Team Melli is dysfunctional without Nekounam

[rugs]

Our best ever defender was Kaabi, not even close!

In his entire TM career he had one stupid mistake.

As for Neku replacements, I say put Ezzatollahi in now. Age means nothing. He was able to play in the IPL fine and is abroad now. I would like to see him and PAG replace Neku and Ando. The sooner the better.

[Camran khan]

Our best ever defender was Kaabi, not even close!

In his entire TM career he had one stupid mistake.

We should call him up, it's not even nearly too late yet, kid just turned 16. He can at least play in the next 2-3 world cups.

[Afat11]

We should call him up, it's not even nearly too late yet, kid just turned 16. He can at least play in the next 2-3 world cups.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button aka Hossein Kaebi.

The guy is only getting younger with each passing year.

[Sly]

True. He was very lethal with his headers on set pieces. But at the same time, everytime I saw one of the opponent's players moving in Aghili's direction my heart rate went through the roof.

I don't know if I agree though? His duo with Bengar in Sepahan was rock solid! One of the main contributors to Sepahan reaching the final of ACL was their defensive line! After that he was invited to TM and his duo with Hosseini this time was good too! At least until CQ came along!

[Omids]

The first round of qualification is the best time to get the team right. We are still top of the group we have three home games left and one away game to Guam. Why are we panicking and sh#ting ourselves (sorry for the French ) and I would also like to work with what we have and prepare them for the next round when things will get really interesting and tough. We need to move on and now is the best time to do it.

[teamiran]

All the ones you mentioned here above, although good defenders, they have indeed made bad mistakes in their career (as any player would)! I still remember Yahya's own goal (against....was it Oman?) and Rezaei's penalty against Ireland in the WCQ2001 and his big mistake against Mexico in the WC which eventually led to their lethal goal! Just a few examples of their bad mistakes....

Seyd Jalal on the other hand, knock on the woods, I am yet to see one big mistake of this caliber from him in TM! The guy is f*cking flawless!

You should watch Iran Vs Bosnia from world cup 2014. Hosseinis big mistake leads directly to a Bosnia goal. He's a good defender but definitely has made some big mistakes too.

He also should have scored with one of his 2 great heading opportunities against Argentina.

[DireStraits]

More than NN we need pooladi back. It seems like we coceive lots of goals from left side. Specially when they send the ball from right to left.

[Ali.Karimi79]

We shouldn't stick to names but rather to the right tactics and consider the players strength.

I know this sounds like another wanna be mourinho rant but these things bother me most:

Haj Safi being used as left defender. Don't know who told CQ that Hajsafi is useful back there.
He should be put where he can creat danger and that's definately not defense.

Shojaei. I just don't have words that he is still around.

Jahanbaksh not being used by CQ.

Playing with one striker most of the times.

Dejagah being lined up no matter how he performs. In his entire career he was a sub player. That's what made him deadly at Fulham.

Ando being captain. He is a passionate warrior but not a leader.

[BacheLot]

TM is currently in a big generational Transition Period..!! Occasional haphazard performances are to be expected..!
sure we are missing Javad's services as his replacement havent quiet settled in yet..!! but tbf, Ando (Javaad's main partner in crime) is also in a major fitness slum and we also have a crisis like Huge Void, in the CM/AM position..! and those two factor in very large in Omid Ebrahim and Ezzatolahi's possible successful performance with current TM..!!

we still are topping the WCQ group and home-filed advantage in the 3 of the next 4 world cup qualifiers vs mostly tokhmy opponents..!! i dont see any sense of recalling Javaad for playing purposes yet..!! such a call-up move would reek of Desperation on part of Carlos..!!

[Ardalan]

Jaaye Nekunam khaalie amma yaademoon baashe ke Poolaadi ham dige nist. Dar hamle Gucci bayaad bargarde, JB hanooz dar TM jaaye khodash raa peyda nakarde, Amiri ham bayaad gaame badi ra bardaare va tavanaaie khodesh raa bishtar neshoon bede. Team daare shekl migire amma bayaad did chegadr tool mikeshe.

[mahestan]

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.

You hit the nail on the head. Nothing against Ando, but he isn't doing a good job as captain. I rarely see him talking to the ref, or talking to other players during stoppage time. At times I wonder if he is even on the field. He is a great footballer but I don't think he is going to be a good captain.

[AIrani]

Let Nekounam enjoy his retirement and encourage him to do what Kia has done to improve Iran's football.

Ali Daie, Azzizi, Bagheri, Kia, Nekounam and other players are asset for Iran's football. He can contribute in different capacities not just playing. Iran with its great population can generate good players and with proper coaching turn into good players both for Iran and their clubs.

I am for training other players to take the place of old and retiring players.

[Ghermez Agha]

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.

the bold is interesting because it took us 7-8 years to find a good striker to replace daie (ghoochannejhad) and we still haven't found a suitable/consistent CAM to replace AK years later. you just proved everyone else's point.

look at other DM's that have had chances in the last few years. take reza haghighi, iran's brightest talent at one point when he was at Fajr sepasi and look at where he is now...his career has gone on a nosedive since the WC, he hasnt impressed at all and is completely forgotten about ATM. ebrahimi who has been a stand out in the PGL has struggled and barely been able to hold his own. Haddadifar who has been tried in the past as well also wasn't up to par and had costly mistakes in several of his appearances for TM.

fact is there is nobody at the moment to replace nekounam....and if you consider him to be just decent than idk what you would call any of the other candidates or guys I mentioned whove had their fair chance. I'm all about trying our young and talented players and I dont think nekounam returning is what we need but nobody should deny that this is the most worrying area of the pitch for us ATM.

[mahestan]

the bold is interesting because it took us 7-8 years to find a good striker to replace daie (ghoochannejhad) and we still haven't found a suitable/consistent CAM to replace AK years later. you just proved everyone else's point.

look at other DM's that have had chances in the last few years. take reza haghighi, iran's brightest talent at one point when he was at Fajr sepasi and look at where he is now...his career has gone on a nosedive since the WC, he hasnt impressed at all and is completely forgotten about ATM. ebrahimi who has been a stand out in the PGL has struggled and barely been able to hold his own. Haddadifar who has been tried in the past as well also wasn't up to par and had costly mistakes in several of his appearances for TM.

fact is there is nobody at the moment to replace nekounam....and if you consider him to be just decent than idk what you would call any of the other candidates or guys I mentioned whove had their fair chance. I'm all about trying our young and talented players and I dont think nekounam returning is what we need but nobody should deny that this is the most worrying area of the pitch for us ATM.

What happened to Reza Haghighi?

[Z Joon]

What happened to Reza Haghighi?

Not even a 90 min player for Saba Battery