From saviour Lampard to task master Dyche: Iwobi on his recent 'emotional rollercoaster' at Everton

27/03/2023 33comments  |  Jump to last

Alex Iwobi says he credits Frank Lampard with revitalising his career but admits that Everton are only now starting to get the results that the quality he believes exists in the squad deserves because of the hard work demanded by new boss Sean Dyche.

Having picked up just two points from eight games between October and late January under Lampard, the Blues have now collected 11 from the eight matches since Dyche took charge, a record that has lifted them out of the relegation zone, still just three points off the bottom but only one behind Crystal Palace in 12th.

Lampard may have struggled to consistently get results as Everton manager and ultimately paid the price for an awful run of form but under his former head coach, Iwobi says he benefitted enormously from, firstly, being allowed to play in his favoured central-midfield role and, secondly, coming to the realisation that Evertonians would back him all the way if he simply showed the required heart, running and fight on the pitch.

The Nigerian international has started every Premier League fixture since scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Newcastle United at Goodison Park a year ago thanks to the faith shown in him by Lampard and his coaching staff who gave him the chance to prove himself in his best position.

Article continues below video content


“He doesn’t agree with it, but I feel like he revitalised and saved my career a bit because I was going through a tough time at Everton,” Iwobi said of Lampard in a refreshingly candid and wide-ranging interview with The Beautiful Game podcast. “I wasn’t playing and when I’m not playing, I don’t do too well.

“When he arrived I was at the Africa Cup of Nations and I got a red card. I thought, what am I going to do? I might not even be playing [when I get back to Everton]. So I didn’t know what to expect but I’m a very good training player and the Assistant Coach, Joe [Edwards], said, ‘why don’t you do this in matches?’

“I said, ‘It’s the job I’ve been told to do previously — just one or two touches and give it to other players’. He said, ‘No, be a man, carry the game’. So, I think I started against Leeds and I did well and they said, ‘continue, continue’.

“Frank asked me where I preferred to play and I told him [central midfield] and he said, ‘Okay, we’ll give it a try,’ and … ever since then I found a run of form [because] I’m comfortable in my natural position.”

Hosts Dot and Dej were keen to find out more from Iwobi of Lampard’s management style and there were certainly aspects of the Chelsea legend’s approach the he liked.

“As much as [Frank] is the manager, he likes to hear not just what his staff have to say but the players as well,” Iwobi explained. “He wants it to be like a team, like a family, like a bond. That’s one thing that that everybody appreciated about him — everyone had a voice.

“I thought the fans appreciated him because he always worked hard and tried to engage with the fans as much as he could. As players, we took it on ourselves that we weren’t doing enough; we’re not putting on performances and we’re not getting results. We didn’t serve him well enough but that’s football, unfortunately.”

Asked he the team felt as though they were fighting for the manager’s future in the game against West Ham that ultimately marked the end of Lampard’s time as Everton manager, Iwobi said:

“I don’t feel like we saw it like that. We saw every game as though we needed to get points, no matter what. Our away record has never been great so we thought we needed to at least get a point [because] West Ham were in a similar position.

“After the Southampton game before that where they beat us, [Lampard] held a meeting with ourselves and the rest of the staff and he said, ‘we need to buckle up, improve, sacrifice whatever else is going on outside of football, put everything into the club and just move on.

“Seamus [Coleman] said something like, ‘look yourself in the mirror and give your all,’ and I took it and ever since then… obviously the new manager’s come in and everyone’s giving 100% energy in.”

Asked how difficult it is to play at Goodison Park and what he thought of the incidents in January where players were accosted in the street by frustrated fans outside Goodison Park, Iwobi said.

“I can only speak for myself — I don’t really hear the noise when I’m playing football, but one thing that’s stored in my mind when going into games and I’ve had to learn that is that Evertonians care about heart and hard work.

“It too me a couple of years to learn that and add it to my game because I’ve come from a club that’s used to having the ball and letting the ball do the running so now it’s a lot of running without the ball and I’ve had to adapt my game.

“Everyone works hard for the team. [The fans] might not see it but that’s what they need to understand. It’s not just them going through it; we’re all going through it as a club. We’re all going through that same pain.”

When it comes to what has changed since Dyche took over and how the two managers differ, Iwobi referenced the changes at Finch Farm around the requirement to wear shin pads and the ban on hats and snoods and joked about the new manager’s four-word mantra, “Minimum Requirement: Maximum Effort” which is drummed into the players “before every game” and sometimes before training sessions as well. “That gets slapped into a Powerpoint presentation in bold!,” Alex laughed.

“His way of football is to just strip everything down back down to basics, which I understand. However you’d approach a game is how you approach training and a “treat every day as if it’s you last” sort of thing. It is good and we’ve had to slowly buy into it but he doesn’t take any prisoners!

“Frank Lampard is very relaxed and he was way more lenient. He didn’t mind how Dele [Alli] used to dress, for example. He doesn’t care as long as you’re doing it on the pitch. [Sean Dyche] is more by the book. He would probably want us to represent [the club] at all times when we’re at training.

“[Lately] it’s been an emotional rollercoaster. Last season was a lot of stress. What we find annoying is that we know we have the ability to beat teams and we see it every day in training. The quality in the team is crazy — it’s just bringing it out on a consistent basis [that is the problem] and that is what [Dyche] is demanding more.

“He knows the ability is there. He just says that first of all [we need to work] and he says if you work hard, the ability will come through.”

Iwobi admitted that he is not where he thought he would be in terms of his career based on the vision he was sold when he signed for Everton four years ago but, as talks over a new contract are either underway or imminent, he stressed that he wants to taste European football again with the Toffees, insisting that he believes the players are there to be challenging in the right half of the Premier League.

“To pin-point what’s gone wrong… I think it’s just a mental thing,” Iwobi explained. “Whereas now we’ve added the extra yards of defending for the team, trying to score for the team, maybe, before, that was kind of lacking — that desire and passion.

“I feel like now we do believe in ourselves and that’s why results are coming now that the hard work is being added. I think that was the only thing that was missing because, realistically, we can compete with anyone.

“So if we have the mindset like we did against Arsenal at home [in February] then we can end the season strong.”

Asked what message he would give the fans now, the 26-year-old said:

“I know that it’s difficult. We know we can do better and they know we can do better but just continue to get stick by us. I’ve never seen anything like last season when they were coming to the training ground to support us.

“We used to get gassed by that so if they’re able to bring that energy they brought last season, it helped us a lot. It almost felt like there were 12 people on the pitch.”

Watch the full interview

 

Reader Comments (33)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer ()


Will Mabon
1 Posted 27/03/2023 at 22:39:51
Lampard did consistently get results - in a way.
Derek Thomas
2 Posted 27/03/2023 at 22:43:13
All fair points, but I'm not totally convinced we'd get decent value out of giving him a new contract as he still flatters to deceive, that said, he's not on his own there.
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 28/03/2023 at 00:48:04
I hope he’s not part of any future Dyche “project”.
Mike Gaynes
4 Posted 28/03/2023 at 02:58:48
Iwobi does have a certain value -- he's the only player we have who consistently tries to make the big pass forward, at times he's been excellent in the center of the pitch, and nobody tracks back harder or more consistently.

Yeah, I know he can't tackle. I'd rather he didn't try to. (Players who can't tackle but still try, and then collect dumb yellows, drive me crazy -- Gordon, Godfrey, Davies, McNeil.)

However, his position is one where we definitely need an upgrade. If we can get one this summer, I think we should go for it. But if we can't afford to, there are worse fates than keeping him. Can't fault his attitude or commitment.

His contract has another 15 months to run. No reason to extend him now. See how the season ends and re-assess in the summer.


Mick Davies
5 Posted 28/03/2023 at 04:39:37
“I wasn’t playing and when I’m not playing, I don’t do too well."
Haha, what does that mean?
Jerome Shields
6 Posted 28/03/2023 at 05:11:08

Unfortunately in the present predicament Everton are more likely to be selling players.They should be reducing or cutting the second highest Director remuneration in the Premier League and cutting staff on underperforming departments including Directorships..

As for Iowbi he should be sold if possible and with the money received, someone on less wages should be bought in.He cannot be kept on his present overvalued wages, but it looks like he will stay to the end of his contract.No other team will be prepared to pay such wages.

If the present Board is kept on I am not confident about anything.The Premier League tried to work with them and has no confidence in them either.

It's all down to what Dyche can do with increasing limited resouces.Fortunately he is a good Manager and the team may pull behind him.The football is ok and the team have a increasing forward threat.So The team will be good to watch and they will have a air of reality around them, which will help a lot to avoid relegation.

Next season will demand really hard work from the team from the start.Moshiri has to rolling of the changes at the Club to impress upon the Premier League and the independent Comission that Everton are determined to become a better run Club and be serious contenders in the Premier League.Relegation is not a option the Club can afford.

Dean Williams
7 Posted 28/03/2023 at 07:41:50
Still flatters to deceive. Many on here say he's improved alot. He had to as he was so shit it was embarrassing. Still not good enough for me.
Tony Abrahams
8 Posted 28/03/2023 at 08:23:52
The other side of the interview was much more interesting when Alex spoke about how he’s never heard from Moshiri, and only seen him once.

It’s different with Bill Kenwright, he’s given Alex a few private messages and the, from the heart speech he gave to the team, whilst Frank Lampard was the manager, had the players saying how much he loves the club, and how can we not try harder for people who really love the club?

The Kenwright PR machine is definitely working in different area’s of the media right now, and it does look like it’s Moshiri, who is slowly getting targeted.

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 28/03/2023 at 10:34:04
One coach told him “Be a man” very good advice.
He realised that he had to have heart and work harder.
He played better under Lampard because he was playing in his favourite position.
The desire and passion that was missing is now with the team since Dyche took over.
As long as the crowd stick by the team we will be.

I still see the same Iwobi he has always been but is in the team because we haven’t got anyone better which says more about the way the club has been run than anything else.

Clive Rogers
10 Posted 28/03/2023 at 11:23:53
In the last game Iwobi lost possession 21 times. He should be getting a drop in salary.
Kevin Molloy
11 Posted 28/03/2023 at 11:53:48
there is a report in the metro this time Alex is outlining how he didn't want to leave Arsenal, but Arsenal edged him out. 'it's a high bid, we won't get this money from anywhere else'.
You can say that again.
Derek Knox
12 Posted 28/03/2023 at 12:59:15
Agree with many calling for a reality check and severance of the financial drains on the Club, starting with the Board, and then the overpaid under-performers. I would like to see James Garner given a decent role for the run in, the lad was outstanding when on loan at Forest, where we need to amalgamate as many points as we can. I include Ellis Simms in that too !
Mike Corcoran
13 Posted 28/03/2023 at 13:46:11
Agreed on Garner, Derek. Looked v good at Forest last season. Would love him to bring that sort of form but probably take him half the remaining matches to bed in? He has everything we want Onana to have so I can see him pushing on his place. Iwobi (and Onana?) seems short so far of the ruthless streak and belief required to maximise his talent. Townsend did more with less talent. If he can find those qualities then great.
Barry Rathbone
14 Posted 28/03/2023 at 14:01:04
Tony @8,

I think all guns should be pointed at Moshiri; that's not to say Kenwright should not be held to account on other matters but the limited knowledge we have suggests Moshiri is the catalyst for this unprecedented disaster.

Moshiri stated he didn't want to be hands on but the board must be totally dumbstruck at how he's turned out. Far from being hands off, he dips in and out as the fancy takes, talking nonsense every time he opens his gob whilst making decisions bordering on reckless.

I worked for a "nice but dim" Moshiri type years ago; the problem is – no matter how good you are – if the boss isn't up to snuff, eventually you shrug your shoulders and say "I'm not cleaning up after him anymore".

I reckon that's what we're seeing now…

Tony Abrahams
15 Posted 28/03/2023 at 14:02:59
That vision of where Everton expected to be must have been sold to him very quickly, and considering he's got so little to say about Moshiri, I wonder who sold him our vision?

Signed out of the blue in the last minutes of the transfer window, I remember an Everton scout telling me that they were all scratching their heads when this news came through.

He said nobody had even been to watch him, and this underlines why we have been so poor at recruiting, since Moshiri changed to a director of football, and seemingly tied at least one hand behind their back.

Christy Ring
16 Posted 28/03/2023 at 14:10:01
As others have said, I believe Garner should be given a chance now that he's fully fit; he played the last 20 minuets for England U21s at the weekend.

Alex has 15 months left on his contract, why not wait until the summer, and see the effort he puts in in the next 10 games?

Tony Abrahams
17 Posted 28/03/2023 at 14:22:23
That last paragraph is very telling, Barry.

Nice but dim, is a good description of how Moshiri has been at Everton but it's the bit about the others being good that had me shaking my head mate.

None of them are qualified professionally enough to drag Everton into being competitive in the ultra-competitive modern Premier League, and still they silently remain.

Sharp was asked to speak – we got nothing, and the others who most want rid of also quietly remain.

Barrett-Baxendale was looking for alternative employment over 16 months ago, she still remains. Kenwright was allegedly going to leave at 70. (I've got visions of Ron Moody singing "I'm Reviewing the Situation", thinking about being 70!) He still remains, and the club is an absolute shambles because of them all.

If I was allowed to do a bet, I'd bet my house that things are not very good behind the scenes between Moshiri and Bill Kenwright's nepotistic bunch. The sooner we get rid of them all, the better it will be for Everton Football Club, imo.

You keep saying we need an owner worth billions upon billions, Barry, and although it's hard to disagree, I still believe we need to get rid of this sorry bunch immediately.

Remember Kenwright saying Farhad is the man who just keeps on giving? Don't be making excuses for this fraud, Barry, no matter how bad Moshiri is.

Sam Hoare
18 Posted 28/03/2023 at 15:59:26
We overpaid for Iwobi and he's not a £100k p/w player but he's a better player than many on here give him credit for and one of the hardest workers in the team.

He's one of the only creative players in the squad (though McNeil is also coming to the fore now) and has created more chances from open play than any player outside of the Top 6 teams.

Not sure he suits the Dyche system though as he's not really a winger and doesn't get enough goals to play as a second striker. I am sure there will be other clubs who fancy him but, as others have said, his wages may prove prohibitive.

Eddie Dunn
19 Posted 28/03/2023 at 16:12:57
Ah, Alex Iwobi.

Was dreadful, and then got better, and now he is kind of average. Hopefully, he will help to get us to safety, so we can sell him in the summer.

Tony Everan
20 Posted 28/03/2023 at 17:05:00
He's got talent, and is our main provider of goal assists. But just 1 league goal in 28 matches (5 in 111 overall) for a predominantly attacking midfield player is really very poor. Definitely not ammo for a pay rise!

I think attacking players have to carry some fear for the opponent; Iwobi is far too nice, doesn't go past his man, doesn't have electric pace, doesn't tackle.

I'd describe him as timid. Must be a joy to play against, he instils no fear or physical threat whatsoever.

It makes opponents braver and more confident to retain possession and use the ball wisely, they know he doesn't close down properly and gives them a yard of breathing space.

On the plus side, he is always available, and gives his all, has limitless energy, and yes, those assists have delivered valuable points this season.

Contract is up next year, it will need a decision; if a club offers £10M, he may be gone. I'm not convinced he's tenacious enough to be a Sean Dyche player.

Alternatively, the squad needs to have strength in depth, he comes into the equation for that. His wage offer will need to reflect the reason he is being retained though.

Anthony Jones
22 Posted 28/03/2023 at 17:36:55
If only he had the brain to keep up with his physical attributes.
Mark Ryan
23 Posted 28/03/2023 at 18:13:07
He would struggle to get into a Brentford first 11, he would not get into a Brighton first 11, he would not get a game at a struggling Palace, and yet at Everton he's one of the first names on our teamsheet. Not his fault so much but it's indicative of our poor recruitment.

Says it all really. Will we keep him? Yep. Why? Because we are unable to move people on for good money and trade with those around us. I cannot see anyone wanting him, certainly not other Premier League teams.

Tony Everan
24 Posted 28/03/2023 at 19:51:12
James Garner starting on right side of a midfield 3 for England U21s tonight. It's just started and live on BBC3 if you want to have a watch.
Shane Corcoran
25 Posted 28/03/2023 at 20:14:30
I've noticed that Iwobi seems to think the laws of physics don't apply to him. If you try to pass the ball through an opponent rather than past him, the ball will hit his legs.
Will Mabon
26 Posted 28/03/2023 at 20:35:12
Shane,

I guess I'm an Iwobi supporter to a point but that's funny.

Tony Abrahams
27 Posted 28/03/2023 at 21:19:30
Very good observation, even if it happens a lot Shane, and it’s this part of Iwobi’s game which frustrates me the most.

I don’t expect him to tackle, and believe he’s only “kidding himself” when he does loads of what I’d term bluff running, but when he constantly gives away good possession, so cheaply, then I believe this is when he’s “cheating himself” because I believe this is down to a total lack of concentration, on Iwobi’s part?

Brian Williams
28 Posted 28/03/2023 at 21:56:34
Is it lack of concentration Tony, or is it a lack of confidence and courage?
You'll know better than me what a Monday to Friday player is and a lot of what's been said by other players, about him and to him, says IMO that he seems to need constant praise or geeing up.
Someone in the thread said he's the hardest worker in the team. He may well do the most running but, again IMO, he's far from the hardest worker and shirks the real hard work.
Tony Abrahams
29 Posted 29/03/2023 at 08:11:23
If you lose the ball by trying to nutmeg someone from about 5-10 yards away then I don’t think you lack confidence Brian.

I also agree that Iwobi swerves the real hard work, which is why I call it bluff running, and it was this type of running, which made Everton very easy to play against under Lampard imo.

Neil Lawson
30 Posted 29/03/2023 at 09:37:07
Dave (9). He is in the team because we have no one better. Spot on. Also because he is working very hard. However, he is not good enough and will never play for Dyche in " his favourite position". I am pleased that his performance levels currently meet the team's requirements but the view of many that he flatters to deceive is accurate.
His profile has certainly increased and thus his value on the market. Content for him to move on in the summer but grateful for his current spirit and effort. A new and improved contract is not justified. He earns far too much already as do far too many players.
Christopher Timmins
31 Posted 29/03/2023 at 10:57:44
Sean Dyche can only go with what he has inherited, and he has determined that Alex merits a start based on the talent currently available.
Barry Rathbone
32 Posted 29/03/2023 at 11:38:40
Tony 17

It's not that the board members are "good" I personally don't think such a thing exists in the chaotic world of pro footy. What appears good as per City and the previous incarnation of Chelsea and now Newcastle coincides with the availability of unlimited oil money!!

As I keep saying all footy boards are the same when you scratch the surface it's just some have the readies to paper over the cracks.

Regarding our mob perennial midtable nothingness was never a good thing it's just a whole lot better than the route Moshiri has taken us.

Dave Abrahams
33 Posted 29/03/2023 at 12:21:24
Barry (32), there maybe some truth in your post that there are no good boards in the football world but has there ever been in the premier league a club who had a member who became chairman over twenty seven years, coming up to twenty eight in May, and never won anything in that time and went close to making us bankrupt then has us in this place now where we don’t know what is happening to our club or where we go from here?
Tony Abrahams
34 Posted 29/03/2023 at 13:13:45
Mid table nothingness was Kenwright’s greatest trick imo, Barry. It was about nothing but one man’s ego and survival, and I’d sooner take my chances with anyone else.

Be careful what you wish for was also such a condescending quote with regards to Everton joining the mediocre club, and this also feels very ironic right now?

Perhaps things will feel better once the books are released into the public domain!


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


How to get rid of these ads and support TW

© ToffeeWeb