2025/26 Tim Iroegbunam

[Tony’s Carp]

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This isn't new, the question has always been can he up his game in possession - but god he is so good at ball-winning it's crazy. It's hard to overstate how much of an outlier he is. Obviously it's clear he's amazing at it just watching him, but even comparing him to practically every other U23 midfielder in Europe he's miles clear.

Interesting stuff. I think credit has to be given to the coaching staff- I think when he came in he was a bit of a jack of all trades/ master of none type who was ok at most stuff but not great at anything and therefore hard to find a role for, certainly at PL level.

Under Moyes it feels like he’s getting targeted technical and tactical coaching towards a specific role (maybe targeted as a Gana replacement?) and that is showing up in the ball winning stats etc.

 

[Blue Roo]

That video shows something else, runners. none of this statue stuff, there were options, players were branching off occupying opposition and moving the set up on field.

Chicken or the egg?
Always believed the mids come first, then you see the runs. Then you see whether the runs turn into something more.
Go back to Gomes and Gana and its a stalemate of mediocrity amongst the lot.
Tim or Garner showed as much in that game as maybe Gomes showed in his entire time in blue.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Chicken or the egg?
Always believed the mids come first, then you see the runs. Then you see whether the runs turn into something more.
Go back to Gomes and Gana and its a stalemate of mediocrity amongst the lot.
Tim or Garner showed as much in that game as maybe Gomes showed in his entire time in blue.

Gomes didn't want to work hard. Wrong league for him. The PL is all hustle, pressure and force mistakes. He needed 9 runners around him to let him matador a game. Beyond luxury.

 

[MercuryBlue88]

Honestly seemed the strongest player on the pitch last night, seemed to be holding 2 players off at once, at times. He has absolutely grown in stature since the Newcastle debacle, and seems like things are finally clicking for him!

 

[NathDogg]

Stays in the side ahead of Gana now, love Idrissa but he needs to come off the bench for us.

Timmy played great last night, made Louiz and Anderson look very ordinary alongside Jimmy G.

 

[Joey66]

Stays in the side ahead of Gana now, love Idrissa but he needs to come off the bench for us.

Timmy played great last night, made Louiz and Anderson look very ordinary alongside Jimmy G.

He made that first goal by being a bully on the ball & creating the space for Garners run .....

 

[LinekersLegs]

Moyes was publicly telling him to be more positive on the ball and he's immediately started doing that, successfully, against a very good midfield. Really impressed.

Great video, and Tim agrees!

 

[LinekersLegs]

 

[LinekersLegs]

Stays in the side ahead of Gana now, love Idrissa but he needs to come off the bench for us.

Timmy played great last night, made Louiz and Anderson look very ordinary alongside Jimmy G.

I’m not sure he will, Gana is still pretty amazing, but very good to have options for rest/rotation and players competing for spots.

 

[Joey66]

I’m not sure he will, Gana is still pretty amazing, but very good to have options for rest/rotation and players competing for spots.

Gueye is & has been a fantastic player at the age of 36 from now on should be used sparingly ....

 

[smileychap]

Honestly seemed the strongest player on the pitch last night, seemed to be holding 2 players off at once, at times. He has absolutely grown in stature since the Newcastle debacle, and seems like things are finally clicking for him!

I hope this is true.

Garner shows how this club can develop players. Moyes sees something he likes, I'll trust and hope he's right. Win for everyone.

 

[Swartzy]

I’m not sure he will, Gana is still pretty amazing, but very good to have options for rest/rotation and players competing for spots.

How much of that was last season though ?

Just a question, not a debate..

 

[SuperKev91]

View attachment 338558
This isn't new, the question has always been can he up his game in possession - but god he is so good at ball-winning it's crazy. It's hard to overstate how much of an outlier he is. Obviously it's clear he's amazing at it just watching him, but even comparing him to practically every other U23 midfielder in Europe he's miles clear.

Just seen this on twitter myself, they’re outrageous numbers.

 

[LinekersLegs]

How much of that was last season though ?

Just a question, not a debate..

Given he was out with his red card you’d assume last season is overrepresented but sorry, don’t have the data to hand.

 

[Simon Buttle]

I’m not sure he will, Gana is still pretty amazing, but very good to have options for rest/rotation and players competing for spots.

Tim has been one of the top u23 in Europe as a ball winner.