2012/20 Maya Yoshida @ Southampton F.C. (ENG)

start

 

Lovren returns to the 18 but Yoshida keeps his place.

#SaintsFC team vs @whufc_official: Boruc, Chambers, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw, Cork, Schneiderlin, S. Davis, Lallana (c), Rodriguez, Lambert.

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 22, 2014

#SaintsFC substitutes vs @whufc_official: K. Davis (GK), Clyne, Lovren, Ramírez, Ward-Prowse, Guly, Gallagher.

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) February 22, 2014

 

Scores

 

https://vine.co/v/MmAV7BE3HiB

 

Unfortunately he was at fault for West Ham's 2nd goal - Carlton Cole's header caromed off the post, Yoshida was taken by surprise and his failed attempt at clearing the ball went right back to Cole, who scored.

 

Maya takes a shot at the referees

 

Actually i think he is bad luck for this, the ball are spinning fast reflect from the post then hit on the ground, Maya was thinking to use his chest to stop it but the ball curve to his right hand and he try to avoid it and this is why he fail to clear the ball out.

 

It was a tough break but rough day for the defense overall. Maya still needs to improve his focus.

 

how good fonte is? to see lovren in the bench, might be he will play in next match. is there any chance for maya partnering with lovren ?

 

So unfortunate for Maya, and just when he is playing back to form.

 

He's still JNT only man who can have a chance to threat opponents in air by head. Hope he will score in the WC too, maybe defending better too.

 

Okazaki is a good header of the ball (see he goal versus Italy in the Confederations Cup). But yeah Maya is the only one who you would say is likely to score that kind of goal. He adds a lot of value that way. We need to be able to steal a goal off a set piece for games when we are having trouble breaking down the opponent's defense.

 

Don't forget Mike..

 

He just has his brain farts. And because of them naturally he doesnt get into first team. Logically and in a way I would wish he didnt have a secured spot in JNT as well.

 

Look its not about "better" in skill type of thing Dax. It's like Pique this season for Barcelona. We all know he is a really good football player and one of the best ball playing central defenders in the world. However. Every second game he is making huge mistakes which lead to great chances for opponents.

So same with Maya. Yes he may be one of the best or the best Japan has to offer in that position quality wise, but his performances or rather mistakes in games are just too much and I would rather have a guy who is solid but lacks some quality and skill then a guy who may one day preform great against good strikers and another be the cause for shitty goals over and over again.

Get me?

 

OK, but who would you suggest in his place?

 

No one, to be honest. You dont change central defenders pairing right before WC unless you have to.
This is something which should have been done before and not in a sense of replacement but more in a sense of benching him for friendlies and what not to make it clear he doesnt have a guaranteed spot in first eleven. What is done is done.

We ll just hope he doesnt make too many mistakes

 

Hope he make a move to other clubs, hopefully within the EPL. There is no way he is getting ahead of Lovren unless Lovren is injured or leaves.

 

Funny you say that, Lovren flopped badly this match, especially in the second half. But yes, he should find a new club where he is a guaranteed starter.

 

VVV-Venlo

 

Maybe Sunderland or West Ham kind of club.