There's been a lot of angry comments towards TM, Daei and whatnot since yesterday and everyone keeps analyzing everything from the lineup to subs to tactics and everything in between, pointing to what they think they could do better if they were the coach. This leads me to think we need a reality check first.
I must say I kinda felt like BehzadB is saying in the other thread, before and after the game. I simply didn't except much from our team considering what I had seen from them so far and now against a very good fluid team like Korea. I have said it many times in recent months and say it again, we have to be realistic here and specially some of us have to consider the fact that we are not that much better than what we might like to think and admit we are. I mean for god's sakes, there are limitations to players and coaches abilities and we just don't have good enough material at this time with the current generation.
A look at current players available and different positions to sum it up:
GK: Rahmati - This is an area i which we have decent coverage and improvement compared to the past 8 years.
CD: Sad reality hits us the hardest in this department. We simply don't have anyone who can even be regarded as international at even asian level! The ones we have are sadly our best and they are basically the same.
RB: Here, we have several options, but we aren't using the most complete and the best current option, Khosro Heydari, simply because of personal bias and persistence on using a player once considered a huge talent, but one who hasn't made any progress in 4 years, yet keeps playing in each and every freaking match and all it has resulted in is a plethora of yellow and red cards, the fear of uncertainty about this mentally ticking bomb and the missed chances for Heydari to get TM experience.
LB: We've had problems in this area for 8 years and see a slight improvement, but if Ashjari isn't available we're back to square one.
Midfield: This is an area were we certainly have better material than the current one, but haven't been abale to utilize them due to circumstances.
If we go through them one by one:
Nekounam: The only current one who should be a given starter regardless. Still can do a lot better, but I'm afraid the quality of the other team mates has affected his game so far, yet he still delivers when needed which says a lot.
Kazemi: Right now a given in my book. Our best player against Korea.
Bagheri: Should only be used as a late sub at best. We have huge potential that we haven't been able to use because of injuries in Jabbari and Navidkia who could set us on the right track if they improve their physique.
Khalatbari: Once Hajsafi peaks, he would be a sub and if Madanchi is invited again, he'd be a 3rd sub.
Nouri: Has nothing over Jabbari and Navidkia. Same physique but not as high game level as them. Could at best take Bagheri's place as 3rd option for that position.
Maziar Zare: With what Kazemi showed, he stands no chance unless he improves a lot.
Shojaei: Unless he suddenly grows a footballing IQ, we're not gonna see so much improvement, because playing in Europe means he will still play regardless. Right now his game just makes one miss Karimi more. Let's hope and pray that he inherits half the football IQ Karimi has.
Forward: Very unclear here. We have Hashemian, who IMO is past it. Then we have 3 similar types in Rezaei, Borhani and Akbarpour who all are very good shadow strikers but lack in height and can't play as the lone striker. Even if we play with 2 forwards, they are not the best match up together against slightly better opposition. This was evident against Thailand. So if it works well in IPL it's because of weak opponents. Then we have a recovering Khalili, who still is unproven at international level and is currently the only hope left for the lone striker role or complement to one of the shadow strikers.
So as a quick sum up: Maybe there's some unused potential in some areas, but all in all, it's not much and we simply are what we are at this point of time. I know it's frustrating and many are channeling this frustration towards the coach or certain players, but please take a moment and take a look at the real world. How many teams do we have in our league that play with defined, modern tactics? Because that's when and where you can expect the tactics to have taken form in players heads.
God knows I haven't been a "Daei as a coach" fan and think he was prematurely selected for the post and they did more harm to his coaching career as TM coach by this just as they did to GN, but let's face the facts and have a reality check. He's mostly using the best with some exceptions and doing what he can. WE ARE SIMPLY WHAT WE ARE!
I must say I kinda felt like BehzadB is saying in the other thread, before and after the game. I simply didn't except much from our team considering what I had seen from them so far and now against a very good fluid team like Korea. I have said it many times in recent months and say it again, we have to be realistic here and specially some of us have to consider the fact that we are not that much better than what we might like to think and admit we are. I mean for god's sakes, there are limitations to players and coaches abilities and we just don't have good enough material at this time with the current generation.
A look at current players available and different positions to sum it up:
GK: Rahmati - This is an area i which we have decent coverage and improvement compared to the past 8 years.
CD: Sad reality hits us the hardest in this department. We simply don't have anyone who can even be regarded as international at even asian level! The ones we have are sadly our best and they are basically the same.
RB: Here, we have several options, but we aren't using the most complete and the best current option, Khosro Heydari, simply because of personal bias and persistence on using a player once considered a huge talent, but one who hasn't made any progress in 4 years, yet keeps playing in each and every freaking match and all it has resulted in is a plethora of yellow and red cards, the fear of uncertainty about this mentally ticking bomb and the missed chances for Heydari to get TM experience.
LB: We've had problems in this area for 8 years and see a slight improvement, but if Ashjari isn't available we're back to square one.
Midfield: This is an area were we certainly have better material than the current one, but haven't been abale to utilize them due to circumstances.
If we go through them one by one:
Nekounam: The only current one who should be a given starter regardless. Still can do a lot better, but I'm afraid the quality of the other team mates has affected his game so far, yet he still delivers when needed which says a lot.
Kazemi: Right now a given in my book. Our best player against Korea.
Bagheri: Should only be used as a late sub at best. We have huge potential that we haven't been able to use because of injuries in Jabbari and Navidkia who could set us on the right track if they improve their physique.
Khalatbari: Once Hajsafi peaks, he would be a sub and if Madanchi is invited again, he'd be a 3rd sub.
Nouri: Has nothing over Jabbari and Navidkia. Same physique but not as high game level as them. Could at best take Bagheri's place as 3rd option for that position.
Maziar Zare: With what Kazemi showed, he stands no chance unless he improves a lot.
Shojaei: Unless he suddenly grows a footballing IQ, we're not gonna see so much improvement, because playing in Europe means he will still play regardless. Right now his game just makes one miss Karimi more. Let's hope and pray that he inherits half the football IQ Karimi has.
Forward: Very unclear here. We have Hashemian, who IMO is past it. Then we have 3 similar types in Rezaei, Borhani and Akbarpour who all are very good shadow strikers but lack in height and can't play as the lone striker. Even if we play with 2 forwards, they are not the best match up together against slightly better opposition. This was evident against Thailand. So if it works well in IPL it's because of weak opponents. Then we have a recovering Khalili, who still is unproven at international level and is currently the only hope left for the lone striker role or complement to one of the shadow strikers.
So as a quick sum up: Maybe there's some unused potential in some areas, but all in all, it's not much and we simply are what we are at this point of time. I know it's frustrating and many are channeling this frustration towards the coach or certain players, but please take a moment and take a look at the real world. How many teams do we have in our league that play with defined, modern tactics? Because that's when and where you can expect the tactics to have taken form in players heads.
God knows I haven't been a "Daei as a coach" fan and think he was prematurely selected for the post and they did more harm to his coaching career as TM coach by this just as they did to GN, but let's face the facts and have a reality check. He's mostly using the best with some exceptions and doing what he can. WE ARE SIMPLY WHAT WE ARE!
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