Forum | Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 by Antti_Heinola

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Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 17:47 - Jan 21 with 2179 views

Almost as exciting as the game at their place, just without the incredible ending.

1. MANNING: I haven't seen loads of him, but I suspect this was probably his best performance. It was an enormous amount of work for he and Luongo to get through today in the middle of that midfield and neither of them shirked a tackle or stopped running for a second. Cairney and McDonald may have looked bigger, more dominating, and had more of the ball, but these two never left them alone.

Manning was never cowed by the challenge and I thought he battled extremely well. Again, he showed plenty of skill and a good eye for a pass and took his goal well. In fact, that goal came from he and Luongo hunting in a small pack, forcing Fulham into a mistake near their own goal.

It says a lot that he's been entrusted with our free kicks and corners for the most part and he must already feel like he belongs in this team. My only criticism is that sometimes he takes risks in dangerous situations - three or four times he was trying drag-backs and the like in dodgy areas and on another day it might have cost us dear. By way of comparison, you can see how the games out on loan have really helped Furlong - he plays when he can, but if he's under pressure he's not afraid to launch it to safety. That's not to say I'd like to see Manning curbed, because his youthful belief in himself is helping him and the team - to win games you must take risks. But he just needs to judge when a drag back is needed and when it might be better to get rid.

2. FORMATION: It was a slight change this week. Whereas at Reading Hall was playing as an anchorman, today he dropped right back between Onuoha and Lynch. That worked in some ways - one of the worst things about the game at Fulham was the amount of times they cut us open through the heart of our defence. That didn't happen today, we were very solid in that central area on the edge of our box. But it had the knock-on effect of us playing more of a 5-3-2. Wszolek was unable to have the impact he had against Reading because he had to tuck in and couldn't exploit the wide areas enough. It also left the tireless Manning and Luongo a bit short-handed in the centre, and a little stretched too. In the end, it sort of worked, because they worked so hard as a team, but hopefully we'll be able to return to more of a 4-3-3 in coming weeks.

3. SMITHIES: For all the criticism of Ferdinand's transfers (which to my eyes have not been half bad in the circumstances) there have been some big successes, none more so than Smithies. He really is a very, very good keeper. When he made his last penalty save on TV against Villa, Sherwood ignorantly dismissed it as a bad penalty. I hate it when people say that. Any penalty save is a great save. But there could be no argument about today's. Right in the corner, low and hard. A very tough one to get to, but, like a cat, he did. A wonderful leap to get down to it and turn it round the post. I know Fulham's general penalty record this season is poor, but it must be a record, surely, for a team to miss three pens against one team in one season?

Just as impressive was moments later when a ball over the top caught us out and without hesitation Smithies was out in a dangerous situation to head clear. He didn't stand around congratulating himself on saving a penalty (I suppose, for him, it's more likely he won't, so he wasn't surprised), he was quick, alert and decisive. What a difference to certain previous keepers. Get that new contract signed - if we can hold onto him he could be our keeper for a decade. England really could do far worse than take him as third choice to the World Cup. We'll need him in the second round penalty shoot out.

4. HALL: I've never gone overboard about Hall. I agree he deserved player of the season last year, although I felt his form did tail off. But at the moment he is getting better and better. I can see Furlong or Cousins maturing into captains of this club, but Hall might beat both of them there. He's really stepped his game up since Ollie came in, and perhaps particularly since Fleming arrived. Great with his head in defence, a danger from set pieces, intelligent on the ball, clean, strong. I thought he was excellent today. Unflappable, made good, hard tackles, kept a lid on Martin along with Onuoha, and just gave us that solidity in the middle. And as he learns that midfield role his versatility is invaluable, like having an all-rounder in cricket. He can step back into defence if we need him to, or step forward into midfield and release Luongo or Manning or Wszolek to move higher up the pitch. Quite an exciting development.

5. LUA LUA: Two games, two kicks. Hopefully we'll see a bit more of him against Burton.

6. REFEREE: I've read Clive's view and Punter's and have to say I come down on Clive's side here.I thought he was abysmal. After the unfortunate sending off of Onuoha it was hard to believe he wasn't hurt that we'd appealed it when he gave a free kick almost every time a Fulham player went down - and they went down a lot. The penalty decision was bad, but much worse was to follow. The yellow for a hard but fair challenge by Furlong was a joke and one later, I think for Manning, came after he checked to see how hurt the player was. Worst of all was the failure to send off Cairney. As fans, we've often come on here after our own players have gone for retaliation - Cisse, Barton - and thought them unlucky, but stupid. This was no different. It was retaliation for a foul on someone else. It was off the ball, it was without doubt violent conduct. You can bet that had it been the other way around, we'd have been down to 10 men. You have to commend Furlong and Luongo for still playing well after their yellows because with Stroud you are on a knife edge.

This was a great London derby, really enjoyable, I love a bit of needle - but the needle came not from the players but from his poor management of the game. Too free with the bookings, too eager to award soft free kicks, too fussy over placement of free kicks sometimes, completely ignoring it at others. Even when the benches had their argy bargy he stood there and watched, deciding who he'd send off, rather than actually doing his job and settling it down.

A poor ref who needs to hang the whistle up.

Bare bones.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 18:47 - Jan 21 with 1984 views

terryb

Thanks Antti.

Passion is the word for me today. It was displayed by all of the 14 that were on the pitch.

I would find it hard to give anyone a 6 today, but three players stood out for me.

Hall is developing at an incredible rate & Manning looks as if he has played at this level all season. Both were very good, but Luongo was immense.

The amount of work that he carried out was a marathon display & he encouraged Manning all match.

I have seen some criticism of Washington today on some boards/threads. I thought he offered us a lot today & occupied the right side of the Fulham defence.

I've given no praise to Smithies! I just expect it from him every match now!

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 19:50 - Jan 21 with 1853 views

Jigsore

Asides from the goal one of the things that impressed me most about about Manning was in the first half when Hall lost the ball and I immediately groaned because I thought their pacy players would just slice through us

but both Luongo and Manning were covering and the latter went in with a full-blooded block tackle thing

there seemed to be a bit of slipping in the middle of the pitch there too which made their job just that little bit harder.

All of our defenders are looking very competent now, still it must be nice knowing you can give away penalties and probably get away it. Loved the reaction of the players to Smithies' save and Manning's goal too.

â€œThe thing about football - the important thing about football - is that it is not just about football.â€

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 19:53 - Jan 21 with 1844 views

Jamie

Sorry Antts, but the Cairney decision was probably correct.

In true FA style, we've gone from a clear interpretation that everyone understands - raise your hands, you're off - to a muddled interpretation of anything below the shoulders is merely a yellow.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 19:54 - Jan 21 with 1835 views

TacticalR

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 19:53 - Jan 21 by Jamie
Sorry Antts, but the Cairney decision was probably correct. In true FA style, we've gone from a clear interpretation that everyone understands - raise your hands, you're off - to a muddled interpretation of anything below the shoulders is merely a yellow.

What about a knife in the ribs?

Air hostess clique

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 20:00 - Jan 21 with 1809 views

baz_qpr

There is a really nice balance between Luongo and Manning one is a ball carrier and the other is a passer.

We looked for the killer ball at every opportunity which is why the possession stats were so slow but we could and should have had 3.

I like the system, more of 5-3-2 today than Reading which was more 3-4-3 so Wslozak was narrower and Hall held in the back 3 more. I think Furlong has come on loads especially with the ball. Sylla not quite at the races today need a like for like on the bench.

I think it would be sensible to send Shodipo out on loan. Would do him some good to get game time and he aint going to get it in this system other than a 10 minutes here or there, and I think its fair to say the benefits of Furlong having been out are all to see

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 20:08 - Jan 21 with 1779 views

LongsufferingR

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 19:54 - Jan 21 by TacticalR
What about a knife in the ribs?

Technically a yellow card. The player wouldn't automatically be entitled to the game being stopped for treatment either as the knife wound would be below head height.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 03:17 - Jan 22 with 1399 views

Boston

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 20:08 - Jan 21 by LongsufferingR
Technically a yellow card. The player wouldn't automatically be entitled to the game being stopped for treatment either as the knife wound would be below head height.

You've never been knifed my friend,let me assure you it's red, a lot of red.

Poll:

Thank God The Seaons Over.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 10:22 - Jan 22 with 1159 views

rsonist

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 20:00 - Jan 21 by baz_qpr

Agree. Think we're onto something with this set-up in the last couple of games, had two good demonstrations of its offensive and defensive strengths and more practice with it will hopefully see us switching between the two more during play.

I'd be happy if we only signed an extra striker this window. Despite his post-match comments I think we otherwise have enough for Ollie to work with and think through as it stands, especially once Cousins is back.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 11:02 - Jan 22 with 1114 views

CFW

Always a good sign when more positives than negatives-
Good to see the same team two games in a row
Manning - big positive
Work rate - excellent
Defended well and reduced Fulham to only a few clear cut chances
Played as a team and supported each other
Good to see we now have a proper right back

Negatives for me
Did not look like we were going to score
Might need more aggressive midfield player
Need to cut out giving away unnecessary free kicks in dangerous positions
Need a striker urgently

Overall would have taken a point before the start of the match- keeps the unbeaten run going and a solid if unspectacular performance. Well done lads.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 11:22 - Jan 22 with 1080 views

DannytheR

The thing Holloway's managed to achieve that I'd almost forgotten could be done is having a settled first team. (Under Redknapp and Hasselbaink, you wouldn't have been surprised to find them pulling names out of a tombola). Now you remember what a virtuous circle that can be, with the players finally allowed to develop a proper understanding and rhythm. (And it's down to the players outside the 11 to wait for their chance and grab it when it comes).

Clearly we're a very long way from anything that could even begin to think of itself as the finished article, but for the first time in a while it feels like there's more of a team to keep hold of now than look to get rid of.

On the downside, LuaLua looks not just sightly pointless in comparison, but also a pointless block on the progress of Shodipo, whose direct running could be a godsend in the last 20 minutes of games. Also saw someone mention today, and I'd thought the same thing, that Sylla looks hesitant since he got clattered in the head against Ipswich. Players are only human and getting knocked out cold is no fun, so hopefully it's something the club are aware of. He's a good player, a goalscorer and it would be a pity if he just ended up keeping the bench warm if/when we bring in another striker.

[Post edited 22 Jan 2017 11:31]

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 11:28 - Jan 22 with 1064 views

francisbowles

A bit early to judge Lua Lua after two kicks of a football.

Shodipo naturally right footed, looks more suited to the right. Lua Lua, I'm not sure, is he left footed? If so, could be the reason he has been brought in.

If Petrasso is fit to cover for Pawel, then I agree with other poster who thinks Shodipo needs to go on loan to gain experience and learn some more about positioning etc. Could be a big player for us next season.

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 11:34 - Jan 22 with 1048 views

2Thomas2Bowles

I thought that although Manning had a very good game he had to be here there and everywhere, we have seen he can set up and score from being in the center MF, reminded me a bit of G Frances at that age.

We won't get more possession till we have a forward that holds the ball up, Sylla was teflon with nothing sticking and I thought a bit panicky when he did get the ball.

Mackie, works hard but how many times was he off side, you would think after all these years he would know how to play the line, saying that he was pulled up few times for fouls that were not against defenders.

As said elsewhere the ref was a c*nt, sending Onuoha off in the Brighton game shows you how bad he is and favouring the one team.

[Post edited 22 Jan 2017 11:37]

	When willl this CV nightmare end
Poll:	What will the result of the GE be

Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 1 Fulham 1 on 12:40 - Jan 22 with 966 views

dodge_stoke_r

In total agreement about Smithies. I was screaming at the telly box as Don effing Goodman harked on and on about the penalty MISS. It wasn't a miss you thick dimwit, it was a very good save!

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