Tomoki Iwata

We signed him off the back of being player of the year in Japan, playing as a DMF...its baffling why he doesn't get a run of games there. Think he'd come good and may...May even sort out the position for us. Won't know until given a fair run though.

Def a player in there.

 

Another strong cameo from him.

The pressing on nouble and the strength to put him on his * that then led to the 5 v 2 break that Mcgregor made bit of an * from is exactly what we have been looking for.

Gave it away a couple of times but was due to him trying to play really good 1st time, round the corner passes that his teammates didn't read. More game time and they will start getting on the end of them too.

 

Gave the ball away a couple of times but thought he really brought something when he came on, hopefully see more of him.

 

Was more attacking today than we've seen him. Thought that was a real positive.

 

I've never seen him come on and play badly in centre-mid. I'm going to start shouting for a box midfield of Iwata, McGregor, O'Reily and Hatate.

Goalkeeper and left-back in January then we look much, much stronger.

 

I was saying this in the match thread if the likes of Yang, Palma and Tilio when fit aren’t showing top form then depending on what Bernardo has to offer, him or Iwata could come in to midfield. In fact both could play significant game time. Like at the likes of Tyncastle and in Europe have Iwata with Bernardo or Holm coming in domestically, even Palma maybe in as a 10.

Alternatively give Hatate that sort of false winger role McGregor used to play. Szoboszlai sort of did that for Leipzig last year against us too.

 

Agree with that. More likely to see that flexibility with BR. Does take a bit of pressure off Palma and Yang to make an impact right away.

 

Aye I actually think in europe having hatate playing that kind of role would work well for us and would allow a bit more dig in midfield with Iwata in there

 

Nothing sweeter than a finish off the underside of the bar lol played well and delighted for him.

 

Looked strong when he came on too..

As well as an excellent finish.

 

Been waiting patiently for a chance for this guy and he did not disappointed. Hopefully Rodgers has seen enough to get him on the pitch a lot more often as I think he could be a massive player for us. Delighted for him the day.

 

Played very well. Has a bit of everything in his locker. Showed great recovery pace and noticed he was always scanning over his shoulders to see who was around him and what spaces were around etc.

Hopefully brendan sees him now as the main cm to step in whether it’s off the bench or if one of the other cms drop form he should be the first choice rn I think

 

We've so many CM quality options..

I like the look of Holm too..

 

I think holm looks class aswell but I think Iwata has always looked good in the middle tbh. Rodgers has always been changing what cm he brings in as he was still yet to have a look at them but I’d like Iwata to be coming on more then holm tbh….

 

A more defensive-minded manager would use him as the first choice in CL, but Tomoki has no luck there. hatate has played really well, and he will start against AM.

 

Again this lads problem is we don't really need a defensive midfielder most of our games..

But looked really sharp today and a great finish.. fair play

 

What a finish.

Settled me and I thank him for it.

 

Another good sub appearance from him topped off with an absolute belter of a finish

 

I think we have a better balance to our midfield when we have one.

 

Said before he needs more time ad he would excel ink Europe for us