Team Melli is dysfunctional without Nekounam

[RaginG Inferno]

Watching Iran play without Nekounam is quite a fascinating contrast to watching Iran with Nekounam.

Some of our younger members who are not yet attuned to the relatively subtle aspects of the game may not understand Nekounam's impact on the team, but they were quite important.

Firstly, his positioning is so developed. A lot of the time, some things which aren't immediately apparent in a player's decision making have a great impact on the team dynamic. For example, where you stand in terms of distance to another player, when you decide to close the player down, when you decide to switch to another player etc., has a very large impact on the options that the attacking team has, and their ability to effectively move the ball in dangerous positions.

Similarly, in attack, a smart defensive midfielder needs a developed sense of when to join the attack, when to sit back, and when to remain uncommitted. An intelligent defensive midfielder needs to understand when to play a risky pass forward, or when to simply hold the ball or distribute it amongst his defenders to compose his team when they are playing in a frenzied, nervous or uncontrolled manner.

Nekounam had all of these skills. Upon playing with Nekounam for the first time, Plasil (who started alongside Nedved in the Czech national team) said "I don't understand how he [Nekounam] plays with such effectiveness".

Watching Nekounam live against UAE in Brisbane is something I'll never forget. His positioning off the ball, decision making and ball distribution was so superior to anyone on the pitch. His tracking of Omar Abdul-Rahman was a work of art. He took Omar almost completely out of the game, and meant that his teammates could not pass to him. When they did pass to him, Nekounam had moved him out of position and reduced his options.

Without him, it's clear that TM has no structure and tempo. We struggle to maintain possession and control our opposition when they hold possession.

The solution is not for Neku to return, however. We need to think of a replacement. I cannot think of one, even after careful reflection. Ezzatollahi is still too young, even though he holds promise.

What are your thoughts?

[_Navid_]

He was a complete player. Perfect headers, penalties, free-kicks. Great shots, passes, defending.

People bashed him a lot but his worth and value will be seen more and more as we go along.

[Gotham]

He's just so old that's the problem and isn't that great anymore. Maybe use him for a while until after January when Ezatollahi can get minutes and replace him with the youngster?

[AIrani]

Each player has his own strengths and weaknesses. Nekounam was a decent player. He retired, now new or other players have replaced him.

Iran will be fine without Nekounam similar to when Ali Daie and Ali Karimi retired. Azzizi, Kia, etc., they were good players too.

Iran has great young players. They deserve a chance to play and prove themselves.

Iran had good players AND Iran will have good players. Iranian players need to practice and participate in international events to gain experience.

I do not worry not to have Nekounam, he could not play forever. New players will take his place and the National team must play well.

[rugs]

What's also interesting was the transition of Nekounam into TM, if you remember that far back. He fit in perfectly to his role.

[teamiran]

Each player has his own strengths and weaknesses. Nekounam was a decent player. He retired, now new or other players have replaced him.

Iran will be fine without Nekounam similar to when Ali Daie and Ali Karimi retired. Azzizi, Kia, etc., they were good players too.

Iran has great young players. They deserve a chance to play and prove themselves.

Iran had good players AND Iran will have good players. Iranian players need to practice and participate in international events to gain experience.

I do not worry not to have Nekounam, he could not play forever. New players will take his place and the National team must play well.

He was much more than a decent player. He scored several vital goals for team Melli and osasuna and is so skillful in multiple areas. No other Iranian player, except for maybe mahdavikia, has been so successful in Europe, for so long.

He captained osasuna and took them from relegation to europa league. Without him they ended up relegated. He also played well in 2 world cups and played a huge part in getting us there.

[Camran khan]

Many people definately underrated Nekounam in TM. I would put him in our 'best ever' category for sure, along with the likes of Daei, Karimi, Mahdavikia etc.

[khodam]

Unlike when Daie, Karimi, or Kia retired, we currently don't have anyone who can step in Nekunams shoes. Ando is a great alternative. But unlike when Iran defence had both Nekunams and Ando, we only have one.

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[PersianLegion]

Watching Iran play without Nekounam is quite a fascinating contrast to watching Iran with Nekounam.

Some of our younger members who are not yet attuned to the relatively subtle aspects of the game may not understand Nekounam's impact on the team, but they were quite important.

Firstly, his positioning is so developed. A lot of the time, some things which aren't immediately apparent in a player's decision making have a great impact on the team dynamic. For example, where you stand in terms of distance to another player, when you decide to close the player down, when you decide to switch to another player etc., has a very large impact on the options that the attacking team has, and their ability to effectively move the ball in dangerous positions.

Similarly, in attack, a smart defensive midfielder needs a developed sense of when to join the attack, when to sit back, and when to remain uncommitted. An intelligent defensive midfielder needs to understand when to play a risky pass forward, or when to simply hold the ball or distribute it amongst his defenders to compose his team when they are playing in a frenzied, nervous or uncontrolled manner.

Nekounam had all of these skills. Upon playing with Nekounam for the first time, Plasil (who started alongside Nedved in the Czech national team) said "I don't understand how he [Nekounam] plays with such effectiveness".

Watching Nekounam live against UAE in Brisbane is something I'll never forget. His positioning off the ball, decision making and ball distribution was so superior to anyone on the pitch. His tracking of Omar Abdul-Rahman was a work of art. He took Omar almost completely out of the game, and meant that his teammates could not pass to him. When they did pass to him, Nekounam had moved him out of position and reduced his options.

Without him, it's clear that TM has no structure and tempo. We struggle to maintain possession and control our opposition when they hold possession.

The solution is not for Neku to return, however. We need to think of a replacement. I cannot think of one, even after careful reflection. Ezzatollahi is still too young, even though he holds promise.

What are your thoughts?

We have young players to use in that position but non of them are certain so it will be always risky. Another thing is Neku was our play maker whenever Shojai was not functioning, as well, so his exit had triple effect on team.
1. We lost a good DMF
2. We lost our leader
3. We lost our secondary play maker

Shojai going out of picture, and Ando not being able to lead the team is making his replacement even harder.

I think if we use Ali Karimi (new one) or a better fit PAG in that position at least we can cover for the DMF duty of Javad. Adding Khalatbari, Yaghub Karimi, or another technically gifted play maker instead of Shojai can settles the issue in front of DMF position. But we still have to come up with another choice for Captain/Leader position.

Dejagah can push the team when he is fit but he is not a good choice for being a Captain. (He loses his cool easy). We need someone with enough caps and calmness as Montazeri but technically gifted as Dejagah, and smart as Khalatbari. Can you find someone like that? I know the choice for future but not now (HajSafi)

[persepolisfan]

he was amazin, but it is time to move on. if not now, then next year? by then the "replacement" will have much less time to gel with the team. its almost 2016 folks

[rezabmehr]

Hence the reason CQ want Neko to join his coaching staff so badly. He needs his skills in TM.

[maniei]

My proposal would be to play Pouraliganji as defensive midfielder, untill Ezzatollahi becomes ready.

It is PAGs natural position and he is capable of pulling it off. I rate him higher than Ebrahimi there.
The vacant position in central defense can be filled with another guy. We have enough options there. I have high hopes in Kanaani.

[teammelli91]

First of all I'd like to say thanks for this post. Very informative in many ways. Not just regarding Nekounam specifically, but to all CDM's and the importance of this player in the national team line-up.

He was a leader on and off the pitch. This was said by the coaches and players in different interviews when Javad was on the team. There's no doubt he had a positive impact on Team Melli.

Unfortunately I'm beginning to think that Ando is not captain material. I love the guy and I respect him very much as a player. He's a veteran and very experienced. But it doesn't seem as though he communicates with his teammates. Habe you guys ever noticed Ando instructing his players on the pitch? I haven't seen him ever make a decision that would prevent or produce something. Again, I'm not against Teymourian. I respect him tremendously. He's a lion and the most "ba gheyrat" footballer for Iran's national team. But he still hasn't proven himself to be a captain.

I remember many times where Nekounam would instruct his teammates to do certain tasks. Whether it was in set-pieces or while defending with the back line, he communicates and makes sure everyone is covering their marked player and closing gaps. It is evident, or was evident when he was playing.

Do I think Nekounam should come out of retirement? Yes and no.

Remember that every action is an influence for the current and future of our footballing generations. What kind of example would that set for the youngsters. That it is okay to come and go. Retire and return? I don't think its right.

Despite the fact that we truly need this guy in the team, it doesn't make sense.

We have Jalal Hosseini, another veteran. Why not test him as captain.

I mean I trust in Queiroz, and if he really wants to get Javad back in the team it's up to him and I fully back him up. But I don't approve of this sort of thing. Ali Karimi coming back, Farhad Majidi coming back and other examples.

Javad Nekounam was one of the kind, and hands down one of the greatest CDM's in the history of Iranian football. His experience in both Europe and 151 caps for our team will no doubt be beneficial if he returns.

But please, let's not make this a thing. Where players return from retirement.

To sum it up, what I mean to say is that let's teach players what it means to be a captain. What the duties of a captain is on a football field. I don't think Ando has that skill. I think we need teach our youngsters for the future.

[teammelli91]

We need to teach our youngsters now on what it means to be a captain! We need to teach them what the duties of a captain are! Honestly, there should be classes taught for captainship.

[shahname]