Jose PESEIRO Changing SE Briskly......
Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2022 5:26 pm
As is usually the case with a new manager, the idea is to put one's stamp on the team. Jose Peseiro is already making moves in this regard in several ways. First, it appears that the SE will play far more on the front foot than the team ever did under Gernot Rohr. We have already seen Peseiro attempt to use two strikers. This is a strategy that Gernot Rohr rarely used. This does not mean that it will become a sole approach by the new manager but it signals the likelihood that he will use it far more than his predecessor attempted. This will be good, in my view, considering that Nigeria is more likely to be favored in 60+% percentage of the games that it will play. Thus, it will be favored to cease the initiative in those games.
Beside the change in approach above. Here are coming personnel changes that I anticipate under Peseiro and the signs are already there:
Goalkeeper
This is certainly an area that Peseiro will seek to solidify./ Either he settles on a starter by seeking improvement from one of the current goalkeepers or find another one not currently used. The latter will surely happen. No good manager will currently settle with the performance of our goalkeepers. They either improve or they will be replaced.
Wide Backs
This is a solid position for the Nigerian team currently. However, the Manager may seek to introduce a few other players. Most recently, he started by appearing to favor Ola Aina in one of the positions but if you watched carefully in the last games, he was not impressed given his substitutions and his sideline conversations as the recent games went on. While the conversations were not clear, one can guess that had to do with consistency in defensive positioning while the opponent has the ball. Yes, Aina is really good going forward but there are questions when he defends and it is not just with aerial balls but coverage issues.
Central Defenders'
William Ekong combo with Leon Balogun is now passe. The 'Oyibo Wall' is clearly in the past and it was never a solid wall to begin with. Peseiro has already introduced Caslvin Bassey here and Bassey provided the energy, strength, and assuredity that the "Wall" never provided. The question now is who will be his partner? Of course, Ekong will have his opportunity. He is captain after all. However, a captain can also start from the bench as we saw with Yobo and then Musa. So also will it be for Ekong. Peseiro will surely try Kevin Akpoguma here. If he performs, then he will be the longterm partner for Bassey. Akpoguma had a torrid time with Rohr who tried him as a wide back where the pace in the African game posed serious challenges for Akpoguma, in his few appearances. That will not be the case in the middle.
Midfielders
Obviously Ndidi has been the main stay at the DM position. Those days are numbered given his numerous injuries and unavailability. Peseiro will see him up close for the first time in the coming games. Before now, Peseiro must have sweated while seeking Ndidi's replacement. He tried Aribo in one game and Aribo underwhelmed and was benched in the 10-0 game. Etebo did well subsequently but he is not the long term solution. Etebo's attachment to overly short passes can be frustrating and he has not been playing regularly at the club level. There are, surely, other worthy options.
Alex Iwobi is now the only sure starter further forward in the midfield. This is a position previously occupied by Aribo and atimes Rohr used Iheanacho in the most advanced midfield position behind the main striker with Aribo playing more centrally. That will be Iwobi's from now into the near future i.e. in the central area and the advanced midfield role will be ditched for a second striker.
Wide Midfielders/Forwards.
The wide midfielders are abundant but none can be sure for the long run. Moses Simon has not exactly shown why he should continue to be the long term starter. Chukwueze is injured again and he has not shown why he should be a starter even when available. Thus, Peseiro has opportunity to introduce new faces.
Strikers
Victor Osimhen, like Iwobi in the middle and Bassey in Central defenders, are the sure guys under Peseiro. That is the case, it appears, at the moment. Peseiro will look to find a partner for Osimhen upfront. At the moment, Moffi appears to be the guy and his goals in the 10-0 blowout did not hurt his case. However, that was a blowout against a minor. Moffi must prove that he belongs against more worthy challengers. It starts with these couple friendlies. If not, there are a host of other strikers waiting for the opportunity for this space that was hitherto closed under Rohr but will be open under Peseiro.
Beside the change in approach above. Here are coming personnel changes that I anticipate under Peseiro and the signs are already there:
Goalkeeper
This is certainly an area that Peseiro will seek to solidify./ Either he settles on a starter by seeking improvement from one of the current goalkeepers or find another one not currently used. The latter will surely happen. No good manager will currently settle with the performance of our goalkeepers. They either improve or they will be replaced.
Wide Backs
This is a solid position for the Nigerian team currently. However, the Manager may seek to introduce a few other players. Most recently, he started by appearing to favor Ola Aina in one of the positions but if you watched carefully in the last games, he was not impressed given his substitutions and his sideline conversations as the recent games went on. While the conversations were not clear, one can guess that had to do with consistency in defensive positioning while the opponent has the ball. Yes, Aina is really good going forward but there are questions when he defends and it is not just with aerial balls but coverage issues.
Central Defenders'
William Ekong combo with Leon Balogun is now passe. The 'Oyibo Wall' is clearly in the past and it was never a solid wall to begin with. Peseiro has already introduced Caslvin Bassey here and Bassey provided the energy, strength, and assuredity that the "Wall" never provided. The question now is who will be his partner? Of course, Ekong will have his opportunity. He is captain after all. However, a captain can also start from the bench as we saw with Yobo and then Musa. So also will it be for Ekong. Peseiro will surely try Kevin Akpoguma here. If he performs, then he will be the longterm partner for Bassey. Akpoguma had a torrid time with Rohr who tried him as a wide back where the pace in the African game posed serious challenges for Akpoguma, in his few appearances. That will not be the case in the middle.
Midfielders
Obviously Ndidi has been the main stay at the DM position. Those days are numbered given his numerous injuries and unavailability. Peseiro will see him up close for the first time in the coming games. Before now, Peseiro must have sweated while seeking Ndidi's replacement. He tried Aribo in one game and Aribo underwhelmed and was benched in the 10-0 game. Etebo did well subsequently but he is not the long term solution. Etebo's attachment to overly short passes can be frustrating and he has not been playing regularly at the club level. There are, surely, other worthy options.
Alex Iwobi is now the only sure starter further forward in the midfield. This is a position previously occupied by Aribo and atimes Rohr used Iheanacho in the most advanced midfield position behind the main striker with Aribo playing more centrally. That will be Iwobi's from now into the near future i.e. in the central area and the advanced midfield role will be ditched for a second striker.
Wide Midfielders/Forwards.
The wide midfielders are abundant but none can be sure for the long run. Moses Simon has not exactly shown why he should continue to be the long term starter. Chukwueze is injured again and he has not shown why he should be a starter even when available. Thus, Peseiro has opportunity to introduce new faces.
Strikers
Victor Osimhen, like Iwobi in the middle and Bassey in Central defenders, are the sure guys under Peseiro. That is the case, it appears, at the moment. Peseiro will look to find a partner for Osimhen upfront. At the moment, Moffi appears to be the guy and his goals in the 10-0 blowout did not hurt his case. However, that was a blowout against a minor. Moffi must prove that he belongs against more worthy challengers. It starts with these couple friendlies. If not, there are a host of other strikers waiting for the opportunity for this space that was hitherto closed under Rohr but will be open under Peseiro.
I no blame NFF here at all. Lets be extending the contract by 6 months only, je je .