 | Your
Report | Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 22:43:59
Were we lucky? A bit, but City only managed 5 shots on target and apart from the goal, Field's headed goal line clearance and Wells header just wide from Ashby's careless chest to Nardi were the only moments of real jeopardy. Big call out to Field who wasn't on the line by chance. but knew where the danger was and put himself there to make exactly that clearance.
Can we carry on playing like this with 30% possession and still pick up points? I don't think so. In the last few games luck has been on our side - goals ruled out, long range humdingers going wide (in previous games they found the net), teams that can't score. And we've had an excellent keeper and defence, except at left back. Varane, Field and Morgan have been tireless in midfield, ably supported by Saito and Smyth. And maybe a mention for Madsen, but he does need to learn how to take a corner.
At some point the luck will change back again and although we have players coming back from injury we'll have to relearn how to pass the ball through the opposition midfield. Chair and Colback are the players who can do that and then we will have more possession. I hope.
Cook was superb again, but MotM has to be Smyth for his all round work rate and that sublime moment. |
| Your
Report | Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 19:47:40
Were we lucky? A bit, but City only managed 5 shots on target and apart from the goal, Field's headed goal line clearance and Wells header just wide from Ashby's careless chest to Nardi were the only moments of real jeopardy. Big call out to Field who wasn't on the line by chance. but knew where the danger was and put himself there to make exactly that clearance.
Can we carry on playing like this with 30% possession and still pick up points? I don't think so. In the last few games luck has been on our side - goals ruled out, long range humdingers going wide (in previous games they found the net), teams that can't score. And we've had an excellent keeper and defence, except at left back. Varane, Field and Morgan have been tireless in midfield, ably supported by Saito and Smyth. And maybe a mention for Madsen, but he does need to learn how to take a corner.
At some point the luck will change back again and although we have players coming back from injury we'll have to relearn how to pass the ball through the opposition midfield. Chair and Colback are the players who can do that and then we will have more possession. I hope.
Cook was superb again, but MotM has to be Smyth for his all round work rate and that sublime moment. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Oxford United Your Report added at 16:39:53
After that dire first half when both teams were strong relegation candidates, Rs raised themselves to a lower mid-table performance. No one stood out for me, but you have to credit Field for 2 well taken goals. Kolli winning the header for the second was good to see.
Paul Smyth also deserves praise. I've always been irritated by his inability to cross accurately or even just roughly in the area where a QPR player might be and his finishing is equally poor. But in the last few games his hard running, good work rate and ability to get the play deep into opposition territory has been invaluable. And of course there are the (somewhat) long throws. But another example of how Rs seen to end up roughly at the level of any team they play. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City Your Report added at 11:29:11
Excellent result and good all round performance. Norwich had 67% possession but it never felt like they were in control. Our defence was very solid, although the linesman's flag saved us twice. Both looked pretty close calls to me. Perhaps lady luck is at last evening things up after another disallowed goal in our last match here.
Possibly most impressive was our forward press which functioned well, with Madsen (yes him) playing a full part. Kolli will get the praise, but I thought the keeper could have done better for both goals. But his work rate, mobility and fitness - still running hard at the end - were impressive.
But in spite of Kolli's goals I'd give MotM to Jimmy Dunne. He's always a danger in the opposition area, but usually with his head. Today he smashed the loose ball home in a manner we've been reluctant to do. And his defensive work mostly against the goal machine Sainz was good. Great to see him getting back to his best form especially after his loss this week.
Of course those of us who've supported Rs for decades will know that just when it looks like we've turned a corner we crash and burn. Oxford will be easy, won't it??
BTW I thought the ref was dreadful |
| Your
Report | Cardiff City v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 19:02:02
Wonderful evening but we have to be realistic. We were fortunate that Cardiff with 24 shots didn't find the net and Paul Nardi once again showed he is an excellent signing. For all the stick directed at the summer recruitment Nardi has been good from the beginning.
Oh and did anyone clock that Zan Celar scored his first 2 goals for us? Has to be MotM.
But I expect us to crash down to earth against Watford on Saturday. We'll have had a lot less recovery time and a lot more travelling. Just trying to manage my own expectations. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City Your Report added at 16:40:31
It seems something's wrong between Cifuentes and Nourry and the crowd's support for Marti shows where the fans loyalty lies.
A word of sympathy for Nourry. He shouldn't have been put in this position, without adequate support. However clever he is he can't have the experience to do a job like this without advice/mentoring from an 'old hand'.
As things stand you'd probably say the summer signings consist of 2 successes (Nardi + Saito), 3 probably ok (Varane, Morgan, Morrison) + 3 maybe ok given time (Dembele, Bennie, Ashby). So far Celar, Madsen (although he was better yesterday) and Santos have not impressed.
Data is great but a DoF needs more. He's clever so I'd hope he'll learn. He should start by stating his support for Marti and building a good relationship with him. But he may be feeling heat from the owners, which will make things difficult for him. |
| Your
Report | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 23:03:05
4 games against some of the best teams in the league, 2 points, 6 goals conceded (3 very late in the games) and only 1 goal scored. The defence has done ok considering we missed 2 regulars for most of those games and Sam Field has filled in well. Arguably he's more effective then than in midfield except we desperately need someone in MF who can tackle and disrupt the opposition.
But only 1 goal and that was an own goal is relegation form. I think Celar has got better, more mobile, challenging more, but he lacks pace and arial (ariel?) ability and can't hold the ball up. And we aren't able to play to his strengths. He's had a few chances by now and not hit the target.
Saito is doing ok but he isn't a wing back on current form, not strong enough in the tackle. Smyth worked hard but his crossing... well we know. Nardi could have done better for the second goal - he went down too soon making the chip easy. If I had to pick a MotM I'd go for Field. |
| Your
Report | Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 16:02:17
4 games against some of the best teams in the league, 2 points, 6 goals conceded (3 very late in the games) and only 1 goal scored. The defence has done ok considering we missed 2 regulars for most of those games and Sam Field has filled in well. Arguably he's more effective then than in midfield except we desperately need someone in MF who can tackle and disrupt the opposition.
But only 1 goal and that was an own goal is relegation form. I think Celar has got better, more mobile, challenging more, but he lacks pace and arial (ariel?) ability and can't hold the ball up. And we aren't able to play to his strengths. He's had a few chances by now and not hit the target.
Saito is doing ok but he isn't a wing back on current form, not strong enough in the tackle. Smyth worked hard but his crossing... well we know. Nardi could have done better for the second goal - he went down too soon making the chip easy. If I had to pick a MotM I'd go for Field. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough Your Report added at 14:37:04
Grim. With 8 injuries (I think) perhaps losing this game wasn't a surprise, especially after 2 tough gigs.I know Sunderland had 10 men for the second half, but still a good team. Marti said it was his job to coach the available players and get the best he could out of them. Not easy. Madsen yet again was very poor. He seemed slow to react to every situation. On the other hand I felt for Celar. He may not be the greatest but there were numerous occasions when he looked to make a run but the ball never came.
With Chair's injury we'll be even lower on creativity, although he didn't do well before the injury. A low level bright spark was Andersen as sub who looked better than he has all season. His bright spell coincided with 15 minutes in the second hand when we got the goal and were on top. The last 2 goals were the price of pushing for the equaliser and throwing on the youngsters.
It has to be said that Ben Doak is a special talent who will give better defenders than our a hard time.
I dread to think what will happen at Leeds. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland Your Report added at 18:37:11
Disappointing not to get the goal that we deserved but there are strong signs of improvement in this performance. Celar and Madsen have been the whipping boys after a number of ineffective performances but they were better today, sharper and more physical although they still have a way to go. Celar's crisp second half shot which whistled past the post was an indication of what he can do, but he missed an easier chance early on.
After the red card Sunderland didn't threaten but Rs couldn't create clear cut chances. Possibly the best was a Jimmy Dunne header at the back post from a Chair cross, but was straight at the keeper.
Before the red card Rangers matched the Black Cats who did hit a post. Nardi has now gone 180 minutes without having to make a real save. Credit to a patched up defence.
Although Chair was probably our most creative player on several angled crosses to a far post runner his range finder wasn't working. Marti could have been braver with late subs. Lloyd or Kolli (welcome back) would have offered somethng different.
For me player of the match was Varane, whose telescopic legs won several challenges, and he also found space for consistent passing. I think the criticism that he doesn't pass forward has been unfair. Today he found some good forward angles. Like the rest of the team he could move the ball more quickly. I hardly remember any early bals over the top, though Sunderland did sit deep in the second half. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland Your Report added at 10:24:51
Disappointing not to get the goal that we deserved but there are strong signs of improvement in this performance. Celar and Madsen have been the whipping boys after a number of ineffective performances but they were better today, sharper and more physical although they still have a way to go. Celar's crisp second half shot which whistled past the post was an indication of what he can do, but he missed an easier chance early on.
After the red card Sunderland didn't threaten but Rs couldn't create clear cut chances. Possibly the best was a Jimmy Dunne header at the back post from a Chair cross, but was straight at the keeper.
Before the red card Rangers matched the Black Cats who did hit a post. Nardi has now gone 180 minutes without having to make a real save. Credit to a patched up defence.
Although Chair was probably our most creative player on several angled crosses to a far post runner his range finder wasn't working. Marti could have been braver with late subs. Lloyd or Kolli (welcome back) would have offered somethng different.
For me player of the match was Varane, whose telescopic legs won several challenges, and he also found space for consistent passing. I think the criticism that he doesn't pass forward has been unfair. Today he found some good forward angles. Like the rest of the team he could move the ball more quickly. I hardly remember any early bals over the top, though Sunderland did sit deep in the second half. |
| Your
Report | Burnley v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 09:47:49
Brilliant defensive performance with Cook outstanding and the whole defence looks better with Clarke-Salter back. Ashby at LB Audi contributed important tackles.
We hardly existed as an attacking force and Celar was unsurprisingly anonymous, but Chair, Smyth and Saito all played useful roles. I feel for Celar who looks lost and can't provide the physicality that Frey gives us, but if he could learn how to play in this team and this Championship he must be able to contribute, surely.
Interesting that when we were running out of legs in the second half Marti didn't feel Madsen could offer anything, but I did wonder if Lloyd could have come on earlier to give us some energy up front. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Coventry City Your Report added at 18:09:43
I swing between finding a few green shoots (JCS back and made the defence more solid, Smyth delivering better crosses, some good moments from Varane) and only seeing the dross (no pressure on Coventry midfield, unable to produce more than a handful of passing moves, no creativity in the opposition penalty area, attackers left unmarked). Overall Coventry created better chances and played better football, but, with the next few difficult games in mind, we often play better against good teams.
But I watched the game on a 7 inch tablet so can't comment much on individuals as I couldn't tell who was who. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Portsmouth Your Report added at 18:48:07
We have to believe this is a full blown crisis now. I thought we were ok in the first half, getting the ball forward more quickly and although he missed that excellent chance Chair was creating openings. But we still looked lightweight in midfield, with too many feeble challenges.
Fox obviously to blame for both goals, but I wonder if Marti got this wrong, putting a player into a new defensive formation on his first game back from injury. All the evidence is that Marti likes a back 4 but I assume he hoped this would add bodies into midfield. It didn't work.
In the second half we were very poor and Pompey were sharper, quicker and deserved the win. On a few occasions recently Marti has gone for radical substitutions making 3 at once and I think it's always weakened the team. It's bold and I can see why he does it, but effectively all 11 players have to start playing differently with unfamiliar faces alongside, behind or in front of them.
And why did he bring on Morgan? I'm sure he's a very promising lad and he had some good touches, but even an out of form Anderson would be likely to use his experience to better effect. Is it a message to Nourry: the players you've bought in aren't good enough?
Need to drown my sorrows now. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Millwall Your Report added at 23:36:54
There are signs of a decent team but at the moment too many parts aren't clicking. The formation gave us plenty of options going forward, but meant we weren't as secure defensively. Millwall could have scored more with decent finishing. They missed a sitter late on and Nardi made 4 saves to their keeper's none.
In spite of all the forward options we still found it difficult to move the ball from our CBs into midfield. Field did a lot of arm waving but was rarely able to receive and progress the ball. But plenty to build on.
Frey our best player with a well taken goal.
BTW the ref was rubbish. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Millwall Your Report added at 19:18:11
There are signs of a decent team but at the moment too many parts aren't clicking. The formation gave us plenty of options going forward, but meant we weren't as secure defensively. Millwall could have scored more with decent finishing. They missed a sitter late on and Nardi made 4 saves to their keeper's none.
In spite of all the forward options we still found it difficult to move the ball from our CBs into midfield. Field did a lot of arm waving but was rarely able to receive and progress the ball. But plenty to build on.
Frey our best player with a well taken goal.
BTW the ref was rubbish. |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace Your Report added at 17:06:14
Eze best player on the pitch, which is some kind of comfort as as Rs managed to be both out-classed and unlucky. Palace showed premier level sharpness and movement but we played as well as we could, pushed hard and could have got an equaliser.
Varane started to show what he can offer, but he needed more deep lying support. Not convinced by Madsen yet, and Celar worked hard without ever troubling the Palace defence. |
| Your
Report | Sheffield Wednesday v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 11:02:31
Lucky! Although we were better in the second half and when the subs were on Wednesday should have buried us before then. A couple of thoughts. We really missed Jimmy Dunne on the right, both for the long ball outlet and for his high energy runs forward. Colback and Field were overrun by the Wednesday midfield, especially, inevitably Bannan. The forward bunch, Dembele, Anderson and Madsen were too far forward and unable to provide much support. Playing with that 3 behind Frey makes us lightweight in midfield.
Nardi, apart from a flap at a high cross was excellent and my MotM |
| Your
Report | Luton Town v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 10:55:17
Interesting that Marti went with Field and Colback in MF and Lloyd further forward. Frey playing like a proper CF. He may not be the most skillful, but I think he's just what we need after Dykes.
Every reason to be positive for the rest of the season, but having supported the Rs for so long I mustn't get carried away. |
| | Geoff78
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