Does Shojaei belong to TM, and why?

[sarbaz]

No one is disputing the fact that Shojaie is a good experienced player no one.

What I am saying is that he needs to have fire under his ass and start being a lot more serious

When playing for TM that's all I want

[Doctor DOOM]

Lol, really? Is that where you're going? I believe that is called "grasping at straws" (?)

Ok, I may have been wrong. You may not have a bias, you just might not understand football and have the audacity to be blind to that fact.

Video was already posted of his performance against Argentina. He created one of our best chances. In a WC where our team had less than 10 total chances, I think that is a good stat.

Sorry mate. But if we resort to only the same handful of moments repeatedly, to justify 3+ YEARS, THAT may be called grasping at straws

[ramingeles2000]

The main attraction of the game of football is that it is rather a simple game and easily understood and figured. Don't make it into rocket science that one needs a masters degree to UNDERSTAND what's going on on the pitch

it's easily digested by fans, sure. but to say football is a "simple" sport is not true. The tactics used in the modern game can be extremely complex. a player might have 3-4 different roles in a game based on what's happening at any given moment, and a player with a lot of talent might be benched if he's incapable of wearing multiple hats in the same game, or executing a coach's strategy.

it's very easy, for example, to see masoud's mess-ups with the ball. They're very visible, and as a CAM, it's his job to take risks. but do you ever consider that during a match, as fans, we are only looking at the live-action (i.e., where the ball is)? It takes an intelligent, experienced player to make an impact WITHOUT the ball - for example, minimizing spaces, cutting passing lanes, communicating with other players, keeping the midfield and defense in sync.

And Masoud may very well be performing all these roles marvelously. But would you notice that? would most fans? probably not. but would CQ? absolutely. unless you've played football at a high level or coached at a high level, it's very arrogant to criticize a coach who is considering the total picture. Fans in all sports do this, and it drives me absolutely nuts.

What's especially irritating about all the Masoud hate is that there are no good alternatives. you talk as if we have a prime AK8 ready to take his spot. All the players who could be substitutes for masoud are garbage, and my problem with your arguments is that all of your 'suggestions' for masoud replacements are based in your pro-PGL bias. but you need to realize that the PGL is absolutely pathetic, it's not even in the top-5 leagues in Asia.

It's very easy to criticize but from any objective standpoint, CQ is doing a marvelous job, and his choices have all paid dividends. I only wish he was at the helm when we actually had 5 players starting in the bundesliga!

[Ali.Karimi79]

Does Shojaei belong to TM, and why?

When the shojaei fan boys run out of arguments they label the critics haters and point out "the way" is being criticized.

You don't like it? You better never attend a game in Azadi lol.

We as fans have the god given right to answer emotionally and there is absolutely no hate. It is his performance which I hate. Have you ever been to a stadium? You sit here and try to act uber correct and mature. In azadi they abuse him,his mother and sister into oblivion.

Yes he is ashghal.....garbage. As a footballer who underperforms constantly. Not as person. That's football.

He definitely doesn't belong to TM anymore.
I desperately hope that this game opened CQs eyes on him finally.

[Doctor DOOM]

^ Notice aside from those 6-7 instances (in 3+ years) that are repeated again and again to justify him, they really DONT HAVE any other examples to make their case.

So aside from labeling others ''haters'' (what are you ppl,... 12 ?) and insistence on blind trust with no exercise of one's own mental capacity, there is some vague general reference about what is written in some football guide book (that if one tries to detect in shojaei's performance, would discover MISSING anyway)!!!
Sigh!

[Nader25]

[OFFSIDE_1]

^ those fans who were booing Shojaie during the Iran-Lebanon game in Tehran where he had I believe 4 assists, should have their brains checked.

[Bi-honar]

WHO is your nominate instead of Shojaei? I think Soroush Rafiei is the one CQ chose

In CQ's 4-2-3-1 formation, Our 3 attacking midfielders should be Hajsafi (left), Jahanbakhsh (right) and Dejagah (middle). CQ played Haj as a defender because one, he really wants Shojaei to fit into his system and two Pouladi was missing.

Rafiei is a great young player with lots of potential and I definitely like to see him fight for one of those 3 positions, at least as a sub for now. We also have Azmoun who can be utilized in a CAM role, considering we already have two good capable forwards fighting for one position there and Ashkan can also play RAM and LAM.

Its not a rumor. He was offered a contract at Real Zaragoza and AEK Athene but he rejected because of the ridiculous low salary they offered him. It was in Spanish and Greek news. So no Iranian media, but this of course doesnt make sense if someone hates Shojaei to this extreme extent like you do, with all due respect.

Btw

Pooladi was our best player in the World Cup and he plays for the same club, according to your logic that makes Pooladi a horrible player too just like Masoud.

First of all Kiarash jaan, I don't "hate" Shojaei nor do I have a reason to hate him. I just don't think his performance or record in TM have been anything special and I think we have much better options available and play a much more fluid game when he's not on the field.

Two, those offers you refer to were nothing more than rumors. Just because someone took 5 minutes to write an article and publish it on the internet, it doesn't mean it's a fact. If it was, it would be at the very least accompanied by a statement or quote from a club official confirming it. But even if these articles were factual, don't you think that a second division Spanish club would be offering a "good" player more than minimum wage?! Are Nekou and Karim making minimum wage?

Three, Pouladi's situation is very different than Shojaei's. Pouladi was under contract with PP but because of his army issue couldn't go back and play there. He didn't really have a choice on such short notice, did he? If he did, you think he would be playing for a relegation club in Qatar vs. PP?

[Camran khan]

^ those fans who were booing Shojaie during the Iran-Lebanon game in Tehran where he had I believe 4 assists, should have their brains checked.

Shojaei performed well once vs Argentina, and once versus Lebanon in the last 5 years. Which is the only two games people use as arguments saying he belongs in TM. Not by the 50 bad games he has had since 2011.

[Bi-honar]

^ those fans who were booing Shojaie during the Iran-Lebanon game in Tehran where he had I believe 4 assists, should have their brains checked.

I think the author got the games mixed up. In the 2nd game against Lebanon (4-0) not only did Shojaei not have a single assist, he was not involved in a single goal in the slightest way and screwed up a perfect lay off and goal scoring chance from 8 yards out completely missing the net.

But even in the 5-0 game, Shojaei had one single assist. No wonder you guys are such avid fans - if all these imaginary goals and assists had actually happened, we'd all be avid fans!

[Kiarash]

Just watched back the Thailand game last year in Tehran. It's comical no one mentions the set up by Masoud Shojaei on the second goal. He creates space and passes the ball to Ansarifard who gives an assist to Gucci who finishes it. Masoud is such an instrumental player, unfortunately there is a lot of bullshit around in this forum saying Masoud has 100 bad games and 1 good one. Having a good game doesn't mean you need to score goals and give assists left and right, it's about giving correct passes, creating space, having vision and be part of the goals which he clearly was at the second one. In fact this goal was set up by Masoud Shojaei.

During the World Cup, Dutch commentators said Masoud was one of the better players of Iran. When I looked up some Greek forums after Masoud was close to signing with AEK they had the same thoughts as the commentators. It's funny entire PFDC thinks Masoud sucks but objective people actually think he is good.

1:46

[Kiarash]

And you guys say he is slow. Which slow player makes goals like these? Which slow player with terrible movement, vision and ball control makes such beauties? Also, which slow player dribbles through the entire midfield against Argentina? Damn, he must be super slow to accomplish something like that..running from all over Iran's own penalty box near to Argentina's one. So much for Masoud Shojaei being a ''slow'' player.

[Bi-honar]

Just watched back the Thailand game last year in Tehran. It's comical no one mentions the set up by Masoud Shojaei on the second goal. He creates space and passes the ball to Ansarifard who gives an assist to Gucci who finishes it.

Seriously dude?! He has played 50+ games for TM and this is an example of his greatness, that he received an easy 8 yard pass and gave an even easier 4 yard pass to someone who then assisted the goal?!!!

You are telling me that you (as a recreational player) can't receive an easy 8 yard pass and give an even easier 4 yard pass 9 our of 10 times?!

[Darloc]

Seriously dude?! He has played 50+ games for TM and this is an example of his greatness, that he received an easy 8 yard pass and gave an even easier 4 yard pass to someone who then assisted the goal?!!!

You are telling me that you (as a recreational player) can't receive an easy 8 yard pass and give an even easier 4 yard pass 9 our of 10 times?!

His fanboys are resorted to recall some games and recall some events to remind us how ''great'' he is

If he was that great his ''great'' gameS would be easily on our memory no ?

[BacheLot]

this was posted in the Counter Attack thread, but it's worth watching it here.

you can see the number of times Shojaei was involved in the counter attacks, especially the one where Dejagah was fouled in the penalty box

He was completely lost in scheme of the that game & literally invisible IN 1st HALF..!
It's only 5 or so minutes in the 2nd half that he finally managed to find his feet & get good involvement in the game, especially on counters ..! Oddly some minutes after that he got subbed..!
Like I said before He is Quality footballer but simply can not cope with Fast Pace & intensity of games that are played @ high rate. He is simply best brought on as a Sub, than a starter in high tempo, highly contentious games..! I'd assume CQ finally got that clue last game but doubt it ..!