Why hasn't Koki been tested out earlier?

Its a good headache to have, with Koki playing so well today. I dont think he is ready for the old firm game yet though. If Barry Robson is fit he has to play. look at the OF games hes started we won both as he set about them early doors as he takes no prisoners. Just haver to wait until boxing day for any incling what Strachan is goiny do. I would still love McGeady to stay and play on the left!

 

good game for him today

 

im glad he scored

 

koki mizuno played well for first full time start great touches and control at times and brill goal but seemed lost for last 20 min of first half but came on great in last 30 of second half and basicaly had brill debut but i think its to early to start old firm game i,d put him on early second half depending how game is going just my opinion ps i thought o.dea had great game today

 

He was under pressure today, but did excellent, and the goal was icing on the cake. This should spur him on, and Gordon would be wise to select him again, this time on the right, to allow him to cross to JVoH(whom I'd like to see in attack).

 

Evidently Strachan has got it spot on with developing this guy as it was a great debut.

He did look a bit shy in the opening 20 minutes or so but even then his close control and eye for a pass really impressed me.I thought it was a great debut before the goal so it was superb to see him use his pace and keep his composure to score a nice goal.

Shame Samaras didn't have that composure in the first half (I think) when he missed a superb one on one. We desperately need Samaras to regain his sharpness, oh and McDonald was fantastic as well.

 

I reckon we should give him a couple of run-outs as a sub in the coming weeks- see how consistent he is. He'll probably get the last 10 mins or so at Ibrox, depending on how the game goes.

 

It depends on whether Strachan wants 3 points or just 1.

 

I reckon he'll start at the hunnery.

One of the things I was impressed by, other than his passing and dribbling, was his excellent balance, despite being similarly lightweight to naka he's much harder to shift, and has a lower centre of gravity. I chuckle to think of clubfoot trying to keep him quiet.

 

Koki was impressive today,hes an intelligent player and uses the ball really well but I really dont know if hes ready for mordor.

One good thing about us not knowing how wgs will set up next week is that wattie will be racking his brains out trying to figure it out.

 

Personally, I feel we would be more likely to get 0 with Mizuno. Too weak, to inexperienced. I'd much rather a more reliable, stronger midfielder.

It's too early for him. Imagine the expectation on his shoulders, that's wrecked Sheridan's confidence. You have a good start and fans want instant success and seeing it week in week out. He's only 23 and that was his first ever start, we can't go throwing him it at the deep end now, he looks a real talent and impatience and stubborness like this will go to destroying that talent and confidence.

 

I don't think there's much burden on him... Nobody can kill him if we lose. A loss is a team's fault. If I were WGS, I'd say to him like this:˝Son, give it your best. Even if we lose, it's not a big deal. You're still adapting, and I'll support you as much as possible.˝ If WGS does a good psychological preparation, Koki might not get so pressured.

 

But it is a big deal, it's an OF match not an experimentation, and players, fans and managers know that already.

Strachan won't make the mistake of playing him too soon.

 

Koki would go into the game next week full of confidence. I don't think it will be the battle everyone expects. Ferguson and Mendes are hardly big tacklers plus Craig Thomson won't allow the likes of Brown to tackle without getting booked.

We need to get in behind Weir and Broadfoot.

 

Did you see the match in August? They booted us off the park.

Davis can get stuck in, Ferguson is a good tackler, Novo's a dirty wee rat, Miller runs constantly like a headless chicken, Bougherra and Weir are more than up for a battle, Broadfoot will be * but still constantly sprinting, Papac and Whittaker are big enough fellas too.

With the exception of Boyd and Mendes, this team are technically *, but physically strong. If we get in a strong, physical team, our technique will make them look like fools.

If we play a midfield with Nakamura and Mizuno, we will be bullied out of the match- no question. Mizuno looked more capable defensively than Naka, but he's hardly Paul Hartley, Barry Robson or Scott Brown.

 

Unless Robson heals till OF, or McGeady's suspension is lifted, I think he will. I would, seeing the performance Koki displayed today. He needs to be prepared though. A good mental preparation that would relieve the pressure, and boost his confidence.

I have, and I have seen that Falkirk tried to boot Mizuno off, but failed.

 

The performance today wasn't good enough to demand selection in an OF game, it was a good, technical performance. That won't get us far against Rangers.

You can't shield the pressure of an OF game from any player, no way.

In an ideal world, we could play McGeady, Maloney, Mizuno and Nakamura in midfield every week, I'd go as far to say that in some countries teams may even get away with that, but that's not how top-level football is, teams get physical, Rangers more so than most.

Falkirk's challenges will look like tickles compared to some of next week's.

 

It's not that Rangers are the worst in that. And Mizuno is too fast to get hacked much. If Brown does his share, Mizuno will have nothing to worry about.

 

You could play that team although McGeady wouldn't look up to pass the ball and lose possession all the time and spoil things for the team. The rest along with Brown would give Rangers the run around.