Watching the Brewers game today it dawned on me, after watching all home games and a few aways this year, exactly what instructions Ollie is giving to the players. "Right lads, no more than 2-3 passes in an approach. I don't want to see any of that tippy-tappy bollox. We're not here to entertain. We're here to lump the ball up. If you have the ball and you're under pressure, just make a blind pass forward. If you've got the ball anywhere near the back, lump it up towards the forwards. Ignore the fact that I've chosen two forwards under 5'10", just send it forward. Put pressure on the other team and, as soon as you gain possession, let the other team put pressure on you. Don't try to out pass them. It doesn't mean if they're a struggling championship club, go back to the plan. Your place in this league is hoofball and hit and hope." At least... that's the only way I imagine his team talks can possibly go, what with players quite clearly not trying to play in any other way. It sometimes seems absolutely clear that they have been given specific instructions and are actually carrying it out. And still the football looks this shockingly bad, even against teams like Burton. Today, Burton crumbled. At what point did you see us start to fully outplay them with passing football? This is not an "Ollie out" thread. He's the best we've got, considering no one would come here at the moment. And he is getting some results. But by god, the football is awful, is it not? Of course, we've had a bit of decent football here and there and I actually prefer what we've seen under him compared to several other managers but there are times when we look so awful, especially against poor teams.
Haha. I'm ready for it. I've got positive things to say about him too but come on... aside from seeing our goals, did you enjoy watching our football today?
As I've said before it's Anti-Football, but it's working so we'll just have to be thankful, not pretty but pretty effective. Bonus with others at the bottom getting beaten heavily as well...
I never risk streams mate and didn't go, so I have to take your word for how we played. I do agree that just about every other team in the league seems to be able to at least pass the ball and don't just hoof it. We seem pretty incapable of keeping possession for very long. Anyway, let's enjoy the win tonight. Results all went our way which is even better!
Trust me, I enjoyed those goals. But that was the first time we scored more than two this season. And yes... we cannot have possession for more than a few seconds. Which actually nails it on the head... that's the most frustrating thing when watching the team you support... possession lasting for very short amounts of time almost all game.
Didn't see so much hoof ball today. We tried with some success to play it through the middle and through the channels, but without wingers or good attacking wing backs, not surprisingly we didn't stretch them wide at the back, or get in many crosses from forward wide positions. I don't think we will manage this against better opposition than Burton
It's funny because when Hollow joined us I expected 'hoofball' and was shocked when that never happened. He actually tried to play a passing game. Sadly that seemed to backfire on him. We needed the big guy up front to get some points and it never happened. Then he reverted to 'hoofball' with the big guy when we needed a passing game. Now today I was not there but if it was 'hoofball', then I don't care because as someone mentioned before it's all about getting points on the board.
I totally get what you are saying mate but the need for points greatly out weighs the need for attractive football at this point in our history. I agree with Ellers about him abandoning an attempted style of play quite early doors after his arrival for a more direct approach. Abiity, movement, options and fitness are key to good possessin. 3 of those you can coach/teach the most important (ability) can't really be improved significantly past teenage years in my opinion. So in conclusion I think we could play better possession football BUT not as effective as we would like with the standard of players available.
Ok, but I've seen us play some of that decent passing football on occasion this season. So, we can do it. I just don't see why we're aiming for that, especially against less capable sides.
It's better football to watch than JFH served up. Pleased to see some through balls leading to one on ones in the last couple of weeks (only possible with agile strikers) which is something we haven't seen enough of in the last few years.
I don’t accept the ‘no-one would come here’ comments that many wave around as an argument that Holloway should stay. There will be managers prepared to take the step up and manage/improve this team of players. As has been said, they are capable of playing better football and just need the direction to do that. As said above, right now we need the points and we’ll all be happy to take them however they come to get to the end of this season safely. Holloway has to stay until the end of the season now and finish the job by keeping us in this league. Once there, we need a better coach to lead this team and to take some good/promising players forward to influential, creative and successful players and team. I think we have a better squad than some think (don’t get me wrong we need to source players who will improve positions or replace players that will move on) and I think a decent coach/manager can get a better ‘tune’ from this squad next season.
I didn’t think the football was that bad yesterday particularly given the state of the pitch. Freeman struggled to get a grip on the game but still got a proper assist with a neat pass. Burton’s defence was so unbelievably slow it would have been silly not to pump a few into space. Using Furlong as an outlet worked almost every time as he had the beating of his full-back in the air. If Hall was playing to try the same thing with Bidwell I think it’d be a viable tactic. I noticed at goal kicks at least one wing-back pushed right up.
I think the football this season has been an improvement on what we've seen in the last few years. Admittedly as the pressure has mounted it's got a bit uglier but that's what happens. I'd also say as a slight counter to the 2-3 passes hoof ball argument that the stats rarely have us being dominated in terms of possession. Still the only stay that counts is the score line.
Look how football has changed and how many methods to get 3 points are there I have enough good approach play this season to form my opinion I have also seen a much better dissolute in defence Three chances went in today with two hungry forwards. And we won a match Yes we should beat Burton but that doesn’t give us the right to win any match. I think the goals would have lifted the confidence levels but a long way to go yet. Direct football Counter attack tippy tappy ball rentention all must have their part in today Championship Goals win games everything else is secondary and this QPR side is growing The evidence for that is the changes to players it still works of sorts and a long long way to go but the club is moving forwards Read that posters said we are 10 pointsoff play offs I repeat this club is in no state currently to perform in the premier league in any way imo. To sustain a mid table position must be the goal Beat Boro next week and that would be a sign
The goal must be to finish as high in the table as possible. If by an absolute miracle QPR somehow managed to reach the play offs (Not a prayer imo) then regardless of how ready a club is, nobody on here wouldn't want that return to the big time
I agree 100% The club and the fans need to understand this Imo maybe they do QPR has to rediscover itself and regain its soul. To be promoted to the premier league in 2018 means about £150 minimum investment up front. After the World Cup players involved will be looking to align themselves to the money... there are bound to be some real useless signings in that league next season Meanwhile I hope QPR remain under the radar for years imo until the club is ready for whatever crazy step will be required then Hoping by then TF has gone he has been a disaster albeit a lovely man. I feel sorry for the clubs that do go up nowadays Wolves if they are successful will more than likely buy a new squad Derby are proving to look like a side that could well survive the step up The rest of our league has 12 teams who play wonderful football for this league far too strong for us
Well, a big reason to take that step up to the EPL is the fact that we'd escape the FFP! Otherwise I'm all for rebuilding slowly and the right way.
