Some observations on players ..

[Kavian]

Kaz jaan -- Let's not do unjustice to Branko! The facts speak for themselves. His success record in our recent history is probably unmached by any other coach we have had. But that is past and what is important is today!
What scares me about GN is that, it is only days left to the AC and he is still experimenting with formation. I saw some big holes in our defense during the game with Ghana. Mainly from the left. Zandi is a great left winger, but not the best choice for left D. Both goals during Ghana game came from the left. I don't care if we won the game with Ghana 4-2 or 10-2, I would be worried if a team like Ghana B could score two goals at home against us. That should tell you something! GN is also creating a bit of confusion in our midfield. He is linning up players next to each other without understanding whether their style match each other or not. Example is Neko and Ando. for the life of me I could not understand the reasons for brining Nouri to the team. Let's not even go the forward line becuase that is a sad story. GN is definately lost there! Or may be I shouldn't really blame him. We just don't have any good player worthy of being there.

K.

[Ali Chicago]

I also see the 4-2-3-1 as the best formation sutied for our current team. But GN will not implement it becauase that was the formation Branko favored. And he is always wary of being compared to Branko

Guys, let's don't throw the baby with the bath water as teh saying in English goes.
Kasrakhan,

I think first priority of GN is being successful in AFC if not for Iran's sake and him being an Iranian, is for saving his own skin. On the contrary, GN is a very pragmatic person (totally opposite Hejazi for example), if he think anything will work, he will try it. Look at this team, he essentially uses the same Branko team but with different formation and different philiosephies (for example 4-3-3 against Ghana). I think GN is a smart man for his own level of soccer knowledge as well and realizes that tactially Iran's football at coaching level is behind (that is one of the main reasons for example he brough De Jong for EsEs) and had the things worked out (EsEs won the cup), i am sure he would have brought De Jong in some role (at least advisor) to TM as well. Point is if he thinks it might help him, he will do it.
4-2-3-1 is a very complex system and most of our players don't have the tactical sophestication, our team for the most part still plays an emotional formless soccer. This is how these guys for most part were raised in soccer. Maybe this was the reason, why 4-2-3-1 during Branko years eventually turnd to something neuter. Our attack with 4-2-3-1 formation and Daie upfront, was very weak. Most of our goals came from set plays. Nosrati, Rezai and Golmohamadi and Bakhtiyarizadeh were our goal scorrers. We need to think about this.

Why would anyone want to copy what Branko did? He scraped by and his successes were few. If anything, I'm glad GN doesn't recoil to something that Branko did and failed with - unless, of course, he uses it in his own way.

If 4-2-3-1 is good, we can still use it, because Branko used it, it doesn't mean it should never be used. Branko isnt' the evil figure or anything. Many of his ideas were good. He introuduced a lot of new player to TM at the begining of his work. Point is because Branko used that method, it doesn't make it bad. If we have another criticisem about it, let's talk about it, but since Branko used it, we won't use it, I don't think is the right path IMHO.

[Ali Chicago]

Kaz jaan -- Let's not do unjustice to Branko! The facts speak for themselves. His success record in our recent history is probably unmached by any other coach we have had. But that is past and what is important is today!
What scares me about GN is that, it is only days left to the AC and he is still experimenting with formation. I saw some big holes in our defense during the game with Ghana. Mainly from the left. Zandi is a great left winger, but not the best choice for left D. Both goals during Ghana game came from the left. I don't care if we won the game with Ghana 4-2 or 10-2, I would be worried if a team like Ghana B could score two goals at home against us. That should tell you something! GN is also creating a bit of confusion in our midfield. He is linning up players next to each other without understanding whether their style match each other or not. Example is Neko and Ando. for the life of me I could not understand the reasons for brining Nouri to the team. Let's not even go the forward line becuase that is a sad story. GN is definately lost there! Or may be I shouldn't really blame him. We just don't have any good player worthy of being there.
K.

Could you list any of the incidents that you claim there was a big whole from left. Short of the second goal and even then Ghanian had our defenders ahead fo him, I don't recall, any instance where Ghana penetrated our defense. Your statement about both goals coming from left is incorrect period. First goal came from the middle, with Aghili and Rezai both being there, but none of them pressureed the ball carrier number 18.

Our defense had problem but the problem wasn't in left. It was the fact that pressuring defenders were not there and even before than, our DM (Nekoonam) wasn't slowing these guys down. DM is the first one who is supposed to slow the ball carrier in our defensive third.

He brough Nori to replace Karimi. Nori is a play maker type of midfielder with attacking capabilities. GN has a good knowledge of Shojai, so this was teh time to see Nori in a real game under TM name situation. Plus god forbid, maybe Karimi get's injured, don't we need the subs to get playing time and be somewhat prepared!!!!!!
We don't want to rely too much on Karimi or for that matter any player. If Karimi is going to pull another one of the the WC2006 stuff, GN can show him the door. No disrespect to Karimi, but as a coach you build your subs, so no player and I mean no one, is irreplacable.

Our forward line was a sad story!!!!! The team scored 3 goals in 30 minutes and strung 7-8 passes in the Ghan's defensive third. Watch the first half again and forward was a sad story!!!! I dont' know which game you were watching. Enayati is getting the confidence of playin at TM level, Khatibi despite having a poor day yesterday, has his owns advantages as well (bringing speed). Remember what Karimi and Papi do for Sepahan. The problem is most of us think if a forward looses the ball a couple of time, it makes him a poor player.

Don't forget Khatibi and Enayati both play in UAE and despite what everyone says, lot of our forwards didn't last there. Borhani didnt', Majidi is getting the hook in Alnasr and our greatest forward Ali Dai didn't last one season in Alshabab. Point is if Enayati, khatibi weren't good forwards they wouldn't last there.

[kaz]

Kaz jaan -- Let's not do unjustice to Branko! The facts speak for themselves. His success record in our recent history is probably unmached by any other coach we have had. But that is past and what is important is today!
What scares me about GN is that, it is only days left to the AC and he is still experimenting with formation. I saw some big holes in our defense during the game with Ghana. Mainly from the left. Zandi is a great left winger, but not the best choice for left D. Both goals during Ghana game came from the left. I don't care if we won the game with Ghana 4-2 or 10-2, I would be worried if a team like Ghana B could score two goals at home against us. That should tell you something! GN is also creating a bit of confusion in our midfield. He is linning up players next to each other without understanding whether their style match each other or not. Example is Neko and Ando. for the life of me I could not understand the reasons for brining Nouri to the team. Let's not even go the forward line becuase that is a sad story. GN is definately lost there! Or may be I shouldn't really blame him. We just don't have any good player worthy of being there.
K.

Actually GN has a better record than he does.

We had 4 at the back and two DMs, playing that formation is essentially the same thing. I didn't like conceding those goals but apart from that we weren't threatened in the whole game - although we weren't facing a side that could test us properly.

When I say we shouldn't use the system that Branko used, I don't say it just because BRANKO used it. As I said before, whether his tactics brought success or not, they're not necessarily his. But the success and failures of those systems are ours. And with Branko's team we had an even more inferior defensive record and we never looked like a solid team. I think having a lone striker up front really stifled our attack and it created those spaces between the lines.

[kaz]

If 4-2-3-1 is good, we can still use it, because Branko used it, it doesn't mean it should never be used. Branko isnt' the evil figure or anything. Many of his ideas were good. He introuduced a lot of new player to TM at the begining of his work. Point is because Branko used that method, it doesn't make it bad. If we have another criticisem about it, let's talk about it, but since Branko used it, we won't use it, I don't think is the right path IMHO.

Ali jan, you know me. I am not saying let's not use it because BRANKO used it. I am saying that BRANKO used it and we didn't look particularly good at all. Maybe in the tourney we will have to shuffle to that formation depending on an opposition we face and the type of football they play. But as a primary formation I, personally, do not agree with it. It was strategy that stifled us in offense (most games) and didn't leave us any stronger at the back.

[kaz]

Could you list any of the incidents that you claim there was a big whole from left. Short of the second goal and even then Ghanian had our defenders ahead fo him, I don't recall, any instance where Ghana penetrated our defense.
Our defense had problem but the problem wasn't in left. It was the fact that pressuring defenders were not there and even before than, our DM (Nekoonam) wasn't slowing these guys down. DM is the first one who is supposed to slow the ball carrier in our defensive third.
He brough Nori to replace Karimi. Nori is a play maker type of midfielder with attacking capabilities. GN has a good knowledge of Shojai, so this was teh time to see Nori in a real game under TM name situation. Plus god forbid, maybe Karimi get's injured, don't we need the subs to get playing time and be somewhat prepared!!!!!!
We don't want to rely too much on Karimi or for that matter any player. If Karimi is going to pull another one of the the WC2006 stuff, GN can show him the door. No disrespect to Karimi, but as a coach you build your subs, so no player and I mean no one, is irreplacable.
Our forward line was a sad story!!!!! The team scored 3 goals in 30 minutes and strung 7-8 passes in the Ghan's defensive third. Watch the first half again and forward was a sad story!!!! I dont' know which game you were watching. Enayati is getting the confidence of playin at TM level, Khatibi despite having a poor day yesterday, has his owns advantages as well (bringing speed). Remember what Karimi and Papi do for Sepahan. The problem is most of us think if a forward looses the ball a couple of time, it makes him a poor player.
Don't forget Khatibi and Enayati both play in UAE and despite what everyone says, lot of our forwards didn't last there. Borhani didnt', Majidi is getting the hook in Alnasr and our greatest forward Ali Dai didn't last one season in Alshabab. Point is if Enayati, khatibi weren't good forwards they wouldn't last there.

Great post. Finally someone who has some knowledge of a pro defense. Rezaei didn't pressurize, neither did both our DMs - especially Nekounam - and our goals were REALLY preventable. The defense was more than capable and Zandi looked as solid as anyone has in the LB position over the last few years. At the least he brings someone with a football brain, who doesn't turn over the ball constantly and who can occasionally make that foray into the opponents half and swing in a mighty cross with his left foot. Also he is a great dead ball specialist - lest we forget he got an assist off Aghili's goal.

And about the forward line...bloody hell, what more must these guys do? No forward scores every game guys and every forward loses plenty of balls. It's their job to try something and most often than not they fail, when they don't they score.

[Ali Chicago]

Great post. Finally someone who has some knowledge of a pro defense. Rezaei didn't pressurize, neither did both our DMs - especially Nekounam - and our goals were REALLY preventable. The defense was more than capable and Zandi looked as solid as anyone has in the LB position over the last few years. At the least he brings someone with a football brain, who doesn't turn over the ball constantly and who can occasionally make that foray into the opponents half and swing in a mighty cross with his left foot. Also he is a great dead ball specialist - lest we forget he got an assist off Aghili's goal.

And about the forward line...bloody hell, what more must these guys do? No forward scores every game guys and every forward loses plenty of balls. It's their job to try something and most often than not they fail, when they don't they score.

As far as Zandi's performance one game isn't enough to judge his performance as a left defense, plus our team really didnt' get hammered by Ghanian so we can get a really good undrestanding of the his defensive capabilties. But he didnt' have any major blunder, so poeple who say he was horrible or whatever are totally wrong.

Virus in our fans is the fact that they think if a player looses a ball he isn't good. They dont' realzie in the offensive thrid a player needs to improvise, take risks take chances. Khatibi is coming back from an injury and some of his sluggishness is undrestandable. Even the way he got a red card shows how emotionally he had a bad day.
Khatibi or Enayati arent' my brothers or anything, all I amsaying is just dont' inject undue emotional pressure to these guys (as iranian sport papers doing a good job already at that).

[Doctor DOOM]

all in all, I think GN has learnt quite a bit from branko's mistakes and is trying to not repeat them.
which is good.

one major example is he is not trying to be over-reliant on the star players of the team and is giving playing time to many fringe players .... in case .... .

dont mistake this with him actually PLAYING the star players.
he WILL use the legioners and stars in his main team.
but the difference is that he is not over-reliant on them and is not afraid of giving time to others and chancing on the alternatives who may have to step in for the big guns.

this, to me , is a great positive, which reduces our chances of total crumble that happened during the WC.


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and about why some of our big name slike neku didnt perform as usual, against ghana.
I believe these players, as with many star players in other countries, dont push themselves against such opposition, especially so close to a major tourny.
also, we must understand it is hard to motivate oneself to play at one's top form when they face a bunch of kids.
so I'm not going to judge many stars based on their game against ghana.

having said that, I hope neku and ando and ... do know they ought to form the second line of defense which is to be extremely solid, in fron of the defenders.
leaving the runners ( from the midfield ) alone will hurt us dearly.
they ought to make sure the runners are accompanied and pressured.