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That has more of a feel about it and you have mentioned Sheffield, which had stuck in my mind! Do you (or anyone) know if the keeper was debuting for the Sheffield Team, that day?
But my m emory is not as good as it once was so I can see Bowles was in the team but perhaps Jimmy Hill or Motson pointed out the R's players consolling the keeper.
I was sure it was Brian Moore and Venables and co went to him?
Strange as I have recollections of Venables consolling the keeper- perhaps it was a 6-0 drubbing in the Venables / Bowles era?? Definitely on the Big Match definitely a debut for the keeper.
I hope someone can help me with this query as I need the answer for (of all things) a funeral service on this Friday for my mum (lifelong R's supporter from Askew Road).
There was a home game, mid 70s, where we scored 7 goals (I recall but may be wrong) and the goal keeper for the other side (Perhaps a Sheffield side but probably wrong) was playing his first senior game.
At the end of the game, the Rangers players, Bowles, Venables, Francis went over to the keeper and walked off with him, putting their arms around him!
It was shown on the Big Match the next day and Brian Moore pointed out the empathy and consideration of the players for having done so.
Can someone please help me - correcting me if I am wrong re the score!
Without wishing to appear naive: Let's say Marti (and his associates) know by now the strengths and weaknesses of the various players. They must then know about the weaknesses of both Ashby and Paal in defending. They would know that Leicester were going to attack and target Ashby and Paal (as other teams have). So, in the preparation for this game (whether on the pitch or in the warmth of the training centre, I would hope that Marti would have held a briefing, specifically discussing Leicester's attack down the wings and through the centre. At that meeting, I would hope that there was a plan for Ashby and Paal to be supported (as Marti and his associates know each can be beaten (for awareness and speed). So....where was Ashby's cover? (if we all know and accept, he needs it!)
Separately, Marti must see how frequently the players simply give the ball away - it keeps happening and last Monday there were times we had the ball and we simply kicked it to Luton...who then attacked!
So, if you have got this far my naive question (which I have posed for a number of seasons) is 'Are there penalties imposed on the players when they do something crass? (again and again)? '
If so, then the deterrent is clearly not strong enough - stop them having a day off and come to the training ground and work on what they have done wrong! With regard to passing (and looking at the stats we regularly have for inaccurate passing, stand a number of dummies in QPR kit around the training pitch and make each culprit get 30 out of 30 passes go to the hooped shirts, whilst the colleagues watch. If they miss once then they start again until they have been able to do it! How difficult is this to set up?
Silly, I know but I am fed up with them believing they are professionals and taking money, doing crass things and not one of them being held culpable or having to 'change their ways - or else!'
Please now respond with sarcasm, but at least it IS a suggestion to change the passing mentailty.
As for Ashby, he definitely needs cover (just as a child might need extra lessons and classroom support), as does Paal and that's down to the players and Marti!
At long long last we have tried something different at a free kick and yet again it has worked. As some will know, I have bemoaned our tendwency to waste free kicks and have wanted us to try the short pass alongside the wall and get behind the wall, taking them out of the game. We did it once last year...and scored and I have been pushing for something different at a free kick and, what do you know...we don't just pump it in there for a 50 50 header and we don't just blast it over the bar, we playy a measured pass and score. Brilliant!
Do it more often guys and keep the other teams guessing!
As I said in the OP , it is NOT in attack that I have a problem with him, but in defence and he is (we are) targeted down our left flank and goal line time and again! And, time and again, he allows the attacker to get a cross in to the centre of our box or to the 6 yard line! THAT is what I don't like!
Watch the extended highlights on YouTube and there is a 10 second or so instance which so clearly shows what we keep doing! I've commented on the video but as per my Alan Hanson-esque crap analysis belwo the video, just watch the sequence of play. Pause at 1.48, assess what is going to happen and then play from 1.48 to 2.00. See if you can see the issue and Paal's part in it!
Don't get me wrong, I DO actually like Ken Paal - but only in his attacking format.
I have griped and moaned (as many will know and probably will comment) for the last two seasons and despair at his defending!
How many times are we going to see Paal beaten and a cross come in from close quarters or the goal line to the centre of the box leading to a simple tap in. Time and time again the ball goes to our right and 15 seconds later they score a goal.
(This is how sensitised to this weakness I am, I couldn't watch the match yesterday but was keeping track and asked someone who was at the ground whether any of the first two were balls played past Paal and crossed in to the centre and sure enough one was! I'm not psychic, so how did I know that this WOULD be the case? - and if I know this, other teams know this, but clearly Ken doesn't get it!
Surely they analyse and break down who should have done what for each goal and learn from things don't they? In any job, you WILL make mistakes but the key is to learn from them and not keeping doing more of the same?
Teams playing us probably rub their hands with goal inspired glee when they see Paal on the play sheet as a defender.🤔🤬.
We were unlucky with the third but their second, which put us under pressure was, in my opinion, due to Paal's continued lack of awareness and reaction.
But hey, I am probably once again talking rubbish and someone will advise me as such and cite that he does an outstanding job in defence, and clears balls off the line etc.
I never played football at any level and recalling lunchtime playground 'kickarounds' if the ball ever came to me in an attacking and shooting position I just hit it and probably had a success rate of under 10%.
I did however play rugby and when passing the ball had 'instant' thought before the ball left my hands, a focus as to where the the ball 'needed' to go - I didn't just throw it 'wildly' as my football shooting prowess.
So firstly, considering the passing we see from our hooped professionals, I have to ask (because I really do not understand why so many balls are being passed tot he opponents or into areas where there is absolutely no hooped shirt) 'Do they actually have the same 'instant' thought before passing that clearly rugby players, basket ball players, netball players have- to ENSURE it goes to their intended recipient or do they just kick the ball thoughtlessly?
It happens so often and I (together with those I stand with) are bemused and I regularly hear "Why would you DO that?" so often !
Now considering shooting and there is obviously a difference in a shot coming from an immediate opportunity and one where the player is in control.
Koki, last night, clearly had control, thought and intent and curled the ball just past the post. Whereas for the last couple of games, i have seen Paul Smyth in the same situation and position on the field cut in and then raise the ball high and wide. Each time he does this, he smacks himself (not to learn but because we are not allowed on the pitch and he knows if we were someone would do it for him!). Then we see Varanne fire over the bar and so often Chair cutting in from the left and last night, Kholi just kicking the ball high over the bar and not hitting the target.
So do strikers actually think "I must hit the target!" before they shoot or, like me , in the school playground, do they just kick and hope without any thought of hitting the target?"
As I say, my successful playground shooting percentage was under 10%, my rugby passing was way above that but what of the percentages our professionals have re hitting the target and forcing a save?
Once again, I expect some ridicule and critical posts for asking but it IS a serious question...Do they think before they 'Do' or is it 'kick without thought?'
Up until Saturday's result, there has been nothing to really show from previous games and I think the word from the club was "let's leave that unplugged for now!"
Glad to see that, as the home team, the scoreboard had 'QPR' in the same size font as the opponents, whereas a few weeks back we had an 'apologetic' and 'fading away' little QPR FC
I have been on his case for quite a while now and it is re-assuring that someone else can see what the 'emperor' is actually wearing! I don't like our back left side (probably because that is where I stand and watch so, so often, the way people get round the back and to the goal line...as Kholi did yesterday to force the corner. However, Paal in an attacking mode is different and must be credited for some good crosses and shots...so he is not the worst! I just don't like the way people constantly get round him at the back. As for Ashby....I haven't been impressed by him as yet and there are signs of 'panic' and poor control (better than I'll ever be though and that's why he is on the pitch!!).
As for distribution, I really wish Marti could drill into their heads (and this refers to others and not just Paal and Ashby) NOT to play the ball to no one as happened a number of times yesterday, and NOT to keep making sloppy passes to the other team, which they are constantly doing.
Yesterday we had a 3 v 2 overload on our right wing just outside the box and Varane played a cross field ball immediately collected by Norwich who then pressed forward.
In such windy conditions the aim should be to retain control on the ground (which is what Norwich did well) and NOT kick balls that the wind can divert!
So sloppy distribution by many will ALWAYS kill us!
"No idea why anyone of any intelligence would go and watch this moronic, mass-market horse manure."
Its a bit like me heading down to Loftus Road each home game and believing that I am going to see something different, something more thoughtful, creative, well-executed (no puns intended), but it is the same as I saw last year and yet I still go, enjoy it for the most part for the nonsense it is and then tell myself that I'm not looking forward to the next one...until the next one comes along!
We keep reading the same script - as do the other teams- but they can improvise, we cannot!
I cannot now get the image out of my head that all those to be sacrificed in the West London arena are dressed in blue and white hoops and then the Lions, the Tigers, and Black cats tear them apart and Blue Birds, Robins, Hornets, Canaries, Swans all come and pick at the carcasses. Even the usual sacrificial rams can have a feast!
Swiss Cheese has fewer holes than our defence Brie is like our throw ins and long kicks, sloppy at the sides Caerphilly is NOT how we pass the ball Cheshire (Cat) is how other teams smile when they see Paal in our defence. Rancid is how we seem to procure players Edam is what I say when we go a goal behind Blue is my language when we let in two Asiago is the way I might pay in future Monterey Jack is by the railroad track
are we not able to shoot without it flying over the bar? doesn't the shooting coach address this? can't the players think (for a split second) 'keep it down!'? do we keep kicking balls to (i) the other team or (ii) to no one? do teams cut us apart through the middle? cannot we retain the ball from a throw in? do we keep playing high balls in the centre to Celar to flick on to nobody? do we keep kicking the ball to the touchline and expecting Jimmy to head it to one of our players? do we think crossing the ball at free kicks will bring thumping headers and bulging nets? do we keep thinking that doing the same thing will bring results? does Paal and others allow players to cut through to the goal line on our left but we seldom make the same incisive passes when we attack? do other keepers keep having a blinder of a game with save upon save? do we keep turning attack into defense and their scoring? is Celar (and Frey for that matter) late to the dance wherever the ball is?
does it bother me so much that the players cannot address this?
I don't expect any answers but I thought I'd ask the questions ( I often ask) so the players can have a little think about it!
Yep, I expect lots of derisory comments (as per usual...go ahead) but at least I've asked the questions some of you are thinking need asking!
Its all a case of being taught manners, respect and decency and kids (or older) hanging onto the ball is stupid and idiots should be called idiots when they are-or perhaps we should let them grow up without respecting other people's property??
There is a lot riding on the game and people are there to enjoy it, not to let kids or older think they are being smart when they are not...hence the request to the parents...teach your kids to respect others and also call them out when they don't!
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