We asked Everton fans via our TalkingPoints platform about Tim Iroegbunam’s starting prospects after his impressive display against Arsenal, and there were some interesting takes.
David Moyes sprung something of a surprise against the Gunners on Saturday, with Tim Iroegbunam partnering Idrissa Gana Gueye in the engine room.
Does Tim Iroegbunam deserve an extended run in Everton’s starting XI after his display vs Arsenal? 🤔
The midfielder caught the eye against the Gunners as Garner moved to right-back…
This was because Moyes played James Garner at right-back, with Jake O’Brien moving into central defence, with neither Jarrad Branthwaite nor James Tarkowski available.
Garner, of course, is no stranger to playing right-back, having done so several times already this season.
This therefore allowed Iroegbunam a chance to impress – and that, he did.
So Everton News took the opportunity to get some verdicts about the 22-year-old with regards to his starting prospects.
Everton fans struggle to agree about Tim Iroegbunam
On Monday, we sent out a graphic showing some of Iroegbunam’s statistics against Arsenal.
He won five tackles, and made eight defensive contributions in the game – numbers that underlined a busy and productive performance.
So we asked fans on TalkingPoints whether Iroegbunam deserves an extended run in the team, off the back of his latest performance, and also some other good displays he’s had this term.
Some are all for seeing him get more chances, feeling this will help him build rhythm.
But some feel he is nothing more than a squad player who should continue to rotate in here and there.
Some also feel that him coming into the team potentially means Garner will play at right-back more, which wouldn’t be the most ideal thing.
- “I don’t think it’s worth leaving him in the team if it means Garner – one of our better players – has to play out of position”
- “Needs to prove he can do it consistently, not just sporadically.”
- “Was really impressed by Iroegbunam’s performance vs Arsenal. Thought he was one of Everton’s best players. Needs to play more!”
- “I’d say yes, need to reward performances as strong as those. He was everywhere.”
- “You need to reward positive performances, but James Garner is a better option in that position.”
- “Exciting signs for sure but should you really move your best midfielder, James Garner, from his ideal position to accommodate him?
- “For me, you lose too much by playing Garner out of position. It’s not a long-term solution.”
- “He did well but you never seem to get him bringing same form into the next game.”
- “Might sound harsh but he’s a squad player at best.”
- “Honestly think Tim has a high ceiling.. He will get there more as we slowly edge out Gueye 👌👍”
- “Yes he does (need an extended run). I see him as the long term replacement for Gana Gueye.”
Iroegbunam’s defiant message after Arsenal performance
Iroegbunam is in a tricky spot because competition for places in midfield is very strong.
Garner is having the season of his life and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has locked down the advanced midfielder role after a string of top performances.
Idrissa Gana Gueye is perhaps not the player he used to be, but is still performing well enough in the eyes of the manager, and young Harrison Armstrong is another option.
But Iroegbunam gave a defiant message after his display against Arsenal, saying (via Everton official): “I have played now and then so what I do is try and just work hard, do well at what I do well and try and make a difference when I get the opportunity to play.
“I know my strengths and how good of a player I am, so it’s just about being consistent and applying that in all of the games or when I get opportunities.”
A refreshing show of confidence, and hopefully he can now build on his latest display.
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