I didn't think Cisse was an 8, but a definite 7 and he looked a much bigger threat than Zamora has for a while, or Mackie come to that on Sunday. He scored and came very close a couple of times, made dangerouus runs, one very good cross at least, and linked well. He did seem much more up for it after he scored, which is encouraging, he probably should have done more beforehand, but overall his was no daff game - a good game I'd call it. Wonder if he'll get to play at Stoke - I really hope so, he looks by far our best front man at the moment.
I dont think Cisse will start at Stoke because he needs someone else alongside him and I think Hughes will play one up front So Zamora will get the nod I hope he drops Mackie or Hoilett as well and plays Faurlin We need to try and dominate the midfield
Guess what Col, agree on Sundays showing. His problem was that the midfield were so slow in getting the ball to him - lost count of the number of runs he made and had to check because the ball wasn't there. That's the downside of having a midfield who are all comfortable on the ball, even when closely marked, we didn't move it around quickly at all. I know you focus on us in your reports but one player who really impressed me, to my amazement, was Jason Roberts. He worked tirelessly, kept possession of the ball high in our half, provided a real outlet for them, and clearly wound our defenders up. I was with the majority on here who groaned inwardly when he was linked to us in the summer, but for away matches in particular this is exactly what we need.
I really hope he plays Ale instead of Mackie in central holding midfield with Diakite, and with Granero, Adel and Hoillet in a 3 in front of them, and with Cisse up front, I think Cisse links well with these 3 and the more he plays it should get better. I can't see that Zamora (too slow, and hardly jumping now) or Mackie are as good as Cisse at present, I'd be more likely to bring Mackie off the bench than Zamora for his running and effort. Still I expect Hughes will play something like 4 4 1 1 again with Park and SWP in wide positions.
Agreed he looked surprising good, intelligent use of the ball, create good width for them in the final third often taking CD with him which created gaps in the middle, I was impressed with his performance.
Hope i didnt post wrong. I love Cisse and he would be one of/ if not the first name on the sheet.... just funny how we all see things diffrently..even the positives !
Unfortunately col your report is spot on. What is quite frankly pissing me off is the way Hughes has us starting games. For a 13:30 kick off on a Sunday and the position we are currently in, the lackadaisical way he begins games stinks. Hughes's thought process relating to this needs questioning. He should of had us flying out of the blocks at them. We were the home team after all and they had a tough game in mid-week. He needed to get HQ rocking early doors, especially given the early ko time and the nervousness of the LR faithful. Surely Sparky ( Ironic nickname. ) Would have the team up for this one against a relegation rival and potential 6 pointer???? But no. We gave the ball far away too easily let their overloaded midfield play balls into the channels for Roberts and co to chase them down to win throw-ins or free-kicks in dangerous places and allowing our meagre defence to be put under pressure. It was quite obvious what Readings gameplan was, a good old tried and tested away match routine that can work if the opposition allows it. Hughes and his fellow Welsh Tafia are seemingly unaware of this basic tactic. I'd love to know what Hughes's pre-match speech and tactical overview was.
One of the major problems with Hughes, even last season the TV pundits were banging on about our tactics seemed variable at least. Doesn't seem anyone really knows what they are, I wonder if the players do, or Hughes himself! As Col wrote that first aimless kick up the field from Granero with no target men on our team seemed to sum us up, first half anyway.
Oslo, I asked Richard Langley this question on the QPR podcast last week. The question I posed was... " Can you give us an insight as to what Hughes's philosophy on football is? As no one seems to know. " Langley couldn't answer it and his cop out reply was.. " You'll have to ask him. " In post match interviews following the Reading game Hughes said..." Reading didn't allow us to play our expansive pass and move game." That's it then. I can't ever remember us having an ' Expansive pass and move game ' since he has been in charge. There's no plan B or tactical nous either. In fact.. Watching Hughes's style of football and tactics is as much fun as sticking your cock in a toaster!
Kick and run it is then, expansively! Wish it was as easy to throw away Hughes as is it the f*kkin toaster!
And there lies the difference. Mcdermott knew our weakness at set pieces and played his team accordingly to try win corners and free kicks. Hughes obviously thought their weakness was to play a ball in the air to their giant centre back!!
I don't remember seeing cisse do anything of note up until the goal, but there was a dramatic improvement after he scored. That was very encouraging, if his entire attitude transforms so drastically after a goal maybe his problem all along really has been confidence... Based on the hope that he carries that confidence into the next game, i'd start him against stoke. * Plus, so many pundits comment that we don't seem to have a definitive style of play. Cisse is probably more in keeping with the rest of our midfield, so his inclusion might help to culture more of a set "personality" for our side.
col i was sat a few rows in front of you at the match. i totally agree with you. its been a while since i been to a game and you really do notice a lot more of what is going on the pitch than you do on the telly. Like the lines man being miles away from the last defend and not spotting an off side and to my disbelief bosingwa walking back after losing the ball.
Cisse was shocking and disinterested for most of the game. One of the laziest players I've seen in a while. Even Taarabt works harder than him.
Yes, I´m gonna be negative, why is Hughes still with us?, many on here said that we need 7 points from the next 9 well we got 1 from 3 so far. Does anyone on here honestly think our first away win of the season (first away win ever for Sparkless) will be at Stoke? (I know we won there last year but lightening will definitely not strike in the same place twice) so max will be 2 points from 6 (IMO). Then home to Soton (my first visit to Loftus Road this season) again I am struggling to think that we can beat them as well. Sorry guys but for me Hughes has to go before it is too late, I know he has his supporters on this forum but he just doesn´t inspire the team, they really don´t look up for it and soon enough it will be too late. On a related note is it possible that if Hughes did leave not all of the backroom staff would want to go? - just a thought as it is a ´long term´ project. ps. good write-up Col
I'm not too sure thats how it works whether they would want to stay or not. A new gaffer would want the decks cleared so he can bring in his own buddies. Enjoy the Southampton game. You should come and join us for a pint beforehand. I believe Inkedupp will be posting details soon of a pub to meet. Ya tienes amigo que hablas Espanol. Disfruta lo.
I know managers would normally want their own crew but to be honest I think Bowen is the only that has a pulse! - I mean Hitchcock didn´t exactly set any fires alight as the Scum´s keeper did he??? - I am beginning to think this is a Chelsea conspiracy what with the management and ex-players we have - there you go guys another theme to think about!!! the Chelsea Conspiracy!!!! - lets call Jason Bourne!!! Hablas español muy bien Finglas, buscare el nombre del bar donde vais a beber antes del partido!!!
I meant to mention Roberts in my report, by way of showing what a 31 year old front man can do. I thought he was very good and I'd take him over Zamora all day long.
