Daizen Maeda

Hindsight is a wonderful thing...and given the form of Abada lately he was simply undroppable.

But given how Madrid set up in the first half...the way Giakoumakis got little Millie subbed off...that first half was absolutely prime material for Giakoumakis and Maeda to get at the high line and defence.

By the time Ancelotti brings in Rudiger their defence and plan changed entirely and they planned their game to perfection to tie in with us blowing out of our arses after the adrenaline wore off...you could see how their effort levels changed in the run up to 1st goal all the way through to the 3rd...they were night and day.

Maeda definitely would have been more suited to the pace and direction of the game of the first half.

 

Bang on.

 

Like most, I thought his fluffed chance was a gimme, but it was interesting to note that Chris Sutton and Michael Owen both said it was a difficult chance to convert. Fair enough - I suppose both of them have forgotten more about scoring goals than the rest of us will have ever known combined!

The great thing for me is that Maeda started the dynamic aspect of the move and he got himself there at the end... I like him!

 

If we can teach him to be clinical Infront of goal there wouldnt be much lacking from him would there. Great player but wish his finishing was better at times

 

He had a second one where he completely scuffed it again late on as well..

It isn't even technically, I don't think he's confident at all infront of goal..

 

Weird tho, he was top scorer in Japan. Maybe a real confidence player

 

It was a one off high scoring season for him really, looking at his highlight reels before he came here most of his goals are pretty scrappy and come from his workrate getting him in good positions rather than him being a class goalscorer, like we've seen since he got here. Absolutely love the guy, he'll chip in with a decent amount of goals and assists over the season, but out of all our attacking players he's the least natural finisher by some distance.

 

Aye, forgot about that. I'm gonna go and watch them again and see what they were like..

 

Probably pressure played a role, but his technical ability is just not good. Can see it from overhit crosses, poor first touch in many cases, and it extends to kicking a football. But when a manager prioritizes high press and overall mobility, then Maeda is immense.

 

I cant remember, were they good?

 

Still no watched them again yet. Enjoying this mob getting battered first

 

He will improve with coaching and has done already.
Going to be a great provider and goal scorer for us…..really like him.

 

Technically really quite poor. His work rate, which appears to be his main asset, is phenomenal. Hopefully the coaches work on his touch and crossing. He has the pace to be a valuable asset in Europe.

 

The ball from Jurnovic seemed to be a shot- the ball travelling. Those "easy tap ins" are anything but. Strachan was saying you let the ball hit the leg and re-direct rather than take a swing at it.

 

I know his finishing is suspect and may improve but I just love what he brings to the team.
Wont start every game but what an asset he is.

 

Personally I think its 100% technical. I see very little technical ability whatsoever.
Runs about a lot and tries like *. Other than that I really don't get it with him.

Would have abada ahead of him all day and from the 1st few glimpses we've seen I'd say Haksabanovic looks far better suited too

 

Agreed, at the time it seemed like an easy finish but when I got the chance to watch it TV the ball was hit with a lot of power, don't blame him for that one

 

Anybody have his stats ? Might not be a finisher but has chipped in with a few goals and assists per minutes played surely.

 

Going by transfermarkt he's on 9 goals and 9 assists in 30 appearances, just over 2000 minutes played, if my brain is working right that's roughly a goal or assist every 110 minutes?

 

18 goal involvements from 30 appearances from a guy we would all agree is the worst technical player and finisher of all of our attackers...just shows he still has a great use to Ange's style