinjana ------------ Udeze ----------------------------

------ Ikedia ---------------------- Okocha ---------------------- Lawal ----------

-------------------------- Aghahowa ------------ Utaka ---------------------------

subs:

1. Kanu for Okocha
2. Aiyegbeni or Agali for Utaka
3. Osaze for Ikedia
4. Ekong for Udeze

Post by **juventuss** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:52 pm

Kali, I like your formation. The mid field is covered pretty well. I might change lawal for udeze though. I would not want udeze making a harsh tackle close to the box. plus udeze is much faster than lawal and he could cause wahala for the opponents right.

omonoba · Post by **omonoba** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:55 pm

-------------------------------------- Enyeama ----------------------------------

----------------Yobo --------- Enarkahire ----------------Babayaro

------------------------- Olofinjana ------------ Lawal ----------------------------

------ Abbey ---------------------- Okocha------------------------------Udeze

-------------------------- Aghahowa ------------ Utaka ---------------------------

An even better formation sees Ikedia replacing Utaka(i think utaka is too selfish with the ball , and the few times he does pass, his final ball is too poor for this level of soccer) :

-------------------------------------- Enyeama ----------------------------------

------------------Enarkahire-------------- Yobo------------Baba---------------

------------------------- Olofinjana ------------ Lawal -------------------------

Abbey---------------------------------Okocha---------------------------Udeze

-------------------------- Ikedia---------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------Aghahowa

Nkume · Post by **Nkume** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:56 pm

Simple Drop the obviously Unfit and Useless!

****************************Aghahowa*****************
****************Utaka*********************************
*********************Jay Jay***************************
Ekwueme (Oruma)*****************************Osaze(Kalu)
*******************Olufinjina***************************
Babayaro*************************************Abbey****
**************Orjinta*********Yobo*********************
******************Enyeama****************************

Since CCC is obviously to stubborn to change his 4-4-2 formation. Utaka MUST play as a foward - this guy led Africa in goals for God's sake.
Kanu must be taken out clinically by Orjinta in training - if not CCC will never relegate him to the bench.
had Oruma, Kalu, and Obodo made the squad we would have had true midfielders. But in their absence, Ekwueme or Lawal can man the left with Osaze or Ikedia on the right.
Okoronkwo was used to drink garri all day. I see why he gets no love at wolves. He needs to be dropped. Orjinta is the solution.

omotori · Post by **omotori** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:00 pm

-------------------------------------- Enyeama --------------------------------------

Abbey----------------------Yobo --------- Enarkahire ----------------Udeze

------------------------- Olofinjana ------------ Lawal ----------------------------

------ Ikedia ---------------------- ------------------------------- -------Babayaro

-------------------------- Okocha------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------Aghahowa

Omonoba, really like this formation. looks like a sure winner. brings the best out of JJ & Babayaro.

Yettycom · Post by **Yettycom** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:02 pm

get an effective midfield. the team still has prospects

maceo4 · Post by **maceo4** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:06 pm

Formation is ok, but if we are going to go with it then Agali must be the front man. Jag cannot be the lone striker, he will be overwhelmed, plus JJ's role with Bolton is AM (Djorkaeff plays the role that u have JJ in) and not as withdrawn striker and we have all seen how effectively he has performed in this role

omotori wrote:
-------------------------------------- Enyeama --------------------------------------

Abbey----------------------Yobo --------- Enarkahire ----------------Udeze

------------------------- Olofinjana ------------ Lawal ----------------------------

------ Ikedia ---------------------- ------------------------------- -------Babayaro

-------------------------- Okocha------------------------------------------------------

-----------------------------------------------Aghahowa

Omonoba, really like this formation. looks like a sure winner. brings the best out of JJ & Babayaro.

omey2k4 · Post by **omey2k4** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:06 pm

Benin go beat us!

omonoba · Post by **omonoba** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:09 pm

thannks omotori ; that is a 4-4-2 version since we know CCC is so fixated on 4-4-2 (even though what he plays eventually boils down to a 4-1-5

). I edited my post with a more effect 3-5-2 with abbey and udeze patrolling the wings and helping to provide protection for okocha in midfield. Olofinjana and Lawal are the shield in front of the defence so okocha can roam without worrying too much. JAG plays on the shoulder of the last defender while Okocha and ikedia do their thing pulling defenders all over the place and laying off the final ball for JAG to kill. Abbey and Udeze also provide attacking variation by dragging defenders wide and looking to cross or cut inside the box