Alan Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day 2, admitted that he was impressed by Alex Iwobi’s latest performance for Everton.
The Toffees are now well on track to beat the drop and secure their Premier League status for another season after they recorded back to back wins, but this one was more impressive picking up three points away from home for the first time since August.
have you been impressed by Iwobi lately?
Yes!
No!
Everton now find themselves one point above Leeds United who are in the bottom three and the Toffees also have a game in hand and Frank Lampard deserves a lot of credit for getting players such as Fabian Delph and Alex Iwobi back performing in the starting lineup.
It’s the latter who left Shearer impressed for the way he tracked back and marked Harvey Barnes to help out Jonjo Kenny at right-back, he said:
(50:40) “Iwobi, you know, when the questions have been asked, are you prepared to dig deep and a trackback there when someone is in front of you, you’ve got to give that little bit extra and help your teammates, not only did he do it once, he did it on a couple of occasions.
Shearer then pointed out how it wasn’t just a one-off from Iwobi, but he was really determined to get back and help as he was out of position in central midfield, but bust a gut to get back out wide and won the ball back off of Barnes who was in a dangerous area out wide, he added:
(50:55) “Another one here, same thing again, he goes in and he’s not giving up, look at the effort from him and the rest of the Everton players.”
TIF Thoughts on Iwobi…
It’s a testament to Iwobi’s mentality and willingness to give everything for Everton in their dire situation that he’s able and happy to play in several different positions, such as centre midfield and on both wings.
Iwobi was brought into Everon as an attacking winger who cost them £34 million, but now if he is able to add the gritty and determination to defend to his game, then a role as a wing-back could well be on the cards if Lampard opts for a back five.
If Iwobi can keep up these level of performances by putting in the hard yards in his own final third, then some Everton fans may be able to get over the fact he’s been so poor in front of goal since arriving from Arsenal with just seven goals in 93 appearances, which makes his display yesterday even more unlikely and impressive.
In other news: ‘I’ve spoken to’ – Sky Sports man drops ‘unthinkable’ Everton claim live