Play "The Manager": Should Alhassan start the next game?

[Enugu II]

Alhassan Yusuf had an outstanding debut at the AFCON where he gave a 110 performance. Unfortunately, he was carted off after a cruel tackle. Later his injury he was classified as a muscle injury. He has been out since. Now, reportedly, he has been training with the team. However, with the team playing well having won all games since, the question arises:

Should Alhassan Yusuf be re-inserted as a starter on this team?

Bear in mind, that the seeming rise in the performance of this team has been due to two critical factors: (1) players generally upping their game and effort. Essentially, players are giving 110 effort and this applies to some who hitherto had been lackadaisical, (2) The Manager has finally found a formation that has worked incredibly well. One that NO ONE (I repeat NO ONE) on CE ever imagined or put forward! That structure has led to a revitalization of a team that was considered dead for weeks and months prior to this AFCON.

Yet, even the above is now under threat given the fact that with all the higher ranked teams already eliminated from this AFCON, Nigeria may yet relax and slip back to players giving less than 110 believing that mere appearance on the field will lead to victory. However, Alhassan is not one of those. He is always a 110 player. Should he, then, start???

Let us know your TAKE.

[EMIR KONGI JAFFI JOFFA]

No. No need to change what's working for the sake of change.

[vancity eagle]

The 433 formation worked in our opening match. It's just that Osimehn didn't finish.

In fact we created FAR more opportunities in that match than any other, while also limiting the opponent to virtually nothing all match.

[Dammy]

No

[packerland]

These are decisions coaches are paid to make. Whether he plays Alhassan or not, if the team wins he’s a genius but if the team loses, he would be blamed.

I wonder if Randy Waldrum would’ve played Debra Abiodun against England if she wasn’t banned for eternity for that red card

[Enugu II]

These are decisions coaches are paid to make. Whether he plays Alhassan or not, if the team wins he’s a genius but if the team loses, he would be blamed.

I wonder if Randy Waldrum would’ve played Debra Abiodun against England if she wasn’t banned for eternity for that red card

Interesting and astute take.

Sure it is not 100% proof. It is clearly a very difficult decision. While Yusuf is 110 player, one must consider if re-inserting him in the starting line -up could upstage the team's current chemistry. That is very important. However, with him, you can guarantee that Nigeria will be in uptempo mode and will win more balls than if he is on the bench.

[Cellular]

Who would he be replacing?

[metalalloy]

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

[felarey]

I hope team chemistry is not tied to 11 players but to the whole team. Also hope it's not tied to one formation. If a player is inserted, he should be able to blend in with the play otherwise, that player should not be on the team. That said, what is important is what works against Angola, I'm sure they've studied our games, especially the last one like we have theirs.

[olu]

All three can play together if we play a 3-5-2, which I would prefer to 3-4-3. Onyeka and Yusuf can both play as CMs/DMs, while Iwobi is pushed up as the AM.

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

[metalalloy]

All three can play together if we play a 3-5-2, which I would prefer to 3-4-3. Onyeka and Yusuf can both play as CMs/DMs, while Iwobi is pushed up as the AM.

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

That means that you would have to sacrifice one of Simon or Lookman to fit in a midfielder. (i dont see him dropping either Aina or Sanusi). I doubt Pesiro will want to do that.

[vancity eagle]

All three can play together if we play a 3-5-2, which I would prefer to 3-4-3. Onyeka and Yusuf can both play as CMs/DMs, while Iwobi is pushed up as the AM.

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

That right there is what Pesseiro SHOULD do.

But he is too stubborn and loves bare midfields.

[vancity eagle]

All three can play together if we play a 3-5-2, which I would prefer to 3-4-3. Onyeka and Yusuf can both play as CMs/DMs, while Iwobi is pushed up as the AM.

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

That means that you would have to sacrifice one of Simon or Lookman to fit in a midfielder. (i dont see him dropping either Aina or Sanusi). I doubt Pesiro will want to do that.

Simon is useless.

Why wouldn't he want to do that ?

[Cellular]

Would you rather stick Iwobi out wide to accommodate Alhassan in the middle?

[danfo driver]

Would you rather stick Iwobi out wide to accommodate Alhassan in the middle?

Yes.

With AlHassan, we will get better defensive play and better hardwork than with Simon.

With Iwobi pushed up to the wings, we will get the same hardwork as Simon, but much better offensive play.

[1naija]

Our starting line up is set. I would not change it unless there is a tactical reason to do so or due to injury. You would only be starting Alhassan now as a matter of preference, not tactics.

Alhassan Yusuf had an outstanding debut at the AFCON where he gave a 110 performance. Unfortunately, he was carted off after a cruel tackle. Later his injury he was classified as a muscle injury. He has been out since. Now, reportedly, he has been training with the team. However, with the team playing well having won all games since, the question arises:

Should Alhassan Yusuf be re-inserted as a starter on this team?

Bear in mind, that the seeming rise in the performance of this team has been due to two critical factors: (1) players generally upping their game and effort. Essentially, players are giving 110 effort and this applies to some who hitherto had been lackadaisical, (2) The Manager has finally found a formation that has worked incredibly well. One that NO ONE (I repeat NO ONE) on CE ever imagined or put forward! That structure has led to a revitalization of a team that was considered dead for weeks and months prior to this AFCON.

Yet, even the above is now under threat given the fact that with all the higher ranked teams already eliminated from this AFCON, Nigeria may yet relax and slip back to players giving less than 110 believing that mere appearance on the field will lead to victory. However, Alhassan is not one of those. He is always a 110 player. Should he, then, start???

Let us know your TAKE.

[metalalloy]

All three can play together if we play a 3-5-2, which I would prefer to 3-4-3. Onyeka and Yusuf can both play as CMs/DMs, while Iwobi is pushed up as the AM.

If he is healthy, and the manager reverts to the formation from the first game, yes. If he plays the 3-5-2 im not sure who he replaces as Onyeka has played quite well in that role, and he wont be replacing Iwobi who is better creatively.

That right there is what Pesseiro SHOULD do.

But he is too stubborn and loves bare midfields.

How is the midfield bare when you have 4 players there and thats not even counting the wing backs. His 3-4-3 that he reverted to after the first game is a safety first formation that he is highly unlikely to change after it has gotten them this far.

[Cellular]

Would you rather stick Iwobi out wide to accommodate Alhassan in the middle?

Yes.

With AlHassan, we will get better defensive play and better hardwork than with Simon.

With Iwobi pushed up to the wings, we will get the same hardwork as Simon, but much better offensive play.

Good point.

[sabb]

Would you rather stick Iwobi out wide to accommodate Alhassan in the middle?

Yes.

With AlHassan, we will get better defensive play and better hardwork than with Simon.

With Iwobi pushed up to the wings, we will get the same hardwork as Simon, but much better offensive play.

yep

[maceo4]

Would you rather stick Iwobi out wide to accommodate Alhassan in the middle?

Yes.

With AlHassan, we will get better defensive play and better hardwork than with Simon.

With Iwobi pushed up to the wings, we will get the same hardwork as Simon, but much better offensive play.

yep

KPOM!

[Tobi17]

Yusuf and Onyeka should anchor the CDM/CM role on Friday, gives us more more steel in the midfield while Iwobi gets the free role in a more attacking position behind Lookman/Osimhen.

[Naija fan]

I will stick with the current starters and not start him. I will, however find a way to give a run in the game depending on how things are going so he can get some game action in preparation for when we progress in the tournament. Having said all that, the coach may start him based on what he is seeing in training and thinks Alhassan gives us the the best chance to win.

[Mr Shows]

This is the knockout stage of the tournament and any coach worth his salt will not change a winning team. Right now, the gaffer will be looking to fine tune what he has, opposed to changing personnel, to build chemistry and consistency.

Onyeka will start, Alhassan may be introduced to replace a tired Onyeka (Angola are an upgrade on Cameroon) or for tactical reasons if we need to keep things tight in the middle and sacrifice a winger.