Shin Yamada

Don't think there's much in it between Kenny and Shin myself, but even if there was it's no reason to bomb Shin out altogether. He's no even getting on the bench which is just stupid imo. He's looked like he has plenty to offer a side struggling in his position.

I like Sarracchi, I'd actually have him ahead of KT the now tbh. I've no issue with Inamura being left out the EL squad as there's limited spots, but again he's shown plenty to be given minutes, especially given his obvious talent in getting the ball forward. Admittedly it'll be harder for him because of who's ahead of him, but he should definitely be in the plans going forward.

Look I'm no trying to get on Rodgers back for the sake of it, these are legitimate concerns for me. He's meant to be a top coach with regards improving players, am seeing absolutely nothing that backs that up. He's a stubborn man and it's affecting the squad negatively imo.

 

Rodgers and the coaching staff will see these players every single day. So if they aren’t being given a sniff, there’s probably a reason behind it. Shin come here with a poor record last season, and Inamura was a 250k punt. It goes back to the manager and board not being in tandem. We’re not functioning as a professional football club should, that’s where all this * stems from ultimately.

 

It's just numbers.

Kenny didn't make the bench for Rangers, Killie or Partick I'm pretty sure before being back on it for Red Star and Hibs at the weekend. Only for Yang and Hatate not being available he might not have made it for that game either. Kenny currently seems to be our 3rd choice striker, Yamada 4th.

Both have played relatively few minutes but Rodgers has seen more of Kenny at this point and obviously sees him ahead of Yamada. I'm sure Yamada will get his chance before January. There are a lot of games to be played between now and then.

 

Few things, based on.my understanding...

1) he had a reasonable season before signing for us, and interest from other clubs...
2) his age is deceptive because he came through and academy system, so didn't really go "pro" until about 22 or so
3) Japan have a manager/setup that favours its known and established players and systems. Peak Kyogo not being picked in favour of Maeda for instance...

As for the expectations? Well, fans have always looked up.or down on new players... Nothing new there in regards to playing the numbers as they interpret them themselves. For me, he showed real potential and seemed a "tricky" player, but it was impossible to guage much from so little time. As for previous experience and records, they mean little when a player swaps leagues and styles... Seen "great" players from "great" leagues move for big fees and tank and seen minnows rise to the opportunity...

We'll never know what we have or haven't got if Rodgers decides not to play him...

 

Not 100% sure Rodgers approach to players like Kenny and Donovan isn't that "if the board don't buy quality to fill positions, we may as well just play our own youths/development, and at least know they'll give it all..."

Gotta be honest, if he'd said something to that effect I'd probably back him fully...

 

It's hard to believe actually, because I think most of us had not enough time to run the rule over Shin, but
I will take your word for it, you are generally accurate in what you say.

Who did he start against ? How many minutes did he get in that game.
How many minutes did he get as a sub the four times.
On paper, it appears to be a poor sample to judge him on.

 

Shin is still the best striker at the club and anyone who says otherwise is just racist

 

Well they are starting to say the same about Balikwisha too.

Could it be the system they are being told to play does not suit that individual's abilities and habits, and not the players then ?

 

He started against Livi and got an hour. He got 25 minutes against Aberdeen and Rangers, 15 against Kairat, and just under half an hour against Falkirk.

I’m not writing him off based on that, just stating that he hasn’t looked great in those appearances. Anyone rational will change their opinion if he starts to make an impact.

 

Himself and Kenny have had a not to dissimilar amount of minutes for Celtic. It's too early to write either off but its probably unlikely either are going to make it here right now as they are not getting minutes in a time where we are struggling for goals.