Me and the lad were in high sprits travelling to watch 'Arry's first game at LR. The atmosphere was indeed much better than of late and we were very hopeful of picking up our first win of the season. I must admit that we were quite surprised when we saw the team which included SWP with no Faurlin, even in the squad!! Still, we decided that SWP is probably a player who impresses in training and so we decided to give him and every one else a fresh start under the new regime. Rangers again lined up woth M'Bia sitting in front of the back 4, with Granero and Diakite ahead of him and then Taarabt and SWP ahead of them, with Mackie up top. It was a kind of 4-1-2-2-1 which looks pretty narrow.....and was!! The game got under way and we immediately saw a scrappy, nervy affair. Then, early on Rangers conceded to a decent shot which Green really should have kept out. Instead he merely helped the ball into the net, despite getting both hands to the ball. This killed the crowd and we all feared the worst. However, with Mackie, as ever, running his proverbials off up front, Rangers drew level half way through the first half. Bosingwa, looking a little better this game, played the ball inside to Diakite who swept a decent ball into the box. Mackie got ahead of his marker and helped the ball on expertly into the far top corner. Great goal and the crowd were back with us! The equaliser brought about Rangers' best period of the game. Despite giving the ball away often, usually with dodgy balls played inside (a schoolboy error!) Rangers should have gone a couple of goals up. First Granero, more guilty than most of giving the ball away, played a delicious ball through to SWP. SWP's first touch was sublime, but then he placed the ball straight at the on-rushing keeper. He really should have done better. Then M'Bia, easily our best player of the first half, played a lovely pass over the top for SWP to again get through on goal with his pace.This time he did everything right, taking the ball first time on the run with a volley that dipped and swerved past the keeper.....2-1 surely? No, because the ball swerved a little too much and smacked into the post!! As much as he should have buried his first chance, I think SWP was hugely unlucky with this second effort. Then M'Bia got injured and that was to be a huge set back for us. I'm still not sure exactly what happened, but following an off the ball clash/collision or something more sinister with I'vebeenawhore, he went down as if he'd been taken out by a sniper! After a worrying delay, during which time I momentarily thought back to Muamba'a brush with death as M'Bia lay motionless with a physio holding his head rigid, he was taken off on a stretcher. It sounds as though it's only a minor neck injury which is good news. Meanwhile all our momentum was lost and the half fizzled out. The hugely disappointing Granero was replaced at half time.This was maybe due to M'Bia's absence upsetting the balance of the midfield, although I'm not convinced as M'Bia's replacement was very much like for like in Derry. More likely is the fact that Granero simply doesn't look up for the fight imo. With M'Bia gone, our midfield were far less effective with Derry, big-hearted as ever looking rather off the pace. The 2nd half went by in a flash with Rangers looking increasingly ineffective. When Diakite went off injured we lost all thrust going forward. Traore, who was excellent in the first half, making galloping runs down the wing, seemed more and more unwilling to attack the space in front of him. Bosingwa on the other flank was having a better game than of late, but all 2nd half he seemed to slow up the play and knock the ball inside. This really summed us up 2nd half for me. There was very little urgency going forward and I believe the early loss of M'Bia and then later on Diakite was the main cause of this. Apart from a good Hill header that struck the bar and a good chance for Park following a good pass from Taarabt, that the former Man Utd man struck too straight, all be it with his wrong foot, Rangers looked totally toothless up front. Having said that, I'm sure the plan would have been to bring on Cisse for a tiring Mackie, but the injuries scuppered those plans completely. There were some isolated boos at the final whistle, but I'm not sure what people were expecting from Harry. He can only work with what he's got and we do at least look a little better at the back (No coincidence that Hill is back in there imo). In conclusion I believe that we need to attack more and go for it. Let Taarabt completely off the leash, whilst using M'Bia and Faurlin as two holding midfielders to give us cover. Draws are no good so we may as well not die wondering imo. Talking of Faurlin....what's going on there? Not even in the last two squads? Derry ahead of him? Very puzzling!! Player ratings and comments: Green - 5 - Should have saved the goal, simple as. Bosingwa - 6 - Better than he has been, but still looks disinterested when the ball is lost. Slows attacks up regularly. Why no Fabio? Hill - 7 - Solid as ever and unlucky to hit the bar with a header. Nelsen - 7 - Solid and reliable as ever. Traore - 6 - Great attacking runs in the first half, but gave the ball away far too often and faded badly in the 2nd half. Maybe not fully fit yet? M'Bia - 8 - MOTM and only played 40mins. Very strong and good on the ball. Good attitude too. Like him a lot. Diakite - 7 - Very good also until going off injured. Injected much needed pace and drive going forward. Could be played further forward maybe? Granero - 4 - Terrible, apart from one good ball to SWP to set up a chance. Doesn't look up for the fight. Rightly subbed at the interval. Taarabt - 6 - Not the best of games for Adel, who looks a bit wary of over-doing things with Harry now in charge. For me....that's exactly what he needs to do. Desperately needs a goal, but he simply refused to shoot yesterday??! SWP - 7 - His best performance for a while, but should have scored with that first chance. Felt like the whole ground were willing him to get a goal. Good turn in the box 2nd half too. Mackie - 7 - Took his goal brilliantly, but Jeez!! Offside rule Jamie....study it please!! Subs: Derry - 6 - Tried as always, but looked well off the pace and a pale imitation of M'Bia (or Faurlin come to that!!). Park - 6 - Worked hard, but should have done better with his chance. Hoilett - 4 - Terrible. What has happened to him?!! Thoughts?
I think its time we stopped blaming everyone else when a player doesn't perform. A very good report otherwise.
Its as predictably tiresome as your constant flailing about at that lad's feet. You asked for thoughts, did you not?
Do you have any thoughts other than those involving Taarabt? I said he wasn't at his best and others on here have mentioned that they think he may be a bit wary of trying things with Harry in charge. Perfectly reasonable point of view. Do you have anything constructive to say instead of the constant torrent of verbal tripe?
Cheers col, agree with that. Traore doesn't usually play beyond 60 minutes, he's been subbed all season and clearly couldn't/wouldn't put the effort in for the last 30 minutes
Yeah....not fully fit I reckon. Let's get Fabio back in. Fast and attacking at least. I'd play him at RB though in place of Bosingwa.
Nice one Col, just as I saw it. I like Granero, but he's not performing. I loved M'bia's reaction to us conceding - he seemed to go mental standing in the centre circle, encouraging all the others to put their backs into it. Only thing I would add is that Villa were very weak. No ambition, how they think they can afford to leave out Bent is beyond me, though I'm glad they did. Benteke has something about him, the rest anonymous. All in all, not the big step forward we were hoping for, especially second half.
Welcome to the weekly COL review. This is the way it goes: I will open a thread and give my opinion on every player and the match itself. I will rate the players then at the end I will ask for your thoughts. Be advised however, that you can only post a comment agreeing with everything I said. Any differing views will be treated as a personal attack on me and my knowledge of all things football. I will respond in an attacking manner and leave you in no doubt that any further dissent will result in all out war. Remember, I started this thread and I only want people to comment who think everything I've said is perfect. However, I didn't stipulate such terms when I invited peoples thoughts but I expect everyone to know that what COL says about QPR is infallible. Thank you for your cooperation. COLLY the WALLY
Pretty much as I saw it although I think a bit harsh on Green. I thought he looked a lot more assured. When there I thought he could have done better but having watched it back he was at full stretch and I don't blame him. Thought SWP did really well and agree re his chances. Looked hungry for it and was transformed from where he was. Would be interesting to see how he'd play if he can bag a couple and get some confidence!
WOW That coming from you Swords. Have a look in the mirror. You will be surprised what you see. Col, I appreciate your reports. I think they are very good. Well done.
Should add a special mention to the fans! Terrific atmosphere especially around 60th minute with a seemingly endless Harry Rednapps blue and white army with a couple if others thrown in. It actually felt like we'd be pushing the ball into the net ourselves! Need to keep that up!
Good report as usual Col. Really do think that the game was there for the taking but for the injuries at crucial times. Each time we started to take a bit of control lady BAD luck shone her wicked light down on us and we had to start again and try and get back some kind of rythm. I'm still positive about our chances
Good report Col, i would personally mark Traore down to 5 as he gives the ball far too much 3 times to an AV player in our own half and 3 in their half nearly cost us a couple of times plus I really don't like his attitude. I thought Adel deserved a 7 as his workrate IMO made up for his lack of goal oppertunities and as would give Mackie an 8 he was level or just behind the last defender on a great through ball but was given off side, however your point is valid.
Thanks for the good write Col. I thought Bosingwa, was with Diakite, Mackie and M'bia our best player yesterday. We were very strong down our right side especially first half - Bosingwa, Daikite and SWP did well, created a lot of pressure, corners and the goal. I thought Traore was our one of our best at Sunderland, and was Ok yesterday, above OK first half. Both backs are playing well defensively too right now, though Sunderland and Villa aren't top attacking opposition, and apart from their speed which is important with 2 slow CB's they, and especially Traore, are good in the air as well, so I don't agree with dropping either for Favio or anyone else we have right now. But bearing in mind we drew at home against another relegation candidate, and OK though we shaded it but not by a mile, aren't the ratings high? I mean if we rate with a middle of the range 5 as average / ok performance needed for a mid-table placing in the PL, shouldn't the ratings be more like this: Green - 4 - Should have saved the goal, simple as. Bosingwa - 5,5- One of the best. Good going forward and Ok defensively. Hill - 5 - Solid as ever and unlucky to hit the bar with a header. Nelsen - 4 - Solid. Was close to playing Sunderland onside for their goal that was disallowed. Traore - 5 - Great attacking runs in the first half, solid defensively. M'Bia - 5,5 - Very strong and good on the ball. Good attitude too. Like him a lot. A bit slow closing down Holmen for their goal. Diakite - 5,5 - Very good also until going off injured. Injected much needed pace and drive going forward. Could be played further forward maybe? Granero - 4,5 - Off his best, but held us together, and we were better with him on the park than without. Taarabt - 5 - Not the best of games for Adel, who looks a bit wary of over-doing things with Harry now in charge. For me....that's exactly what he needs to do. Desperately needs a goal, but he simply refused to shoot yesterday??! He let Holmen go for their goal. SWP - 5 - His best performance for a while, but should have scored with both chances. Good down the right in space often made by Diakite and Bosingwa. Mackie - 5,5 - Took his goal brilliantly, and worked tirelessly without looking like scoring again. Subs: Derry - 3,5 - Tried as always, but looked well off the pace and a pale imitation of M'Bia (or Faurlin come to that!!). Park - 3 - Worked hard, better in centrally than on the wing, but off the pace, inefectual, made basic errors and missed a good chance. Hoilett -2,5 - didn't do much, but not much time.
Excellent report, Col. With due respect to Oslo, I think you have the player marks spot on. Though I'm tempted to agree with R74 that the goal we conceded was difficult to keep out. In any event, I'd say Green has done well ever since he came on at Sunderland. Agree in particular with the comment on Hoilett. This guy is a shell of the player who opposed us last year for Blackburn. Our future in the Prem depends on players with natural talent like him, and Cisse, to shine. I'm sure Harry will turn his attention to them during December.
Good write up Col. Glad you were able to appreciate SWP. Probably his best game in The Hoops. For me it was like the Reading game. How on earth did we manage not to win that one!!? (Actually even more so that the Reading game).
