Match Day Thread West Brom vs QPR

[Stroller]

Im more used to disagreement when it comes to football but i also appreciate that it comes down to opinions. Apart from the substitutions, Warburton and his team actually impressed me with their tactics tonight, which we would all be jumping for joy if there hadnt have been two cock ups.

Fair enough Bob, it is down to opinions. Mine is that we conceded before the start by deciding that we couldn't play our own game.

 

[bobmid]

Barnsley were our nemesis when Ishmael was there. He has taken the same tactics to WBA
Difference was Warburton changed our tactics for this match and it nearly worked.
Two individual errors cost us.


More worring is injuries to Field, McCallum, Wallace, deWisj and Johansen..
Very likely... 5 starters out

Only Amos is making his way back to fitness.

We are going to be really stretched in the autumn

Yep thats how i saw it too beth to be fair. Hes taken the same approach to West Brom but with argueably better players. 2 mistakes cost us, simple as that.

 

[Hammersmith reborn]

Yep thats how i saw it too beth to be fair. Hes taken the same approach to West Brom but with argueably better players. 2 mistakes cost us, simple as that.

More than 2 in my eyes, clear error bringing on Dykes instead of Adomah when we needed pace on the pitch , terrible error from Chair not to cross the ball to Dykes for a tap in instead of shooting from an impossible angle to go 2 up and who was marking their goalscorer for the winner ? David Mccallum that's who ffs

 

[QPR Oslo]

We never tried to play out at all because Warburton had decided before the start that we wouldn't, that was plain. They didn't have to impose their press on us because we'd decided to try to bypass it rather than play round it. We just gave away possession.

.
We did play the ball out more after HT when we could, mixed it up a bit which was the way to go because 1st half we played almost always long and it came straight back at us. But when I thought we might hold on for the win, Seny let the goal in, 2 went off injured and Chair completed our worst performance of the season.

 

[Wherever]

I think it was about the right result, we didn’t deserve more, I was just hoping for a Bristol City type result and nicked 1 or 3 points. I still like this QPR but we need 6 points from the next two games to stay in contention. For now at least.

 

[Sutfol]

Given the players we now have the results are not where they should be but I think they’ll come. We should have played our game today, we didn’t need to give them the respect we did.

 

[qprbeth]

Everyone who criticized Chair from shooting from that angle has forgotten his previous goal from exactly the same angle.

Warbs had two substitutions ( deWisj and Johansen) forced on him. ...

I personally would have put on Adomeh rather Dykes...but he was obviously looking for a forward who could hold up the ball, when received long....and play off for Gray.

But Gray was shot by then....from a year of inactivity and not having a preseason with us..


Dieng who has saved us so many times this season and also earlier in this match cost us the points, as WBA were beginning to lose faith....but that happens. I expect Dieng is feeling pretty bad about it, he doesn't need us to be on his back... it was a simple error, I suspect he will not make another one like that.

Warbs will be much more annoyed at Chair losing the ball in those areas that gives teams an opportunity to run at us.. He bangs on about so much even I know not to flap around with the ball.


Birmingham is going to be an important match ...

 

[daverangers]

When we scored early I got a text saying, 'Good start' and my instant reply was...'yep, but early goals can make things tricky.' Obviously you'd never object to going a goal up no matter what the time, but from what I've read of the match, and the part I watched, we went a goal up and then sat back and tried to hit them on the break. Doing that with a fit set of players who could continue that for 90 minutes would make sense. Not meaning to cast blame on the player, but from a tactical perspective, interesting that they scored both goals after Willock went off and Dykes came on. Without the threat of Willock's pace, they could leave less men defending and therefore push more forward.

Disappointing result, and we are slipping down the table and need a win, ideally on Tuesday vs Birmingham.

 

[cor blymie]

losing three on the trot obviously disappointing, but we've come a long way to be disappointed not getting anything at the Hawthorns. More upset at our performance in the Ryder Cup

 

[Sooperhoop]

I have to say we were actually comfortable prior to Dieng's error, Albion seemed to be more vulnerable to our counters at that stage and had we got a 2nd we may have won easily. The momentum shift when they equalised was clear to see and I thought we were still too open at the back when they got the winner.

You have to accept they are going to be one of perhaps three teams pushing for the automatic spots so it is more the manner of this defeat that rankles rather than the result. More worrying is the number of injuries to key players that may do still more damage to our chances in the next few weeks. This league is relentless...

 

[rangercol]

Having slept on it, I don't think Warburton got much wrong generally.
West Brom play with an incredibly high line, squeezing everyone further up the pitch. We are good at playing out at this level, but that's exactly what they were setting traps for. Our players can play out and beating that high press by passing through it would have really got us at them, but John Stones et al they're not and imo we would have been in all kinds of trouble had we tried to play our normal game. Having said that we did go long far too often and aimlessly which simply gave them the ball back. Second half I thought we mixed it up a bit more and did keep possession marginally better. Playing Gray was the right call and was vindicated in the first minute. However, although I realise he's far from being fit, I do hope Gray isn't another player who runs offside a dozen times a game. He has the pace to give it a yard.
I did think Warbs got the subs wrong, injuries aside. Willock was being completely marked out of the game, but bringing Dykes on for him wasn't the right call imo. Willock keeps possession far better than Chair and I would have replaced Chair with Dozzel and tried to shore up the gaping holes in midfield. Bringing on Dykes and dropping Chair deeper was an accident waiting to happen as Chair gives the ball away so much. We needed more in midfield, not another striker!! Once we were 2-1 down I'd have brought on Austin for the last few minutes too.
Johansen looked completely knackered from the off and Ball was killing himself doing doggies all night to cover all of the midfield.

Having said all that we looked like hanging on for three points as they'd completely run out of ideas. My lad, sitting among the home fans said they were resigned to losing. Dieng's clanger changed everything. However, I believe that, although I reckon he'll have one of those brain farts every now and then, Senny will save us more often than he doesn't. Also, Chair, for all his talent simply must learn to make better decisions and stop surrendering possession too easily. He could have sealed victory by crossing instead of shooting at 0-1. Lovely run; terrible decision. He then got caught in possession allowing them to counter for their winner, doing exactly what they would have done repeatedly had we tried playing out all game. Chair is a lovely player, but his decision making is woeful most of the time and he also hangs onto the ball too long too often.
If we were to change shape to be more compact, he'd be the player to sacrifice imo. If he was an Adel, a player who also tried too much and lost possession, but won games more often than not, then all well and good, but he's not!

Overall I believe our style of play is very pleasing on the eye and we'll always entertain and score goals; very Keegan like!
However, mid table is where we're destined unless we find a way to shore up our midfield. This league has a lot of strong sides that will charge through our wide open formation time and again.

Finally, injuries are now becoming quite a concern. This league is relentless!!

 

[QPR Oslo]

Having slept on it, I don't think Warburton got much wrong generally.
West Brom play with an incredibly high line, squeezing everyone further up the pitch. We are good at playing out at this level, but that's exactly what they were setting traps for. Our players can play out and beating that high press by passing through it would have really got us at them, but John Stones et al they're not and imo we would have been in all kinds of trouble had we tried to play our normal game. Having said that we did go long far too often and aimlessly which simply gave them the ball back. Second half I thought we mixed it up a bit more and did keep possession marginally better. Playing Gray was the right call and was vindicated in the first minute. However, although I realise he's far from being fit, I do hope Gray isn't another player who runs offside a dozen times a game. He has the pace to give it a yard.
I did think Warbs got the subs wrong, injuries aside. Willock was being completely marked out of the game, but bringing Dykes on for him wasn't the right call imo. Willock keeps possession far better than Chair and I would have replaced Chair with Dozzel and tried to shore up the gaping holes in midfield. Bringing on Dykes and dropping Chair deeper was an accident waiting to happen as Chair gives the ball away so much. We needed more in midfield, not another striker!! Once we were 2-1 down I'd have brought on Austin for the last few minutes too.
Johansen looked completely knackered from the off and Ball was killing himself doing doggies all night to cover all of the midfield.

Having said all that we looked like hanging on for three points as they'd completely run out of ideas. My lad, sitting among the home fans said they were resigned to losing. Dieng's clanger changed everything. However, I believe that, although I reckon he'll have one of those brain farts every now and then, Senny will save us more often than he doesn't. Also, Chair, for all his talent simply must learn to make better decisions and stop surrendering possession too easily. He could have sealed victory by crossing instead of shooting at 0-1. Lovely run; terrible decision. He then got caught in possession allowing them to counter for their winner, doing exactly what they would have done repeatedly had we tried playing out all game. Chair is a lovely player, but his decision making is woeful most of the time and he also hangs onto the ball too long too often.
If we were to change shape to be more compact, he'd be the player to sacrifice imo. If he was an Adel, a player who also tried too much and lost possession, but won games more often than not, then all well and good, but he's not!

Overall I believe our style of play is very pleasing on the eye and we'll always entertain and score goals; very Keegan like!
However, mid table is where we're destined unless we find a way to shore up our midfield. This league has a lot of strong sides that will charge through our wide open formation time and again.

Finally, injuries are now becoming quite a concern. This league is relentless!!

Shore up the midfield = getting Field fit double quick. Stefan too if he is injured. We need a fit Wallace or McCallum too.

 

[Goldhawk-Road]

Im sticking my neck out, full credit to Warburton tonight. I would have made different subs but in my opinion his tactics were bang on. Diengs fumble wasnt part of the tactics, nor was Chair pissing about with it.

The problem is, Bob, we were under the cosh for most of the game. Dieng's was a mistake but when you're under fire for 88 mins, it increases the likelihood that this can happen. We have good players but we lacked structure and backbone last night ie midfield. Warbs has to address this.

 

[rangercol]

Shore up the midfield = getting Field fit double quick. Stefan too if he is injured. We need a fit Wallace or McCallum too.

Agreed. Although playing 3-4-3 still means only having two in central midfield, whoever they are.

 

[bobmid]

Having slept on it, I don't think Warburton got much wrong generally.
West Brom play with an incredibly high line, squeezing everyone further up the pitch. We are good at playing out at this level, but that's exactly what they were setting traps for. Our players can play out and beating that high press by passing through it would have really got us at them, but John Stones et al they're not and imo we would have been in all kinds of trouble had we tried to play our normal game. Having said that we did go long far too often and aimlessly which simply gave them the ball back. Second half I thought we mixed it up a bit more and did keep possession marginally better. Playing Gray was the right call and was vindicated in the first minute. However, although I realise he's far from being fit, I do hope Gray isn't another player who runs offside a dozen times a game. He has the pace to give it a yard.
I did think Warbs got the subs wrong, injuries aside. Willock was being completely marked out of the game, but bringing Dykes on for him wasn't the right call imo. Willock keeps possession far better than Chair and I would have replaced Chair with Dozzel and tried to shore up the gaping holes in midfield. Bringing on Dykes and dropping Chair deeper was an accident waiting to happen as Chair gives the ball away so much. We needed more in midfield, not another striker!! Once we were 2-1 down I'd have brought on Austin for the last few minutes too.
Johansen looked completely knackered from the off and Ball was killing himself doing doggies all night to cover all of the midfield.

Having said all that we looked like hanging on for three points as they'd completely run out of ideas. My lad, sitting among the home fans said they were resigned to losing. Dieng's clanger changed everything. However, I believe that, although I reckon he'll have one of those brain farts every now and then, Senny will save us more often than he doesn't. Also, Chair, for all his talent simply must learn to make better decisions and stop surrendering possession too easily. He could have sealed victory by crossing instead of shooting at 0-1. Lovely run; terrible decision. He then got caught in possession allowing them to counter for their winner, doing exactly what they would have done repeatedly had we tried playing out all game. Chair is a lovely player, but his decision making is woeful most of the time and he also hangs onto the ball too long too often.
If we were to change shape to be more compact, he'd be the player to sacrifice imo. If he was an Adel, a player who also tried too much and lost possession, but won games more often than not, then all well and good, but he's not!

Overall I believe our style of play is very pleasing on the eye and we'll always entertain and score goals; very Keegan like!
However, mid table is where we're destined unless we find a way to shore up our midfield. This league has a lot of strong sides that will charge through our wide open formation time and again.

Finally, injuries are now becoming quite a concern. This league is relentless!!

Enjoyed reading that Col. I agree with just about everything you said. Look at the players we have waiting to come back in Field, Amos, Wallace etc. That game last night would have suited a pairing of Ball and Field with maybe Amos in for Chair. Its easy for me to say in hindsight and eyebrows would have been raised had johanson not started. Dianganas runs were never getting picked up, infact its like he didnt even have a position. I would have kept Willock on as he is the one player who can do nothing for 89 minutes and then win you a game. I agree, gray had run his socks off but if you look at the runs he makes and his movement then when playing our usual style, he will have some right joy. It was a dissapointing result all things considered but it was only dissapointing due to two errors. This playing out from the back against a high pressing team is a dangerous tactic, for if possesion is lost then we are still on or in our 18 yard box with little chance to regain shape. I totally understand Warbles tactics last night and i applaud them to an extent. A wise head like austin should have maybe replaced Gray. Willock should have stayed on. Johanson should have been replaced with Dozell. All easy for me to say.

 

[bobmid]

The problem is, Bob, we were under the cosh for most of the game. Dieng's was a mistake but when you're under fire for 88 mins, it increases the likelihood that this can happen. We have good players but we lacked structure and backbone last night ie midfield. Warbs has to address this.

I dont disagree with you Goldy but our options were quite limited. We have the players to do as you say but unfortunately they are on the treatment table.

 

[bobmid]

Shore up the midfield = getting Field fit double quick. Stefan too if he is injured. We need a fit Wallace or McCallum too.

My thoughts exactly

 

[rangercol]

Enjoyed reading that Col. I agree with just about everything you said. Look at the players we have waiting to come back in Field, Amos, Wallace etc. That game last night would have suited a pairing of Ball and Field with maybe Amos in for Chair. Its easy for me to say in hindsight and eyebrows would have been raised had johanson not started. Dianganas runs were never getting picked up, infact its like he didnt even have a position. I would have kept Willock on as he is the one player who can do nothing for 89 minutes and then win you a game. I agree, gray had run his socks off but if you look at the runs he makes and his movement then when playing our usual style, he will have some right joy. It was a dissapointing result all things considered but it was only dissapointing due to two errors. This playing out from the back against a high pressing team is a dangerous tactic, for if possesion is lost then we are still on or in our 18 yard box with little chance to regain shape. I totally understand Warbles tactics last night and i applaud them to an extent. A wise head like austin should have maybe replaced Gray. Willock should have stayed on. Johanson should have been replaced with Dozell. All easy for me to say.

Yep, without a doubt, Field and Wallace will make a big difference to us.
I just don't like 3-4-3, as it only gives 2 central midfield players and that is causing us no end of problems imo.
I'd be tempted to try 4-3-3, but that would mean leaving out one of the first choice centre backs. However, with this league being so relentless, I reckon they'd all get used regularly.
That formation would mean we could still play both Willock and Chair, either side of a forward, but have 3 in central midfield.

 

[QPRski]

To be fair, I was claiming we had our tactics wrong when we were 1-0 up.

We gave away the ball more than in any other game this season, because we tried to play a style that we're not good at: long ball.

This is what happens when you don't play to your strengths and try to play to another team's strengths.

I'm not outrageously disappointed. But I think we could have won that game if we'd protected the ball more. Warburton has usually got most things right. Just not today. That's OK.

Until the Dieng fumble, I thought we played well. It was not pretty to watch, but it was effective and we were frustrating them. All we needed was a 2nd goal on the break to be comfortable and take all 3 points with a “smash & grab” win.

We fumbled and the game turned. I will not blame Dieng as mistakes happen, and goalkeeper mistakes are more blatant than others.

A draw would have been a good and fair result, but they nicked the winner which was disappointing and heart breaking.

 

[Flanman]

I have been following our progress mainly by reading reports and the comments on here and have only watched the highlights but I still think we are missing something, even though we have made great signings.
Anyway, one name keeps popping up in my mind is BOS, I would love to see him in this squad he has pace to frighten defences can play right or left, can hold the ball and knows how to cross and even tackles. Apart from that he knows the club, personel, some players well.
I know he didn't leave on the best terms but I would like him back this season.