Tomoki Iwata

GK- Hart
RB- Johnston
CB- CCV
CB- Scales
LB- Taylor

DM- Iwata
CM- McGregor
CM- O'Riley

RW- Johnstone
ST- OH
LW- Palma.

Team that should be playing Hibs on Wednesday in my opinion.

 

I've said it before but I have not a sniff of a clue as to why this guy doesn't start games. It's so blatant that he's got something about him, * knows what Rodgers is thinking with this.

 

This boy needs minutes. When playing in midfield he has always looked decent, not put a foot wrong yet and for whatever reason can't seem to get a run of games.

 

Should be our holding midfielder with McGregor further up the park. We’re screaming out for a proper holding midfielder. Iwata won POTY in that role in Japan. He could be the answer to that problem. Really needs more minutes.

 

I can't understand why Rodgers doesn't implement this...the team crying out for it.

 

Should have been in for hatate from wen he got injured

 

Tidy, breaks things up, gives us something different, give him a run of games.

 

Think he's had some ongoing niggles but deffo strange how limited his game times been..

 

Liam Scales should act as the template for both Iwata and Johnston. They are due a chance and when it comes just like Scales they are going to have to take it and make themselves undroppable.

 

He can’t really do much more to be fair, he’s never had a stinker when given a chance. Unlike the rest, who consistently get picked ahead of him.

 

He is due a chance and will hopefully get one in the next run of games. The position is up for grabs- go make yourself undroppable.

 

Like the majority on here I am totally confused why this guy is not getting a run in the team, he supplies energy that we are really lacking in this team.

 

Not even just a Rodgers thing, Ange barely used him either.

I don't get it, he's always looked tidy when he comes on, and none of the other MF options have done anything in Hatate's stead.

Should be Iwata starting for the next two games at least.

 

Aye but we were a much more fluent side with Ange..

Now we're no quite as fluent and are changing it about a bit as the balance isn't quite right with Hatate missing..

As mentioned above, he gives us that energy as he's mobile and physical. Something you wouldn't overly associate with our midfield currently..

 

He definitely should be playing in our midfield just now. He has a good level of athleticism whilst being technically proficient which is more than we have seen from others who have had a chance in there. Turnbull was invisible again today, Holm has come off early on both starts, Bernardo only gets a look in, in Europe.

Where Iwata has his deficiencies he has strengths that could complement McGregor and O’Riley.

McGregor had looked good for Scotland next to McTominay who was traditionally a physical defensive midfielder but his main strengths are his box to box running. I am not saying Iwata is exactly that type of player but he definitely has an engine and is decent and positioning himself well to break up opposition play and has shown he can contribute offensively like today on the counter.

 

I don't know what Iwata's weaknesses for his position would be, other than being slightly short. But we're not going to need him at CB clearing cross after cross.

 

I was meaning more as what he brings to an attack, but I agree he is a capable passer of the ball and can carry it with space in front of him.

 

More than adequate passing for a screening player- there is no excuse for Rodgers to keep McGregor chained up. Unless Iwata shows he's got a rocket like Turnbull's. Which wouldn't surprise me.

 

Feel like he has shades of mooy about him, who i feel we have really missed. Balanced, plays simple passes, keeps play moving, capable of getting up the pitch.

With the upcoming congested fixture list including midweek games, i really wana see him given a chance beside Mcgregor and Oriley.