Odion Ighalo

Ighalo injury?

Iggy hobbled off the pitch yesterday and wasn't part of the post-match BT Sport interviews (Troy and "That Goal" scorer) - did he pick up more than a knock?

 

He had cramp.

 

From the man himself...

“I picked up a slight muscle injury, I will see at the end of this week if I am okay. There is no way I can train tomorrow, I was taken off the pitch injured. I think I will be fine for the weekend game, I just need to rest two or three days and see how it goes.”

Sounds to me like he just fancies the day off!

http://allnigeriasoccer.com/read_news.php?nid=18227

 

His dancing was still on point

 

Bit of a thread diversion, one of the other parents (Nigerian descent and a gooner) at the school gate made a very 'odd' off-the-cuff comment this morning that Iwobi and Iggy are from the same tribe- is that right?

 

Thanks now I cannot get that Frankie Goes to Hollywood song out of my head now.

 

Nigeria isn't particularly 'tribal'; its certainly regional and there is a North South divide based on religion & politics. Ighalo and Iwobi are both from Lagos (the old capital)& Lagos State in the christian south. Whilst there are some very poverty stricken parts that are dangerous, there are also some incredibly up-market bits. Standards of education & health are some of the best in Nigeria and all Africa. 50% of Nigeria's vast population are urban and there are over 350 'ethnic groupings' but not tribal so to speak.

 

He'll be fine.

Definitely didn't look injured when he ran over to the away fans and started dancing at the final whistle.

 

Before I get moaned at for moaning, let me say what Iggy did for us in the first half of the season was amazing, and I don't feel like others that he's 'had his head turned'. But this last dozen or so games he has looked so out of his depth, his control and passing are embarrassing for a professional footballer. He really doesn't deserve his place in the team at this point in time. Obviously I hope he rediscovers his form again, but his lack of basic technical ability does worry me.

 

His passing is so woeful it actually made me laugh on Saturday so I thank him for that, plus I have a good laugh when defenders read his 'scoop' every single time now. Should have put away the chance Amrabat put on a plate for him too. Despite all this he's one of only two players who are likely to put the ball in the net for us so it's a tough call for Quique.

 

Nigeria have just failed to qualify for the 2017 National African Cup of Nations of Africa. Ighalo won't be disappearing for a month in January...

 

He actually made me wonder if his peripheral vision is OK, because not only does he not make the pass but looks as if he isn't even aware of the open player. I coached one youngster with damaged peripheral vision and Igalho is uncannily like him. However, I'm sure this would have been checked at his medical.

 

Any coach that plays Ighalo as a lone striker deserves to not qualify for a tournament.

 

He's not on lone to Nigeria m8, it's his country.

 

So you don't remember members of the Igbo tribe dancing on the pitch to welcome Ben Iroha. Seems, however they did the Bunion Dance amd cursed him.

 

I still think we shouldn't take them lightly at the Euros.

 

Racist.

 

Will your namesake be there? Presumably destroying the tournament like only he can.

 

We'll still be without Deeney, Capoue, Behrami and Gomes though.

 

Yeah, so he won't be going to the NACONOA, but you're forgetting that he'll still be going to the ACORN in February.

 

Amrabat will be though.

 

We'll probably lose Ibarbo to the NARCO as well FML.

 

Not eligible, Cameroon have loaned him to Stevenage.

 

I mentioned this to the Nigerian guy who runs our local "Ink Lab". Cue a five minute rant, by him, about how tribalism is a cancer and poison that's rife throughout his country.

 

Head turned or Sussed out?

I can't work Iggy out. His performances of late have been pretty lacklustre to say the least. Has his head been turned and arrogance is getting the better of him, or have defenders simply Sussed him out? He didn't appear to put a shift in again today at West Brom, how he escaped getting hauled off, amazed me.

 

He wasn't great for sure but I don't know how you (and others) can say he wasn't trying. He does look woefully short of confidence in the box that's true and really struggles at the moment to get the ball down and play (even Paredes is better than that at present), but he did put himself about quite a bit, defending from the front on a few occasions, won a couple of free kicks and created one good chance out of nothing.

He's certainly got nothing to be arrogant about, with a record of 1 goal in 13 (now 14).

 

Our attackers get **** all service from our midfield. I've not been too disappointed with him recently, although his passing is a bit iffy.

 

Probably doesn't want to put himself about now and risk a serious injury which might effect his transfer to a big club in the summer!

 

I think it's ability rare than attitude. He's just not very good at most basic things.

 

He's a one trick pony, albeit the knack of scoring is a very good trick. Unfortunately, whenever the trick has deserted him for whatever reason, he looks really, really poor and offers literally nothing apart from occupying one or two of their defenders as you'd expect any striker of any standard to do.

I don't like the fact that we're so reliant on him, but we're scarily short of decent alternatives. Probably joint top priority to sort in the summer, along with the Nyom/Paredes problem.

 

Low on confidence and being double marked so his supply has dried up. We saw a glimpse of pre-Xmas Iggy in his run down the left wing in the dying stages when at last he managed to win possession.

 

He puts the effort in, but he just isn't very good or he is just having the awful run of luck because nothing comes off, not even the simple things. I am starting to fell somewhat sorry for him as I am sure he is a decent bloke.

...and our right back position is not a problem. Despite the awkwardness of both Paredes and Nyom, they defend well.

 

He did put a shift in, and was trying. Probably the difference between his and the team's confidence in Nov/Dec compared to now.

 

He'll score in the Semi Final.