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Reply | New Year’s Frey delight for resurgent Rangers – Report
at 10:58 3 Jan 2025
Great report. I agree with your assessment that we are not playing that well, I think your tweet summed it up; we run, kick, tackle, head.
The team are now doing the basics, which is why I am not getting to excited. |
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Reply | Varane
at 09:15 3 Jan 2025
But that depends on the type of pass. There is a difference if your 94% is passing like Hoddle or Wilkins than say, knocking it back to the centre back 5 yards away. |
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Reply | How have things changed so drastically in last ten games
at 20:57 2 Jan 2025
Agree about the performances. Also, not wanting to burst some bubbles, but look at the teams we have been playing. They are all the usual mid table dross, and we are right in the middle of it.
We are doing it with less possession, long ball, and set pieces. It all feels a bit to Gareth Ainsworth.
Still, if you play players like Field, Varane, Dunne, and Smyth in the same team, as needs must, then it's not surprising. It's just a bit depressing. |
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Reply | Varane
at 20:27 2 Jan 2025
We are on the back foot because we can't retain possession as our midfielders can't pass.
We lack creative, technically gifted midfielders to play a more passing/possession based game.
If we kept the ball better we wouldn't need to play both Varane and Field.
I agree, MC has changed the system to suit the players he has at his disposal. Hence, we now have more 'destroyers' like Varane, Field, Smyth and Dunne starting to try and shore up a technically poor team.
Be honest, if MC had the players he really wants, then we wouldn't be playing long ball, and three out of the four above probably wouldn't be starting.
Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted we are winning a few, but I honestly can't remember when we scored a really well crafted goal. And longer term that is worrying as the better teams will pick us off.
We've played the top 7 once each. Lost 4 drawn 3 won 0, goals for 4 goals against 13. |
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Reply | Varane
at 19:32 2 Jan 2025
Your defensive midfielders have to be able to play the ball forward. They will usually be the the one that wins possession, so start the next attack.
This is why we are now rarely playing out from the back, it is usually played long, either along the wing for Smyth to chase or for Dunne to flick on. We are bypassing the entire midfield as they can't pass.
Playing this way will get results, as proven, but over a season we won't challenge. Varane and Field have 1 assist between them them, that is pretty damning.
We desperately need a central midfielder who can create to play alongside Varane or Field. |
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Reply | Promotion to the Premier League is tough.But is survival effectively impossible?
at 16:19 2 Jan 2025
Brentford, Fulham, Bournemouth, Brighton, Palace all competitive, yet I wouldn't say any of them are bigger than us.
Agree we wouldn't get near the top 4/6, but there is nothing stopping us from being like we were in the late 80s early 90s. A decent mid table team and good cup runs which I'm pretty sure most would be absolutely delighted with.
Just need to be well run. And I am more optimistic now than 2/3 years ago. |
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Reply | Varane
at 16:00 2 Jan 2025
So Varane is Declan Rice and Smyth is Andy Sinton! We are gonna be world beaters soon. Has Nardi been called the new Parkes? I'm sure Dunne is the new Macca. I'm waiting for Morgan to be called the new Wilkins.
Some on here go so over the top. You know, one bad game and they are both going to be the worst players ever. They are exactly the same players that won one in 16 or whatever it was at the beginning. That suggests the manager changing the style, tactics etc should be the one getting the plaudits. But I won't call him the next Sexton or Venables.
I like Varane, but....... he's not that amazing. He works hard, breaks up play well and wins the ball. Shame he can't pass forward. |
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Reply | Watford Reflection
at 10:42 2 Jan 2025
Agree, he is doing quite well.
However, let's not forget it is against a pretty low bar, with our other midfielders unable to take the ball on the half turn. |
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Reply | One of the best signings we could make this window
at 10:21 2 Jan 2025
He is going to be low balled. He'll reject, club will say he turned down a new contract.
He'll sign for much higher wages at Bristol City or Sheffield Wednesday. At 27yo you couldn't blame him.
It's what we do. |
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Reply | Let's put this to bed...
at 23:08 1 Jan 2025
Seriously, comparing Smyth to Sinton! WTF? And some saying he is better than Chair!?
Smyth is a very good at what he does, works hard and makes a nuisance of himself. But, please, people on here need to stop embarrassing themselves, he's had 4 or 5 good games in a row. Big fcking deal.
When he does for 3 or 4 season like Chair, plays in the PL like Sinton, or rips a season up like Adel then I'll tip my hat.
Until then, he is a very average player who works very very hard. And fair play to him making the most of his limited talent. |
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Reply | How have things changed so drastically in last ten games
at 19:59 1 Jan 2025
I am disappointed watching this type of football, but, as I said, needs must. Don't think there is anything wrong with wanting the team I support to play good attractive football.
We won't do it until we get new ball playing midfielders. |
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Reply | Let's put this to bed...
at 19:20 1 Jan 2025
Nope, Smyth is not 'a very good player'. If he was, he wouldn't be playing for QPR.
He is, however, an absolute nightmare to play against. His work rate is fantastic, Madsen should take note. He is I think, a reason for helping to stem the conceding of goals as he works back and doubles up. Both fullbacks look a lot less isolated now.
I thought he was really good today, but don't forget his mistake led to Watfords goal. |
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Reply | How have things changed so drastically in last ten games
at 17:47 1 Jan 2025
By passing the midfield and mostly going long. More emphasis on set plays. Playing two 'destroyers' in central midfield;, Field and Varane. Both wingers are actually tracking back and doubling up.
It's not pretty or attractive football, but it is effective. I just prefer to watch good football, and this isn't. Needs must, though I suppose.
We desperately need a couple of central midfielders who can actually pass and control a game. |
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Reply | Ronnie Edwards
at 15:48 1 Jan 2025
Get it right first time around. We go into another January transfer window scrambling to make loan deals to correct the cock ups in the summer. |
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Reply | Hoops vs Hornets Match Thread
at 14:40 1 Jan 2025
Great result! Field MotM for me today, worked His socks off in the midfield area and got the goal. |
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Reply | Ronnie Edwards
at 11:41 1 Jan 2025
Pretty damning of our summer transfer business that we've had to do this, but heh ho.
If its view to a permanent then great, but I can't see it. |
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