Segun Oluwaniyi

Very arrogant statement. Slovakia (like most teams at that level) have some very decent players (thinking of Hamsik, Skrtel, Vittek, etc.). It is very important that England go out and handle their business quickly. Pretty average if you ask me. About Nigeria's level. Ahh! What have I done to deserve any of this?! Actually, you are right Mr. Disco. I didn't realise the Slovakia match was a friendly, and that's why I perceived your comment as really arrogant. Slovakia are not the ideal team I'm sure, but it is probaly very difficult to find a decent match that day since the majority of the teams in WCQ will be playing on that date.

Then there was really no need to open and respond to the thread was there .

Good post all around. Ghana don't have the most African championships though. That's Egypt's honor. The talent level across Africa has increased alot even in the last ten years. Teams I would have as minnows suddenly have players plying their trade at the highest level, and you're right in that African qualification is not all that easy. Away matches can be a deep test of mental strength more than anything and as you say there are not second chances. Definitely Africa suffered from not sending its best in 2006. There was a chance to finally make a big impact and we ended up sending Angola and Togo (though full credit to them, was rightfully earned). While some teams have been constant for decades (Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Egypt), others are just massive flashes in the pan. Look at Senegal, break through team in 2002. They won't even be at the next nations cup, nevermind the World Cup.

Very arrogant statement. Slovakia (like most teams at that level) have some very decent players (thinking of Hamsik, Skrtel, Vittek, etc.). It is very important that England go out and handle their business quickly.

I can think of three fantastic Jonas assists off the top of my head. Fro OBa against Villa and Owen against Popmey and Stoke. All were great play as well. I think Duff is greatly underrated on this forum also. While he not someone I'd like to rely, he's still a decent player with some good attributes.

I think that when there is a team in the league called Real Salt Lake it is time to stop copying other's ideas and come up with something of your own. If a team comes out in balck and white stripes, Americans will laugh at them for looking like referees and those with knowledge of the game will think they are only copying from clubs like Newcastle, Juventus, and Siena. How are DC United doing btw? I remember they were very successful and classy with a good supporter base back in the 90's. Pretty much the opposite of what you would expect of an MLS team.

What, Tijani? Yeah, he was top class. He was a real quick tiny little player witha lot of skill. Found his way to Ajax and was one of the star players for a season or two. Then he got malaria or TD or something that kept him out of the team and he spent a few seasons on Ajax's bench or being loaned out to random Middle east sides. After that his career kind of petered out. Never really got to shine for the NT either because of being kept out by other players and Nigeria not participating in two ACN's during his prime. Regardless, he was very very good, just didn't have the career to match his talent.

Look we just fired Berti F**** Vogts and hired Shabiu Amodu, so you can f*** off with telling me we've had quality managers tbh Saying Nigeria have havn't been good in my lifetime is like saying that Newcastle weren't good form the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Except, unlike my club, my country actaully one a few things and helped pave the way for other teams. Also, frankly, I just made a whole post explaining that Nigeria have no done badly, so I don't know what else to say on that. And I made a whole post explaining that winning two tinpot trophies does not consitute success...Nigeria should be an African powerhouse and dominating this competition (along with qualifying regularly for the world cup since 1994). Their reputation >>>>>>>>>> their achievement How exactly are the ACN and the Olympics tinpot trophies? They're the second and third biigest competitions Nigera can possibly win. Frankly the only time we've had far and away the best team in Africa was he period between 1994-1998 when they won ACN and the Olympics and had two decent world cups. That was also the period when we missed two tournaments because our military regime could not get along with Nelson Mandela. Since 2002, the team has been rebuilding really. The generation of the early 2000's was not up to par at all. Team is improving with the influx of players from 2005 WYC and such.

I'm a bit stunned to being sitting to someone (let me be nice) calling my country a joke for "only" winning the ACN twice and "only" making the WC second round twice (We've qualified three times ffs, and in 1994 Baggio sing handedly knocked us out). The team only really got going as a power (even in Africa) in the 80's. It's not like Nigeria have been some perennial force. I'm 19, and I watched all the playes you listed play. The team has generally been very competitive. Look at our performance in the ACN 1994 - Champions 1996 - Withdrew from tournament 1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996 2000 - Second place 2002 - Third place 2004 - Third place 2006 - Third place 2008 - Quarterfinals (lost to host team and biggest rival) We are certainly not a joke. I compare us to Holland often because we are generally feared and have been very close, but have not racked alot of medals due to internal issues and general luck. I'm amazed how fast I can type when I'm angry btw. Just out of curiosity, what do you think is Nigeria's strongest XI ? That's a good question. I'll be damned if anyone actaully knows the answer. Certainly not our coaches. I'll do a simple 4-4-2, even though the coach prefers a formation more like 4-3-3/4-5-1 Victor Enyeama Chidi Odiah Joe Yobo Apam Taye Taiwo Yussuf Ayila Mikel Jon Obi Christian Obodo Oba Ikechukwu Uche Aiyegbeni Yakubu Actaully it is 4-3-3. That is preferred team with everyone fit. The coach plays different players o some of these though.

Look we just fired Berti F**** Vogts and hired Shabiu Amodu, so you can f*** off with telling me we've had quality managers tbh Saying Nigeria havn't been good in my lifetime is like saying that Newcastle weren't good form the mid 90's to the early 2000's. Except, unlike my club, my country actaully won a few things and helped pave the way for other teams. Also, frankly, I just made a whole post explaining that Nigeria have no done badly, so I don't know what else to say on that.

I'm a bit stunned to being sitting to someone (let me be nice) calling my country a joke for "only" winning the ACN twice and "only" making the WC second round twice (We've qualified three times ffs, and in 1994 Baggio sing handedly knocked us out). The team only really got going as a power (even in Africa) in the 80's. It's not like Nigeria have been some perennial force. I'm 19, and I watched all the playes you listed play. The team has generally been very competitive. Look at our performance in the ACN 1994 - Champions 1996 - Withdrew from tournament 1998 - Disqualified for failure to participate in 1996 2000 - Second place 2002 - Third place 2004 - Third place 2006 - Third place 2008 - Quarterfinals (lost to host team and biggest rival) We are certainly not a joke. I compare us to Holland often because we are generally feared and have been very close, but have not racked alot of medals due to internal issues and general luck. I'm amazed how fast I can type when I'm angry btw.

Their fans are livid. Why? Would've thought it makes little/no difference or did Whelan f*** them about? I thought this was a pisstake on Wigan for having no fans whatsoever in the entire world.

Sadly, yes. How many others would you say have played "well" for as long a stretch.

Nile Ranger came on for John Obika in the 46th minute. 0-0 final score. According to match report, Ranger hit the post.

25 goals in 27 league matches this season says it all. 102 goals in 135 league matches since joining Barcelona. He's been consistantly world class for the past 5 seasons, regardless of the players he's been playing with. He also does make quite a few goals for himself fwiw and is very capable of running at defenders and taking them on. For me.. Eto'o, Torres and Villa are the 3 best strikers in the world, it's very close between them. No one else comes close. Absolutely spot on. Although Id argue Drogba, van Nistelrooy and Benzema aren't far off Drogba and Benzema haven't been that good at all really. I rate Ibra and Henry above any of those three.

What? You're starting Owen?! You're mad!!

Odd list really. First off Taylor and Martins hav both had long stretches out of the team. In fact Taylor only recently became a starter after Beye went down. I guess you could say it was more of "fan's favourite" list, but it also features Nicky Butt.

No Beye? That's right. Beye's Back! I forgot. I also forgot that Ryan Taylor can play right back. Things aren't actually that bad then.

I'd rather see: Geremi Cacapa Coloccini Enrque Neither Chelsea or Stoke are raping us with pace, and while that whole "experience in a relegation battle" jargon is rubbish, I'd much rather see the two bald men infront than Edgar.

Quite right. Arsenal might struggle against Barca because they don't get stuck in enough, but in general, English sides put the willies up Spanish sides. Like in 2006 when Barca beat Arsenal and Chelsea in the process of winning it?

Are you serious by the way? He's definitely improved, but I just have trouble looking past his sometimes immeasurable stupidity. When he eventually cost us a match by getting sent off for randomly shoving his forearm into someone's neck, we'll see what the reaction is. He's a good player is he cuts out the bulls***.

So would i. Did you also nearly qualify for the second round of the Champions League with close to a pub team? If you think that's enough proof to suggest him as an actual candidate, then fair enough. I totally disagree though. It's churlish to suggest he got that far on blind luck. It's clear he's a talented manager but just how talented we wont find out until he's managed elsewhere so why not take a chance? Give him five years, give him cash and allow him to do his thing. He can't be any friggin worse than the shower in charge now. I just think it'd be absolutely mental. He's managed in a league that is a million miles away from anything like the Premier League. I don't know my Cypriot football, admittedly, but i daresay it's lower than Championship standard. He's had a decent season where he's surprised a few people getting his side into the Europe's elite. We've seen it before though; half the time it's the motivation of the players that have carried them through them games. It's not as if they've had owt to lose is it. He's not proved himself nearly enough to warrant an appointment, never mind a five-year contract. And again, it'd an appointment fuelled by sentiment to appease the fans. Hiring Ketsbaia would definitely not "appease the fans with sentiment". I'd imagine there'd be more of "he's not experienced enough to manage a club like Newcastle". That kind of rubbish.

Did you see the incident? Almunia was dry-humping and raping all over Raylor without being near any balls other than Raylors in any way. Sorry man, what I meant was that I felt Raylor went down a bit easily. Don't get me wrong I'm glad we got a penalty but hey, nothing came from it. It was definitely a penalty though, Almunia must have been out of his mind. Also Ryan Taylor looks a decent player to me. Ideally he'd be a player on the bench and fill a number of positions competently. I'll think he'll be a useful player regardless of what division we play in next year.

Jesus. Anyone see what Kader Mangane did to Jonathan Lacourt in Ligue 1. Very nasty challenge and very similar to Martin Taylor on Eduardo.

Although the goals weren't there, the football on display was excellent to watch, in particular Messi skipping past players for fun. This, this a thousand times this. I didn't see much of an attraction. It was perhaps because stupidly I believed the hype it was going to be 4-4 in each game. Of course it's good to see Messi play so well. But he does in most league games as well. The only difference, particularly IIRC at Old Trafford, was that Man Utd's defence was too solid/packed for intricate passes to work. And as much as the talent is there, it was frustrating. Don't get me wrong I'll hypothetically be tuning in for, as you say, the technical ability on show, but I'll most likely watch generally more end-to-end, entertaining matches this year. I don't know man, I watch both these matches when they happen last year, and to me they were the typical "big" team stalemates we've all become used to seeing these days. Barcelona played some nice technical football and Man U executed their tactical plan very well, but in terms of being a great match; it definitely wasn't. The best match to watch in this round is going to be Arsenal-Villareal. That will be the one I'll watch if I can find it somewhere other than my computer screen.