Iwobi: Everton offer was too good to turn down

Personally, I hope he proves to be the creative player we are currently missing in the central position.

At the risk of sounding like Louie Walsh, he reminds me of a Steven Pienaar – albeit a bigger, faster, stronger version. Hope he proves me right.

Excited to see how he does this season.

Basically it's similar to how we would feel if we sold Tom Davies – probably not a massive loss to the team overall but we'd be sorry to see him go.

Silva under pressure to play him then! lol

I wonder if Silva sees him more as a central option. Having some successful ball carriers in the middle will really help us attack I think.

We won't see this team this weekend but at some point I'd like to see a 4-3-3 with:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Gbamin Iwobi
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin Kean

With Kean and Richarlison not playing too wide but looking to run off Calvert-Lewin like Mane and Salah do for RS.

This suggests to me something resembling a ‘fluid' 4-5-1 away from home. so probably Calvert-Lewin & Kean will rotate as the ‘1'.

Am looking to see how Delph & Iwobi will be fitted in as both are good at bringing the ball forward. In other words, I haven't a clue what Marco has in mind!!

A lot of what is needed is down to decision making, he has to learn to make the right decision more than he has before, with that will come game time and confidence, then he can set his stall up to become a big player for the blues.

I'd say a fair target would be double figures in terms of goals, maybe 15 to 18 in goals and assist, this should be something an attacking player should be doing to become a main stay, just as Richalison and Siggy have done last season.

Players often just click into gear, a new contract, a change of position, a new manager, but more often a new club is the best solution. Like he has said himself he was always a kid at Arsenal, but at Everton he has come in as a big money signing, an established international who is at an age were he should be ready to take his game to the top level over the course of the next few years.

Let's hope we can watch him do it.

Players need a kick up the rear when they are not performing and need to be given a clear message from Silva that we have a squad and it will be used when we are under-performing.

You do not play 150 games for Arsenal (by the age of 23) without having quality. For what it is also worth, the three Arsenal fans I know were disappointed that Iwobi was not retained by the Gunners and they are supporters that expect trophies!

Interesting, because he wasn't awaiting his breakthrough at Arsenal, nor was he "nailed on" every week. Having said that, 100 first-team appearances is (yet again) "interesting".

What his signing does emphasise is a dressing room full of lads of a similar age... And, if MS gets them to gel, then he can ignite a team set for a decade.

"Band of Brothers".

If he can eradicate all / some of those misdirected passes then he should prove to be a decent signing. If he can add some goals as well then I think he could be an excellent signing. Not sure who he is expected to be competing with for a starting spot but if he makes himself a definite first choice then he will be doing well and the team should improve because of it.

I don't assume he is guaranteed a starting role, just that Silva has promised he will get a fair crack of the whip if he rises to the challenge.

Never interested in Zaha, just playing palace week one.

Never interested in Dacoure, just playing Watford week 2

Pure disruption!!

Iwobi always the real target, just cloak and daggers to make it look like last minute alternative.

So it appears this deal is more transfer magic from Marcel Brands...I go with Jim Harrison's theory!

He also had more assists and created more big chances than any Everton player bar Sigurdsson. What makes these stats even more impressive is that although he played 35 games he was only on the pitch for a total of 1976 minutes.

At 23, playing 90 minutes each week and getting coaching from Silva, he can only improve. On top of all that, his versatility will be very handy and I think we might have a player and half on our hands.

But what did Unai Emery, one of the best coaches in Europe, not see in the lad?

Mike, I think Emery had no choice over Ramsey who Arsenal had already allowed to run his contract into a final season, and he was already set for a Bosman, and had no doubt been promised mega money as the buyers would not have to pay a transfer fee.

Emery may have had nothing to do with the decision as I'm sure he would rather have such a versatile player in his squad.

I have to admit I was totally surprised by his acquisition, but not disappointed either, of course time will tell if he has been a good choice or not.

He may turn out to be a bargain we will just have to wait and see, I am looking forward to seeing him play and he has my backing as a supporter.

However, someone else linked an article with Iwobi's stats and how he consistently is top 10 in the Premier League in dangerous passes in the penalty box, and I can only say that if he can do that for us he could transform our attack into something beautiful to watch.

My only hesitations are 1) Possibly Everton players don't stay in motion in the attacking 3rd like Arsenal teammates would have 2) Iwobi becomes a great passer but his finishing isn't great.

Still I'm optimistic that for us he will become one of our best players – not to mention his versatility! I think he can do just about anything Bernard can do and hopefully score more goals.

The midfield and right flank are not mobile or fast enough and Everton are too dependent on Sigurdsson as the main attacking midfielder and creator. Walcott was largely anonymous most games he played in. He consistently achieve the least amount of touches than any other outfield Everton player.

Iowbi should help attacking play through the centre. I am looking forward to him playing along side a fully-fit Gbamin.

Last season when we battered them at Goodison, and should have had 8, when on the ball he had some good touches but was mashed Everton steamed into their midfield and ran them ragged.

Hopefully he’ll recall the atmosphere that day and this will also spur him on.

It would be great to really turn Watford over this Saturday in good style.

I often find their actual ability is masked with playing with better players. They have more options, space and can afford to make errors in the attacking third.

Someone noted of Fabian Delph playing left-back for Man City, is not playing left-back for Everton, he would undoubtedly get found out having to defend considerably more than at City.

Iwobi too might find the same as he transitions to Everton. I monikered him the Nigerian Barkley, supremely gifted but lacking in brains.
He deffo adds to what we have but has a lot to prove. I hope he finds a niche quickly, Sam earlier alluded to the 4-3-3, Bernard & Sigurdsson best get their act together.

I'd love to see us play 4-3-3 with Iwobi in for Siggy and rotating from central to left with Bernard. We have Kean and Richarlison who could also interchange and I'd love to see us line up as -

Pickford, Sidibe, Keane, Mina, Digne, Gbamin, Gomes, Iwobi, Bernard, Kean, Richarlison.

With Lossl, Coleman, Holgate, Gibson, Baines, Schneiderlin, Delph, Davies, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Calvert Lewin, Tosun as cover.

No margin for poor performances now as we have decent cover in every position, especially at RB and CAM, so Silva has to balance gelling his squad with also being ruthless when necessary!

Evertonians have every right to feel that there have been far too many mistakes made over many years. Most of us just hope that the next signing will be the one that really makes a difference. I have a bit more belief of late that the present group of players could bring about that next step to providing patient and loyal fans with a decent team that is just a hope of an optimist.

I think it is more frustration, than impatience.

Most fans would have preferred a more productive pre-season and fitter players. It was the same last season. The fact that this hasn't happened and usual weaknesses are apparent going forward, after the first game a carbon copy of last season, doesn't help.

A saviour forward does not seemed have been the priority. This has lead fans to think in terms of tactics and changes to help existing players.

By the arrival of new players, it is hoped that improvement and changes materialise. Of course you are right it will take time for them to bed in.

But the loss of Gueye is being keenly observed and Schneiderlin's minicing role, which he was not fit enough to do, resulting in a red card compounds the problems. Gomes injured suddenly makes the midfield options tighter.

So Everton now play Watford and the pattern is reinforced, with Lincoln added for good measure.

It's like Groundhog Day. . .

Iwobi scored the second goal that afternoon and I remember thinking that the looked looked fantastic and a real powerful runner.

His career has yet to fully get into the swing of things but he’s shown he has quality, the goal in the Europa League Final was sublime and if he can find consistency here and end product then he will endear himself.

Consistently and end product going forwards are two things we have been crying out for now for a long time, it’s ok making nice approach play but not having the bullets to fire does nothing.

As I say, goals win matches, and winning matches evidently means you are progressing well.