Re: Victor Moses

Victor Moses arrived on loan at Liverpool FC after the club's failed attempts at its primary transfer targets in midfield and attack.

On arrival it was thought that the nature of Moses' game had the potential to address the continuing problems Liverpool had with breaking down defences on a consistent basis, even with such creative forwards as Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.

What Moses was expected to bring to the team was a direct threat from wide positions, especially in running directly at opposing fullbacks, with pace, power and dynamism to unbalance a defence, whether it be in open play or the counter.

His premier league debut suggested that Liverpool had indeed made the right choice and that both club and player appeared to suit one another. However following the injury to Phillipe Coutinho, Moses' role in the team was changed to a more central role, a role which reflected his game in his last season with Wigan Athletic.

Since then Moses has struggled, both in central and wide positions, culminating in his lukewarm performance in Liverpool's 3-1 loss at Hull City Tigers.

Today its probably safe to say that Victor Moses is at an important crossroads in his career. At the end of the season, however good his performance is, his loan terms require him to return to Chelsea. However, with the glut of talent in his position at Chelsea, the importance of a good performance while on loan at Liverpool cannot be overstated. This becomes even more important in a world cup year, with his role pivotal to Nigeria's success.

From a tactical perspective, Liverpool presented a perfect opportunity for Moses to play from his area of greatest strength- wide left, cutting onto his stronger right foot, attacking the opposing defence with pace, power and unpredictability.

This spontaneity was expected to fit squarely into Liverpool's dynamic attacking quartet with frequent rotations and switching of play and positions. This would have the additional benefit of stretching opposing defences and freeing up Coutinho to play from the center of the trio in a 4-2-3-1.

Part of the problem with Moses is that his major strength, his instinctiveness at once presents a benefit as it does a constraint, especially in his decision making, the consistency of his decisions, as well as his ability to deliver the ball at the top end. His inconsistency at this had resulted in some poor crossing statistics and his not being listed among the most successful crossers in the English Premier League.

 

http://www.bsports.com/extratime/leaderboard-crossing-success-in-the-premier-league

 

http://www.rfidjournal.com/articles/view?4350/

 

While the stats might show an erratic player, they also reveal the start-stop nature of his playing time since leaving Wigan Athletic. This is crucial in any assessment because Victor Moses is a rhythm player and without regular playing time, his game naturally suffers.

 

For Nigeria though, his spontaneity is central to the Super Eagles way of playing and expectedly he enjoys greater freedom to play to his instincts and greater tolerance of his mistakes. As it similarly was while at Wigan.

He briefly flourished under Rafa Benitez at Chelsea playing predominantly on the counterattack. However, Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers is not a counterattacking team.

So far Moses' reaction to the criticisms he and Raheem Sterling received following the loss to Hull has been disappointing. While Sterling has come fighting back, Moses has looked diffident and a tad casual, and has remained on the bench, even with Liverpool suffering a rash of injuries in attack and midfield.

 

His personal story is indicative of a player with a strong mentality, as his former manager, Roberto Martinez attests. 

 

Failing to assert himself at Liverpool, Moses will be left with the World Cup to try and reboot his career.

 

World Cup 2014: A First Look at the African Challenge

The 2014 world cup draws were generally kind to Africa, except perhaps for Ghana, in the so-called group of death, although I share the views of those who think that tag belongs to Group D comprising three former world cup winners in Italy, Uruguay and England...

 

With six months before kick-off, it is near impossible to properly estimate the chances of the participating teams. Ultimately, the chances of the African teams will, like others, hinge on the vents surrounding the leagues in Europe, and the health of its top players.

 

Be that as it maybe, the African world cup qualifiers, especially the last phase, with its variety of teams and kaleidoscope of colors, presented an important score card of the status of African teams at this point in time.

 

Of the five African teams, Ivory Coast probably stand in the best position, in terms of its playing squad and the stability of its personnel. But that probably is as far an advantage as they have.

 

Significant vulnerabilities run through the spine of the team from Boubacar Barry in goal, to a visibly slowing Didier Zokora and Drogba in defence and attack respectively.

 

But of even greater significance is the inability of Sabri Lamouchi to establish a clear identity for this team in over two years. At the last Africa Nations Cup, its quarter final loss to Nigeria betrayed a team lacking resilience, with clear question marks about Yaya Toure's commitment to the team's cause relative to his metronomic role at Manchester City. The performance of Gervinho at Roma and Kolo Toure at Liverpool will be crucial.

 

After two successive world cups in the 'group of death', the Ivoriens will start out in a fairly even group, comprising Colombia, Japan and Greece, with no dominant favorites.

 

While the Nigerian squad may lack the profile of the key Ivorien players in European football, it more than makes up with a strong team spirit, iron cast determination and the athleticism of several young players who are starting to establish themselves. Baring the unlikely emergence of any breakout players, and based on coach Keshi's antecedents, the Nigerian world cup squad is pretty much set, give or take one or two positions.

 

Through the world cup qualifiers and the Confederations cup, weaknesses in the structure of its tactical organization have remained, while overall team performance has been consistent, without ever being outstanding. To stand any chance at the world cup, John Mikel Obi must remain healthy, even if lacking regular first team football at Chelsea.

 

Stephen Keshi's teams have often started slowly in major tournaments. In a group comprising Argentina, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iran, the schedule would require that Nigeria start fast in the tournament or risk an early departure. The key match should be the second game against Bosnia. The major tactical challenge I see at this point is the vulnerability of the Bosnian backline to the speed and power of the Nigerian attack, especially the pair of Emir Spahic and Ermin Bičakčić,  as well as the Nigerian vulnerability to the counterattack and the deep runs from midfield.

 

Once again Ghana will start as underdogs in a group comprising Germany, Portugal and USA. In its last two world cup appearances, the Black Stars routinely defied the form books to emerge from similarly difficult groups, but each time based on a playing philosophy which prioritized defence and favored the counterattack.

 

Four years from its dramatic quarter final loss to Uruguay, Ghana parade a team that is a little more generous to the opponent in terms of the space it allows in midfield and defence. In my opinion, its comprehensive thumping of Egypt, reflects more on the weaknesses of the latter than its actual strength.

 

Even with a supposedly more experienced team, the Black Stars lack essential mobility in central midfield, and will struggle to deal with high tempo teams, and players adept at playing between the lines. Even at this early stage, I seriously doubt the ability of the trio of Essien, Muntari and Boateng to all stay fit, given their injury history, although they do have options.

 

In a group as difficult as this, defensive discipline and balance will be key. With two vulnerable fullbacks and an erratic goalkeeper, I think the Black Stars come up short this time...

 

Like Nigeria, Cameroon have a fairly good draw and a schedule that begins with Mexico and ends with Brazil. While world cup qualification appears to have papered over the cracks, the fundamental issues of team spirit remain and would need to be addressed. If they do, this team should pose a formidable physical challenge to Mexico and Croatia. The opening game against Mexico should be a fascinating contrast in styles and playing culture.

 

Overall, one has been disappointed with the reluctance of Volker Finke to integrate several emerging young Cameroonian players in Europe.

 

As expected Algeria overcame Burkina Faso to snatch a place at the world cup, but only just! In an ill-tempered game, riddled with woeful refereeing decisions, the Algerians showed little to imbue confidence ahead of the world cup. On paper, this team should be able to challenge any of Belgium, Russia and South Korea, but there is far too little discipline in its game and questionable temperament from key players.