If not on the wing, where does Maeda find space?

495

Brendan Rodgers post-match press conference in Yokohama was interesting on two fronts.  Almost a year after sustaining a shoulder injury, the manager revealed Kyogo did not start the game as the same issue left him short of the fitness levels even his team-mates were at.  If the medics have not resolved the issue by now, it is likely Kyogo will have a persistent weakness in the joint.

A more positive note was struck when discussing Daizen Maeda, Rogers said, “I thought Daizen was outstanding. I like him more through the middle. I think he does a good job on the side, but there is a reason he plays for Japan through the middle.”

This could be taken for a platitude to a player who scored a hat-trick, but Brendan added detail, “I like players at the top end who can really press the game and Daizen can definitely do that.

“It’s just about adding to players’ development. Daizen is still a young player who can improve. Of course, his strength is running in behind, but sometimes there won’t always be that space. So, can we develop his game and get him into areas he can work the defenders?”

That last point is critical.  In 90% of Celtic’s domestic games there is no space for Daizen to exploit, at first pass, his greatest asset is unsuited to our game.  “Can we develop his game and get him into areas he can work the defenders?”

I have no idea what that will look like.  The best example of Daizen at Celtic was at Ibrox in January, when he ran through the opposition defence to open the scoring, but that game was ultimately rescued by the innate ability of Kyogo to find space inside the box.  When fit, Kyogo will remain out top striker this season.

It has been four years since Brendan watched a bank of five defenders on the edge of their box with another four a few yards in front, so close, they could almost hold hands, his memory of what’s in store may be more generous to our standard opponents than they deserve.  Working them is entirely desirable, I just don’t see where Daizen will do this, if not on the wing.

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  1. MODERATOR1888 on 23RD JULY 2023 9:28 PM

     

    BRRB

     

     

    I will try to be more sensible…..

     

     

    I have asked Paul for another mod to take some stress off (and delete my ass on an evening)

     

     

    ————————————————————————————————————-

     

     

    Just relax mate your doing a thankless task for nothing.

     

     

    I don’t know if you were on the bevvy or not but if you were you won’t be the first or the last.

     

     

    Just look at that rascal BRRB for example.

     

     

    KEEP THE FAITH

  2. Moderator1888 on

    TONYROME

     

     

    Thanx mate

     

     

    I did get a few emails so thought it best to apologise here

  3. Moderator 1888,

     

     

    Fraternal greetings. You will never please all of the people all of the time.

     

     

    None of us are perfect.

     

     

    Cheers and HH

  4. BelmontBrian.

     

     

    John Joseph McGhee, born in Glelmavis, butcher to trade, the hardest man I’ve ever known,.

     

     

    #######

     

    Can he play midfield pal

  5. Back to Basics - Glass Half Full on

    Yokohama gave Man City a run for their money today …. in front of 60,000.

     

     

    Hmm.

  6. Mod

     

     

    I don’t envy the task of being a mod on here. I certainly couldn’t do it. So I am respectful of anyone willing to take on such a role.

     

    You are entitled to have a bevvy like the next person. Maybe not a good idea reading the blog with your mid hat on, if drinking. But you are also a poster, and entitled to post with the rest of us, whilst enjoying a drink.

     

     

    That being said, I think it is the right thing to do – in you apologising for Friday. I hope it is accepted in good faith by those that you upset.

     

     

    As I say, you do try your best, and I have no doubt you have the best intentions in trying to maintain order on the blog. Don’t beat yourself up about upsetting others. You are only human and cannot possibly please everyone on here, as we all have different opinions, perspectives, levels of tolerance etc.

     

     

    Hopefully someone else will help with mod duties, and you can ease up on it.

     

     

    HH

  7. “SETTING FREE THE BEARS FOR RES. 12 & OSCAR KNOX on 23RD JULY 2023 12:28 PM

     

    I am sure drug abuse is still widespread in the world of elite cycling.”

     

     

    One can never be certain but I beliieve drug abuse in cycling is very much a thing of the past.

     

    Tests are regular and , in spite of the superiority of Vingegaard and Pogacar, I have heard nothing re aspersions cast in their direction.

     

     

    PS I am not saying the above because I would like it to be the case. I genuinely believe cycling has cleanrd up its act.

  8. Mod

     

     

    Could you not have two Blog personas? One as a Moderator and the other as a poster just like the rest of us?

  9. Tom McLaughlin on

    MODERATOR1888

     

     

    It takes a big man to apologise to the blog as you have done. Good on you. In the past I sometimes woke up in the morning and was mortified on reading what I had posted the night before under the influence, so you’re not the first and won’t be the last.

     

     

    Hail Hail.

  10. Tom McLaughlin on

    TONTINE TIM

     

    Tom I noticed that you had went to Oppenheimer recently, we were talking about going this week but then saw it was 3 hours long with NO intermission, did you feel it too long

     

     

    Yes it is an inordinately long movie. However the tension throughout is unrelenting,. So much so you’re not really aware of the time and the first occasion I checked my watch was after 2 hours 10 minutes, after which I was conscious of a numb bum, but it wasn’t for long. Well worth such a long sitting.

  11. HOT SMOKED on 23RD JULY 2023 10:25 PM

     

    Mod

     

     

    Could you not have two Blog personas? One as a Moderator and the other as a poster just like the rest of us?

     

    —————

     

    Was about to post exactly that.

     

     

    Although, you’d need to remember which one you were logged in with to keep your Mod status a secret when logged in with your normal account.

     

     

    Could be more trouble than it’s worth if you’ve had a couple of boilermakers.

     

     

    Good luck. Certainly don’t envy your task. 😃👍

  12. PRESTONPANS BHOYS on 23RD JULY 2023 8:52 PM

     

     

    AT

     

     

    Would guess this:

     

     

    “the Daily Record reports:

     

     

    Celts will also be further boosted by the return of Cameron Carter-Vickers, who this weekend resumed full training back at Lennoxtown, along with Anthony Ralston, with the pair set to step up their fitness fights next week.”

     

     

    Maybees aye maybeez naw.could be could be not lol

     

    Thanks PPB & MU. As you say its the randrex!

     

    Will see what TB says in morn.:-))

     

     

    HH

  13. Ask Kev J to help you handle the two personas thing.He handles double figures with ease in that department.

  14. 10 years ago today

     

    Celtic beat Cliftonville 2-0 @ Celtic Park

     

    A special wee bhoy was mascot that night.

     

     

    God bless wee Oscar Knox.

     

     

    Him running to meet Hoopy the huddlehound is an iconic Celtic photo.

     

     

    HH

  15. AT,

     

    On the CCV,Tony thing,it was reported on a few Celtic blogs.Right enough,they probably got it from the Record.

     

    Anyway,it is true.

     

    Would I lie to you?.

  16. TURKEYBHOY on 23RD JULY 2023 11:34 PM

     

     

    Ask Kev J to help you handle the two personas thing.He handles double figures with ease in that department.

     

     

    Kevj was obvious in his multi personas TB,

     

     

    Now bout your ccv and Tony tale,you quoting the randrex? :-)

     

     

    HH

  17. Would you lie to me?

     

    I dunno.i was asking for a source

     

     

    I don’t read many Cellic blogs,all aspiring randrex to me.

     

    And I can understand being in Turkiye the propensity to suck in the vacuum of know nowt from our press.

     

     

    Take care

     

     

    HH

  18. SIONNAIGH

     

     

    The night the guards raided Oweneys.

     

    Absolutely brilliant

     

    Cheers

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