Clinton Morrison shocked at Everton winger Alex Iwobi, says he has ‘got to do more’
BBC pundit Clinton Morrison has called for Alex Iwobi to be more direct in and Everton shirt and to contribute more to the game, as he calls for him to do more in his performance v Aston Villa.
Morrison was shocked by Iwobi’s lack of direct threat as he tried to take on his man before lifting a lazy cross straight into the arms of Aston Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez, calling for the winger to “do more”.
Iwobi has been playing on the wing this season due to Everton’s lack of depth out wide, in a different role to the central role he occupied for the majority of last season where he impressed with a string of impressive performances.
Speaking on commentary for BBC Radio 5 Live [20 August, 14:31], Morrison slammed Iwobi following a loose cross, stating: “He’s got to do more, Iwobi. When he was at Arsenal he was a winger taking people on he’s got to be more direct. He was good last season, but that’s a nothing cross. Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure can’t work with that!”
The former Birmingham City striker sounded exasperated at Iwobi’s lack of forward threat in possession, calling for him to give his teammates more to work with when he gets the ball, and to show more of what he showed last season or as a young player for Arsenal.
Goalscoring issues start with creativity
Everton did not lack creativity in their opening-day defeat to Fulham, as they had nine shots on target and were only prevented from scoring by the impressive performance of Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno, who Iwobi played with at Arsenal.
However, with the return of their most prolific goalscorer in Dominic Calver-Lewin, the impetus was on the Toffees’ creative players to give him opportunities, which Iwobi had so far been unable to do.
It is not Iwobi’s fault that he is not being played in the position that he was so successful in last year. Everton’s lack of investment in the wide areas has caused them problems, and the arrival of Jack Harrison will be a boost when he eventually returns from injury.
On the other wing, James Garner is another central player being used as a makeshift wide man, so it is almost certain both players will return to central roles when Everton get wingers in their squad who are fit to play.
In other Everton news, the club’s financial issues could cause them huge problems in a “bizarre” twist.