Daizen Maeda

He’s an absolute classic example of a player that has tremendous quality but is missing a few attributes and therefore is playing for us for a reason.

If he had amazing composure and exceptional finishing, combined with all his other attributes, he’d be playing for Atletico Madrid or Arsenal.

If Tom Rogic didn’t run or track back like he had 2 tonne of cement in each boot, he would have played for Juventus, or Chelsea.

If Dedryck Boyata retained the same pace and physicality, but could be technically proficient and concentrate throughout a full season, he would have played for Sevilla or Man Utd.

Facts are, all our players have weaknesses, and that’s why they play with us. If they didn’t then they wouldn’t be here. It’s up to the manager to negate those weaknesses as much as possible, and bring out the players strengths as much as he can.

 

Aye combine Maeda’s best attributes with Rogic’s best attributes you have one of the best players in the world.

 

I’ve said it before, but it really bears repeating after the game:

He just doesn’t quite have the game intelligence, for me. That miss is a prime example: ok, it comes to him at breakneck speed, but most other forwards would instinctively take a touch in that scenario - they wouldn’t even have to think about it; it’s so natural to want to get it under control, take some of the zip off it, get more of a purchase on it and drive it home.

Love the lad, but he’s a bit of a concern at this level tbh.

 

So he missed a sitter, so * what...The lads not a striker and was on the pitch minutes, seen better miss easier.

His run out of defence last week against the huns is what he offers us... chasing down players..

I'll forgive him simply because of the effort he gives.

I thought Abadas chance was easier....he should of buried that

 

I honestly don’t think we should go finger pointing. Another day he buries it and we are flying. Really important to not introduce any negativity while the games we should be getting something out of are ahead of us.

 

Could have used Rogic's finishing and composure in front of goal tonight ngl.

 

* off with the * hate talk in here. He didn't lose us the game, he missed a chance that was a difficult one. Look at what real missed too, a 1 in 1 with the keeper, a scuffed hit too, a spoon wide. Multiple individuals in that side have a higher wage bill than our entire team.

We had 5 great chances, if we had a tiny bit better luck then some of those went in and it's a different game. Maeda is an important player for us, yes if his finishing was better he'd score a shitload, but then he'd be off to someone that could pay him 5x what we do. That's the reality of things

 

Don't forget 5 x CL winner benzema couldn't connect a volley

 

Think he did exactly what I expected him to do last night. Ran his * off, closed down well, but ultimately showed his lack of technical quality. Definitely has his uses but not a first team starter.

 

I think he’d have excelled in the first half, but obviously Madrid changed their tactics second half.

Not arsed with the scuffed shot. He got himself in a position that no one else did last night.

 

I think the occasion got to him a little, he didn’t look like he had his normal energy levels, usually sprinting about like a mad man and harrying every player.

At the end of the day he’s a great squad player and option but lacks the quality in the final 3rd.

 

Not putting blame on Maeda but at the Champions League level as a team like us playing one of the very top teams to get a result chances like the one he missed, you just can’t do that and expect to get a result.

We would have had to be perfect to win and carry some luck. We were very good but not quite perfect in the sense of not giving away anything cheap, keeper has a few world class saves and take all our chances when they came along. Simply we weren’t we missed 2 very good chances and hit the inside of the post and it came out.

Combine that with the first two goals were really avoidable, the second being a bit unlucky as when Jenz tackled Modric most times that doesn’t hit his foot and stay there it runs away from him.

When Maeda missed his one at the start of the second half I just felt that wasn’t going to be our night we had already had a few.

Overall I do think that is the area Maeda needs to work on if he wants to kick on is his finishing and being more ruthless with his chances. He is still young enough to improve.

 

I would not blame any player or judge anyone on yesterdays performance. We played the best team in the world in our first game back in the CL for many years.

Im proud of every player, and so should they be for how they went out toe to toe against RM.

 

He's quality...it that will show come end of season.

 

I think he was brought on to play the right side to help counter the pace of Vini Jr.

 

I’d need to watch it back but don’t remember him ever sprinting back to recover.

 

Listen, we all know what Maeda’s qualities are, and we all know what his faults are - as others have said previously, if he were the total package he’d be playing for Real instead of against them.

His speed is disgusting, as is his pressing game and intelligence to make runs to a player before the ball has been passed by the other opposition player.

His technical ability is pretty poor though, as is the case with a lot of extraordinarily fast players. The miss from an open goal was criminal if I’m being honest, but what can ye do.

I noted watching from the stands before kick off Harry Kewell spent a lot of time with him doing some technical training on the ball, one touch passes and the likes, hopefully that pays off a bit better.