Iran vs Trinidad & Tobago (November 15, 2018)

[inarsenewetrust]

We don't have an A list team. These guys are phenomenal despite their shortcomings.
I don't think we realise all the b.s they are exposed to on a regular basis...behind the scenes drama...mismanagment... etc...

U make it sound as if CQ is doing him a favor...

I lack knowledge for football analysis but surely a coach doesn't choose a player based solely on how brilliant they are as an individual on the pitch.
Other qualities are required...
Professionalism?
Motivation?
Teamwork? Looking out for the others on and off the pitch.
Big bro qualities that unite a team through all the ups and downs...

Are these reasons not enough for u?

sure, he can be handed a role as assistant coach or something for TM down the line. But as of like 4 years ago, shojaei doesnt do much on the pitch. He doesnt contribute enough to the attack to being an attacking mid, so we play him further back, in the "pirlo" role. This role is reserved for somebody like, Pirlo. Somebody who despite physical shortcomings and being slow, is so damn smart that he is the fulcrum of the team, nobody can come close to him. Masoud tries to play like this and just ends up giving the ball away. He does nothing on defense except foul, and on the pitch is actually way more of a hot head than a calming presence for younger players, always making dangerous fouls and getting needless yellows (see morocco match).

IF he ever touches the pitch instead of ghoddos it would be like a crime against humanity. I understand this match we essentially played with our B team, but during asian cup, masoud has no business as a starter. The guy has been past his prime for a long time.

[sarbaz]

There is absolutely no doubt that Shojaie has lost an step in the last 4 yaers and honestly should not be part of this TM just like Seyyed Jalal.
However he brings something to the table that makes him very unique and a major gift to any head coach.

He is the ultimate proffesional communicator and a major bridge between all the TM players and its coaching staff.
He speaks 3 languages fluently english,farsi and spanish.

As slow as he is with the ball and his passing that kills the flow of a fast moving game,He steel possesses some incredible dribling,ball posession and nifty passing
ability in very tight crowded spaces that even at 35 is very impressive.

Now again if you ask me , should Masoud be included in the TM , isay and have said in the last 3 years ,NO.
However i can see why some coaches including CQ would love to have a guy like him in his main squad.

[Prowess]

Team melli isn't spain with great midfielders to pick from. All we have is Dejagh, Ghoddos, and Shojaei to play behind the striker. It's the important games that matter. Shojaei only played 1 game in the world cup. Expect Ghoddos to play a bigger role. But in the meantime, shojaei brings experience, has good ball control & technique, and is capable of delivering 1-2 defense splitting passes a game, follows Querioz's instructions, and shows enough defensive effort to still warrant a place on the team.

Again, we are lacking in the playmaker department.

[inarsenewetrust]

Team melli isn't spain with great midfielders to pick from. All we have is Dejagh, Ghoddos, and Shojaei to play behind the striker. It's the important games that matter. Shojaei only played 1 game in the world cup. Expect Ghoddos to play a bigger role. But in the meantime, shojaei brings experience, has good ball control & technique, and is capable of delivering 1-2 defense splitting passes a game, follows Querioz's instructions, and shows enough defensive effort to still warrant a place on the team.

Again, we are lacking in the playmaker department.

how many playmakers do we need? Ghoddos is clearly a really good playmaker, even by lofty european standards. Dejagah was, up until 1-2 years ago, better than ghoddos. So thats two very decent playmakers right there. In terms of younger players shekari can be an option if one of those two cant make the squad.

If people want to make a case for masoud being in for experience and leadership skills in the locker room, thats fine. If people want to say hes sound technically and is a good passer, also fine. But the idea that he is actually performing at a high level consistently for TM on the pitch is just the opposite of the truth. Sure, he wasnt as bad usual vs T and T, but almost every game is like pulling teeth with this guy, too slow to make decisions, turns the ball over, adds nothing on defense, makes retarded fouls, and the worst part, nobody can ask WTF hes doing bc he is the captain and supposed leader.

[Roxanaz80]

Team melli isn't spain with great midfielders to pick from. All we have is Dejagh, Ghoddos, and Shojaei to play behind the striker. It's the important games that matter. Shojaei only played 1 game in the world cup. Expect Ghoddos to play a bigger role. But in the meantime, shojaei brings experience, has good ball control & technique, and is capable of delivering 1-2 defense splitting passes a game, follows Querioz's instructions, and shows enough defensive effort to still warrant a place on the team.
Again, we are lacking in the playmaker department.

Well said!

Inaresenewetrust, love tm Sarbaz and Sam v Dam thanks for sharing your views.

CQ is no dumbo, he weighs the pros and cons when it comes to keeping a particular player in his team. Clearly the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to keeping Masoud, Ansarifard and co...

U forget how easily a bratty individual can stir up trouble within a team. Maturity is the key word...

Players like Masoud bring their professionalism and positive jigar vibes to work...it's a blessing. Don't underestimate his role on the pitch and most importantly off of it.

I recently saw a documentary about the French team, their road to victory. These guys are taken care of, pampered, entertained, assistants take care of the mundane tasks...all they need to do is show up and work hard.

Our team has to deal with mountains of paperwork, pray for friendlies, buy their own shoes, deal with nike (kaseh dagh tar...) publicly rejecting them and the list goes on...

Come on...they train under b conditions, treated like b players...your expectations are too high! U need peace of mind to be able to concentrate 90 mins...a luxury I doubt our players have.

It's so easy and so Iruni to say Lengesh kon.
Viva forever TM! Hopefully the football fairy is looking out for u...

Something is rotten in the state of Denmark....

[Prowess]

how many playmakers do we need? Ghoddos is clearly a really good playmaker, even by lofty european standards. Dejagah was, up until 1-2 years ago, better than ghoddos. So thats two very decent playmakers right there. In terms of younger players shekari can be an option if one of those two cant make the squad.

If people want to make a case for masoud being in for experience and leadership skills in the locker room, thats fine. If people want to say hes sound technically and is a good passer, also fine. But the idea that he is actually performing at a high level consistently for TM on the pitch is just the opposite of the truth. Sure, he wasnt as bad usual vs T and T, but almost every game is like pulling teeth with this guy, too slow to make decisions, turns the ball over, adds nothing on defense, makes retarded fouls, and the worst part, nobody can ask WTF hes doing bc he is the captain and supposed leader.

Unfortunately, Dejagh is injury prone and will be 36 in next world cup. But yes, he can playmake. The point is, we don't have depth in the playmaking position, so I don't have a problem with Shojaei being included on the team.

Ghoddos is great, and I think he will be given a bigger role in more important games (asian cup, wcq, wc, etc.). Just remember this was a friendly. I agree though, if in more important games Ghoddos is benched in favor of Shojaei, and we don't get results, then it's reason to question. Until then, let's wait and see.

[Kavian]

Any idea where to watch the full game?

[TM4LIFE]

I still think CB's should be PAG and Hosseini. Hosseini especially has shown a lot of impressive development, including in regards to pace. Chesmi is just too slow and sloppy with his tackles in comparison.