Daizen Maeda

At this point running the ball up the park puts him head and shoulders above most others in the team. FBs didn't get past the halfway line so he's doing that without any hope of any help or support.

Thought it almost paid of 2 or 3 times.

 

I think he brings a lot more than that (the amount of times he breaks up attacks at source before they get going is priceless and his pace also stops opposition back lines squeezing up too high and leaving us no space to play), but lets say I'm actually wrong and that's all he brings: it's still a vital role. Sammy and Forrest used to do this for us under Lenny and it's essential, because at this level you can really get penned back without it.

 

The clearest penalty you'll see on him and fuckall done..

It was much more of one than they got....by miles..

Disgraceful..

 

His decision making is stinky.

Hard ball for him to play but Palma was open when he broke and basically passed it back to the keeper while attempting a shot.

 

There was one first half where he tried to go by his man and was being closed down and it went out....I thought fair enough we've got a corner. Nope.....he'd blootered it out with his left foot..

 

I'm really surprised that anyone could watch that game and want to criticise Maeda. One of the few times I've seen him look knackered before he came off there too, which shows how much he put in even by his standards.

 

100%.

I actually thought he tired quite quick which is no surprise tbh off the back of the internationals. Still ran like *.

 

I get he's a Marmite player but for me his lack of quality, technical ability and decision making aren't outweighed by his workrate. Infuriatingly frustrating player.

 

I just don't rate him. Ange, Brendan and the Japanese manager seem to love him though so I must be wrong

 

Think his running is too much of a cover for him ! Play og with Kyogo chasing we would be farmer Better , his alround play is a hinderance

 

You're not wrong mate. His effort can't be denied but his application is * dreadful. Runs and kicks the ball in the direction he's facing.

That being said, he wasn't the worst on display tonight.

 

Out of his depth at this level unfortunately. Still love him.

 

We all know the areas he lacks but he does bring something to the table very few do. If daizen was clinical in the final third, in both finishing and assisting, the likelihood we wouldn't have been able to afford him in the first place.

Like anyone else he frustrates me at times but I love alot about his game. Physical, quick and puts in a shift.

I think if we asked feyenoord fans who scared them most last night then maedas name would be up there.

 

Worked his socks off..

Incredible energy such an asset.

 

He isn't the problem.

 

Done excellently for our only meaningful shot which forced the keeper into a good save.

 

I am very critical of Maeda but I agree in big games like this he is more an asset than a hinderance, probably came the closest to scoring for us last night and got no protection from the ref their left back got away with at least 5 fouls that should have all been bookings including the one when he got his shot away. He was being pulled and attempted to trip him.

I actually think it is normally more performances in the SPFL where your looking for quality and we are on the front foot is Maeda’s downfall than bigger games where there is more space and more defensive work needed.

Watching last night he offered more than any of the other front 4 players.

 

It's definitely true that his strengths are more important against better teams:

Whoop dee doo! Daizen just stopped Dundee breaking on us. I'm sure their break would have been soooo dangerous.
Thank * Daizen's pace is stopping the Livingstone backline squeezing right up to congest space for our midfielders.
My *, if it weren't for Daizen getting us up the pitch, we'd never get out of our own half against this St Johnstone side.

Equally, his weaknesses don't show up as much against the better sides:

Gee, how ever will Daizen get space behind to run into when Feyenoord are sitting so deep?
Daizen just doesn't have the close control and trickery to break down this low block Real are playing against us.