Daizen Maeda

He does well for the goal and * all else. When the ball broke through to him in th first half I don't think anyone thought it was hitting the target

 

The most frustrating player ever. Some great things and some shocking stuff every game nearly. He worked his socks off n won the ball back well, was good with his runs in behind. Then some of his touches, passes etc were just mental…. I don’t know what to say tbh

 

Does the defending side so well, but he * awful at times when he is going forward.

I’ve never been more frustrated with a player than him. Some of his touches was * awful but he can produce a moment of magic.

 

Some great defending, some great touches, runs and some awful touches and decision making thrown in for good measure. A fairly typical Maeda performance.

His left foot shot in the first half was brutal and not sure what he was thinking when he tried to touch that ball that went through to Palma who scored but then was flagged for off side.

 

I'm OK with him. You have to take the bad with the good and there's a lot he did really well (not only defensively).

 

Feels a bit like Samaras in many ways

 

He absolutely infuriates me

 

For all the criticism I thought at points he was our most effective player. Covered defensively too, and did it with really limited support from midfield and FBs going forward.

 

Let's be honest how many times does he actually win the ball back in Europe for us due to his pressing? Not many I'd guess.

I understand the importance of putting pressure on them but most of these players are capable of either just passing the ball around him or turning him and breaking away.

I'd still have him starting as our current options are poor. But in future we should definitely look for better. I still don't think he's a winger. He's a mental player.

 

I wish.

 

I wonder what he'd look like in centre-mid as a defensive midfielder, like a Kante style. Running about pressing, defending and carrying the odd ball and linking play but from deep and in the centre of the park.

Not that i'd play him there but I would like to see what he'd do if he was defending as a midfielder and staying back in our own half. It's much easier to win the ball back in that area as you are closer to everyone when we are used to him running about 20 yards and stuff to close people down.

 

His composure is dreadful but I'd honestly give this a go in Scotland for a few games to see what it could be like. Then again I'm not sure he has the football brain either to play in the middle of the park.

Letting him off the leash to harass, press and tackle * does sound enticing though, as long as he is positionally disciplined and keeps his passing to a minimal. Why not

 

The bald Samaras

 

I'd actually put my 10 year old Staffy on the wing before this *. He didny even win a raffle, his Da won it and gave him the ticket cos he had to do deliveries that night.

 

Unfortunately his moments of magic and especially at this level are few and far between. Defensively his talent and commitment is never in doubt Unfortunately going forward he's a non entity and practically a wasted jersey.

Said before he's out of his depth at this level and got hammered but I stand by it.

Still love him ha

 

Don't think we need that type of player domestically, the opposition hoof the ball back to us most if the time ha

 

All the endeavour in the world will never make up for just how bad a footballer he is.

 

Some touches he had looked great. His bad spell came after rio got mad at him for a bad pass rio done in the box. A total confidence player. He was great up to that point.

 

Played his part in the goal from the right obviously, but at this level we really need his pressing on the left to help cover for Taylor's lack of pace, that side of the pitch was exposed so badly at times.