 | News
Comment | Has the Martí express been derailed? – Analysis
at 09:01:14
Thanks both!
Weston - I had the exact same thought, small number of games so a couple of unusual numbers could move the dial significantly. But when I checked the actual proportion of shots blocked for both the Plymouth and Sheff Weds games was around a third of the total in those games so below average (for reference Millwall had highest % for shots blocked) - we're just pretty consistent at running into traffic.
Myke - Certainly agree JCS is a big miss. For me the Hull game is actually quite a nice illustration of the issue: before they scored a third of our shots (3/9) were blocked, afterwards it was over half (6/11). We need to get a lead and keep it, and as you say hope that starts to build confidence/settle things down. |
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Comment | QPR cling to positives and single point as situation darkens — Report
at 23:04:56
I was oddly grateful to (randomly) have half a dozen children under the age of 8 in the rows immediately in front and behind me, which forced me to moderate my language somewhat. Though yelling "you absolute....poison....moron...dwarf!" didn't quite scratch the itch in the same way. |
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Comment | Law of averages - Preview
at 17:31:44
One of this learned parish has probably mentioned it before, but there is a lovely German football word, 'Aufbaugegner', literally a 'build up opponent' - someone who gives you a win when you need it.
Having been very aufbaugegnerisch ourselves over the years, a little Geschenk 🎠from Sunderland would certainly be welcome. Dare I say appropriate. |
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Comment | Fleetwood cack — Report
at 14:16:09
Many thanks Clive, as ever, for the effort and the superlative report.
With the proviso that I know nothing about running a professional football team, I offer the following observation as a microcosm of our broader malaise:
We have, for many years and in line with the norm for most football teams, had a coach take players through a mini-warm-up when they come out after half-time. Never anything major, typically just 20-30 seconds of sprints/dynamic stretches. I suspect, in addition to reactivating muscles, this has the effect of helping the player switch back on mentally: we are back into matchday playing mode.
Since Beale's departure, this seems to have gone and players just amble out and shuffle into position (if it went sooner than that I apologise, but I certainly noticed it against Luton and subsequently Sheff Utd, where our opponents did have a warm up). In two of the post-Beale games, we have conceded very soon after half-time (and I remember Cardiff having a decent chance too). This suggests, albeit from a small sample size, it is a potentially small but important detail being overlooked.
I don't blame Critchley for this per se - I am sure he has bigger problems on his to-do list to tackle. But we have a Director of Football, continuity in coaching staff, and supposedly a consistent philosophy running through the club. So I would have really hoped that when a new Head Coach comes in, he doesn't have to worry about small matchday details like this immediately, someone is already responsible for it. But no-one seems to be (or thought to have taken charge).
All of the above might be completely wrong, and it is a very small issue. But it instinctively feels like a symptom of a system where things aren't working as they should: there is a fundamental lack of responsibility/accountability. And this has a direct impact on our results. |
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Comment | New QPR manager meets old QPR cup routine — Report
at 13:23:54
Don't disagree with Beale that the sports science/medical teams need to examine what they're doing - but he himself admitted he played Willock longer than he should have on Saturday, after a very long absence. If his comments rally the troops (players and backroom) then great, but have a small worry that there's a risk an inexperienced manager gets people's backs ups. Hope not.
(Despite very little niggle thought Atwell still ballsed up the bookings and made things difficult for himself - very inconsistent on both sides) |
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Comment | All the time in the world - Report
at 13:16:13
Absolutely glorious.
The moment where their striker threw his arms up in frustration at Dieng not rushing to take a free kick (and the crowd's reaction to it) was almost as good as the winner. Almost.
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Comment | We go way back - History
at 09:49:08
Oh Heidar. Rolls Royce indeed - his ability to hold the ball and distribute or flick on with back to goal was simply outstanding. Proper favourite in a team of favourites.
I still can't quite comprehend how, when he lined up against Boro's David Wheater in that game at Loftus Road, he conceded about one and a half foot in height and still won every header.
And the Chelsea goal. Goosebumps. What a man. |
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Comment | Furs returns, Pav impresses, Toni dominates - Knee Jerks
at 09:48:34
Always loved Pav too, and that love grew a little further on Saturday not just from his on-pitch performance but because five of his Polish mates were sat in the row behind us. To a man they were carrying bags from the club shop, going absolutely mental when he scored and generally bellowing every time he was involved (which was a lot). He even gave them a heart sign after his goal when jogging back to the halfway line. They loved it, he loved it, I loved it. All hail Krol Pav. |
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Comment | The demon hope returns - Preview
at 08:49:14
Best Spot the Goss prize yet. Has the whiff of a future BBC 4 documentary.
Sorry to hear about your friend Myke, hope we get another result for you today. |
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Comment | A little trip down Wembley Way — History
at 13:05:33
Doesn't get any less nerve-wracking reading it back over lunch at my desk, knowing how it all ended. Thanks again for a stunning write up. I think I've got something in my eye... |
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Comment | Tweets, training grounds and tickets - Tony Fernandes interview
at 15:20:27
Sadly sounds very much like the Fernandes PR bluster we've come to know very well, complete with glaring contradictions.
On Steve Gallen, " Painful decisions have to be made...The reality is the academy hasn’t produced much by way of players for QPR, before my time, during my time, etc."
Yet on failure of academy to produce players, "You can speak to Harry Redknapp, Neil Warnock, Mark Hughes… they all heard the same thing from me: academy, academy, academy. The academy staff got frustrated because none of them wanted to play any of their players"
Can't/won't recognise disconnect between talk of consolidation and infamous "promotion means everything" proclamation. Talks about "decision" to keep so-called big names in summer when very much a case of no takers out there. And this gem, which would surely make even Malcolm Tucker blush: "My real dream is to produce players from West London for QPR." Riiiight.
I'll have mine with a large pinch of salt, please. |
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