QPR - The Verdict

We are going to get these flat days...we miss the zest of a fully fit Brooks and who knows if King decides to do the decent thing then we can at least be a bit better in attack?.... there is a reason that we are in this league so I expect some shoddy play and poor passing like today’s effort...plus side Begovic has at least come to the part....and given we also had a weary Lerma on board for this game we did okay....
 
kirsikka said:
--- Conclusions v QPR ----

Warburton did a number on JT today, particularly in the first half. One of the things to come out of the Coventry game was that we were relying on both wing backs to provide all the width for the team and it was a lot on their shoulders. At times they were looking for a player that wasn’t there to interplay with even though we dominated that match.

QPR set up to force them both back with wide forwards pushing right on them and thus completely nullify our threat down the flanks in the first half. It was very effective and something of which other teams will have taken note.

At the same time, the centre of the park was a congested mess. Nobody looking for that threaded ball through and close interplay often resulting in a stray pass giving away possession. The same could be said for the playing out from the back. We were lucky QPR failed to capitalise on those chances, although a hat tip to Begovic for being on top of the threats.

The second half we showed more ambition with Rico in particular getting forward to support on his side. If we want to persist with this formation it’s essential this happens more and on both sides. Having a wrong footed fullback is problematic when we want them to burst down the line and swing in crosses.

With none of the 3 CMs providing guile, two strikers that need service provided to them and little coming from wide we looked exceptionally poor going forward. The difference Danjuma made was marked in being a forward that can also create. It didn’t pay off but JT needs to learn from this.

The match as a whole was pretty insipid with an officious ref repeatedly helping to break up our attacks by calling things back to award us a free kick. The rest of our play wasn’t his fault but he certainly helped to suck any pace from the game.

QPR were midtable last season and I’m not sure I saw anything to show they’ll be anything more this season. A better team would have scored against us today. Having said that, their fans must be wondering how one earth we had ten points before today so maybe it was an off day for everyone.

Selected player comments:

Asmir Begovic
Smart off his line to snuff out a threat when we gave the ball away, down quick for a routine but important save from a snap shot. Great quick long throw to set up an attack. Looked completely assured at all times. A keeper reborn? Well we haven’t seen one of those point winning performances keepers at the top of their game sometimes produce but he hasn’t needed to do that as yet. Done everything that’s been asked for him and looking more and more confident by the match. Great to see.

Diego Rico
Becoming more and more essential to the team by the match at the moment. Mostly solid defensively and second half started to get forward. Although he’s made that LCB role his own, I think I’d prefer Kelly to go back in there and push him into the left wing back role to provide a better tactical balance for the team as a whole.

Adam Smith
His winger had him on toast for the first quarter of the match and he looked every inch a right back at left back. Improved after that but when he went to the right during the second half he looked so much more comfortable. I think this is a tactical rather than individual issue. We need a left footer in the left wing back role. Let’s hope Daniels is close to securing a contract as any scout worth his salt will have this marked as a weakness for the thick and fast games coming up.

Sam Surridge
Still early but I’m getting suspicious that he may have a problem. We know in ref briefings they sometimes single out players to watch and it’s starting to look like he’s somehow ended up on that list. For the second game running anytime he challenged for the ball a free kick was given against him. For the second game running anytime he was fouled it was waved away.

In the first half he was shoved by a defender and so went back in with a weaker shove but somehow had a free kick go to QPR. Then in the second a QPR player went to ground and kicked him and was somehow awarded a free kick in an, at best, egregious moment from the ref.

I’m not sure what he can do but it’s an unpleasant pattern developing for a young player in his first two league starts for us. You could see his frustration developing, I hope he can keep a lid on it.

Danjuma
Some silky skills but he needs to release the ball sometimes as well. He won’t beat every team single-handedly. I hope and expect him to start on Wednesday though.

Overall grade for today: D
All in all a pretty lifeless performance where JT was out-thought by his opposite number. A point is still a point but sometimes you look at the balance of play rather than the score for a more realistic picture. Sadly, I can’t say we deserved more than we got and we could almost count ourselves lucky to get that.

It’s a quick turnaround until Wednesday but one of King (if his head is in the right place), Brooks, Junior or Danjuma needs to start then since they’re the creative force for the team and change how the opposition have to deal with us.
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All 4 of them need to start imo. Time to take SaS out the lineup.
 
kirsikka said:
--- Conclusions v QPR ----

Warburton did a number on JT today, particularly in the first half. One of the things to come out of the Coventry game was that we were relying on both wing backs to provide all the width for the team and it was a lot on their shoulders. At times they were looking for a player that wasn’t there to interplay with even though we dominated that match.

QPR set up to force them both back with wide forwards pushing right on them and thus completely nullify our threat down the flanks in the first half. It was very effective and something of which other teams will have taken note.

At the same time, the centre of the park was a congested mess. Nobody looking for that threaded ball through and close interplay often resulting in a stray pass giving away possession. The same could be said for the playing out from the back. We were lucky QPR failed to capitalise on those chances, although a hat tip to Begovic for being on top of the threats.

The second half we showed more ambition with Rico in particular getting forward to support on his side. If we want to persist with this formation it’s essential this happens more and on both sides. Having a wrong footed fullback is problematic when we want them to burst down the line and swing in crosses.

With none of the 3 CMs providing guile, two strikers that need service provided to them and little coming from wide we looked exceptionally poor going forward. The difference Danjuma made was marked in being a forward that can also create. It didn’t pay off but JT needs to learn from this.

The match as a whole was pretty insipid with an officious ref repeatedly helping to break up our attacks by calling things back to award us a free kick. The rest of our play wasn’t his fault but he certainly helped to suck any pace from the game.

QPR were midtable last season and I’m not sure I saw anything to show they’ll be anything more this season. A better team would have scored against us today. Having said that, their fans must be wondering how one earth we had ten points before today so maybe it was an off day for everyone.

Selected player comments:

Asmir Begovic
Smart off his line to snuff out a threat when we gave the ball away, down quick for a routine but important save from a snap shot. Great quick long throw to set up an attack. Looked completely assured at all times. A keeper reborn? Well we haven’t seen one of those point winning performances keepers at the top of their game sometimes produce but he hasn’t needed to do that as yet. Done everything that’s been asked for him and looking more and more confident by the match. Great to see.

Diego Rico
Becoming more and more essential to the team by the match at the moment. Mostly solid defensively and second half started to get forward. Although he’s made that LCB role his own, I think I’d prefer Kelly to go back in there and push him into the left wing back role to provide a better tactical balance for the team as a whole.

Adam Smith
His winger had him on toast for the first quarter of the match and he looked every inch a right back at left back. Improved after that but when he went to the right during the second half he looked so much more comfortable. I think this is a tactical rather than individual issue. We need a left footer in the left wing back role. Let’s hope Daniels is close to securing a contract as any scout worth his salt will have this marked as a weakness for the thick and fast games coming up.

Sam Surridge
Still early but I’m getting suspicious that he may have a problem. We know in ref briefings they sometimes single out players to watch and it’s starting to look like he’s somehow ended up on that list. For the second game running anytime he challenged for the ball a free kick was given against him. For the second game running anytime he was fouled it was waved away.

In the first half he was shoved by a defender and so went back in with a weaker shove but somehow had a free kick go to QPR. Then in the second a QPR player went to ground and kicked him and was somehow awarded a free kick in an, at best, egregious moment from the ref.

I’m not sure what he can do but it’s an unpleasant pattern developing for a young player in his first two league starts for us. You could see his frustration developing, I hope he can keep a lid on it.

Danjuma
Some silky skills but he needs to release the ball sometimes as well. He won’t beat every team single-handedly. I hope and expect him to start on Wednesday though.

Overall grade for today: D
All in all a pretty lifeless performance where JT was out-thought by his opposite number. A point is still a point but sometimes you look at the balance of play rather than the score for a more realistic picture. Sadly, I can’t say we deserved more than we got and we could almost count ourselves lucky to get that.

It’s a quick turnaround until Wednesday but one of King (if his head is in the right place), Brooks, Junior or Danjuma needs to start then since they’re the creative force for the team and change how the opposition have to deal with us.
Click to expand...
Agree with every word. Great summary.
 
Poor advert for championship football, no quality in the final third from either side.

Too much pointless passing backwards, midfield created nothing, danjuma offside too often.
On to the next lap of the marathon.
 
This formation worked at Coventry as we were able to get in behind them. We struggled with that today. I think TBH we need 3 up front at home. It wasn’t really an option today with Brooks out and Danjuma, Stan and Roro not ready to start.

I’d prefer 4-3-3 but just how good was Rico at left centre back today. Perhaps if Daniels can get fit he could give us a much needed left footer on that flank.

At the moment too many players are looking to come inside and there’s not any space to create openings. Eventually I think we are going to have to back a call on either Smith or Stacey at RWB.
 
Tinpot Club said:
Eventually I think we are going to have to back a call on either Smith or Stacey at RWB.
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Agreed. It's starting to remind me a little of the Gerrard / Lampard argument for England. They may be two great players but sometimes it's better to have a high quality individual on the bench who can come on if needed whilst those on the pitch are set up with players in their natural positions. No England manager had the balls to do what needed to be done, I hope JT does.

Smith has had some great games on the left and I don't forget that. Unfortunately he's probably a 1 in 3 great match on the left compared to a 1 in 2 on the right. Plus, when he's having an off-day on the left he's almost completely anonymous whereas on the right he can still look alright.

One other thing.

When a professional footballer has chalk dust on his boots and so can see right across the line but still stands in an offside position it's criminal. Rico (from the corner) and Danjuma both guilty today. That's just sloppy stuff you'd coach out of 10 year olds. Mistakes happen but I hope they get the message on the training ground before the next game.
 
Is it only me who thinks that playing in an empty, atmosphereless stadium is having a major effect on our performances.
 
kirsikka said:
Agreed. It's starting to remind me a little of the Gerrard / Lampard argument for England. They may be two great players but sometimes it's better to have a high quality individual on the bench who can come on if needed whilst those on the pitch are set up with players in their natural positions. No England manager had the balls to do what needed to be done, I hope JT does.

Smith has had some great games on the left and I don't forget that. Unfortunately he's probably a 1 in 3 great match on the left compared to a 1 in 2 on the right. Plus, when he's having an off-day on the left he's almost completely anonymous whereas on the right he can still look alright.

One other thing.

When a professional footballer has chalk dust on his boots and so can see right across the line but still stands in an offside position it's criminal. Rico (from the corner) and Danjuma both guilty today. That's just sloppy stuff you'd coach out of 10 year olds. Mistakes happen but I hope they get the message on the training ground before the next game.
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I actually thought Smith looked much better than Stacey on the right after they swapped. However, I think overall Stacey is more effective in the final third which is what you want with a wing back.

One thing I do like with Smith is his drive and energy. Similar qualities to Dan Gosling. I’ve often wondered how well he’d do in a midfield role but then we are going back to the square pegs round hole argument which I was advising against 15 mins ago! Who’d be a football manager.. :unsure:
 
We were very poor today. A few points-
-Smith on the left just doesn’t work in this system, if you’re playing wing backs then you are totally reliant on them to provide the width. Smith naturally cuts inside every time into an already congested central area. He looked much better going forward when switched to the right. I’m afraid JT needs to choose between Smith and Stacey.
-in this system the right hand side of defence looks very suspect. Mepham does not seem comfortable moving out into the spaces vacated by the wing back. I feel as though he lacks the attributes to play this role. He wants to be in the centre, heading and intercepting. Not at all comfortable when he’s being run at with the ball and lack of pace makes him vulnerable.
-Rico on the other hand is exactly the type of defender you need in this system. Reading of the game superb and comfortable defending those wide areas.
-all of our central midfielders were terrible today. The intensity levels were miles off. The way we play relies on winning the ball in high areas of the pitch, constantly pressing and snapping at the heels of opposition players. We were incredibly flat in the middle of the park. Gosling in particular looked as though he’d had a big night out last night.
-the ball did not stick with the forward players on enough occasions. Service into them was often poor though so harsh to criticise.

-only three players warrant a 7/10 or above. Begovic, Rico and S Cook. Think it’s a minor miracle that we got a point given how poor we were.
 
Poor overall performance but came away with a point I don't feel we deserved. Had QPR scored in the first half I cant see where an equaliser would have come from. Why didn't Danjuma start? Where was King?
QPR followed their instructions very well. Pushed 3 upfront to give our back 3 no time on the ball meaning more long passes forward which the QPR defenders dealt with . 90 minutes and not a single shot on target, that's poor. Play one of them and stick danjuma behind he single striker. However, we remain unbeaten after a poor performance so not the end of the world.
 
GARYafCb said:
Is it only me who thinks that playing in an empty, atmosphereless stadium is having a major effect on our performances.
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And everbody else in the league. Would be interesting for some statto to analyse whether away teams are doing better than normal without home crowds to spur the home team on.
 
Another slight concern was our playing out from the back. Unlike most fans I strongly agree with the idea. However today, too many medium length passes were played across the face of our goal. Not only have you got to get the pass right, which should be straightforward, but you but a lot of pressure on the player to quickly get it under control. And even if he does, he is likely in a tight space.

Now compare this to a team like Man City. They play out from the back all the time. The difference is they either build down the left or build down the right. It very rarely goes right to left or left to right so they aren’t actually taking as much risk as you think.

Watch them disprove my point in this game now but I think you get what I am saying!
 
Waz afcb said:
We were very poor today. A few points-
-Smith on the left just doesn’t work in this system, if you’re playing wing backs then you are totally reliant on them to provide the width. Smith naturally cuts inside every time into an already congested central area. He looked much better going forward when switched to the right. I’m afraid JT needs to choose between Smith and Stacey.
-in this system the right hand side of defence looks very suspect. Mepham does not seem comfortable moving out into the spaces vacated by the wing back. I feel as though he lacks the attributes to play this role. He wants to be in the centre, heading and intercepting. Not at all comfortable when he’s being run at with the ball and lack of pace makes him vulnerable.
-Rico on the other hand is exactly the type of defender you need in this system. Reading of the game superb and comfortable defending those wide areas.
-all of our central midfielders were terrible today. The intensity levels were miles off. The way we play relies on winning the ball in high areas of the pitch, constantly pressing and snapping at the heels of opposition players. We were incredibly flat in the middle of the park. Gosling in particular looked as though he’d had a big night out last night.
-the ball did not stick with the forward players on enough occasions. Service into them was often poor though so harsh to criticise.

-only three players warrant a 7/10 or above. Begovic, Rico and S Cook. Think it’s a minor miracle that we got a point given how poor we were.
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Agreed we need Smith and Stacey on the right side and desperately need help at central midfield.
 
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