Tomoki Iwata

Had a poor game today, was like a rabbit in the headlights.

 

I like him, but today wasn't a great performance.

I lost the plot at him * about with the ball which lead to their offside goal.

I do think he needs a run of games. He's been pretty unlucky with injuries as well.

 

That mistake he made for the disallowed goal was * criminal.

Started well but after he got that knock he was miles off it.

 

Don't think he was 100% fit, which isn't ideal when you're playing with 10 from the 16th minute.

 

He has his uses as he's shown recently, but being asked to be more of a focal point in our build up without McGregor in the side isn't one of them.

 

Him and McGregor compliment each other so well so he obviously missed him. However he was trying to slow the play down far too often yesterday don't know whether that was a tactical thing or not. Got that knock as well. I still really like him and think he's what we have been crying out for in that position.

As per usual though you have one poor game and the support turns on you saying he's *. nonsense.

 

The game showed perfectly that what we need in our midfield is cal and Tomoki together. One without the other doesn’t work. Iwata breaks the play up or gets the second ball. Doesn’t think too much, quickly gets it off to McGregor to take us up the pitch.

we just can’t get any continuity with injuries this year it feels. Soon as we start looking more settled as a squad an important player drops out and we drop points

 

He was clearly struggling physically and he had a * game as a result of that.

 

So many of our players blow hot and cold this season. Iwata is another one of many who look like they've turned a corner only to have a stinker. Needs a decent run of games and a bit of luck on the injury front.

 

I think 3 games in a week caught up with him on Sunday. He’d been out for months beforehand.

 

That assist reminded me of Hatate's movement. First touch, then run in behind.

 

Something he can do well but seems hesitant at times to do it. He has good running power to make runs like that and break low blocks.

 

Thought he was class today, obviously sets up the third but his quick thinking from the foul in the build up creates the 2nd goal

 

really thought he was bang average didn’t protect the back four that well in the sitting role had a few good moments but in general average

 

I’m happy with that, his first thoughts always on protecting in behind him, defensively but can carefully pick and choose moments to go forward into really good areas and space, and usually when he does it, it’s very effective.

But he’s the only naturally enclined midfielder we have that thinks about the defensive side first. But he has an effect going forward as well.

 

More game time will be great for him, every time he plays you see he gets better as he gains more confidence

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Huge fan of his but he was just okay today. Made harder by the * show behind him.

 

He was just okay/good and elevated to excellent for me when he got the assist for the 3rd, that run as the deepest midfielder was sheer desire, took responsibility on to do something he’s not really expected to do, was well timed and the pass he got was unexpected as *, I’d be surprised if he thought he’d have been picked out but he was prepared just incase it did, and had the composure to pick out Maeda so it was a very easy chance for him.

late on to make it 3-2, he was making sure of an impact and a winner. That was * excellent and takes him from a bog standard 7 rating to an 8 for me.

2 others were trying to take the responsibility on, Forrest and AJ, but we are that used to Calmac being the one in midfield to do it, the guy that’s not really got used to it made sure he’d do it.

I’m a big fan of Tomoki, he’s really impressed me even with his * up at Tynecastle

 

We definitely have a good one there. One positive from this year is that central midfield is probably the only area I feel we are stronger than last year when everyone fit.