Daizen Maeda

One of the things we need to get him to learn and it’s a thin line between getting him to be such a bigger asset or taking away a lot from his game, backs to the wall he grafts that much he tries to cover and graft for everyone around him. And sometimes it’s exceptionally done and we need it and it’s a godsend when he comes off his wing chases into CM and wins the ball or causes a panicked pass, but sometimes and that was the 2nd half where he faded but was still good, and done that well a couple times where you’re thinking thank * he’s there it’s mental how often he can, but it can leave him chasing everywhere, losing shape, and 2 on 1’s further down the pitch. Sima got the space to have a go at Taylor a good few times due to it, a bit more contained sometimes is needed.

But we need others to be stepping up around him as well so he doesn’t need to step up for them, Bernardo coming on helped him when he got grips with the pace but McGregor being off the pace O’Riley and Bernardo tried to cover for that, Maeda tried to let Bernardo have the freedom to do it, and we were lopsided working a lot but needlessly.

Maeda a few times under Ange when he done it you seen him getting the shout to rap it and cover himself and where he’s supposed to be doing it but was left to do it at times as well, when it felt it was required especially when Mooy was that side who didn’t have the legs to do it as much. It’s a thin line like I said, he’s a godsend to the guys around him sometimes we need to direct it better when those guys are relying on him to pick up slack that they should rightfully be doing. It’s not even a criticism for him, because he never does it when it’s somebody like Hatate grafting there, who works like * and lets him do it elsewhere not a worry bout where he needs to be closing down, because guys around him aren’t and then there’s spaces to be exploited.

 

The most frustrating player I’ve ever seen.

His physical and defensive attributes, you’d struggle to find anywhere in world football.

His composure and ability on the ball, you’d also struggle to find anywhere in world football.

It’s even more frustrating as he has a good understanding of the game and makes intelligent runs.

Just beyond tragic when there’s a size five involved.

He’s becoming similar to Samaras for me in the sense he’s probably the first name on the team sheet against Rangers and in Europe, but for home games against Dundee and Ross County he’s as well taking the week aff and visiting family.

 

Whatever you think of him the way he always gets its up the scum if him/we score at the * pit is class. None of the other Japanese boys have that wee edge about them.

 

It's so true! It's exactly how I feel!

 

Injured apparently.

 

Maybe in the gym possibly

 

Just in time for palma coming back.

 

Hope its nothing too serious and he's just shagged out from recent games. Gonna need him for the run jn

 

I think he has the ability to be a top top player. If he could start scoring 70% of the chances that fall to him in a game then he would be a top striker. He seems like one of those players that if he moves on from us, some other manager would get the best out of him and he'd set the heather on fire.....kinda like Pukki did at Norwich. Just get that kinda feeling from him.

 

Love the fact he’s in the paper saying we’re better than Rangers and will win the league, then pitches up at Ibrox and scores in the first minute

 

Nailed it for me

 

Dude is a 9 or a 4, no in between. By * I'll miss him when he's gone though

 

If Maeda improves then he ain't a Celtic player anymore.

Anything remotely close to consistency from him and improving his chances conversation and he's * out of here.

 

Reading the first line and the first person l thought of was Samaras...........then l seen your last sentence


Thought he was putting a bit of weight on around his * before l realised Tavpen was still in his back pocket

 

Don't agree with this, he's an extremely consistent 7/10 performer imo.

 

There are a lot of differences like you say; but it's not as mental as you might think. They are/were both capable of causing real problems for very good teams and of being totally ineffectual against poor ones. They both had a kind of "beast mode" they can/could engage in big games. They are/were both some of our most important players in Europe and against the Huns (I'd honestly have Maeda as the 3rd name on the teamsheet after only CCV (first) and CM (second) for these games) while frustrating the bejesus out of you against smaller teams (Sammy more so than Maeda, for all the reasons you say).

Most importantly, because it's the special memories in the big games that make it all worthwhile, I f***ing love both of them. I think Maeda might be my favourite player in the current team. It's between him, Hatate and CCV; but given CCV has missed half the season and Hatate more than 90%, it's probably Maeda. He has been unreal in the big games this season.

So I both think Maeda can be infuruating in some games and also that he has to be a genuine candidate for POTY.

 

Where's the injury rumour stemming from?

 

Hoping it's not a long one if true, which it will be.

 

Missed training today