Super Eagles winger, Alex Iwobi, has vowed to maintain the intensity and enthusiasm he displayed in the thick of Everton’s relegation battle in the 2021/2022 campaign when the next season gets underway.
The former Arsenal man played a vital role in the Toffees’ successful fight to retain their Premier League status.
Iwobi was deployed in a variety of roles as he played, including as a midfielder, defender and forward.
He was the only player amongst the Toffees to start the last 12 games of the season as coach Frank Lampard looked to retain a Premier League spot.
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Iwobi hopes to bring that same energy and focus into the new season.
“Evertonians appreciate hardwork and the physical side. If I have that energy, hopefully it influences my teammates,” Iwobi told Evertonfc.com.
“It is important that I understand that the culture of the city, the passion for football and Everton.
“I love playing and like to express myself through football,so when I get the opportunity I just try my best.
“The manager spoke to me after the Leicester home game (a 1-1 draw on 20 April) about having a bit more tactical awareness.
“He said, ‘it is nice to have the energy to run and chase and get back, but maybe, sometimes, preserve it, chill out, so you’re not burned out’.
“Other than that, he says maintain the work ethic because it really helps the crowd to engage with the team.
“The manager knows I have the ability to press quickly and quickly get back into shape.”
Iwobi scored three goals and recorded three assists in 32 games in all competitions for Everton last season.
Everton finished 16th in the 2021/22 Premier League last season with 39 points from 38 games.
By Toju Sote
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COMMENTS
I have been a harsh critic of Iwobi, but I only criticize those who are not utilizing their full potential. Iwobi has the technical ability and skills to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the world, but he needs to improve, as he himself now acknowledges, his work rate, intensity in attack and defense, and importantly his tactical awareness.
Tactical awareness is understanding what the team is trying to achieve in attack, the oppositional impedance if faces, and the tools, tactics, and positional plays to overcome any such resistance. A midfielder as both the brains and muscle of the team needs to understand this.
If I were to advise him, my advice would be that he employ a personal skills and tactical coach for one season. Such a coach should be skilled on midfield plays. He should practice every day with this coach, especially as Nigeria’s non-qualification for the world cup creates a lighter match load.
Watch videos of what midfield players like Modric and De Bruyne are doing. I assure him that one season of improving himself and learning would put him on a projectile towards being one of the best. As I see it he only needs to get rid of some bad habits and make some tweaks in his game on positioning and passing.
Football Websites and YouTube Channels that improve knowledge and understanding:
FBref.com – player statistics
theathletic.com – news, game analysis, and analytics
Soccerment.com – Players statistics from major leagues
YouTube – HITC Seven – Football news
YouTube – DW Kickoff – football documentaries
YouTube – Tifo Football – news, documentaries
YouTube – Tifo IRL – analysis
YouTube – Football Meta – tactics strategies, formations
YouTube – The Coaches’ Voice – tactics
YouTube – Code Football – tactics, analysis
I played football as a right full-back. Was I any good? Not really, but I had one enduring trick. I understood that ball possession swung between the left side and the right sides of the pitch – tactical awareness. When the ball and players were concentrated on the left, a dominant player usually took responsibility for swinging the ball into space on the right.
My trick as a right full-back was to pretend that my focus and attention was on the left in order to anticipate the swing into space on the right and promptly intercept to gain ball possession.
I would be looking for the instance any of the opposing players in possession of the ball held his head up while looking from left to right. That was the signal to me of his intent to play into space on the right, and the moment his leg swung to make the cross I would be accelerating into the space to intercept.
This little trick which I called the mouse trap, the space being the cheese to my interception, made it appear as if I was responsible for most interceptions and positive turnovers (changes in possession).
Like everyone I had competition for my shirt especially from younger physically fit players. I remember a particularly aggressive player insisting that he could play my position better.
Unperturbed I told the coach to substitute me with him during a game. He came in and got suckered watching the ball on the left, such that when the swing into space on the right arrived, he was nowhere to intercept.
Our team lost two goals from the right that day and I was fully re-instated at right full-back.
I also had a friend who played midfield and every time he played I would see him waving his right-hand wrist as he approached the penalty box in possession. Curious I asked him why he did this. He told me it was a prearranged sign to the forward players that he was looking to play a 1-2 combination.
Little things like these improve understanding and can make a player appear world-class. Find a pattern of play and set a trap to anticipate, improve communication so your teammates understand your intent.