Our midfield is basically non existent atm. They don't pass, they don't tackle, they don't create. They all work hard but lack quality. Against Bristol Seri made 72 passes, since then we've not had a midfielder make over 30. That's the difference
Don't look at the stats it makes for depressing reading. Slater and Jones average under 20 each when starting together in midfield. Woods is clearly the closest profile we have to Seri, if Mika isn't available he has to start imo
Stats in every game are so depressing. We're honestly so lucky to have 11 points. Every game we've been battered but, somehow way more clinical at home. Little possession Fewer shots Most fouls Most offsides Most saves It's baffling how we ****house victories. I'm chuffed we have the points. It would be nice to see us have a good performance.
Looking at the league table. We've played 1 side lower than 13th, and we've played 3 out of the top 6 and 2 out of the top 3, we'll be making it all of the current top 3 at the weekend. It's been a horrendously tough start, we're crippled with injuries yet we've done great on the whole and we sit 7th
The only game this season where we've had more possession than the opponent is Bristol City, and that was 55%, so a fairly tight affair. We've had less possession than our opposition in every other game, in most cases by quite a large margin. I know it's not our strongest lineup at the moment, but a lot of our possession is sacrificed due to sloppiness and unforced errors, even from seasoned players. It seems to be the simple stuff that we get wrong a lot of the time and it ends up costing us, whether that be in the back line or from the midfield when we're trying to make something happen. It doesn't seem like any of our goals so far have really come from outclassing our opposition and breaking them down after positive build up. Most of our goals have come from the odd moment of breakaway class from Tufan, a bit of skill from Tetteh, a good long ball from Coyle or just an almost out of nowhere poachers effort from Oscar. These are positive things, and we've been efficient in attack generally, but because we're not controlling games and inviting the opposition on with errors, losing the ball so easily etc, we're rolling the dice in every game at the moment. I don't blame Shota, or even a lack of cohesion with new players involved... I think it's just far too many individual errors letting us down at the moment and preventing us from taking control of games, or giving us a mountain to climb, or killing momentum while we're still trying to build it This has been the case all season so far, messing up quite basic things. We have these moments of brilliance where we get goals, but for the most part we're often chasing the ball and watching the opposition bring it onto us. This is the concern though... Most of our players due back are either attackers or midfielders... That doesn't necessarily solve the problem of us making mistakes in possession at the back unless we start to dominate games with possession in the middle of the field. All of that being said, we are where we are and we're only going to get stronger in theory when players return from injury or get signed up over the next couple of days. If we sign Pelkas and another one then that's 5 players due to pull on the shirt that should improve us that haven't kicked a ball for us yet. If this helps us keep more of the ball then we can take the odd mistake and still look comfortable enough... Hopefully.
Is Fig a mistake? He usually takes an age to release the ball. Slips alot. Has lapses in concentration. Greaves is do young but, is by far our best defender. I don't think I've thought Fig has had a good game yet.
If he puts football boots on instead of roller skates he'd certainly not hurt his chances of improving us. The other thing that grates me is the long balls to nobody from the back when we're under no pressure, but then trying to tiki taka it out from the back when they're running all over us. Seems like we've got that the wrong way round.
Actually I was never impressed with him. He score a couple or so goals and got us wins last season but apart from that little end product.
I don’t think his end product is the issue. His general play is. First touch is so inconsistent, positioning poor, not very quick. But in the box he comes alive it seems when he gets the ball.
Yeah this is sort of what I was getting at before. It's not a kneejerk to QPR, it's really been an issues since all the way back at PNE. It's fantastic we have the points on the board and if this is the worst we perform all season we're in for a great season, but it's a massive concern.
Figs seems more of a hoof it, head it kind of defender not a play out from the back type, where as Greaves and Jones have the ability to carry it out. If we can get a deep lying mid back who is comfortable on the ball in tight situations. Have some faith. Everyone was predicting no points for 5-7 games. Give them time to gain fitness, understanding and cohesion - well at least let them finish the business and get some players back before lumping in on the relegation predictions. If we'd won today there'd have been title expectations. Because we've lost its black. Don't get too up when we win or down when we lose, its a long old season, and none of us have seen the potential of this squad yet. Most of us would be happy with top half. The board say top 10 and a push next year. That's realistic.
I don't recall anyone predicting no points for 5-7 games. I have faith, I'm merely commenting on what I'm seeing. The Board (being Tan) have actually said they're aiming for Top 6 this season.
That was when Tufan was supposedly fat and useless and a transfer that 'stinks'. The one putting the money in said top ten but hope for playoffs I'll go with that.
Figs is the prime example of people automatically assuming a signing is good because said player has played a lot of games at the level they’re being signed for. Ive yet to see an experienced performance from him as he’s looked the most rash and naive out of the 3 so far. Of course we are very impacted by injuries at present but the way we are playing is unsustainable in terms of maintaining results. We can hope it’ll improve when players come back but I do believe it’s beyond that from a personal perspective in terms of it not improving as much as some may expect when players return
