2021/22 Alex Iwobi

[Bedfordblue]

I could count the number of good games he's had for us on the fingers of one hand I think. Yesterday he was excellent, it would be ridiculous to argue otherwise, but he owes us big time and it'd be equally ridiculous to expect him to continue this form given what we know about him.

Still, credit where it's due, really good yesterday. Won't be making any bold predictions on him. Like Gomes, there's too much water under the bridge to be expecting consistency now, so just judge each game as it comes. If he manages to string some performances together then we can reassess if he has a future here.

Is this your hand by chance?

 

[APN_EFC]

Really happy for this improvement in Iwobi , because I'm definitely the type of fan who prefers to blindly support our players, even if they're rubbish! Until we have evidence that someone is actively trying to sabotage the team, or purposely not playing well to throw matches, they are our players and nowadays they can easily get the idea of what fans think about them - and it'll either motivate or demoralise them!
The Lampard & Coleman reactions to Iwobi's performance show that he's a good guy and that he needs that support.

Sometimes not playing well for us is not just that the players don't try. It's very hard to fake trying at the premier league. I think we can easily put a lot of blame on the confusion about tactics, coaching, lack of leadership of the last few managers and whether you like it or not, even professionals need motivation and support. Even if you're getting paid, don't you appreciate it when you are supported, guided recognised etc? So he's like that, and I suspect many more fringe, young or inconsistent players will get better when we find that our coaching system, leadership and tactics are consistent and better!

 

[ZissouBlue]

We finally have enough attacking depth that he truly will have to continue these levels if he wants to get a game. He has gotten picked for so many games based on his reputation over the last couple of years. I am guessing that someone (maybe Lampard) has been in his ear saying "Look at the wingers/attacking midfielders the team has collected now - you either kick on now or you're going to end up on loan after loan until your contract has run down, at which point no top team will come near you."

I'm not holding my breath but we'll see. At his best Iwobi is still a good linking player. If he can prop up his value enough to make him sellable that would be brilliant.

 

[Eggsyblueskin]

If Gray is fit for next Saturday does he get dropped?

Personally no, I’d go with Iwobi still.
Gray has been brilliant but he couldn’t give us what Iwobi contributed on Saturday.
Iwobi’s energy and physicality prevented Leeds from getting any sort of rhythm and his performance was vital to our impressive victory.
With the best will in the world Gray couldn’t replicate that, it’s just not his game.
Ultimately though it will depend on whether Lampard wishes to employ the same tactical set up.

 

[Lowste]

At the end of the day he wears a royal blue shirt and is a young lad that needs confidence

Even if it’s only til the end of the season get behind him and maybe he’ll give us a bit back

He is 26 now….under performed at us and Arsenal

Basically an average player, who thinks he is far better than he actually is….. and very lucky to be playing in the Prem and be earning what he does

 

[Lowste]

Personally no, I’d go with Iwobi still.
Gray has been brilliant but he couldn’t give us what Iwobi contributed on Saturday.
Iwobi’s energy and physicality prevented Leeds from getting any sort of rhythm and his performance was vital to our impressive victory.
With the best will in the world Gray couldn’t replicate that, it’s just not his game.
Ultimately though it will depend on whether Lampard wishes to employ the same tactical set up.

So don’t play Gray, who has potentially been our best player this season. And keep Iwobi in because he was half decent

Surely a wind up this

 

[COYB75]

Really happy for this improvement in Iwobi , because I'm definitely the type of fan who prefers to blindly support our players, even if they're rubbish! Until we have evidence that someone is actively trying to sabotage the team, or purposely not playing well to throw matches, they are our players and nowadays they can easily get the idea of what fans think about them - and it'll either motivate or demoralise them!
The Lampard & Coleman reactions to Iwobi's performance show that he's a good guy and that he needs that support.

Sometimes not playing well for us is not just that the players don't try. It's very hard to fake trying at the premier league. I think we can easily put a lot of blame on the confusion about tactics, coaching, lack of leadership of the last few managers and whether you like it or not, even professionals need motivation and support. Even if you're getting paid, don't you appreciate it when you are supported, guided recognised etc? So he's like that, and I suspect many more fringe, young or inconsistent players will get better when we find that our coaching system, leadership and tactics are consistent and better!

Coleman's reaction said it all. I know Coleman's days are numbered because of his age but it would be great if we can have a decent season next year and he can be given a proper send-off. £60,000 signing and still always care's about the result. Might not have been great these last few season's, along with nearly our whole team, but he has never stopped caring. His response to Iwobi's performance was class-personified. Nobody else bothers to go and speak to other players like he does. A great servant to this club and if we can respect that, which will happen with a decent season again, then he will go with our best wishes and hopefully will look back at his Everton career with real satisfaction and achievement. Just need the FA Cup to be the icing on the cake. (Might have to be next season though).

 

[BigBlueConk]

Until he plays well week in week out, he still needs to prove himself to most.

Be like a new signing as they say in these parts, if Frank gets him playing well regularly.

 

[ProZ]

Marcel was right, bring a blue home.

 

[marsh]

His work rate was brilliant, at one point he went sprinting off on his own pressing and Goodison applauded. Great to see

 

[Saint Domingo]

We finally have enough attacking depth that he truly will have to continue these levels if he wants to get a game. He has gotten picked for so many games based on his reputation over the last couple of years. I am guessing that someone (maybe Lampard) has been in his ear saying "Look at the wingers/attacking midfielders the team has collected now - you either kick on now or you're going to end up on loan after loan until your contract has run down, at which point no top team will come near you."

I'm not holding my breath but we'll see. At his best Iwobi is still a good linking player. If he can prop up his value enough to make him sellable that would be brilliant.

Yeah he’s probably realised that Gray Townsend Gordon Alli and probably even El Ghazi all moved ahead of him in the space of a few months and would stay there if he didn’t start showing something.

That’s the sort of competition we need in every position.

 

[MACCA75]

So don’t play Gray, who has potentially been our best player this season. And keep Iwobi in because he was half decent

Surely a wind up this

Play well - keep the shirt. That’s how it needs to be IMO.

 

[Eggsyblueskin]

So don’t play Gray, who has potentially been our best player this season. And keep Iwobi in because he was half decent

Surely a wind up this

But Gray would not have contributed in the way Iwobi did on Saturday.
I wouldn’t necessarily change a winning side, especially one that had performed so well.

 

[Bluerover]

Coleman's reaction said it all. I know Coleman's days are numbered because of his age but it would be great if we can have a decent season next year and he can be given a proper send-off. £60,000 signing and still always care's about the result. Might not have been great these last few season's, along with nearly our whole team, but he has never stopped caring. His response to Iwobi's performance was class-personified. Nobody else bothers to go and speak to other players like he does. A great servant to this club and if we can respect that, which will happen with a decent season again, then he will go with our best wishes and hopefully will look back at his Everton career with real satisfaction and achievement. Just need the FA Cup to be the icing on the cake. (Might have to be next season though).

Double leg break didn't help. Yet he is not a sick note

 

[TheBigIguana]

But Gray would not have contributed in the way Iwobi did on Saturday.
I wouldn’t necessarily change a winning side, especially one that had performed so well.

Gray and Gordon stylistically could get a bit redundant. It's actually a good problem to have right now. Lots of options in attacking positions. Meanwhile we have to patch together a backline every week.