Emmanuel Dennis was on the score sheet again but it was not enough as Watford lost 2-1 to Chelsea at Vicarage Road on Wednesday night, Completesports.com reports.
Dennis has now scored his sixth goal this season in the top-tier of English football.
Also, he is the first Watford player to score in three Premier League matches in a row since Troy Deeney in February 2017.
Also in action for Watford was William Troost-Ekong, who played for 90 minutes.
The former Club Brugge forward made it 1-1 in the 43rd minute off a deflected strike after Watford went on a counter.
Also Read: Turkish Cup: Musa Ends Goal Drought As Karagumruk Claim Home Win
Chelsea took the lead on 29 minutes Kai Havertz set up Mason Mount for a controlled finish into the bottom-left corner.
While Hakim Ziyech got the winner in the 72nd minute after putting away Mounts cross.
It was a return to winning ways for Chelsea, following the weekend draw with Manchester United.
They remain top with 33 points just one point ahead of champions Manchester City in the league standing.
For Watford, it is now back-to-back defeats after going down 4-2 at Leicester City on Sunday.
They are now in 17th place on 13 points just three points above the drop zone.
At St. Mary, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman were in action as Leicester City held Southampton to a 2-2 draw.
Their Nigerian teammate, Kelechi Iheanacho was an unused substitute for the Foxes.
Jan Bednarek opened scoring for Southampton on three minutes but Johnny Evans equalised for Leicester in the 22 minute.
Che Adams restored Southampton’s lead on 34 minutes but James Maddison’s strike on 49 minutes helped Leicester to a share of the spoils.
And in other results, West Ham were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley held Wolves to a goalless draw away.
By James Agberebi
Got what it Takes?
Predict and Win Millions Now
47 Comments
Watching Dennis terrorize Chelsea defence, especially operating from a Rudiger position and still able to put up a very fine game of such, I can’t but shake my head for whoever is behind the invitation of outdated players to the super eagles. Dennis is such a talent. Take a look at Lookman too, thses guys are fine ballers but na Ighalo Rohr go dey salivate for, such mediocre mentality. NFF I know say una get hand for all these malpractices o… Una hand work go judge una o
If Dennis keeps this scintillating form then he must be part of the team to make Cameroon ..man is such a valuable asset.
What else does he have to prove that he is more valuable than Musa that just scored a goal today from weeks back abi Ighalo that can’t run and plays in league not comparable to the Premiership?
I have watched Rohr several times.I can say with confidence that he doesn’t have the technical savvy to win major for Nigeria. I rest may case
This Nigeria team is getting nowhere, this team is so overrated. The French colonized African teams are better because of the recruitment of the French people. Players who are born in the French colonized country get top 5 european club experience, France being #5. And from then on they move upwards. These players are starting games regularly too and few are from relegated teams. Shoot, even players born in France chose to play back home because they know they can win. Like the Senegalese, Algerian and Moroccan team. The super eagles are full of relegated players. Some players don’t even play regularly or have top flight experience.
Players of countries colonised by England most likely have to start in lower tier in the english league, because english league promote their own, use their academy and its tough to get in. If not that they have to start playing outside the top 5 league. Jamilu Collins? That dude been on that relegated paderborn 07 forever, obviously he is a bad defender and not making an impact. I don’t know what type of recruiting the super eagles got, stay trash.
Dennis is playing regularly, he scores and he assists in the number one league in the uefa rankings. He had two assists and one goal when watford beat everton. He was energetic and scored in the loss against Leicester and scored again today. Now he has 6 goals and 5 assists. He was even productive in the last couple of champions league games. With no top flight experience the Nigerian team cant even get far, people here need to be more realistic. Obviously Rohr and or other staff members have favorites on who to pick, its plain and obvious looking at the lineup more of a certain tribe. The #1 populated African country cant get right, happy with mediocrity, bunch of scammers.
Dennis always tries to win the ball back. He is infectious when he plays he always tries to get the team back. I swear whenever the team is down, he tries to bring them back up. It was evident against Leicester.
Rudiger is one of the toughest defenders in the premiership. But Dennis did not get that memo. The menace terrorized Rudiger and the Blues defense all day. For the goal, the stepover completely messed Rudiger up, then Dennis slotted the ball in thru the gap between Rudiger’s legs. The menace seems to be in the form of his life.
Also, we see today what UNION TROOST EKONG can bring to the table.
In the last match, he made a schoolboy error that led to a goal. But today, he kept things simple, and was ever so solid at the back, against the premiership leaders Chelsea. Time and time again, he made crucial interceptions, stopping Chelsea’s attacking moves. Union Troost may be inconsistent, especially of recent, but the lad has talent. No doubt about it. Nkoulou may struggle to get his shirt back if Ekong continues to play the way he played today!
Hope you guys watch Real Madrid vs athletic? Alaba made similar error like that of ekong, just that his was not that close to the keeper so it didn’t lead to goal, any player can make mistake, but learn and move on with it.
Yes any player can make mistakes no doubt. Alaba is known to be a sound defender of the ball, Ekong sometimes look suspicious under pressure, long passing ability is almost zero and that ability is very vital for a central defender; watch Thaigo Silva and even Rudiger. Ekong should just up his game but funny to even say that, he’s not new to football. Hopefully he improve. He needs a big competition in super eagles
What Dennis is doing at Watford is not new he has been doing it for some years now even in the Champions/ Europa league matches. Have you guys forgotten how he took on the real Madrid defence some two seasons ago in a Champions league match between FC Bruggs his former team and real Madrid in Madrid . He tore thru that impregnable defence in a solo effort and scored. He played both champions league and Europa league for many seasons in Belgium that was when Moses Simon and Samuel Kali were in the same team in Belgium , Onyekuru was in that country too but Rohr always ignored them all for Moses Simon, Even when Moses Simon got injured after making the World Cup list the coach did not consider the other three guys in Belgium. The question I have been asking is what is the contribution of Moses Simon to the Super Eagles that makes him to have permanent shirt just like Muse, what are they playing both at their clubs and National team that Dennis can’t play better.My brother, Rohr is corrupt, there is no coach any where that will over look Awoniyi,Dennis, Moffi, Sadiq and Alapasu consistently if he is not blinded by egunje.
Chai!!!
Na so you come carry Alampasu cause error 404 for your write-up
Everything was on point till you listed Alampasu. Dele Alampasu is currently without a club. Shows that you’re sentimental in your choice of Dele or maybe you’re still using 2013 u17 as a yardstick. Man has been clueless for close to a year or more lol
@Frank Smith ; If you were in the Rohr’s shoes, not been paid by your employer for several months , wouldn’t you have balanced your job with brain and call up those that can help you pay bills ?
It amuses me when many put all the blame on the clueless Rohr , leaving out his business partner Amaju Fraud Pinnick that are not paying Rohr for several months ( it is only in Nigeria that you give a police officer without salary or peanuts and you expect such officer not to use his gun to help himself with his brain ).
In as much NFF don’t pay salary, you will still witness many retired Saudi Igahalos , Eyimba club reserved goalkeeper John Noble of this world ahead of the prolific players like Taiwo Awoniyi, Dessers, Akin Amoo etc
This guy’s cashe hould tell anyone Rohr is twised and a fraud… tell me which nobly decent coach would not want players that can give him results and continue to gather
and play average lethargic footballers where you have other guys convincingly playing
better in their roles? I am happy NFF knows Nigerians have found them out about the rot and dirty kickbacks they have been pulling with Rohr, weak players and agents… the man is even still naming 40man squad and wont resign until he leaves with his juicy retirement of $2milion dollars… Nigeria and its leaders what a country? Sometimes I wonder where Amaju Pinnich who always claims erudition kept his brain when such a very weak coach was having them hemmed up by their butcrack and raping them on that fraudulent release and sererance figure… outrageous!
As much as I want Nigeria to excel at the Afcon….. Rohr will be his own worst enemy with the same bullshit selections and once he is short of the target for Afcon….. He will be booted out. Except there’s a 360 with his tactics then we might go for but play what we played with Sierra Leone and CAR…. we will be out in no time..
Rohr is not wholly responsible for team list. According to NFF it’s the job of “ technical committee “ or chief scout to determine who gets invited.
Rohr performance is dependent on the incompetence of NFF
Dennis is scoring goals against teams like madrid, man utd and now chelsea but our current captain just scored a goal after how many weeks against a third division club Sariyer and he is somehow preferred to a more inform and vibrant Dennis?
Dennis is fast becoming watfords best player in only his first full season. Hope he keeps this form up so he can be part of the Super Eagles team to the Nations cup.
Watford had a lot of chances in the game vs chelsea but couldn’t score. Better performance from them though.
Troost played a bit better but he needs to stay close to the players he is marking and use his body well. This is the premiership, he has to be tight on his man.
Each time he had the ball, 3 world class defenders come from nowhere to mark him. For the first time that I sacrificed my sleep to watch him, I saw raw talent in that Dennis. The goal too was something else. Musa does not come close to Dennis for all his over 100 caps. Rohr must be something else to still be inviting Iwobi, Musa, Simon and Calamity Omeruo.
Watford would have taken the lead from what would have been his assist if his teamate had not let him down
*Emmanuel Dennis is a fantastic baller,omg how on earth our clueless,brainless sentimental,expired,soured rohr not invite this guy to the national team,please this guy must go to afcon,he has talent*
Even if him invite m him no go use m at all
Na one thing with Nigerians be that. If una don see one new boy on fire all of a sudden una go forget the old ones that had been on fire and so have the experience. What if the new boy fire come quench at a point where we need some heat nko??? Think about this guy’s….
@MONKEY POST GUY REST ABEG!!! YOUR WAHALA IS TOO MUCH.. PEOPLE ARE TALKING POINTS YOU COME HERE WITH RUBBER!!! ABEG CHILL OUT BRO!! YOU don’t make sense..
So You are happy Musa is still over Dennis MONKEY POST U BE BIG KURUKURU FRAUD!!!!!!!!!!!! 419 na wettin you be!
If to say space no dey for this new boy wey dey on fire I go understand…
Musa don really try for that team but he’s past his prime and needs to give room for young and talented players who got things valuable to offer
Abi because Musa and Ighalo don serve us well well in the past , make we still come dey invite them when dem no be the person wey dem be b4 again owing to age and at the expense of quality players like them during their days??
Sentiment dey your comment sir
So on what basis do you want invitation to the national team? Past form or current form? Guy make sense now? It’s normal in football to be in form and lose form. If and when Dennis loses form someone go bench am for national team but you Musa apostles just want to force shit down our throats using his past…
The way you people talk about this “experience” ehn
Would u have said this before Musa’s first goal in world cup? Naso una hype “experience” wey dem invite Ighalo, na same “experience” basis Musa take dey that team nonsense
It’s ok if you’re experienced and still have things to offer, it’s not the case for these ones
All the experienced players we have today didn’t start as an experienced player, they started as inexperienced.
So when you see a lad with prospects, give him a chance
Dennis isn’t just with a prospect, he’s convincingly good
Same for Akinkunmi Amoo, I’ve heard people talk here about his inexperience bla bla…That boy is good, take it anywhere, he’s a talent, he needs to groomed, he’s an asset to Super eagles but corruption no go allow them
**needs to be groomed
@chinenye Odion with his experience qualified for 2018(WC) in the first place. Odion with his experience gave us bronze at the Afcon after twice failing to qualify. Yes Musa was in experience then but with patients and hardwork he fought his way through with amongst then senior men like their then experienced kanu, Aiyegbeni, John Utaka, obasi,and even osaze nobody came from their mothers womb with experiences I agree so let your Denis be patient too and follow due process.
@patrator yes Musa had no experience before his first goal at the world cup. But we still had experienced guys in the team then like kanu nwakwo, obinna nsofor, obafemi martins etc Musa was slowly and gradually integrated into the team not like he came and displaced those experienced onces..but the way you guys are going about this Denis and co case, u guys want him to just walk in straight into the team thereby benching or dropping their Musa and ighalo. You guys are not getting my point. Are you?? No am not sure..My point is let’s have a mixture of both the experience old legs and the new boys in the team.
And I’m not underestimating the importance of a mixture of the “experienced” and “inexperienced” , when those “experienced” ones are no more productive and you have your so called “inexperienced” firing on all cylinders elsewhere, kindly do the needful.
Abi wetin Musa and Ighalo dey add to that team wey u see, imagine having a pair of striker with the type of mentality and agility Osimhen has, imagine two players running at defenders the way Osimhen did in our last match
Fine players scattered across Europe left uninvited… but na Ighalo and Musa get the nod because dem get experience, that experience wey dem get go soon lead to detriment if dem no change the way dem dey do things
It’s simple, invite players purely based on merit not brown envelope
You can see that even obodo was calling for more personality in the team..that this boys currently in the team has no personality. He mentioned that he was happy for the recall of ighalo and would want to see Victor Moses too. That’s the point fellas!!
He is talkking of a team led by a fraudlent captain whose current CV doesn’t even warrent him making the bench of super Falcons talkess of Super Eagles.. What do you think PErsonality is in Football terms @MONKEY POST. Let me give you an insight.
The commentators in the Watford Vs Chelsea game live had this to say about Dennis in one scenario when he was on the ball.
Commentator: This Dennis Watford fans know as long as you have Dennis on your side you are sure of something flambouant something will happen out of nothing”
@MONKEY POST THAT IS WHAT CHRISTIAN OBODO IS REFERRING TO WHEN HE SAYS WE NEED PERSONALITY IN FOOTBALLING TERMS. NOT MUSA WHO ONLY MANAGED TYO SCORE A GOAL AGAINST A 4th division team in Turkey
Oga all you do is lie just to push your point through.you mentioned the two goals against Iceland in the world cup stage as only SMH…. and then overlooked Scoring two goals against Argentina. And then Ighalo giving us the bronze at 2019 Afcon those are what we call personalities my guy. We need those experiences in our team
We Want gold so I am sorry I am not including 2 lucky goals against Argentina almost 8years ago and by the way if Keshi was like you, would Musa have had the chance to score those two goals in 2014?????????????????????…. He would have gone for soem experience ex Eagles from the early 2000’s maybe Agahowa or Kanu abeg guy rest joor!!!.
And We want Gold our current crop without MUSA, IGHALO, AND YOUR EXPERIENCE LEGS WITH A BIG EXCEPTION OF THE LIVING SE LEGEND VICTOR MOSES. ARE GOOD FOR GOLD BRO!! NOT BRONZE THIS CROP CAN DELIVER GOLD IF SELECTED ON MERIT. MUSA couldn’t hold his own in Leicester City Ademola Lookman is doing it. Victor Osimhen Is holding creating Name for Nigeria in Italy Awoniyi is doing so in Germany let us see. It is also good to reward our exceptional talents my friend because that way they will feel the need to keep improving. Your warped way of thinking is a backward mentality @Monkey post
Yen yen Yen! Odion with his so called experience brought us home from 2018 WC. Musa with his evergreen WC experience started as an inexperience before becoming experienced. Nobody came from his mother’s womb with experience. You always needs time to get experience.
For those using this youngman’s recent performance as a stick with which to beat Rohr. I have included below editorial from goal.com when he was signed in June this year – which was the majority opinion among most sport journalists and probably why he was let go for a paltry USD 2M by Brugges.
Emmanuel Dennis: Why have Watford signed controversial forward?
Seye Omidiora
Jun 23, 2021 06:00+01:00
For every reminder of Emmanuel Dennis’s brace in Club Brugge’s 2-2 draw at Real Madrid in October 2019, there are several warnings of a player with apparent attitude problems.
While this tag, which has followed the Nigerian to the present day, may come off as harsh, seemingly refusing to get on the bus before a Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund because his preferred seat was occupied appeared extraordinarily juvenile.
It reflects badly on the 23-year-old that former Cologne sporting director Horst Heldt looked to regret the mid-season loan signing of the frontman in a recent interview with Mobil Express.
“He’s not an easy guy. We knew about this problem, but we took too much risk. We misjudged that,” Heldt admitted to the German sports website in early June. “Dennis caused a stir because his behaviour was not what the squad needs to be doing. We then dropped him because our priority was the group.
“That was a bad transfer, that is my responsibility.”
That assessment is likely to worry Watford supporters given the Nigeria international’s move to Hertfordshire. Indeed, it will come as a surprise to many that the Hornets have acquired a player who’s scored twice in his last 23 appearances for Club Brugge and Cologne.
His last goal came in a DFB Pokal encounter against Jahn Regensburg in early February, a game where the forward missed a 78th-minute penalty to send The Billy Goats 3-2 up. His performances for the struggling Bundesliga side never really picked up and, by April, he was being left out by Markus Gisdol.
Gisdol omitted the forward in what turned out to be his final game in charge of the club against Mainz and his replacement, Friedhelm Funkel, played him once.
Dennis got 90 minutes in Cologne’s 3-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen before the 67-year-old decided he’d seen enough and the Nigerian failed to play in the final five Bundesliga fixtures and also missed the relegation playoffs as well.
The aforementioned will raise doubts from the Hornets fanbase over the signing of Dennis, although one expects they’d give him time to show what he can do before evaluating the West African. It may well prove to be a masterstroke or an unmitigated disaster.
Frankly, the jury’s still out and may well be the case for a while, but the club’s logic in opting for the alleged headstrong striker is sound.
Last season, NXGN nominee Joao Pedro was the club’s principal central striker, but he certainly never played like an out-and-out centre-forward.
Rather than simply function like an old-fashioned poacher, the Brazilian tended to drift to the flanks, seemingly acting as a winger or inside forward at times.
However, the majority of his in-play goals were one-touch finishes after holding his run in the middle of the penalty area, making a far-post run or darting to the near post to connect to a cross.
Eight of his nine goals came inside the box (two were penalties) but there may be a misguided sentiment to recognise him as a poacher.
Pedro’s tendency to drift to the flanks and take players on saw him complete 1.6 dribbles per game, which was a higher average than all but one Watford player: Ismaila Sarr.
The Senegal winger averaged 1.9 dribbles in the Championship last season and the little difference in both players further clarifies any ill-judgement of Pedro’s profile.
Thus, maybe it is no surprise that Dennis has been signed by the newly-promoted side looking to maintain their top flight status after 38 Premier League games next season.
Like Pedro, Dennis is equally deployed in a central attacking role but the West African mostly prefers to drift to the flanks. Despite a rather underwhelming time on loan in Germany, the forward still averaged 1.2 successful dribbles per game — only Ondrej Duda (1.6 per game) had more.
Watford’s young frontmen may not be the most prolific — Pedro netted nine times in 38 appearances (31 starts) — but their similarity may well prove to be an asset to Xisco as he seeks to navigate a tough campaign in the Premier League.
Dennis’ arrival is likely to prompt sales in the team’s bloated attack comprising no less than eight bodies available to Xisco.
One player whose place could be under threat is Isaac Success, whose injury problems have blighted his time at the club.
He started only three times in 2020/21 and one of those saw him score the second in a 2-0 victory over Swansea City on the final day of the season.
The aforementioned strike was Success’ first goal since an FA Cup strike vs Newcastle United in January 2019 and first league goal since October 2018, but his time in Hertfordshire may be brought to an end due to his countryman’s acquisition.
Success still has two years on his contract, though, and it remains to be seen if there’ll be any takers for the injury-prone forward if the club look to move him on in any capacity this summer.
As for Dennis, his flawed nature means eyebrows were raised after the club announced the deal on Monday.
Regardless, it’ll be up to him to demonstrate he can hack it in a league thoroughly unforgiving as he looks to silence the doubting Thomases questioning the club’s willingness to back a problematic frontman.
@Sammy what is your point he is showing promise and this is profile is rising that is what we want, Listen to Dennis side of the story first you are Nigerian stop this Bull shit we want a progressive Dennis not a stagnent and Regressive Musa OKAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!.. Did you know Dennis was playing with Painkillers on a injured toe in Cologne and was forced to do so!!!. Not to mention the discrimination Africans Face there.. bro check dennis side don’t come bring some European Mans side of the Story to come and dim the light of one of YOUR SHINING LIGHTS @SAMMY YOU MAKE ME SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*YOUR SHINING STAR* I ASSUME YOU ARE BLACK AND NIGERIAN RIGHT?????????.
SO what is your point of this LONG HOGWASH YOU POSTED @SAMMY to convince us Musa should be picked ahead of DENNIS? You see @Forunmates when I say some Nigerians are demented this is it!.
You made a fair point Ugo. He could even be trying to force a move out of Brugges after giving them two decent seasons – who knows; however the facts were that before August this year when the season started in England, he had not performed well both in Belgium and Germany in 18 months, and it is not correct to use him as another stick with which to beat Rohr.
And if you recall I told you a while ago that Musa is a special case. A Nigerian special case. There’s nothing anyone can do about it till after the World Cup next year (if we qualify). He’s the first Muslim captain of the national team in generations, and in the era of Buhari it will be inviting unnecessary scrutiny to take him out of the side. No coach will do it.
Careful with the bad language by the way. I believe we can disagree without being disagreeable. I’m sure we can manage that. Thanks.
I just feel that as a Nigeria and all the positives Dennis is doing for you to post this shows you are trying to advocate for leaving out the squad which in his current form will be completely criminal and detrimental to Nigerias cause because from what I saw in SE last outing Dennis may be just the spark this team needs along with Ademola Lookman. Not to muntion it will bring out the best in Chukuweze and Ejuke as well as Iwobi. The competition will be just to high and you can be rst assured that who ever starts will give all to keep their place. That is how any sporting fraternity should be run.
Yes I agreed with the language but please bro with this post who’s side are you on. Also if we crucify people based on thier past not taking into consideration what they may have been passing through a fellow brother of ours in a European racist Germany that is completely uncalled for and I will not stand for that.
I was not advocating for leaving him out. I am just not in agreement with those who are looking for one more reason to crucify the coach.
The man Rohr also deserves the empathy and benefit of the doubt you’re willing to show our brother. There is a difference between “doing a different thing”, and “doing the wrong thing”. We can disagree with Rohr, but at least we can agree that his decisions are not necessarily wrong, just different from what you would prescribe. You can also put yourself in his shoes to determine whether or not there is justification for his course of action. That’s what we owe our fellow men – empathy.
Surely you can appreciate the difficult situation the man has had to work under…
This is what you called, never let your past drown you. From all appearances, Hornets fans will be happy that Dennis’ supposed ‘strongheadedness’ is being put aside and rather than give the coaches and team mates headaches, he is giving his opponents.
THis is what we must try to do as humans, to unlearn and relearn, to pick up your areas of development and continuous develop on them. Dennis is currently proving his doubters wrong and as our country men, we should be happy for him.
No lover of Nigerian football or the Super Eagles will not call for Denni’s inclusion into the national team. Globally, most players called into the national team is based on form, so why should Dennis’s be an exception.
You pointing to some setbacks earlier in his career holds no water man. The blind can see that this guy is ahead of the park in the right wide space, ahead of Simon and Musa. The pair has paid their dues in the team, kudos to them but its time for some other fresh legs. Our problem in this part of the world is the ‘recycling nature’…same thing we do with our politicians…we are always afraid of new waters…No made in the world today is without bold step and risk taking.
Its time for Dennis, Awoniyi, Amoo and co…..
Completely agree sir. My quarrel is with those who are using his recent performances as a stick with which to beat the coach.
We can hail his performance and clamour for his invitation for the AFCON without being economical with the truth that the coach did not have some justification for leaving him out.
As for Simon, he was the best player at Nantes two seasons in row – as in an African player showed enough leadership to carry a French topflight side for two seasons. It would have been unfair to drop him. Now he’s in poor form and is giving the coach a decision to make, given the good form of others.
Also bear in mind, that when building a national team you don’t just drop regular players willy-nilly because of “the next shiny object in the mirror”. So that also needs to be considered when we castigate the coach for not picking our favourite players.
Everyone agrees Musa has no business in the Super Eagles, and there is no justification for it. But we can also agree that given the Nigerian factor, no coach will drop him; and on that basis show a little empathy to the man who has to manage of this in the difficult situation that is Nigeria.
I’ll like to add that he’s doing well now and any Nigerian coach will make space for him in their team; but lets not pretend like this guy has not let himself down a lot in the past one or two season and was rightly overlooked for those performing better at the time – i.e Chidera Ejuke, Samuel Chukwueze and Moses Simon.
I have not included Musa for obvious reasons, as he’ll be invited regardless of who the coach is, because of the era we’re in.
Thanks for the information. It means he lacks discipline. Please we don’t want division in our camp.
It is a fact that experience is a critical SE invitation criteria.
Those advocating for experienced players have very good reasons for doing this. In many matches, experience can make all the difference.
However, those saying talent should be nurtured and groomed are also absolutely right!
As someone mentioned, nobody is born with experience. Experience comes with learning on the job.
So in this EXPERIENCE VS TALENT debate, I feel we need to identify the middle ground. The tie breaker.
To start with, we need a SELECTION POOL. This is comprised of players who are doing well around the world, and as a result are being monitored closely and evaluated for possible selection in the future. So for instance, we can have 10 or more strikers in the striker selection pool, with the intent to invite 4 of 5 for the match day squad or for a competition.
Invitations out of the selection pool should be based on certain criteria, with the objective of INVITING THE BEST LEGS CURRENTLY.
These criteria should be weighted, with a score of 0 to 10, with 0 obviously being the least score, and 10 being a perfect score. Each player should be awarded a score for each criteria.
I suggest the following criteria for player selection:
1) Current stats – goals, assists, current form.
2) Current fitness levels.
3) Past performance/experience – Yes, in every human endeavor, past performance is often a reliable indicator of future performance. So this needs to be factored in as well.
4) League he plays in – the higher rated the league, the higher the score.
5) A GOOD FIT FOR THE TEAM – we want a team player, someone who will get along well with others, and listen and comply with instructions. We don’t need a talented trouble maker. Not worth it.
6) Required physical attributes – things like strength, pace, height, etc.
7) Required technical attributes – specific technical skills needed by the coach e.g., dribbling, shooting, set piece/freekicks, passing, etc.
8) Mental fortitude – Very important. The quality that helped rookie Omeruo to compete successfully against Drogba at the 2013 Afcon, for example. How strong is the player mentally? How focused, how determined to succeed is he?
This is not an exhaustive list. There are probably other important criteria that I missed.
At the end, the scores for each player should be totaled. The best scores should be considered for invitation.
The scores should not be a final decision maker by itself. It should be used as a tool in making final decisions.
If there is a score tie, then it is up to the coach to decide who he wants, or to take both along.
I feel this method will take into account a players talent, current form, and experience. And this method will definitely help us to select the best legs each and every time we need to.
SUPER EAGLES PROPOSED LINEUP
OKOYE
AWAZIEM AKPOGUMA. LEON. AINA.
NDIDI. FRANK.
V.MOSES. ARIBO. DENNIS
AWONIYI
If I have all these players at my disposal, this is the formation I will try out. I feel it will be productive in terms of goals creation and goals scored plus it will make the midfield more compact as the two wingers will drop into the midfield to get the ball thereby helping out when it matters. Also, with aribo in an advanced position, and v.moses and Dennis on the wings and awoniyi upfront, I see the team scoring alot of goals.
SUPER EAGLES PROPOSED LINEUP
OKOYE
AWAZIEM AKPOGUMA. LEON. AINA.
NDIDI. FRANK(ETEBO)
V.MOSES. ARIBO. DENNIS
(LOOKMAN)
AWONIYI
If I have all these players at my disposal, this is the formation I will try out. I feel it will be productive in terms of goals creation and goals scored plus it will make the midfield more compact as the two wingers will drop into the midfield to get the ball thereby helping out when it matters. Also, with aribo in an advanced position, and v.moses and Dennis on the wings and awoniyi upfront, I see the team scoring alot of goals.