Alex Iwobi

[Btay 2,013]

28 minutes ago, pete0 said:

As C1982 says Iwobi did his job yesterday. I'd add he done well getting the ball to safety after being passed the ball when he had a player breathing down his neck a few times as well. 

It’s just sad because when he came here he had very high energy levels, would receive it back to goal inside our half and carry us forward. Now he looks slow and absent ideas on how to even get on the ball. 
 

I just don’t think he’s a wide player at all - west ham was his best game by far.

[Matt 8,082]

2 minutes ago, Btay said:

It’s just sad because when he came here he had very high energy levels, would receive it back to goal inside our half and carry us forward. Now he looks slow and absent ideas on how to even get on the ball. 
 

I just don’t think he’s a wide player at all - west ham was his best game by far.

He would definitely be better in a central diamond formation. Not worried about his stamina, all that will come back and it’s going to have hit most players. 

[Btay 2,013]

6 minutes ago, Matt said:

He would definitely be better in a central diamond formation. Not worried about his stamina, all that will come back and it’s going to have hit most players. 

Felt like his energy dropped before the break though.

Honeslty have no issue with something like this against Norwich as the midfield.

Iwobi          Gomes

         Davies

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

2 hours ago, StevO said:

Not even close to Walcott’s level for me. 

agreed and i'm one of walcott's biggest detractors.  Walcott offers pace and running the channels, he may be awful on the ball and at finishing, but he stretches the opposition and gives us width and a runner.  iwobi offers nothing except a decent long range shot ala barkley.  i have the feeling he was bought for Marco but doesn't fit info Carlo's formation/style at all.  I'd be happy to see him sold, we paid like 30m for him!

[Bailey 4,954]

4 hours ago, c1982 said:

In his defence - he was playing a ‘defensive’ role yesterday. His role was more of a containing brief which he and mainly Coleman achieved. Had he been fit, Sidibe would have been much better suited. Yes, he was non-existent, but I’d say he put decent effort in a role that he doesn’t really suit at all.

 

2 hours ago, c1982 said:

There is that but if the tactic was to nullify Liverpool’s threat (which most have failed to do), then I think we did it quite well and actually can feel a little unlucky that we didn’t snatch it. Iwobi, ironically, could have been the one to snatch it for us had Richarlison shown more awareness and squared it when Iwobi would have had an open goal to shoot at.

He wasn't playing a defensive role. He had to contribute all round. He got far too deep tracking James bloody Milner and then Joe frigging Gomes. This wasn't Robertson rampaging up and down the wing. 

The problem we had, which he was a part of, was that we couldn't keep the ball. He ended up in what you have described as a "defensive" role because he did more defending than attacking. 

I was hoping for a much bigger performance from him after the break. He really needs to find some form ASAP.

[c1982 2,588]

46 minutes ago, Bailey said:

 

He wasn't playing a defensive role. He had to contribute all round. He got far too deep tracking James bloody Milner and then Joe frigging Gomes. This wasn't Robertson rampaging up and down the wing. 

The problem we had, which he was a part of, was that we couldn't keep the ball. He ended up in what you have described as a "defensive" role because he did more defending than attacking. 

I was hoping for a much bigger performance from him after the break. He really needs to find some form ASAP.

The whole team did more defending than attacking. It was clearly a tactic to defend, restrict and contain - then maybe try and snatch something on the counter that we very nearly did. I’m not suggesting Iwobi had a good game, I’m just stating that, that isn’t a role/discipline he excels in. It’d be unfair to judge many against this Liverpool team as they’ve made much better players look average.

[c1982 2,588]

3 hours ago, StevO said:

Not even close to Walcott’s level for me. 

As a right winger in a 4-4-2, I’d pick Walcott over Iwobi too. Iwobi excels as an inside forward from the left or free role centrally - maybe he just doesn’t fit into Ancelotti’s Everton.

[duncanmckenzieismagic 5,213]

9 hours ago, c1982 said:

In his defence - he was playing a ‘defensive’ role yesterday. His role was more of a containing brief which he and mainly Coleman achieved. Had he been fit, Sidibe would have been much better suited. Yes, he was non-existent, but I’d say he put decent effort in a role that he doesn’t really suit at all.

This also backs up your point 

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/carlo-ancelotti-fixed-marco-silvas-18466136

[Bailey 4,954]

6 hours ago, c1982 said:

The whole team did more defending than attacking. It was clearly a tactic to defend, restrict and contain - then maybe try and snatch something on the counter that we very nearly did. I’m not suggesting Iwobi had a good game, I’m just stating that, that isn’t a role/discipline he excels in. It’d be unfair to judge many against this Liverpool team as they’ve made much better players look average.

Apologies I have just re-read and realised I mistook "we" for "he" so I see that you weren't excusing his performance.

Iwobi is an experienced player now, he has to find a way to transition his game from defence to attack in that 442 role. He got too deep, too often and then when it came to him he was stuck and it felt like the times he did get the ball he gave it away. 

Like most of the team he did well at cutting the passing lanes but that's a tribute to the manager rather than the player.

[pete0 1,998]

4 minutes ago, Bailey said:

. He got too deep, too often and then when it came to him he was stuck and it felt like the times he did get the ball he gave it away. 

I noticed similar but for me if he's stuck that means his teammates aren't showing for the ball. Even then when he had nothing on he lost the ball safely giving the team time to regroup. 

[StevO 5,769]

9 hours ago, c1982 said:

As a right winger in a 4-4-2, I’d pick Walcott over Iwobi too. Iwobi excels as an inside forward from the left or free role centrally - maybe he just doesn’t fit into Ancelotti’s Everton.

I hope you’re right, but I’ve never seen him excel at all in a blue shirt. 
Bernard can offer more on the left (though he can’t play away from home) and doesn’t seem Carlo wants to play with that central position, so not sure what the future holds for Iwobi right now. Though I can’t see him leaving. 

[Bailey 4,954]

15 hours ago, pete0 said:

I noticed similar but for me if he's stuck that means his teammates aren't showing for the ball. Even then when he had nothing on he lost the ball safely giving the team time to regroup. 

I don't necessarily agree but I take the point. 

[Gwlad all over 568]

I'm trusting Carlo....

[Bill 1,299]

Picked out as being one of the worst buys of the season.

Alex Iwobi: 

The winger was a breath of fresh air when he burst into the Arsenal team for the first time. However, it was really no surprise to see the north Londoners cash in on a mega £35m for the Nigerian last summer.

It's safe to say that the Gunners aren't missing him. Everton royally wasted their money on Iwobi who scored just once and failed to contribute a single assist in 2019/20. He is just 24 but you have to feel he is lacking the potential to make it an adequate level

[Bailey 4,954]

I feel like he has a lot more to give yet. I may well be wrong!

[chicagoblue 443]

As others have said, it's a waste of our time and his career to play him wide in a 4-4-2.  As with pretty much every midfield we buy, he's another No 10 type.  No surprise his best games were where he had the freedom to float a bit and go central. 

[StevO 5,769]

I’ve not been that impressed in any position with him really. In fact, the last time he impressed me in an Everton game he was wearing an Arsenal shirt. 

[MikeO 12,940]

1 hour ago, StevO said:

I’ve not been that impressed in any position with him really. In fact, the last time he impressed me in an Everton game he was wearing an Arsenal shirt. 

😂

Pretty tragic that.

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

4 hours ago, StevO said:

I’ve not been that impressed in any position with him really. In fact, the last time he impressed me in an Everton game he was wearing an Arsenal shirt. 

Not an iwobi fan either.  Sell sell sell

[Wiggytop 641]

7 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

Not an iwobi fan either.  Sell sell sell

Hasn’t done enough to warrant staying here, all the frailty he showed at Arsenal came with him. Move on ASAP.

[Haiku 331]

And I'm starting to question Marcel Brands qualities.

[barryj 1,171]

16 hours ago, Bill said:

Picked out as being one of the worst buys of the season.

Alex Iwobi: 

The winger was a breath of fresh air when he burst into the Arsenal team for the first time. However, it was really no surprise to see the north Londoners cash in on a mega £35m for the Nigerian last summer.

It's safe to say that the Gunners aren't missing him. Everton royally wasted their money on Iwobi who scored just once and failed to contribute a single assist in 2019/20. He is just 24 but you have to feel he is lacking the potential to make it an adequate level

Not saying their point isn’t valid but but bad research by journalists immediately makes me switch off. 

[Palfy 3,411]

I’m prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment, he’s definitely got ability I personally think he’s come into a team that lacked any real direction in the midfield with a lot of MF players not up to the standard required, hopefully with some new additions and Ancelotti’s direction we may see what he is capable of. 
But I maybe completely wrong and he doesn’t improve next season. 

[pete0 1,998]

At Arsenal he had players round him making runs, playing flowing football. Something out team need to work massively on. Him and Walcott are a level above with the football coaching they've received. They mightn't be as gifted as say bernard but they understand how to play football better.

[RuffRob 502]

4 minutes ago, Palfy said:

I’m prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment, he’s definitely got ability I personally think he’s come into a team that lacked any real direction in the midfield with a lot of MF players not up to the standard required, hopefully with some new additions and Ancelotti’s direction we may see what he is capable of. 
But I maybe completely wrong and he doesn’t improve next season. 

I agree with this, easy to bash Iwobi, still  young and just moved to new club and city. I can understand the signing -  a younger more affordable winger than Zaha, with the potential to develop. I think most would suport this strategy. 

The middle of the park has been painful at time this year, not a platform for any of our wide players to flourish from really. We have been very unlucky with Gbmain and Delph injuries - the two people brought in too toughen up the midfield have been unavailable through injury for most of the season.

Although, many performances have not been great. I think it too early too through the towel in yet on Iwobi. 

 

[MikeO 12,940]

20 hours ago, Bill said:

Picked out as being one of the worst buys of the season.

Alex Iwobi: 

The winger was a breath of fresh air when he burst into the Arsenal team for the first time. However, it was really no surprise to see the north Londoners cash in on a mega £35m for the Nigerian last summer.

It's safe to say that the Gunners aren't missing him. Everton royally wasted their money on Iwobi who scored just once and failed to contribute a single assist in 2019/20. He is just 24 but you have to feel he is lacking the potential to make it an adequate level

It was £28m rising to a possible £34m with add ons according to the BBC.

.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49282957

[Bailey 4,954]

1 hour ago, pete0 said:

At Arsenal he had players round him making runs, playing flowing football. Something out team need to work massively on. Him and Walcott are a level above with the football coaching they've received. They mightn't be as gifted as say bernard but they understand how to play football better.

Walcott is one of the worst "thinking" footballers around. All he knows how to do is make forward runs and half of the time he is offside with them. 

[Palfy 3,411]

56 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Walcott is one of the worst "thinking" footballers around. All he knows how to do is make forward runs and half of the time he is offside with them. 

That’s not the same Walcott I’ve been watching for me his Achilles heel has been his final ball, but his general play has been better than most, he moves and makes himself available he tracks back and helps his RB out, he still has a fair bit of pace and has one the best engines in the team. 
Strange how we can be so far apart with our opinions on certain players. 

[Bailey 4,954]

53 minutes ago, Palfy said:

That’s not the same Walcott I’ve been watching for me his Achilles heel has been his final ball, but his general play has been better than most, he moves and makes himself available he tracks back and helps his RB out, he still has a fair bit of pace and has one the best engines in the team. 
Strange how we can be so far apart with our opinions on certain players. 

He might track back but its a basic command with him, not like Richarlison who sniffs a bit of danger on the counter attack and will be one of the first back. He switches off so often too.

A poor final means he either has poor technique or poor decision making and for me he has good technique and therefore again its between the ears. The number of times he gets into good positions and picks the wrong option is far too often. 

His moves are also on the whole average. He makes good counter attacking moves but he doesn't make "clever" runs. They are runs programmed into him because of his pace. He has no idea how to time them most of the time. A guy with his pack should rarely be offside. I commented on his movement the other day too when he just ran at Kean who was already under a lot of pressure. It was the dumbest things he could have done because Kean could have passed the ball to him, he blocked off a deeper ball to the full back and he dragged another defender to box Kean out. I remember someone commented on Kean losing the ball but he had nothing on because of Walcott being thick as shit.

[Bill 1,299]

2 hours ago, MikeO said:

It was £28m rising to a possible £34m with add ons according to the BBC.

.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49282957

Don't shoot the Messenger Mike,  they're not my words. 😀

[MikeO 12,940]

9 minutes ago, Bill said:

Don't shoot the Messenger Mike,  they're not my words. 😀

Can if I want😂

[Romey 1878 13,593]

Rumours that he's homesick and we're trying to find him a move to a London club.

We're going to take a big hit on his fee if it's true.

[Bailey 4,954]

Swap deal for Zaha.

I was surprised that he wasn't on the bench yesterday however its hard to get on that bench now!

[StevO 5,769]

36 minutes ago, Bailey said:

Swap deal for Zaha.

I was surprised that he wasn't on the bench yesterday however its hard to get on that bench now!

My thoughts exactly. If we could involve him in a deal like that it would be brilliant. 

[Wiggytop 641]

Thought he was out injured with thigh stain yesterday, but PX with Zaha would be a good move for us.

[Btay 2,013]

Homesick or seen he has a real fight on his hands getting into the 11 and doesn’t fancy it? Seen loads of videos of him involved with the likes of DCL & Bolasie pre season having a good time so it raise suspicions. Would rather see Gordon develop this season anyways.

[MC11 1,200]

Team was so balanced yesterday. Do we really want him in that side? 

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

55 minutes ago, Btay said:

Homesick or seen he has a real fight on his hands getting into the 11 and doesn’t fancy it? Seen loads of videos of him involved with the likes of DCL & Bolasie pre season having a good time so it raise suspicions. Would rather see Gordon develop this season anyways.

 

45 minutes ago, MC11 said:

Team was so balanced yesterday. Do we really want him in that side? 

Both of these.  Just sell him and take the loss and move on.  He will barely even see cup action in this side.  Walcott and Bernard and Gordon all ahead of him. 

[Bailey 4,954]

2 hours ago, Wiggytop said:

Thought he was out injured with thigh stain yesterday, but PX with Zaha would be a good move for us.

He may have, just hadn't seen a reason. Still tough making the bench.

[c1982 2,588]

So frustrating today - he had a massive chance to show his worth but poor. He just always wanted an extra 2 or 3 touches and that really killed off anything that could have been positive in an attacking sense. We lose too much with Richarlison out and Iwobi filling in - I still think he’s a decent enough player but it just wasn’t for him today.

[badaids 571]

He had plenty of the ball early on but was completely useless with it - decision making and situational awareness absolutely appalling.  He's had enough chances - hate to say it but he should be shipped out.  Big to fill Richi's shoes - but Gordon should have started today. 

[Bailey 4,954]

He just takes too long to make decisions. Having said that, he was as "good" as any other winger we played so it certainly wasn't just him that was crap. 

If anything, he was involved in our brightest moments in the first half... and some of our worst. 

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

Never rated him, sad to be proved right.  Just get rid.  I’d rather seen Gordon and Bernard on the bench then him.

[RuffRob 502]

think most had poor games not just Awobi, so do feel for him a bit, the team has been playing well until today. but didn't help himself either. when he's not playing well, he can look particular bad. 

[Wiggytop 641]

Poor again today, there’s only been a few glimpses of any quality to make me want him to stay, happy for him to I’ve on and we let Gordon develop.

[Romey 1878 13,593]

He's wank.

[Aidan 2,228]

£25m

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

1 hour ago, Aidan said:

£25m

Yeah him and delph the biggest knocks against brands

[MC11 1,200]

It’s not looking good at all. He’s a big strong lad should be doing a lot more. 

For some reason I feel he’d be more effective as a striker but that just might be my hunch. 

[StevO 5,769]

He’s strong, quick, can beat a man, but never when you actually need him to do it. 
Not good enough. 

[Hafnia 6,610]

Should have part exchanged him for Zaha. 

[markjazzbassist 3,165]

The good news is he is Still very young and someone Will take a punt on him.  His wages aren’t terrible if I remember correctly, so I’m sure we can sell him.  

[Romey 1878 13,593]

5 hours ago, Hafnia said:

Should have part exchanged him for Zaha. 

Maybe Palace weren't stupid enough and laughed at us.

[Btay 2,013]

Incredible how much he’s regressed. When he arrived, his strength was to get the ball and drive forward with it and carry us up the pitch. He’s completely lost any confidence to do so and his work rate has dropped so much it’s incredible. 

[Romey 1878 13,593]

After being able to think about it over night I've reconsidered my view of him... he's really wank.

[Tonsta 67]

He is a well built, athletic, strong lad, and he tackles like siggy, time to get rid he is not going to get better.

[Hafnia 6,610]

3 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

Maybe Palace weren't stupid enough and laughed at us.

I think Zaha is in a place where he would force the issue.... Potentially justified too.  I think he was promised a move..... You never know... In Jan it could happen...... Highly unlikely though. 

[Romey 1878 13,593]

51 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

I think Zaha is in a place where he would force the issue.... Potentially justified too.  I think he was promised a move..... You never know... In Jan it could happen...... Highly unlikely though. 

That doesn’t mean they’ll take our shite, he can’t force that. 

[Hafnia 6,610]

21 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

That doesn’t mean they’ll take our shite, he can’t force that. 

That's where he will earn his big bucks.....  

[Bailey 4,954]

He has a case of the Ross Barkley's for me... Has all the physical and technical attributes to be a top player but lacks the most important bit between the ears. He was worth the punt but it hasn't worked out and I can only ever really see him coming good in patches when he has a run of games with his confidence is up.