Yeah, Block S N64. Let me know if you manage it. I'll try to make most of the games (particularly if they're anything like today!).
Epilogue: Well done Ollie. he team that was selected was a 3-5-2 formation and very similar the last friendly against Bournemouth, with only two changes of Bidwell (for Robinson) and Mackie (for Smith). I think it surprised us all with it effectiveness and entertainment value. Perhaps there is more tactical acumen to Ollie than we give credit? -------------------Smithies------------------- ---------Perch----Onuoha-----Lynch-------- Wszolek------------------------------Bidwell ------Scowen--Luongo--Freeman----- -----------Mackie------Washington-------- I am sure that a team consisting of the reserves will get a run out against Northampton in the League Cup, however I hope that there will not be much tinkering with the above winning team for next Saturday's away match at Sheffield Wednesday.
We've got a great chance at Sheff I feel who, like Reading, may still be hurting from last season. It wasn't really a 352 at all from what I could work out. Bidwell seemed to have the whole left side to himself while Freeman roamed around which he did very well but not sure we can do that away from home against a better team than Reading. Wzolek tracked well but I'd say Perchinho was wide enough to be full-back and Wzolek just provided good cover. Still I'll back this gung ho QPR over last season's dross any day.
I must admit that it took me a while to work out the formation. Perch did look like he was playing right back, but in the end I concluded that it was indeed 3-5-2. The back three just didn't always get their positioning right, particularly Lynch. Bidwell had the whole left side to himself because we didn't quite get the balance right with the midfield three, meaning that Luongo was too narrow at times. Nit-picking really, because it was a very good performance.
I watched on the QPR+ coverage which was excellent. However the key issue with televised games, compared to live games, is that you cannot see the whole pitch so it is difficult to see off-the-ball movement and appreciate the formations. The commentators certainly thought we did try to play 3-5-2. However these formations are not rigid and could be 5-3-2 or 5-4-1 in "defensive" or "pressing" mode, and 3-5-2 or even 3-3-4 in "offensive" mode. Whatever the digits of the the theoretical formation, it did seems that we played very fluidly, understood our positions and also covered well for each other. All excellent news! Of course there are areas to improve and defensively there will be Hall, plus the Caulker option. I just hope that this is a platform to build upon. I would not expect too many too many changes for the Sheffield away match. Let's see what Ollie will do. Does anyone know the Sheffield Weds preferred style of play?
I have just watched the extended highlights, and the central three midfielders were in this position I believe. Scowen was playing deepest of the midfield trio. -------------------Smithies------------------- -------Perch----Onuoha-----Lynch------- Wszolek------------------------------Bidwell ----Freeman--Scowen--Luongo------ ------------Mackie----Washington--------
