Nigeria Lack Goal Threat and Creativity (Zonal Marking)

[wiseone]

This is the best and most accurate review of Nigeria's team I have seen ahead of the World Cup.

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2014/06/10/ ... questions/

Nigeria: midfield questions…
June 10, 2014

Nigeria won the Africa Cup of Nations last year, despite the fact they never found the perfect balance in midfield, and this is again their major issue.

Two men are assured of their place in the midfield, but not their actual role. John Obi Mikel, who plays a much more cultured, inventive role for Nigeria than for Chelsea, is the key midfielder. He won’t play in the deep-lying holding position, but instead as the ’second’ midfielder in this triangle, to the left, from where he can spread play to the flanks and dart forward to join attacks.

There’s an argument, however, that should be at the top of the midfield trio, because Nigeria have struggled to find someone suited to that position. In the 0-0 draw against Greece last week, Keshi tried to play forward Peter Odemwingie as the number ten, but he performed quite disastrously in that unfamiliar role, positioning himself poorly and unable to receive the ball on the run. For the next friendly, a 2-1 defeat against the United States, Keshi took the opposite approach, and played Ramos Azeez, a simple central midfielder who struggled to link midfield and attack.


Possible Nigerian XI - although it's tough to say who will be at the top of the midfield triangle
There’s no obvious solution, and Keshi might consider moving Mikel forward and bringing in Reuben Gabriel as the deepest of the three midfielders. A more unorthodox solution would be to bring Victor Moses inside to play as the number ten, where he has played at club level, although he’s accustomed to a wide role.

The problem isn’t solely about creativity, either. With Mikel as the second midfielder in the trio, it means Ogenyi Onzai is forced to act as the deepest midfielder, which doesn’t suit his skillset – he’s more energetic and likes to cover lots of ground. This means he’s bypassed easily, and the defence can be exposed readily.

Onazi could do with someone behind him, and it’s odd that Keshi seems so determined to field a midfield in this format – with two deep and one ahead, when the two don’t look comfortable together deep, and there’s no obvious candidate to play just ahead. It’s hard to see Nigeria dominating matches with these problems, although their usual approach is to sit deep anyway.

Counter-attacking front three

That’s because their attackers are best playing quick, ruthless counter-attacking football. Moses starts from the left but drifts inside and tries to link midfield and attack – no-one else is doing so – by dribbling directly with the ball. He’s become more of a goal threat recently, although he rarely makes off-the-ball runs past the striker.

On the opposite side, Ahmed Musa as a pure speedster and stays much wider. He’s capable of solo runs by picking up the ball in deep positions, then simply roaring past the opposition left-back – his speed is incredible, but it’s his acceleration that causes most problems. He should score more goals, but is a brilliant ball-carrier.

Upfront will be Emmanuel Emenike, who runs the channels manfully and is capable of cool finishes – he was top goalscorer at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations. He might not last 90 minutes often, though, and Keshi has Shola Ameobi if he wants to play more of a long ball game. Alternative, Odemwingie can appear as a second striker in a 4-4-2 if Nigeria are chasing matches – that will solve the problem with the third midfielder.

Basic backline

The defence is unconvincing. Elderson Echiejile was a late withdrawal from the squad which means Juwon Oshaniwa should start at left-back – he’s physically imposing but average on the ball. Right-sided Efe Ambrose is similar – a converted centre-back and a willing runner.

Joseph Yobo is an option in the centre, but it seems more likely to be a partnership between Kenneth Omeruo and Godfrey Oboabona, who offer much more mobility. However, they need to be protected, and this is once again a great worry because of the problematic midfield format. In goal, however, Vincent Enyeama is genuinely excellent – by far the best of the African goalkeepers at this competition.

This will be a fairly simple counter-attacking team, playing into the hands of their speedy wide players, and hopefully hiding the lack of creativity and the structural concerns in the midfield zone. There’s a worry about where the goals will come from, though.

Conclusion

It feels like Nigeria should be in a better position – they have a core of good footballers and last year’s Africa Cup of Nations victory shows they have a winning mentality. But, not dislike Cameroon, there’s a question mark about the midfield trio, and a worry they might not play their best midfielder, Mikel, in the role that suits the side.

Their performance is really dependent upon the qualities of the transitions, and the decision-making of Moses and Musa on the break. The latter, in particular, could enjoy a very good tournament – the left-backs in Group F are weak, and his speed could cause real problems.

Quick guide

Coach: Stephen Keshi – won the Africa Cup of Nations last year, seems to have the side united but questions remain about his tactical ability

Formation: Some form of 4-3-3, although the midfield trio remains to be seen, so could shift to 4-2-3-1.

Key player: Musa needs to carry the ball forward quickly

Strength: Counter-attacking speed

Weakness: Lack of goalscorers, problematic structure

Key tactical question: Who is the third midfielder?

[Coach]

3-2-1....

[oloye]

Says it all, but please playing Ruben and Onazi is disaster spelt in capital letters, this is where the sending home of Nosa still baffles me. Whatever combo we deploy we need someone to sit deep and cover the spaces that we often concede when our attack breaks down. It is criminal those spaces and will be punished at this level.

[Tbite]

Celtic aside...was Ambrose really a CB before RB?

[oloye]

Celtic aside...was Ambrose really a CB before RB?

He played CB for Nigeria at the U-21 WC in 2008 i think it was, but that was where i first noticed him.

[cic old boy]

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

[Cristao II]

Sunday Mba solved that problem.

[metalalloy]

this has been posted multiple times already

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=249699

[Bigpokey24]

Nigeria this, Nigeria that..geeze you people stress too much enjoy football . Geeze, same threads over and over again.

[Goldleaf]

Folk berra get with the progrom. In Keshi's eyes, the missing midfielder is Gabriel Reuben.

[Flex Swift]

Nosa,Obi,MBA and Brown should have been selected just to provide depth

[Bigpokey24]

Nosa,Obi,MBA and Brown should have been selected just to provide depth

E never do? You be woman? Players have been oicked, worldcup starts tomorrow you are still sulking about this and that..if you have nothing important to post, please move along.. some of us are tired or reading should have could have. Such brings nothing to the table.my goodness.

[yannick]

Nosa,Obi,MBA and Brown should have been selected just to provide depth

E never do? You be woman? Players have been oicked, worldcup starts tomorrow you are still sulking about this and that..if you have nothing important to post, please move along.. some of us are tired or reading should have could have. Such brings nothing to the table.my goodness.

STFU you lazy thinking simpleton

[Bigpokey24]

Nosa,Obi,MBA and Brown should have been selected just to provide depth

E never do? You be woman? Players have been oicked, worldcup starts tomorrow you are still sulking about this and that..if you have nothing important to post, please move along.. some of us are tired or reading should have could have. Such brings nothing to the table.my goodness.

STFU you lazy thinking simpleton

Get a hold of yourself, are you 5.. my goodness, learn to counter discuss than throw juvenile insults. Real talk

[JMObi]

I disagree over Ike Uche. His style of play is great for leagues where they generally dont play defense like Spain but for the national team he doesnt bring it. However, where Keshi F'ed up imho is in selecting two over the hill players and four garbage players. In fact when you add over the hill plus garbage you get six players you really should not count on. So we are going to the World Cup with 17 players of whom three are goalies. It means any substitutions other than from defence and we will start looking shaky.

Over the hill
- Yobo
- Ameobi

Garbage
- Uchebo
- Babatunde
- Oshaniwa
- Gabriel

[smartbrother]

I disagree over Ike Uche. His style of play is great for leagues where they generally dont play defense like Spain but for the national team he doesnt bring it. However, where Keshi F'ed up imho is in selecting two over the hill players and four garbage players. In fact when you add over the hill plus garbage you get six players you really should not count on. So we are going to the World Cup with 17 players of whom three are goalies. It means any substitutions other than from defence and we will start looking shaky.

Over the hill
- Yobo
- Ameobi

Garbage
- Uchebo
- Babatunde
- Oshaniwa
- Gabriel

This Feels like groundhog day

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=236664&p=3883706
@Tbite good points. very irresponsible of keshi to take only 13/14 viable outfield players to competitions like this.
he should have taken lukman haruna instead of ezeh, imoh instead of gambo, lawal instead of mba , taiwo instead of francis and nsofor instead of babatunde.
i really hope he learns his lesson

[wiseone]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

[ChristianNo1]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

[kolinzo]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

The truth is, some of us don't even know where Kalu is! So I can't blame the coach on that one. But I agree, Kalu Uche was (may is) a good player.

[wiseone]

Kalu Uche's record in his past two seasons:

2013: 19 goals in 34 games
2014: 11 goals in 16 games

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

The truth is, some of us don't even know where Kalu is! So I can't blame the coach on that one. But I agree, Kalu Uche was (may is) a good player.

[metalalloy]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

The truth is, some of us don't even know where Kalu is! So I can't blame the coach on that one. But I agree, Kalu Uche was (may is) a good player.

You think everyone is an ignorant empty drum like you?

[balo]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

The truth is, some of us don't even know where Kalu is! So I can't blame the coach on that one. But I agree, Kalu Uche was (may is) a good player.

Making his money quietly (like he always has been) at Al Rayyan. If there ever was an SE player so wrongly done, it is Kalu Uche.

Very unfair on this quiet hero.

[Bigpokey24]

I actually think his brother KALU Uche also had one last hurrah in him. He has the ability to play in the "hole" between midfield and attack, link the two, create, and he has an eye for goal. He tends to score goals no matter where on the pitch he plays.

Good analysis. A coach that “questions remain about his tactical ability”, whose team’s weakness includes “lack of goal-scorers”, decides it is a good idea to drop Ike Uche that scored 14 goals in 30 games last season in Spain.

You are really the "wiseone" indeed. Kalu Uche is the missing link and he is also good with dead balls. I wonder why he was by-passed.

The truth is, some of us don't even know where Kalu is! So I can't blame the coach on that one. But I agree, Kalu Uche was (may is) a good player.

Making his money quietly (like he always has been) at Al Rayyan. If there ever was an SE player so wrongly done, it is Kalu Uche.

Very unfair on this quiet hero.

you do know Uche turned down going to Confed cup?