2020/21 Alex Iwobi

[BlueToff]

I think it has to do with who is behind him. Coleman doesn't play balls inside so the only way he can get it is by having it down the line and then he gets pinned in by the fullback. Coleman isn't great at supporting wingers with forward passing.

Nah, for me, he plays well as a RWB because the game is simple.

As a player, he has zero composure or intelligence.

He has a bit of athleticism and pace and can put in a good pass/cross.

When he is told that his one job is basically to run in a straight line, he does it well.

Anything else (like we saw v Leeds) and he can't cope. Unfortunately, that sums up half of the squad, too.

 

[BlueToff]

Holgate at RB against Chelsea please.

He'll probably play Godfrey there, or just go full Pulis and have 4 CBs

 

[BlueToff]

We are going to be looking at a compromise whatever happens. When your first choice 4 fulbcks are injured you will always be in that position. We were more solid defensively today, it's a small improvement from a low bar but we will take what we can get currently. Of the last performances it was probably the best, and maybe the best performance post Liverpool.

Iwobi looks happier to me down the right. I'd keep him that side. The question will be, against better teams do we want him at full back or in a wide midfield position.

They aren't

 

[billyblue80]

Did well considering he was RB for 70 mins. His crossing was abysmal second half though he needed to get a few good ones in create chances for Dom.

 

[Noisy noise annoys]

Has a worldy one week, played elsewhere the next.... all hail(hale?) king carlo

 

[catcherintherye]

I actually think Iwobi could be fine as a fullback if we had a true defensive midfielder. But as Allan has a tendency to rush out of position we can't really afford to have a shaky defender out there. Sort of how the RS do with Alexander-Arnold, who really doesn't defend, but have plenty of cover coming from the middle.

Arnold is actually probably quite a good a shout. I mean it soudns ridiculous when you first say it back, but jhe has sinilar phsique and is quite creative. Not sure he "crossing" delivery is quite as good.

The big if, as you say is the lack of control we have in games, particularly ones coming up. I'd go with Holgate and Iwobi in front. Make ourselves as hard to beat as possible and give the front 4 a platform to build on.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Nah, for me, he plays well as a RWB because the game is simple.

As a player, he has zero composure or intelligence.

He has a bit of athleticism and pace and can put in a good pass/cross.

When he is told that his one job is basically to run in a straight line, he does it well.

Anything else (like we saw v Leeds) and he can't cope. Unfortunately, that sums up half of the squad, too.

Lol. I'm going to keep my composure but you all make it very hard sometimes.

 

[catcherintherye]

They aren't

They are though really mate. Digne, Delph, Coleman & Kenny are who he woud regard our first choice and 1st reserve. I'm sure we woud make a case for Nkonkou, but I'm not sure he views it in such a way.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Arnold is actually probably quite a good a shout. I mean it soudns ridiculous when you first say it back, but jhe has sinilar phsique and is quite creative. Not sure he "crossing" delivery is quite as good.

The big if, as you say is the lack of control we have in games, particularly ones coming up. I'd go with Holgate and Iwobi in front. Make ourselves as hard to beat as possible and give the front 4 a platform to build on.

His crossing definitely isn't as good but he doesn't have to play the exact same way. Especially since James isn't going to be scoring like Salah does and will come back to hit some of those early crosses. But as you say when we're on the back foot, and because we don't really press we will be on the back foot at times, he's going to have to defend and that seems risky.

 

[ToffeeTim]

He played reasonably well today. I see an argument for him being in the 3 in midfield. Although for balance I'd play Davies.

 

[catcherintherye]

His crossing definitely isn't as good but he doesn't have to play the exact same way. Especially since James isn't going to be scoring like Salah does and will come back to hit some of those early crosses. But as you say when we're on the back foot, and because we don't really press we will be on the back foot at times, he's going to have to defend and that seems risky.

I think he's made a really good fist of the defending too. He's not full back levels of good but he gives it a go. I think he just gets "lost" a bit on the left but I've been impressed with his endeavour without the ball. It's a technical thing, not a question of will.

I look at the next run of games, there are a few where we could sit in and play on the break (which would suit us). Iwobi playing down the right in front of a Holgate/Coleman could give us the best of both. THe downside may be, if he's further forward he becomes easier to pick up.

I'd play him ahead of Holgate though. Tell Holgate and Godfrey to get tight to the centre backs and hope to strike on the break with our front 4.

 

[catcherintherye]

He played reasonably well today. I see an argument for him being in the 3 in midfield. Although for balance I'd play Davies.

I thought Davies a bit too actually. If you want a lad to just play in front of the back 4, he might be able to do it.

 

[optatom154]

Did well today, thought he was our best player first half, fitness looks an issue always looks absolutely gone after 70 mins so not surprised his crossing was decent first half and shambolic second. If dom scores that first half we're praising him, defo not the reason we didn't win

 

[BigDuncTributeBand]

He again showed what he is good at, with space in front of him he carries the ball well and can advance us up the pitch. Would rather we find a way to utilise that as an attacker rather than a fullback or wingback. Final ball was dangerous first half but wasn’t there second half and got worse.

In terms of defending, didn’t have to do a great deal. We won’t get away with playing him at fullback or wingback against Chelsea though.

 

[roy vernon]

He wasn’t the worst of them today, some of his crossing was awful, but, we see plenty of that from out first choice right back.