Tomoki Iwata

People saying he was * he had a better game than McGregor won ball back a fair few times and was holding possession better than Hatate


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Needs to be doing more, in these type of games.

 

He’s a good squad player but not a starter for me. Appreciate he has qualities but just doesn’t do enough in games for me.

 

Wouldn’t be against selling him in the summer. Gets caught sleeping in possession too much, and generally just not great with the ball.

 

Not a fan to be honest. His appearances have underwhelmed me.

 

Think I've got a blind spot for him because I really like him. Think he's a good player and got a lot to offer.

 

Far too passive, seems at risk of losing possession and rarely plays a forward pass. Against these sides we need someone in there that is a bit more aggressive and forward minded.

 

Mediocre. He never looks to get on the ball. Just not sure what he's really good at.

 

Don't really get the stick he's getting. Hes a defensive midfielder who's job is to protect the back 4, break up opposition attacks and move the ball onto more creative players.

We played against a team who barely got out their own half, didn't have a shot on goal and were trying to time waste from the 5th minute in.

You don't get defensive midfielders who can dictate play and ping 40 - 50 yard passes around unless you spend £50m+.

Mcgregor gets on the ball and does all that but in terms of protecting back 4 he's hopeless.

People need to decide what they want from a defensive midfielder.

 

I think he's completely fine as a rotational option, but so far he hasn't shown enough to be first choice.

I do think he was a lot better before his injury, so still have some hope he can kick on.

 

Which isn't something he does very well.

I want my defensive midfielder to mop up anything the defence needs a hand with and be quick to provide the attackers with some basic service. Not 40-50 yard defence-splitting passes. Just simple balls.

Instead he waits far too long when in possession when there could be a basic pass alongside him. Often gets closed down and on more than one occasion has had the ball pipped from him in our own defensive third.

I think fans who were hearing all about this J League Player of the Year are entitled to expect a bit more than they're seeing.

 

Really wanted to see what he can do. Had some good games but far too passive today.

 

Fair enough mate. Agree he's not great on the ball but in last 20 odd years I can think of 2 defensive midfielders we've had who were proper good on the ball. Lambert, who was a European cup winner and one of finest midfielders to ever play for us and Wanyama who was just an absolute magnificent piece of scouting altho we initially viewed him as a centre back.

It's a position that needs upgraded but we are very unlikely to find one who can do it all and fans will still complain bcoz they seem to think we should be signing a prime Sergio busquets.

 

Also worth pointing out he's started 4 games at home this season amd despite the critisim he's getting we've won the 4 games, 4-1, 7-1, 3-1 and 3-0 and they were 4 of our better performances at home this season.

 

He’s been fine I think. Not as vocal as McGregor but don’t see much else between them. Calmac can drive with it a bit more but tbh it’s pretty rare. Both pretty safe players but tidy and keeps things ticking.

 

There not even close to being similar players.

 

What’s the big difference?

 

All well and good having a tidy enough defensive midfielder, but no much use if he's no intention of trying to influence a game. Starting to think he's far too one dimensional.

 

I've already said a few posts back. He's too passive, lacks aggression and is in constant danger of losing possession. Rarely plays a forward pass, doesn't look to pick the ball up from the keeper or defence to start attacks and has little influence on the game. Pretty much the opposite of McGregor.

 

Gives a great base for us to go forward