that was at OP, not you, I understand what you mean but as a 3rd division side circumstances are different
Pure pragmatism, nothing more. If Warnock had asked me to choose between a home LC victory against Port Vale or the Championship title, I'd have chosen the latter. Likewise, this season I 'd choose PL survival over a win against Rochdale. No, of course it doesn't boil down to a straight choice between the two - nothing is as simple as that - but coming out of the LC this early has to strenghten our PL survival chances, even if only to a minor extent. The defeat is a trifle embarrassing, but, honestly, who needs the LC this season (or any other for that matter)? It didn't do much for Brum last season, did it? Clearly, Brendan Rogers and Paul Lambert saw it exactly the same way.
Of course Warnock, Lambert and Rogers are going to say that they have other priorities. They lost. They might even come out beforehand and say the same, just in case the result doesn't go their way. It means nothing. I am sure that behind the scenes they are almost as annoyed as we are. The second string players should be giving themselves a long, hard look in the mirror this morning. This was one of the few opportunities to impress the manager on the pitch in a real game. Something that most failed to do. It worries me that without other games to play these players, when called upon, will not be able to step up to the plate because, although the heart might be willing, they are a million miles from being match fit.
I don't think the rules allow them to announce their intention to lose beforehand, Eamon. I agree with you that behind the scenes messrs Warnock, Rogers and Lambert will have very real concerns regarding the strength in depth of their respective squads. I think we already know this to be an issue with the R's, don't we, else why are we in the market for another 76 players (at the last count)? Yeah, I'm disappointed too and would like Rangers to win every game they play, but, as I said, Warnock is prone to bouts of... er, pragmatism.
Why should it be a question between between LC victory or PL survival, we are talking about a home game against a League 1 team sitting on a relegation spot. I would have expected the best team available - pre-season tests should be over by now.
I think for me as a supporter it boils down to pride, we had a first 11 out who had they put in enough effort could have quite easily put Rochdale to shame. We had a lot of possession but had no fire in our belly. Rochdale however who's manager and assistant spent the whole game coaching from the side of the pitch wanted to win. I didnt see or hear Warnock once and this must transfer to the players, his job is to motivate them and then he says in a radio interview, he should have gone off scouting instead of being at the match. A cup run is a cup run and a trip to Wembley is massive for any club. Oh and im sick of every ****e football team coming down in the cup, outsinging us and ripping the piss out of us and our team!
Totally agree with Eamon, Interesting point to note Norwich have bombed out of the competition over the last 3 seasons and went on the win league 1, runners up last year and should stay up this year, I do rate Lambert and he clearly knows where his prioroties lie?! However, I wrote this yesterday after the game and stand by it Wasted oppertunity to build moral and have a winning feeling under our belts. I also think 2 or 3 rounds in this cup keeps everyone sharp and valuble game time of a competitive nature for the 2nd string, personally I believe the top teams use this competition to keep their 1st teamers on their toes and that's how we have to develop and build a squad capible of using this competition to our advantage. We have a long way to go. Very poor and very disappointed as we should wipe the floor with this type of opposition. Night, night
Horrible result guys but one of the best written threads I've seen for a long time. This match, like the Luton game, clearly indicates the interface between quality and desire. Warnock's saving grace is the equally bad results for a number of other supposedly superior sides last night. Warnock has perhaps more excuse than some of his peers given the negative energy expended throughout this long, miserable summer. Wasn't easy for us and obviously much less so for Neil Warnock who had to keep the squad's pecker up as everything soured. That was not the case last year against Port Vale however and suggests that top sides do all but throw these type of games. Can't believe these relatively highly paid second stringers or first team 'stars' though. Money for old rope if they can't / won't compete against minnows with desire... End of the day, with the exception of those who made the effort to attend last night, where were the fans?? I'm not that far away and couldn't be arsed, so what can I say... really?
still cant believe our second or third choice team can't beat rochdale what's gonna happen when we get a few injuries and have to use these clowns in a prem game
I can't believe what i'm hearing . NW did no different last night to any other PL manager. He played mostly reserves ( some that have'nt been near the first team for 18 months ) and we lost. I think it just highlights that we have a lot of players in our squad that are not good enough anymore. If he had played kenny/derry/faurlin last night and they picked up a knock then the synics would have been out for him. Its not a priority and simply does not matter as we have a small amount of decent players that we need to protect for PL matches.
I agree with the above W9. I have two points to make: 1. This result shows that beyond our first 11, our squad players are rubbish, and according to reports several of them hardly even tried last night. When you then look at our first 11 and realise that about 5 of them are also not up to Prem standard it shows exactly how short we are this season. We dont just need a few players for our first team, we also need several for a decent squad. 2. I am not a NW basher, but i feel he was totally out of hand last night. He can think what he wants, but to be stupid or naive enough to tell the press that he effectively threw the game last night was a disgrace. He should of kept his mouth shut instead of telling everyone he was delighted we were our of the cup. That sort of comment could get him and the club in trouble. NW has little Prem / Top flight experience, all he did last night was tell everyone this. Finally, a point aside, i am also slightly embarassed at the way NW is also talking to the press about possible new signings. Mentioning words like ï'm in heaven" and ïts uphoria", because he has a few pounds to spend. I can try and imagine how frustrated he was under the last board, but he should not be speaking like a child in a sweet shop to anybody that will listen to him. It makes him and our club look and sound ridicilous IMO.
It hurts and I agree we should not have lost that game and its a massive lost opportunity to build on Saturday's good performance which showed we can compete albeit with loads of work to do. I would have played strongest team I could of as we know we have little strength in depth. HOWEVER its done and we must rally behind our next game and then the next WIN or LOSE. Take a big step back please everyone because you couldn't write the script of QPR its a struggle that has become the norm for us fans but it should be the very thing that holds us together ... Ask yourself would we prefer to become a machine club that just goes through the motions ... not for me I love doing things the hard way it adds backbone and minerals ... Let's beat Wigan and that sets it all up against the toon
I didn't mean he said he had the intention to lose, I meant that he had already dissed the competition, inferring that he wouldn't be too bothered if we lost.
Eamon "The second string players should be giving themselves a long, hard look in the mirror this morning. This was one of the few opportunities to impress the manager on the pitch in a real game. Something that most failed to do. It worries me that without other games to play these players, when called upon, will not be able to step up to the plate because, although the heart might be willing, they are a million miles from being match fit. " You hit the nial on the head. When the players get on the pitch it is down to their professionalism to win, and, if they are on the tranfer list to prove to potential new employers that they are worth buying. I remember (only too well) the loss to Vauxhall Motors, and all I can say to Rochdale is well done. You can only bat what is put in front of you. Very disappointed wih QPR
What sort of attitude is that being glad (or not disappointed) going out of a cup that could have easily won - why play football anyway ? Openly saying that he (Warnock) could not get himself motivated for the CC shows lack of professionalism and should never be accepted. Before the game he never mentioned that opinion, perhaps he should have informed people beforehand.
why dont we just pull out of all cup competitions wasting the fans time the so called squad players cant be bothered (rochdale ffs) not like we do any good in the cups anyway
The League Cup is dying on its arse anyway now. They should make it optional or just an actual 'Football League' trophy. Some of the bile towards Warnock is hugely unjust and not necessary.
