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Thread | Signings & The DOF
at 21:41 5 Oct 2024
I didn’t rate Les as a DOF, but some of the squads and business he put together look next level compared to the squad assembled this summer.
From what I am witnessing, the squad, and certain individual players who cost a lot of money, look woefully undercooked for the level.
I guess the question is, Is this a result of exclusively using data to scout players in tier 2 and tier 3 European leagues. Ie. You might look a superstar in THAT league, but does it translate to THIS league? Or do you simply stand out and look good in stats, BECAUSE the level is bang average?
The lack of ball control of some of these players, and the constant turning over of possession, let alone the complete absence of any kind of athleticism and physicality is not solved through game time in my eyes. These are basic tenets of the level. And we are nowhere near the level.
Once again, as it was under Les, especially in the earlier years, it seems we are under the leadership of a DOF “learning on the job”. I hope we sort ourselves out, but I’m now seriously concerned this is a going to be a mistake too far. [Post edited 5 Oct 22:37]
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Thread | How long does Ainsworth get?
at 11:52 2 Apr 2023
- 5 defeats in the opening 6 games.
- A football style that is borderline unwatchable.
- Losses to R’ham, Blackpool, Brum, Wigan.
- Rambling interviews that have same sentences that contradict.
- A decision to radically change the style of play, at a critical juncture, that doesn’t fit the players one bit.
To be frank, I’ve never witnessed such a squad-manager mismatch, and I find the appointment unfathomable on so many levels. A great man, for sure. But never in a million years is this a good fit.
Critchley had 12 games. Ainsworth, by the season end, will have had 13 games.
I’m not sure the players believe in Ainsworth. His methods and philosophies are alien to them. Never been an advocate for a rapid change, but the situation has become absolutely dire. Does the club need to act now to give us a fighting chance? As it stands, we are going down. |
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Thread | Refusal to share injury news
at 10:37 26 Feb 2023
GA is continuing his Wycombe policy of refusing to share injury news. So we won’t know if Ilias Chair is out for 6 months or 2 weeks until he re-appears in the matchday squad.
I get the logic - it may give an edge on the opposition, but on the other hand, I personally believe it is quite disrespectful to a paying fan base, who deserve to know what players are actually going to be available, before deciding to attend/pay.
I’m on record having watched Wycombe play for several years, that he must change some of his ways if he to be a success at QPR. This is one. As is his chronic late use of subs, which is another concern I have.
On the positive side, I thought the first 45 was night and day, the amount of duels we won, the increased physicality in the tackle, and overall team intensity, was vastly improved and it was great to see.
Any thoughts on the injury news policy, or am I too early to the party on this one? |
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Thread | Alfie Lloyd
at 16:58 22 Aug 2021
Not played a single game pre season for the 23s. Anyone know where he is? |
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Thread | Ferdinand Out
at 10:40 27 Dec 2020
Recruitment is the chief responsibility of the DOF role, and at QPR it is simply not good enough.
8m spent back in Les Ferdinands first summer, 8m spent again this summer, when we finally had money again- both a complete shit show.
Contracts are also the key responsibility of the DOF role, and again, it is not good enough- Manning and BOS both walking out the door for absolute peanuts, costing the club millions of pounds in lost revenue.
Everyone can moan about the manager but we need a new and experienced DOF, fast. |
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Thread | Chance Creation: Attacking Statistics
at 12:19 20 Dec 2020
Ilias Chair
Key passes; 2.0 per game (7th in the league)
Average crosses; 1.8 per game (5th in the league)
Bright Osayi-Samuel
Key passes; 1.2 per game (40th in the league)
Average crosses; 0.2 per game (138th in the league)
Very revealing. And very clear where a big part of the problem lies. |
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Thread | Balance
at 16:16 20 Aug 2018
Balance
One major takeaway from the 3 league games I have seen so far under Mclaren is that the team balance is horrible and has been since day one at Preston. I am surprised to see the same basic errors appearing in each game so far.
Starting with the keeper, who doesn’t inspire confidence in anything he does, to a defense that lacks pace, a central midfield that lacks pace, and a forward line that lacks pace.
There is a common denominator and it has been painful to watch a team of sloths trying to break open a team. We are so one-paced it’s alarming and damn right obvious to those who have been in attendance.
Some big calls to be made by Mclaren - notably dropping Loungo and Freeman who do not deserve to start and have massively underperformed in each of the three games so far. Scowen just about keeps his place. And only because Manning is out on loan.
All three look unfit to me, one-paced, weak and slow with an inability to do absolute central midfield basics - pass the ball and keep some kind of possession. What hope have the rest of the team got when your midfield three are this poor in possession?
Despite the hype of this triumvirate last year, I have always felt this is not a well balanced midfield three and never has been. No pace, no passing interchange, static movement, and little to no goal threat. Perhaps the wing-back formation last season masked the fundamental flaws that are now appearing in this midfield-three combination this season. They cannot get out wide quick enough to cover the onrushing opposite wide player, and as soon as they do, it’s popped back into central to exploit the gap they vacated.
Meanwhile, when we do get the ball our central three have been woeful in possession, rapidly turning the ball straight back where it came from. It’s killing us, and along with Ingram seemingly playing as 12th man for the other side, continuously giving back possession even whilst under no pressure, and Matt Smith giving a lesson in how not to hold the ball up - we are continuously giving back possession for fun. Major surgery needed. |
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Thread | Freeman
at 11:54 19 Aug 2018
Unsurprised he has not been mentioned since he is well loved on here. But a close second behind Ingram for worst player on the pitch.
A truly shocking, selfish performance. Talk about giving away possession - these two guys killed us. I lost count the amount of times Freeman the show pony ran into nowhere and got dispossessed when a simple pass was on to left or right.
McLaren have a word he is getting worse not better. PASS THE FFFING BALL. I’ve got no time for selfish players especially ones that don’t want to learn. The interest has gone to his head and now he wants to hog it even more at the unfortunate expense of the rest of the TEAM. |
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Thread | 12 players out of contract end of next season
at 18:50 12 Apr 2018
Huge list, which has implications for this summer. Any assets of value which are not part of the future, ie. those that will not be offered a new deal, will be sold this summer, subject to a buyer of course.
The club is highly unlikely to let them run down their contract and leave for nothing, and also unlikely to let it run down to 6 months (I.e January), giving the rate of diminishing returns (i.e. rapidly deteriorating value and little chance of a transfer fee)
Full list: Washington, Sylla, Wszolek, Cousins, Hall, Bidwell, Baptiste, Lynch, Furlong, Smyth, Lumley, Hamalainen
2 players stick out on that list as potential “unwanted” players, who a) will not be offered a new deal and b) would command a transfer fee this summer, yet virtually nothing in January.
Washington and Sylla.
I’m expecting both to move on this summer, with all others signing contract extensions either this summer, or part way through next season. Other than Hamalainen who has yet to impress Holloway and time is running out. |
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Thread | Robinson & Ned
at 18:31 28 Mar 2018
Whilst I believe both Ned and Robbo will be offered new contracts as our first choice centre half pairing, if there are only funds to re-sign one, then I expect the club to choose Robbo, not Ned, for purely financial reasons.
At 24 years old, the major difference is that Robinson under a 3 year contract is a higher value asset on the balance sheet, than Ned at 31 years old, on a 2 year contract.
If Robinson continues to prove his fitness and his quality, then his value as a top, young, championship defender with former England u21 pedigree, in today’s market is circa £5m, and growing. Ned at 32 on his next birthday, is not a financial asset, and as a result we have a substantial differential of £5m in asset value.
Worth noting this as many are expecting Ned to stay and Robbo to go if we can only choose one. Also worth noting that whilst every team ideally needs a balance of experience and youth (I.e. Nedum is clearly an experienced player for us and does a great job), we may on this occasion not be afforded such luxuries, as finances (not just expenses, i.e. wages, but assets, i.e. player value) will largely dictate who we try and re-sign this summer. |
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Thread | Tales from Brizzle - Player Ratings
at 13:57 28 Jan 2018
Smithies - 7 did nothing wrong, steady as ever, made one excellent save
Baptiste - 6 would have been a 7, had he not been culpable for the goal. Was doing well first half, must of been hooked at HT for this reason
Ned - 6 steady, if not a rather quiet game
Robinson - 6 another one with a rather quiet, uneventful game
Bidwell - 5 tried his best, cannot play wing back. I repeat cannot play wing back. 10-15 crosses. All from deep. None of any danger. No threat whatsoever.
Furlong 5 - rarely got forward, allowed his man to cross several times, did not close down quickly enough, did not seem to know his position, unconfident in possession. Cannot play wing back on this evidence, but then again, who can? ...unless your name is Bellerin, Rose, Walker that is. Regrettably looked way out of his depth, but I’d rather judge him on a right back spot.
Freeman 5 - no impact on the game, trends to play too deep, not as an actual attacking midfielder/10, increasingly holds on to the ball too long, not quite sure what his role is in the side right now, does not play between the lines, where we lack badly
Loungo 5 - no impact on the game, seemed to pass him by, apart from one or two attempts to dribble forward and make something happen, which didn’t come off
Scowen 6 - pinged a few lovely long passes out wide first half, was the best of the midfielders on show for us but that wasn’t saying much
Oteh 7 - good first half, several channel runs in the game which ended in either a shot or a cross, also held the ball up well a couple of times first half which is an improvement in his overall game play thus far. 3 or 4 shots on goal. Useful. No idea why he was taken off
Washington - unfortunately has resorted back to type against Boro and now City, after a good game against Burton. Totally ineffective. There was one time when he got in front of the giant Flint on about 70 mins, all he had to do was shield the ball and likely be pushed over for a pen, but somehow Flint got back in front of him and it came to nothing. Summed it up. No idea why he was not replaced.
Subs
Smith 5 - caused one or two problems but nothing of note really
Eze - 6 showed good confidence on the ball, made one chance instantly with a 1-2 when he came on
Samuel - 6 was positive every time he got the ball looking to take on his man, sometimes worked, sometimes had to recycle back to centre mid. Made a change having an outlet out wide who actually wanted the ball and you felt something might actually happen.
Holloway - 4
Should have changed the system and tactics immediately upon city being reduced to 10 men after 30 minutes or so. Didn’t until half time. Too slow. Then proceeds to bring on Smith as the only change of personnel, going 4-3-3, with Oteh, Smith, Washington up front. Result- main attacking outlets remain - Bidwell and Furlong. Woeful. Rule number when team is reduced to 10 men. Make the pitch as big as possible, hug the touch line, play with extreme width, pull players out of position. Subs of Eze and Samuel far too late to really effect the game on 75. In fact they were called and ready after about 65 no idea what took so long. A wasted 10 minutes.
Overall, it was painful to watch a team who cannot pass and move, and with zero clue what to do when in possession. Clueless. Even more alarming is that the players are clearly aware of this, most likely culminating in the giving up / no hope attitude Holloway alluded to after the game. There were a few occasions when the midfielders shunned the obvious pass out wide to our wing backs, a kind of “oh what’s the point, I’m not passing it out there, nothing will happen, I’m better trying to find another avenue down the middle.... oh shit, what other options do I have there?” Rinse, repeat.
Summary
Don’t feel we are in danger of going down, but now a big game next week. Feel we are under-performing, and players are being under-utilized. Happy with a mid table finish but playing some kind of football and strategy. System and tactics must change- the fans, and now the players, do not believe in it. Why does the management? J
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Thread | When we get the ball, what is our plan?
at 11:51 21 Jan 2018
We cannot pass the ball more than 3 times at any given time, the “football” on the whole this season is absolute rank. I went to Burton and the truth is we played zero football but managed to win the game. This continues game after game.
I am not Holloway out, but my patience is wearing thin.
So I ask the question, what is our game plan?
1) Watching closely yesterday, and most games, none of the centre midfielders are bold enough to demand the ball off our centre backs and instigate play - a huge problem, which means our defenders invariably hoof it. So much for the “midfield three”.
2) The wing backs, Bidwell in particular since he has played the most, never offer an out ball when our defenders have the ball. If he gets it from Robinson, nothing happens, control the ball, and give it to someone else. As a result, we literally have nothing down the left. And with Pavs (when he plays) attacking instincts nullified as a result of nothing being behind him, we also have zero coming front he right.
3) Which means the impetus must come from centre midfield and yet it does not. They do not pass the ball quick enough (Freeman who increasingly hogs it), and rarely have any passing interchange. Not helped by a) zero quality out wide b) no hold up striker and c) and an inability to play a out from the back, where it all begins - both the defenders don’t want to pass short, and the midfielders don’t want it / move into space / demand the ball
It’s time for Holloway to change formation as it is doing more harm than good in my opinion. It is built around our midfield 3, but for me, they have become part of the problem. We badly need a playmaker and a hold up striker and should look to the loan market.
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