2. As expected, this was always
going to be tough match for him. Even in front of a vociferous home crowd, Olympiakos was never going to risk pushing runners alongside or beyond
him to execute the pass and move that is his strength.
3. Secondly, without Javier Saviola, Dominguez, the Argentine midfielder, was being used as part of a high pressing game, with primary focus on disrupting United in the second stage of build up and making it difficult for its midfielders to turn.
4. This is in contrast for instance to the game against Anderlecht, where he and Saviola played interchangeably, taking turns to drop into the attacking midfield role, behind the top striker in a 4-2-3-1.
5. In assessing Olaitan, it is important to understand that first this is a versatile player, with experience in central midfield, wide midfield, central attacking midfield and striker.
6. In the striking position at Olympiakos, Olaitan is not your backs-to-goal striker. Indeed he tends to go down too easily. However, his technical skills allow him to retain some control, but not in a manner to be decisive.
7. His greatest contribution is in the positions he takes to receive the ball, his movement to create space for the arriving players and his vision and understanding of passing lanes.
8. Accordingly, and for Nigeria, it would be a mistake to see or assess him in terms of the top striker position.
9. In any case, Nigerian coach Stephen Keshi favors the physical striker, with pace and power, a profile that suits Emmanuel Emenike quite well.
10. In my considered opinion, Michael Olaitan offers a skills set, technique, vision, work rate, defensive acumen and versatility to bring added value to the Super Eagles in the central attacking midfield role, that would allow Nigeria execute a 4-2-3-1.
