Just got in from work, so thought I would write up a bit about the Peterborough game. To start - dont bother watching the highlights again. Im surprised they actually found any. I really dont want to be negative at this stage of the season/pre season, but its hard to be anything but. I think all that were there on Sat would agree things dont look good. I know some will probably reply saying its early in pre season - but realistically, its 20 or so days to the start of the season, and confidence is quite clearly at rock bottom imo. We play with no pace going forwards, no invention, nothing. We pass the ball sideways well enough but we create next to nothing against (with all respect) L1 and L2 defences. We have nothing creative about us at all and everyone looks scared stiff to do anything. We are making defensive errors, basic ones, and so is the midfield. We have pretty much zero chance of scoring as i think we created probably 4/5 shots combined out of the last 2 games. Zamora looks, well awful. Park, Hoilett, SWP, Mbia still cannot perform to a required level and Jenas, Johnson and Granero are blowing hot and cold. The ONLY positives for me: - Faurlin looking good, spraying the ball around well and getting forwards - Simpson showing good signs. A right back who likes to cross, and is defending well - A brief spell where Faurlin and Granero linked well like the Spurs away game last year. Other than that I cant find much else positive i'm afraid. Before these two games I was positive about the season, but my opinion has completely changed. There are no goals in this team, even against Championship defences as we dont commit forwards and have no ideas. For me its going to be a season where the sole aim is to avoid relegation. A big change in opinion, but its really not looking good at all. I dont think I have seen us play without ideas to this extent for a long time. Much more of this, and my support of Redknapp is going to fade. What is going on. Nothing has changed since last season at all. The only players doing anything well were not here last season - Faurlin and Simpson. Says all you need. We need a miracle if we want promotion. I sincerely hope Adel doesnt go as he is the only one who has the guts to take players on. He didnt perform in the PL, but he has proven he can in the Championship. It is astonishing how we lack in ideas it really is. No incisive passing, no runs off the ball into space, no quick turns, no skill. I was all for giving the likes of Hoilett, SWP, Mbia, Park a second chance, but they have had it now imo. They wont change, they are still performing like a one legged duck. Time to go. I think you get the picture!
Good words Judo and credit for going I totally agree that the players aren't expressing themselves Harold has to his credit worked on ball retention it seems but that won't do us any good like last year when we need to step it up ... It's dull and too slow and expect a lot of teams to hang and wait and then counter . We will be beaten playing like this as its one dimensional I haven't a clue what I am saying anymore if I ever did I just know and feel its not QPR
I think you hit the nail on the head there in much less words than I did - one dimensional. So easy to defend and play against. Horrible to see us playing without any flair, it really is. We are a club known for having players like that, the Marsh's, Bowles etc..
Thanks Judo. A worrying read. I suspect Harry wil be very busy over the next weeks. Please let's remember that this is not the finalised team. However, I am resigned to a few seasons in the NPC until we have a proper team again.
Exactly how I feel mate. Just 4 days ago I was very positive that the squad had changed and were working well together. Quite the opposite.
To be honest, it always feels like a great pre-season means a crap season, so I'm not going to get overly pessimistic about a crap pre-season. We all want to see a passionate, creative and purposeful Rs side winning every game, whether competitive or otherwise. But, if we're realistic, we'd remind ourselves that this is Queens Park Rangers Football Club and that will never happen. I will keep my critical powder dry until the season proper commences. We will know if there's cause to be optimistic, pessimistic or indifferent ten games in.
I can reason with that view - but in other circumstances I could accept it as just pre-season, but coming off the back of last season, and having heard what all the players/staff have said, nothing is different. Its worrying that confidence still seems very low.
This malaise won't end until there is a major overhaul of the squad. Problem then is we will need time to gel
Likewise Nines. For me the only consolation is this is QPR, and we never know whats around the corner. One things for sure, I will NEVER stop supporting my club. Its just the current incompetants that Im struggling with. And I include Redknapp and Beard in that statement. Chin up mate, see you v Sheef Weds.
I must go on record as saying this is right as we have the rubbish of the transfer deadline to come yet
Im not hitting the panic button just yet. The revamp has started..the key word in the new transfer policy is a player with the right "attitude". Dunne, Simpson maybe Hooper seem to be of that mold and I genuienly think it will have an impact. Needs to happen sooner rather than later before the likes of Simpson get dragged into the obvious malaise of the previous squad. TF keeps banging on he has learnt his lesson, well his current policy in the market seems to reflect that IMO. Also seeing the squad without the likes of Boswinger sends out a clear message...players with your attitude are not wanted
Just for once, a quiet deadline day may be just what we need. No last minute dashing about and panic buying. Harry, NOW is the time for sensible business please. And even more sensible off loading.
My uncle made a good point yesterday. He said that if we had a good pre-season thrashing weaker opposition then we wouldn't be ideally ready to deal with equal opposition. Well, maybe I'm clutching at straws but I've learned that pre-season isn't always a good indicator of anything. In fact it usually shows nothing about how the season is going to be. I'll worry when the season starts, if need be.
To an extent I agree, but putting the result aside, we are not playing well at all. We had 4 shots on target combined in both games. That is what is worrying me. If we were having shots, creating chances, and attacking well then I could be happier.
To be honest I've watched neither of the matches but I hope to see the Austria tour since it'll be streaming on the official ustream. But you are right about the creating of chances. But these players definitely have ability. So I'm not worried about that. I'm just worried about the organisation of things. Surely the staff we have can get them going when it comes to competitive football. And maybe good teams like we'll play in Austria will give us the seriousness we need.
Cheers Judo. i do tend to have a very similar view of the game to your reports on most things & this i worrying. Not to bothered just yet; until we get hammered 6-nil in the 1st game...then I'll be concerned. Lets just hope Harry has something hidden away eh?
I seem to remember the Rangers thrashing a load of Mickey Mouse Asian teams last pre-season: fat lot of good that did us! I expect mid-table; can't hope for much more after the disaster which was the last 2 years (and running?).
