First of all, can I say what a pleasure it was to meet Sb before the game yesterday, who met us in the pub along with Goldie, Brix and Nines. It was also nice to say hello to Brix's lovely wife and son too. Onto the game and the chat before hand was mainly whether Utd would be over confident and would maybe give us a sniff. They weren't and they didn't. Rangers lined up in a 4-4-2 (4-1-3-2) with Mackie playing up with Zamora and, very strangely Bosingwa at right back. The consensus has been that Onuoha has been playing better and better, so why drop him? One of a number of bad calls imo. Taarabt started on the left and as the game got under way, it became clear that Adel was not at the races at all. He was giving the ball away and looked to have reverted to his old sulky self. Something that I haven't seen from him this season. Rangers started by pressing higher up the pitch than they have in other games against the "big boys", mainly due to the formation allowing 2 players up front to pressure their back 4 on the ball. Zamora was putting himself about quite well, but some balls stuck and quite a few didn't. He did win a few headers, but that seemed our only plan....knock it up to Zamora. Vidic was in his element and Ferdinand hardly needed to break sweat! A scrappy opening 20 odd minutes ensued and Rangers looked as though they may be able to get something, without ever really looking to threaten the Utd goal. Then Rafael produced an amazing volley from the edge of the box to leave Cesar looking on in admiration. It was a fantastic goal, but was started by Taarabt, again giving the ball away and then not working hard enough to get in front of Rafael to prevent him from shooting. A totally preventable goal which left Rangers with a mountain to climb. A Towering header from Samba was cleared off the line by the impressive Rafael, who then broke away to produce a tremendous pass to RVP, who hit a trademark volley, only for Cesar to pull off a very good stop. Earlier, the Brazilian stopper had tipped a header from Hernandez over the bar. The one bright spark for Rangers was Andros Townsend, who started on the right and was lively throughout and had the beating of Evra. Unfortunately, even our best player on the day could not produce any end product! The half ended with Rangers unable to keep the ball much and offering very little goal threat and Utd cruising. Granero had had as bad a first half as Taarabt and was substituted at half time, although he had been limping which is probably the reason why he was taken off. However, his selection from the start was another mistake by Harry in my opinion, as the Spaniard was pretty awful. Utd stepped up their performance in the 2nd half and Granero's replacement, Jenas looked a long way off the pace. Taarabt continued to look very poor by his standards and Rangers really looked what they are....the bottom team in the Premier League. Utd were in complete control and playing well within themselves. Rangers then took off the chronically injured Zamora, who was obviously finished at the end of the first half and put Remy up top. Remy had a good stinging drive comfortably saved by De Gea. Samba threatened again from a corner but put the header wide. Hoilett was then brought on for (unbelievably) Townsend. Mackie had done very little and was the obvious choice to come off. An unbelievable decision from Harry. Hoilett went onto the left, Mackie went to the right and Taarabt went up behind Remy. Nothing really changed until the disappointing Jenas had a terrible touch on the edge of Utd's area allowing them to break at speed. Bosingwa then disgracefully chickened out of a 50/50 challenge and Mbia could have done better to clear the danger. The ball was fed through to Giggs, with Hill desperately trying to play him offside. He wasn't and the veteran finished with his usual aplomb. I would just question Cesar's positioning as he seemed to go too far over to cover his near post as the ball was whipped across him. Samba had another header deflected wide by De Gea and that was that! The officials gave a goal kick for that and were predictably biased towards Utd throughout the game. In conclusion, I thought the initial line up was wrong, with Bosingwa and Granero starting. I also wouldn't have started with Taarabt on the left or Mackie up front. IMO Hoilett should have started and we should have really attacked them. However, the ridiculous decisions to loan out Cambell and Cisse whilst Zamora is so chronically injured are looking more and more puzzling. Hopefully Remy can stay fit and give us the goals we need...........................I won't hold my breath!! Player ratings and scores: Cesar - 7 - Some good saves, but I wonder if he could have done better with the 2nd goal. Bosingwa - 5 - Did ok on the ball, but clearly doesn't give a stuff and chickened out of a challenge leading to the 2nd goal. Samba - 6 - Still doesn't look anywhere fit, but a threat from corners. Hill - 6 - Always tried, as always and did well against top class strikers. Traore - 7 - Played very well and is becoming a consistently good performer. Townsend - 8 - Our best player on the day and it was a baffling decision to replace him. Granero - 5 - Pretty awful and went off injured at half time. Too slow on the ball and gets caught in possession regularly. Lightweight. Mbia - 6 - Some good interceptions and got a lot of tackles in, but pretty awful on the ball. Taarabt - 4 - Simply his worst display of the season. At fault for the 1st goal and sulked his way through the game. Mackie - 5 - Huffed and puffed, but he really isn't good enough to start, especially up front. Zamora - 6 - Offered a presence up front, but his first touch was sporadic as usual and he was finished by half time. Another poor decision was to keep him on till the 60th minute. Subs: Jenas - 5 - Looked way off the pace. Hoilett - 5 - Not much time to make an impact and should have started imo. Remy - 6 - Looked a threat and is realistically our only real chance of goals if he stays fit. Thoughts?
You were kinder than the Sunday Times were on the players performances. Bosingwa got a 3 for instance, the lowest rating I have ever seen given.
Good report Col. I enjoyed reading it. I agree with you re. Townsend and Zamora. One should not have been subbed and one should have been subbed much earlier. Thanks.
As they said on Talksport yesterday, Bosingwa is the last man you'd want in the trenches with you in a relegation fight. Usual good report Col, it seems Harry is beginning to realise it doesn't matter who he plays they just don't perform. I think he still doesn't know his best side and that the next two games will effectively seal our fate. I do think the loss of Nelsen will be THE defining moment of our season...
Nothing to dispute Col, good report. All felt very flat to me. Why not add a manager rating to the list. Harold gets a 3 from me for yesterday. Strange start selection, timings and choices for subs, the sheer desperation odf sticking Samba up front, but above all I do not know what kind of football we are trying to play. The shape doesn't change whether we have the ball or not, we can't move the ball quickly, accurately and aggressively, our shot count is pathetic. All training ground stuff. I remain mystified as I look at the names on the teamsheet - bit light in numbers up front, but on paper this squad should have no problem staying up. A collective failure of epic proportions. Great to meet you and the lad yesterday as well, and of course Brix and family, Nines and girls, Goldie and Staines with what looked like his own personal bodyguard in the shape of his boys. Thank god for the rugby which kept me awake on the drive home.
Has there been any comment on why the players that played did, and why the subs that were made were made? I was watching in a pub with friends, and I was particularly shocked when Townsend was taken off. All seems very strange. What was the reaction in the ground? Good read though so thanks for that.
Zero points from the Newcastle, WBA and Liverpool games over Christmas, on top of the dreadful start, could come back to haunt us if we do pick up from here on in.
Becoming pretty frustrated with Harry tbh. And I agree that we have no real pattern to our play. 4-2-3-1 would be the way for me, with Remy up top and Hoilett, Taarabt and Townsend behind him. That offers fluidity, attacking threat and the insurance of a couple of holding midfield players. I'm just watching Swansea v Bradford and Swansea are playing that formation and look really fluid, just as we did in the Championship with that formation. Harry is keeping us far too rigid imo.
Totally wrong about Bosingwa and straight forward prejudice against a player you don't want to see in a hoops shirt again. Every game we set up wrong in your opinion from the very beginning of the season. You need to start to realise exactly what you are turning into Colin this report is just another collection of frustration and i would have thought you could let it go a bit now as you said we were relegated 11 games ago. I hope you are able to relax a bit and get a second wind for the games coming up this is the time to stand and be counted. I agree with Harold that we were in the game albeit a stagnant one against a very good team. We are now moving into a series of games that you have every right to have a go at the team but this wasn't one of them. IMO you couldn't play DJ Campbell before any of these players sorry but he isn't good enough and the crowd turned on Cisse and he simply doesn't want to play for us. Hoilett has exactly what form and has been injured QPR didn't get in the players they were after I expect and we have to go with what we have no good typing stuff people already know. I disagree again about Bosingwa and I am sure still that we will stay up
I, like many others am getting pretty sick and tired of your totally blinkered outlook Dave. I've been to every home game this season and we have been shocking in most of them. Hughes got so much wrong and now Harry is making some bad mistakes too. Townsend off? Clearly our best player yesterday? Boswinga clearly doesn't give a toss about this team or club. I said he did ok on the ball, but I would have made a better job of that tackle he completely bottled and I'm 51!! What did Onuoha do to get dropped? Again yesterday there were people in the Ellerslie screaming at Bosingwa to get back, as he jogged back whilst Utd broke away. I realise you like to wind people up, but you're pretty much arguing that night is day now Dave. Oh and for the record, I have never said that we are definitely relegated and have always maintained some hope. Please don't spread lies on top of your delusional posts.
No i am posting my invited thoughts on a downbeat report if you are going write them expect that what you see is not always right ... it isn't and you have clearly stated that you think we are down. You and any others can get tired as you like if you feel you have to post then take the rough with the smooth you have been right many many times in the past but this report stinks and is clear that you are using incorrect terminology about players that you don't like. You have your opinions and i have mime I do not agree that I am blinkered in fact I would have to fire that back to you about some of your opinions. I repeat quite clearly that i do not argue for the sake of it or to wind anyone up If i do not agree then I reply. I am on record that I find this continual slating about our team a disease ... I too have grown up watching QPR and I am right about our fan base going down hill. Hughes first and now you are turning on Redknapp ... Sorry but i see this and read this and it has to be commented on ... Did you watch Liverpool lose and hear their fans sing the other night have you heard them boo the team off? QPR is in my blood mate and I hate what is happening on the pitch but i also hate what is happening to our fans. On our little world here we recently got to a point where we felt united again in our cause and support and then comes a match and to me **** is printed everywhere ... I am not about to let that go by without comment
We need to get behind this team now and stop chewing the fat I am really looking forward to the fight and am 100% behind the team
Firstly, in my opinion, you are posting ****. Secondly, you keep repeating the lie that I've said we're down. I haven't. I think we'll go down. that's not the same. I retain hope....just. Thirdly, I have been one of Adel's biggest supporters and still am, but I tried to be as truthful as I could about his awful performance yesterday. How does that fit with your statement : "and is clear that you are using incorrect terminology about players that you don't like"? Harry played the wrong formation IMO. Harry played the wrong players IMO. Harry made some incorrect substitutions IMO. I have QPR in my heart, but this season has been dreadful and is like death by a thousand cuts.
I don't have a problem with you posting your views in whatever terms you want Dave. But that's all that Col is doing as well. And the fact is that, game after game, I am seeing a team that is considerably LESS than the sum of its parts, whoever the manager has been. If you've only seen 8 goals scored at home all season it pretty difficult to go to games wrapped up in a cocoon of optimism and belief. I'm one of the more positive voices on here, I simply don't enjoy the other side, but this time last year I had no doubt that we would be ok. Now I can only hope, because despite a couple of backs to the wall successes v Chelsea and City, and this division being full of dross, we are still the worst TEAM (as opposed to group of players) I have seen this season. Its not right, its not fair and it ****ing hurts. I want to cheer outrageous skill and imagination, old style QPR flair and arrogance. Failing that I'll do the heart and guts thing. I ain't getting either, at least not consistently enough for me to leave the ground hoarse, at the moment.
I want to see my team win more than anything else and with style. I have seen so little of that this season and the players YOU laud are culpable. I don't need you constantly telling me black is white and then treating everyone's replies with arrogant disdain, you've done a better job on here underlining how totally absurd you and your vision of QPR is this season than any of us could, just like you did with France at the Euros...
Of course we all want to win and just because i refuse to slate continuously the problems thats makes a poster of ****. I get things wrong everyday and have learnt to move on quickly that is the difference .. it's no better and no worse however I respond firstly because i don't agree that Bosingwa was that awful and i do not agree that he doesn't care I won't have it. It i am told i am a dripping tap then expect chops back. I understand the disappointment but i have warned of it in the past I feel we should enjoy the ride after all we are in this league right here right now and we seem to reject nearly every player that plays for us or even managers us. We are trying to buy our way on a fast track and its not working we all know that boil it down and what is the point of moaning we have players that two season ago no one would of believed. If you want to build again then accept to fall like a stone . We gave a good account of ourselves yesterday in a really dreadful match yet had two chances to score. You have to build on something lads not just dismiss everyone that puts on the shirt. Comments have been made in the past and on here yesterday and today about Bosingwa and i don't agree with them he isa talented footballer IMO and has received yet again unfair criticism and in particular on Cols report. The Euros Sooper I was wrong and apologised under what on here was pure racism. The French players are superb players and didn't click What this is again is frustration and hurt after a game we lost even i didn't think we would win. I don't think any of us should give in as a fan base until its over one way or another .. it's a weakness to me and i apologise if others see that i am having a pop.
