10 reasons why Rohr simply has to play 3-5-2 against Bafana

[Ayo Akinfe]

[1] Looking at how weak our defence was against Cameroon, it is clear that we have a soft centre
[2] Kenneth Omeruo is arguably our best centreback but alas, he is weak in the air
[3] Leon Balogun is a rock when it comes to aerial balls but alas, he will get done for pace on the counter attack
[4] Chigozie Awaziem is actually strong in the air but he is not an unbeatable rock like say Taribo
[5] For me, to counter the South African quick counter-attacks, he needs to play with three centrebacks. Play Awaziem on the right, Omeruo on the left and Ekong down the middle
[6] With Aina on the right and Collins on the left, that should be a solid enough defensive unit
[7] In front of the defence, Rohr desperately needs Mikel's organising ability. Let Mikel do all the thinking and leave Ndidi do the donkey work. Have you not all noticed that Ndidi is not as effective when playing without Mikel?
[8] There is no dispute that Alex Iwobi is our playmaker, so he has to operate behind the front two
[9] Given Rohr's fixation with Ahmed Musa, he has no choice really than playing 3-5-2 as Musa is hopeless as a wide forward. However, his pace is very effective if he is playing centrally behind Ighalo, especially on the counter attack
[10] As Rohr is not keen on Chukwueze and Onyekuru, he has to ditch the 4-3-3 formation. These are our two best wide men and without them it is nonsensical to play 4-3-3

[Lolly]

Lets not forget Aina is not good as a wing-back. And I haven't seen Collins play as one either and he might not even be match fit. This is not a game to experiment.

But I agree, this is a game we need Mikel, even a slow one. We will need to retain the ball much better than we have been doing so far and slow down the pace against a much more fluid side than us. I watched the SA v Nigeria qualifying game live and those guys can ball. And from their performances so far in this tournament, the team is much stronger.

I honestly think Balogun/Omeruo plays better than Ekong/Omeruo. Ekong just looks really flat in this tournament.

I just want Chukwueze to start. All the others can compete for the other positions. He will make a lot of difference to our attack and keep the opponent occupied at the back.

[Ekorian]

A slow Mikel should be on the field field even though he's injured on his knees.
Thank God both of you are miles away from the camp.

[ohenhen1]

Mikel is injured.

[Goldleaf]

Like it or not, Gernot Rohr will live and die with his 4-2-3-1. Rohr, like Benitez and George Graham (of Arsenal) is a typical defensive-oriented european coach and their focus is on stopping the opposition from scoring first and then taking your chances upfront when they appear, which they inevitably do. Listen to his post match Press Conference, he favoured Moses Simon for his defensive abilities in his club because he was worried about pressure from the cameroon left offensive side. After 60minutes when the cameroon left side had simmered, he then brought Samuel Chukwueze in.

Will Gernot Rohr start Chuwueze against South Africa? I doubt it. He will go for his same 4-2-3-1 with Aina and Awazien supporting Ekong and Omeruo (who both have a higher concentration level than dozy Balogun), Ndidi and Etebo providing DM cover, Musa and Simon on the wings and Iwobi supporting Ighalo. Depending on how things go, he can then change it later. It is just Rohr's mindset. If he wins AFCON with his 4-2-3-1, expect a lifetime of it.

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[Lolly]

A slow Mikel should be on the field field even though he's injured on his knees.
Thank God both of you are miles away from the camp.

I never said an injured Mikel should be on the field. I meant it is the type of game we need a Mikel if fit.

[Ayo Akinfe]

A slow Mikel should be on the field field even though he's injured on his knees.
Thank God both of you are miles away from the camp.

He was given a week to return after the Madagascar game so may be fit for South Africa.

[Ekorian]

A slow Mikel should be on the field field even though he's injured on his knees.
Thank God both of you are miles away from the camp.

He was given a week to return after the Madagascar game so may be fit for South Africa.

My point exactly!

[Goldleaf]

The way I see it, John Obi Mikel may have already played his last match for the SE. Rohr may give him a few respectful minutes in a few games and break the news to him after AFCON. Mikel's days are over.

[Robbynice]

Mikel is injured.

Mikel is back in training...

[Ayo Akinfe]

A slow Mikel should be on the field field even though he's injured on his knees.
Thank God both of you are miles away from the camp.

He was given a week to return after the Madagascar game so may be fit for South Africa.

My point exactly!

If he is fit he must play though!

[ohenhen1]

Mikel is injured.

Mikel is back in training...

Is he fit enough to start against South Africa? The game is on Wednesday right?

[olu]

He may well play 3-5-2. He used that formation against SA in the qualifiers in the game that ended 1-1. The game in which Musa's 2 goals were surprising ruled offside.

[olu]

Aina is a very good WB. He's been good in that position for Torino. Simon has also looked good playing as a WB for Levante.

Lets not forget Aina is not good as a wing-back. And I haven't seen Collins play as one either and he might not even be match fit. This is not a game to experiment.

But I agree, this is a game we need Mikel, even a slow one. We will need to retain the ball much better than we have been doing so far and slow down the pace against a much more fluid side than us. I watched the SA v Nigeria qualifying game live and those guys can ball. And from their performances so far in this tournament, the team is much stronger.

I honestly think Balogun/Omeruo plays better than Ekong/Omeruo. Ekong just looks really flat in this tournament.

I just want Chukwueze to start. All the others can compete for the other positions. He will make a lot of difference to our attack and keep the opponent occupied at the back.

[paj]

[1] Looking at how weak our defence was against Cameroon, it is clear that we have a soft centre
[2] Kenneth Omeruo is arguably our best centreback but alas, he is weak in the air
[3] Leon Balogun is a rock when it comes to aerial balls but alas, he will get done for pace on the counter attack
[4] Chigozie Awaziem is actually strong in the air but he is not an unbeatable rock like say Taribo
[5] For me, to counter the South African quick counter-attacks, he needs to play with three centrebacks. Play Awaziem on the right, Omeruo on the left and Ekong down the middle
[6] With Aina on the right and Collins on the left, that should be a solid enough defensive unit
[7] In front of the defence, Rohr desperately needs Mikel's organising ability. Let Mikel do all the thinking and leave Ndidi do the donkey work. Have you not all noticed that Ndidi is not as effective when playing without Mikel?
[8] There is no dispute that Alex Iwobi is our playmaker, so he has to operate behind the front two
[9] Given Rohr's fixation with Ahmed Musa, he has no choice really than playing 3-5-2 as Musa is hopeless as a wide forward. However, his pace is very effective if he is playing centrally behind Ighalo, especially on the counter attack
[10] As Rohr is not keen on Chukwueze and Onyekuru, he has to ditch the 4-3-3 formation. These are our two best wide men and without them it is nonsensical to play 4-3-3

U and this 352...dem take am do U? Dude..let's be clear...it wont be a thing for 9ja unless we hire Conte!