It's not about too many sideways or backwards passes. It's the lack of fluency in our passing. QPR like most Prem teams moved the ball quickly and confidently (and mostly on the ground). Whereas a lot of our players seem to need more time to control the ball when they receive it and ages to work out what to do with it. Players like Meyler, Livermore, Bruce and McShane need a lot of extra training to bring them up to the basic technical ability of this league.
Last season I thought Livermore was one of the better passers, don't know what's happened this season? Even earlier in the season we were passing well. Up until about November, although I'm just going off MOTD & Wet Spam & Arse games as that's all I saw! I'm sure our passing stats were better at the start, except the teams like Arse etc!
Quinn is one of our best passers and there's less hoof ball when he's on the pitch. I accept his end product is poor, but in the midfield dynamo role he improves our possession and brings others into the game who can create chances.
I have to say I'm really surprised at the number of comments suggesting that N'doye was poor/average/****e before scoring. I can recall numerous occasions when did things that are not often seen from strikers. I'm talking about making himself available deep in midfield and winning several tackles and fifty-fifty's that resulted in us winning possession back. For what it's worth, I don't recall him losing possession often. In any case, his goal was not only well taken but was the header of a courageous player whose attacking intent is priceless.
Fully agree with this, but which one's place does he take, Meyler, who didn't appear very effective yesterday, or Livermore, who couldn't seemingly make a single decent pass yesterday. Both players have great engines but definitely lack consistency, I'm pretty sure that SB must feel like he's playing Russian Roulette each time he sends these two out together. When they're good they seem to be everywhere on the pitch, but when they're less than average, like yesterday, it leaves in massive hole in our midfield, and probably pisses Huddlestone off to the point whereby it affects his game. But yes I agree that Quinniesta does deserve a run in the team at the expense of either Meyler or Livermore, certainly on yesterday's performance.
Purely and simply because, as many have already pointed out Stan, our midfield needs serious work. Huddlestone can pass a ball but, at times, seemingly can't run, whereas Livermore and Meyler can both run but, at times, seemingly can't pass the ball. Let's hope that now the Phelan has landed it gets sorted, because it needs to be for certain.
I can understand why people might say N'Doye wasn't excellent but his job is to score goals and if he was running the channels or dropping deep for the ball that wouldn't have helped as that would of just crowded the midfield even more. We needed him in the box, and the supply to him was very poor, it's hard for any striker to look good with constant poor crosses, we got two good balls in, in the second half and we nearly scored from both.
People always said Fryatt was ****, did nothing all game, but he scored the goals! Sagbo is one of those players who doesn't score etc, but last season he scored a brilliant goal in the semi, don't know why he didn't get more when he can get into that space like that.
I thought Huddlestone had a good game yesterday, he looked a yard quicker and fitter to me, he passed the ball when he had to, won it when needed and controlled the game. However he was only against Barton and Henry, latterly Krankjar. You should see Phelan the amount of times Livermore and Meyler give the ball away, he goes nuts. Frankly if we want to be a decent mid table side it needs sorting. Livermore stank the place out.
Completely agree with this post. I watched the replay of the full game last night and thought N'Doye was virtually faultless in his control, passing, etc throughout the game. The amount of negative comments on here was to me at least incomprehensible. And his winning goal was indeed a great example of anticipation and concentration. 10 out of 10 Mr.N'Doye.
I imagine you mean that N'Doye did everything you think he should have done. 10 out of 10 doesnt leave much room for a hat trick, an assist, a slightly higher % of 50/50s won or a Gordie Howe hat trick. Id say 8.5 out of 10 for me, just because he did great but it wasnt perfection.
There's always room for improvement Kellen but I was very impressed with N'Doye's all round performance yesterday. A huge improvement over the other partners Jelavic has had to put up with as reflected in the fact that they are both on a goal-a-game track since being paired up. On the subject of Jelavic I'd just like to say how strong he is in covering on the other teams corners/free kicks. A real force in our own penalty area and one additional reason why we hardly ever concede goals from corner kicks. Watching the close ups of QPRs corners on TV I was also impressed by the job Meyler did on Zamora whom he was clearly assigned to cover, and in protecting McGregor from his physical assaults. Zamora was acting like it was a wrestling match and Taylor correctly whistled him up several times. Surprised he didnt get double yellows and an early shower.
Have to agree with you about Jelavic. He's fast becoming my favourite player. He works so hard all the time for the team and the more he scores, the more confident he becomes and this is showing up in his close ball control. I really do think he's a fine footballer.....And what about that finish!
Jelly is amazing, got to love his work rate as well as his finishing. He has turned out to be a great value at 7.5 mill.
The impressive aspect of N'Doye's goal today was his single-mindedness. A few seconds earlier he had a great effort saved brilliantly by their keeper. His head didn't drop, he remained focused and got onto the end of the next cross to score the winner. That's a good player for you. He didn't sulk, raise his arms in frustration or skulk off out of the picture like many players do in those situations.Like they always say..wait for the whistle. That focus & speed of reaction was also evident in his rebound effort for his goal against Villa last game. A great addition. Jelly had yet again a smashing game - superb work-rate.
Got to admire QPR, they certainly did there homework on the ref Taylor how the hell it took him so long to book Zamora is unbelievable, on several occasions went up for high ball leading with the elbow,constantly leaving his foot in when trying to make a tackle constantly moaning to the officials, agree could easily have joined the fool Barton for an early bath.
What is perfection in football, is it like beauty, in the eye of the beholder, giving what you seek? If you don't expect a hat-trick and don't get one what have you lost? I don't think he was perfection for different reasons, but someone else might be more than happy with their own expectations.