 | News
Comment | Varane’s red sets Rangers on road to Rovers ruin – Report
at 13:59:37
Thanks Clive, it was a completely insipid performance all round, in keeping with so many games i've seen at Ewood in recent years. Backpasses from free kicks and open play, poor delivery from corners, the stress of watching them try and play the ball out from the back then hoofing possession away anyway (Blackburn were just as bad) but as you said, for all the dross we were still in the game after 44 minutes. I was in the Riverside stand with a Rovers mate of mine and having bigged him up massively before the game I was hugely disappointed by Dembele's performance. At no point did he ever really look like he wanted the ball. Varane was massively off pace ( I was hoping he'd be substituted at half time til events dictated otherwise) and for all his hard work, Frey got bugger all service from anyone. So easy to see why we only had one shot on target. I hope our midfield took notice of the master class Cantwell gave when he came on. He was streets ahead of any of our guys.
Its concerning that we seem to have lost all the momentum we were carrying at the end of last season, winning and playing with pace/flair. I can't help feel this splurge on new players has had a bit of a destabilising impact and Marti simply doesn't know his 'best 11'. He should have started the season with (most of ) the team that finished it and integrated these guys gradually. Clearly missing Chair too. Two good nights out in Darwen partially softened the blow!
|
| News
Comment | New boys inspire QPR’s first win at Blackburn for 25 years – Report
at 17:17:33
Thanks Saffa. We definitely rode our luck early on - why we insist on trying to play it out the back I just don't know and had Chrisene taken his early chance it could have been very different. But in the end I thought we were good value for the win - a great team effort and I thought Chair and Colback were immense. I'm glad Sinclair provided the assist to Hodge because lets face it, he had several great chances to score and fluffed them all. And he looked very down after blowing the one on one chance with their keeper. He just needs to calm down a bit when he gets in to a goal scoring position. And I agree about Frey - he's not played for 10 or so months and it did show. He's a physical presence but seemed intent on backing in to everyone. But after 4 previous losing visits to Ewood Park and a 23 year hiatus this was a real moment to savour and I had a good night celebrating in Darwen with three subdued Rovers fans of mine - it was a great time to play them!! |
| News
Comment | QPR's last win at Ewood Park - History
at 17:48:50
I'll be there on Saturday with a Rovers supporting mate of mine. They are definitely a bogey team - i've been to 4 away games there in recent seasons, watched 360 minutes of dross and four defeats. I'm not too confident for a result this weekend - it will be interesting to see if Frey makes a start but he'll be as starved as our other forwards unless our midfielders and backs start providing better service. That aside i'm looking forward to a weekend in Darwen. Some great bars and restaurants and very cheap beer/spirits - highly recommended! |
| News
Comment | QPR and Bristol City cancel each other out with new autumn fashion lines - Report
at 23:02:30
Thanks Clive. Things have definitely improved and the timing of this international break is good as it gives Marti 2 more weeks to work with the squad without interruption. But as we all know goals win matches and (if you step back and actually think about it) no shots on target iin 90 mins is a shocking stat for any football team, let alone a professional one. And we've had loads of these. Its the key and if Marti can sort that out (better delivery from midfield and wing backs) hopefully we'll push on. I'm not going to knock Dykes or Sinclair- the former needs more service and the latter should watch videos of Clive Allen when he was 20 and scoring for fun. |
| News
Comment | QPR's latest act of stupidity brings curtain down on Ainsworth reign - Report
at 16:47:36
Thanks Clive, it's a shame things didn't work out for Gareth, QPR is in his blood and he gave up a job for life at Wycombe to come here but he knew what he was letting himself for and the stats say it all.pasdion and fight should be givens, you need a lot more these days.
I'm a bit underwhelmed over the clamour to get Warnock back. He and Gareth have some common ground in that they saved their clubs last season but both were going backwards when they left their roles this season. I know we don't do long term but it's not even a medium term solution really. And it was a much better squad he managed back in 2010. That said if it does come to pass and he can turn Chair in to Taarabt and Dykes into Austin I'll happily eat my words! They have to get Willock's mojo back too. |
| News
Comment | QPR’s traditional cup cloud comes with some silver linings – Report
at 23:43:32
I was lucky enough to see QPR at Wembley in both 1982 and 1986 (although the latter still irks!). Money in football has almost assured these domestic cups will be contested by Premier League teams every year with boring predictability. The 'League' Cup would be much better if they excluded the Premier League sides and made it a trophy for the EFL. I do despair of our form in these comps but I'm pragmatic in thinking our chances of doing anything in either the FA and League Cups are virtually zero. |
| News
Comment | An entirely different kind of flying, altogether – Report
at 22:20:15
Thanks Clive and we'll done to you and everyone who travelled down and got to enjoy an R's away win (esp so early in the season). It does lift the mood!
I honestly don't know how we do it, go from basket case one week to a half decent looking team the next. And as such I've no idea what QPR will turn up next week. Yesterday was a great confidence booster but it needs following up. |
| News
Comment | A reason to be cheerful – Preview
at 21:10:09
It's putting a lot on Cook and Colback to lift the team and the question is can they do it before they too fall in to the swamp of malaise that is QPR, one that has consumed so many before them?. Jake Bidwell was brilliant at Brentford before he came here. The problem is even if they excel, if the other 8 outfield players don't do the basics and/or follow Gareth's seemingly inept tactics to a T, we'll continue to lose.
It's tragic we can't build a team around Willock. We all know what he can do. If him and Chair want away best let them go. |
| News
Comment | Ainsworth's homecoming barely moves the needle - Report
at 20:18:25
Air Transat was one of my favourite episodes of Air Crash Investigation. This is more like Mission Impossible. Kakay had loads of space down the right but was not given enough ball. There was no pressing of the defence when they played the ball out from the back, forwards stood there like statues and the number of backward, sideways passes and throw-ins was unbelievable, even at 1-3 down. Very poor all round. |
| News
Comment | In the Bleak Midwinter - Report
at 23:06:01
Thanks Clive. It was an abysmal show by any standards and while l hate accusing players of not trying (it is their professional after all) you just can’t defend a performance like that. I agree with all the comments about Lyndon and his work rate - he’s an old school striker who gets no service from our wing backs or midfield. I see our main weakness in midfield: Dozell and Thomas aren’t cutting it at this level, Willocks not 100%, Amos is in and out, Steph is incredibly inconsistent as Is Chair (who l don’t think should be Captain). When one or more of our better mids are out for whatever reason, we look incredibly lightweight. We need a Simon Barker type to inject some guile in to the team. So maybe that’s an area for Neil to focus on. But on yesterday’s show he’s going to have his hands full. I wish him well! |
| News
Comment | QPR's annual Ewood Park defeat spoils Beale's big day - Report
at 22:48:31
Thanks Clive, I've now seen 360 mins of 'action' at Ewood Park without a QPR goal. I get what you said about Dykes and l thought he ran his heart out on Sats amid a chronic lack of service from our midfield and wing backs. Paal looked quite good but seemed to hit an invisible forcefield when he got 5 metres inside the Rovers half. Perhaps Dykes should be roughing his team mates up to give him the ball. Our midfield should become more potent when Willock and Amos are back and l don't know what to make of Chair and Johansen; the former is not playing like a Rangers no 10 and the latter seems to be going through the motions. Some good touches in the first half but way too deep in the second to influence anything. A bad day at the office really. Great away support btw. |
| News
Comment | QPR bolster attack on a budget with Roberts loan — Signing
at 22:59:25
Hi Clive, when you lay out the Club’s financial position as starkly as that, l think the Board are doing a fair job trying to try and keep things afloat while garnering a squad that can (hopefully) compete.
When l hark back to the early 80’s we always were a ‘selling club’ nurturing youth and ultimately selling them on. There were so many entries in the back of our match programs that read ‘another product of Ranger’s youth team’. Obviously the game has evolved, finances have gone crazy and those days are gone to a degree but maybe the new training ground at Heston will start to yield some decent youth players who can break in to the first team in future. Perhaps that’s part of Beale’s brief too. It’s a real shame we’ve not seen more progression from the youth team in recent years. All that aside let’s hope Roberts finds his scoring mojo in the Club. God knows we could do with a 15-20 goal a season player! |
| News
Comment | How can you not be romantic about baseball? Signing
at 21:06:11
Thanks Clive. I don’t see too many negatives here. Totally different era l know but Ray Wilkins was in the twighlight of his career when he arrived in W12 and was brilliant (and he wasn’t a life long fan)! Perhaps Warburton might fashion a similar type role for him in midfield given his age, so allowing him and Bright to play together. Or put him on the other wing. And maybe he can take a decent corner and free kick, something we seem to continually struggle with. I watched the Coventry game where none of our midfield turned up while looking very lightweight so hopefully he can slot in there and impart some experience on the youngsters and give out forward(s) some much needed service. And helping a Club he clearly has a lot of affinity for. |
| News
Comment | QPR suffer more late heartbreak at Blackburn — Report
at 13:22:38
I was in the Riverside stand with a Rovers mate of mine and was right behind Brereton as he made his run in to the box. It was a clumsy challenge and he wasnt even bearing down on goal but you just knew the ref would blow. It was in keeping with many of his other decisions and you do see penalties awarded for less. I actually thought Blackburn had a more legit shout for a pen in the first half which he dismissed.
All that aside it was a dreadful match. We didn't think it could have been worse than the last one at Ewood park but it was. About as bad an ad for Championship football as you're likely to see. The fireworks display and a cheap night out in Darwen after were the highlights! |
| News
Comment | Same old FA Cup story for sorry QPR - Report
at 10:35:47
Thanks for the report Clive. Good point too about downplaying (or not over-hyping) Paul Smyth. The Club's postings on Facebook after his showing last week were completely OTT, just like they were this time last year for one Ryan Manning; and what's happened to him this season?
As a maturing 50 year old who was lucky enough to get to see the R's at Wembley in 1982 I genuinely feel for the younger generation of fans who have yet to see our team progress to Rd 4. It really is a shocking record, made worse this year due to the pretty strong team the Manager put out. No excuses really. |
| News
Comment | The late late show - Report
at 18:51:07
As a fan for over 40 years the concept of route one football doesn't sit too comfortably with me but clearly as plan B it worked to devastating effect at the end of the game. So at this juncture in our history, with little money, financial fair play hanging over us, the current manager with his limited tactical awareness and this squad, if that works then let’s give Smith a run in the starting 11 and go 80's Watford style. We also need to shore up the defence, which seemed to be leaving massive spaces on the field for Brentford to fill throughout the game.
One other thing. Clive notes we have 7 defenders and 10 first teamers injured. This seems to happen to us every season, an injury ravaged squad by late Autumn. We always seem to have more injured players than other teams |
| News
Comment | Close but no cigar for QPR despite leading twice at Boro - Report
at 12:51:09
Thanks for the report Clive. I wasn't at the game but my philosophy following the R's over the last 40 or so years has always been I don't mind losing as long as the team puts in a good shift and leaves it all out there, which these guys seem to be doing for the first time in ages. So fingers crossed we're heading in the right direction.
The injuries are a concern though - you don't want to be reading the words 'injury-ravaged' six weeks in to the season, yet it seems to happen every year to us! |
| News
Comment | Sylla leaves it late to slay Tigers - Report
at 13:06:19
Thanks for the report Clive. Rangers coming back from a goal behind to win any game is even rarer than injury time winner, so well done to the team.
It was commendable of Lua Lua to make himself available for selection given his family circumstances (which I only read about after) but it also makes you wonder why Holloway picked him to start, with other midfield options available. I suppose he should be applauded though for getting his substitutions right - it all came good in the end! |
| News
Comment | Farewell to the king — Column
at 13:28:39
Thanks for the report Simon. Unfortunately I couldn't make the game but made a donation on line a few weeks ago.
The 75/76 season was the first time I went to see the R's - I was 8 years old and Dad took me to the first home match, the 2-0 v Liverpool with Gerry Francis's opening goal that went on to be BBC's goal of the season (2 quid to sit in the lower paddock in those days with a plentiful waft of cigar and cigarette smoke all around!). The beauty of Stan's play was when the ball came to him you never knew what he was going to do with it but you always knew it would never be wasted. No aimless passes or hoof up the field. He was the reason why I always wanted to play no 10 for my school or local club team and try some of the things he made look easy (which rarely worked for me!). It's great that the Club is playing its part in helping Stan at this time in his life and I'm just glad that I was around to see him in his prime all those years ago. |
| News
Comment | QPR slump to four goal defeat to end a dire season - Report
at 09:22:40
Based on current form and this inexplicable constant chopping and changing of the team every week, its hard to imagine next season being any different regardless of how many new players Holloway is allowed to bring in. Aside from staying up by the skin of our teeth, Holloway's tenure has done nothing to suggest we are a team capable of anything other than battling relegation. But I'd also say he's the latest in a line of R's managers who seem to have major difficulties getting the best out of the players he/they had (ie to get them to play as a team) which suggests deeper rooted problems at the Club. Its been a thoroughly depressing season, the pain part eased by Clive's entertaining reports and reading the postings on this site - long may they continue! |
| | probbo
|
Site Scores| Forum Votes: | 0 | | Comment Votes: | 19 | | Prediction League: | 0 | | TOTAL: | 19 |
|
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.