Iwobi still hurts from Man Utd defeat as Bassey's criticism. by pundits continues

Super Eagles playmaker Alex Iwobi is still expressing his frustrations after Fulham ‘dominated’ much of Saturday’s game with Manchester United but were beaten by Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time strike.

The Nigerian international’s dynamism and desire in midfield typified a terrific display from Marco Silva’s side, which made the Whites’ failure to take any points all the tougher to take. Iwobi told the club’s official website:

“We had the opportunities to get a goal and we felt like we were on top of them as well, we dominated, especially in the second half. But we just have to go again, put this to rest, analyse and take the positives into the next game. We played well. The fighting spirit was there, we created many chances, and we did well with the ball.

‘‘Like I said, I feel like in the second half we dominated much more, so we just have to take that into the next game. We analysed them well and I feel like it was a good performance, but it’s the small details that win the game and unfortunately Man United took all three points.”

The former Arsenal and Everton man echoed Silva’s post-match assertion that his side needs to make better decisions in the final third.

“Especially in the second half, we created a lot of opportunities, and then probably the vital moment at the end, just to remain composed and just get rid of the ball. But everyone worked really hard, it was just that little bit at the end that made the difference.”

Iwobi’s compatriot Calvin Bassey is still yet to hit his stride following his departure from Rangers in 2022 with the former Ibrox ace now struggling in the Premier League with Fulham.

The Nigeria international has made big-money transfers in each of the last two summers, totalling nearly £40 million. A fee which isn’t exactly reflected in his form, Bassey flopping at Ajax and failing to live up to expectations at his new Craven Cottage home either.

Only in the XI because of injuries to both Tosin Adarabioyo and Issa Diop, a player who shone as Rangers reached the Europa League final a year and a half ago has not come close to repeating that standard of performance in the last 18 months or so.

His lack of technical ability made him something of a figure of fun in the Netherlands, and Bassey’s 64 per cent pass completion rate during Saturday’s last-gasp 1-0 defeat to Manchester United again left the pundits scratching their heads (WhoScored).

 “Once again, he is not good enough, actually,” former Liverpool goalkeeper Sander Westerveld says, speaking to Voetbal Primeur after another misplaced Bassey ball.

“This kind of pass… With all due respect, I don’t see the idea.

“When you see things like this, you understand why he’s sitting on the bench. And I understand that Ajax is happy that they have lost him.”

In Bassey’s defence, his best performances at Rangers arguably came when he was being fielded as a left-back, the youngster’s athleticism coming to the fore. And while he did show during that Europa League run that he is capable of thriving in the middle, Bassey understandably looks a little uncomfortable filling in as Fulham’s right-sided centre-half, Tim Ream alongside him on the left.

Bassey, who was sent off against Arsenal earlier in the campaign, was at fault for both of the goals Tottenham scored during their recent 2-0 win in West London, giving the ball away twice in the build up.

“Tottenham pressed really strong on Calvin, knowing that we were playing with a left-footed centre back (on the right),” Marco Silva sighed, via the Standard. 

“We were punished for the same type of goal.”