Match Day Thread QPR v Norwich

[sheffordqpr]

I am loving the comments on this thread. So much better than we have seen of late. There appears to be some optimism. As I said to my son when we left LR yesterday, 'we know how the NCFC fans must feel'. Watching them yesterday was like watching us 2 weeks ago.

 

[qprbeth]

So you're saying Hall played as a libero in the first half? Very interesting. We might have a Franz Beckenbauer on our hands

Thank you Norway, now I have looked it up, yes I think that is what I was describing....

PS. I will now be using this "new-found" word in all my conversations!

 

[GoldhawkRoad]

A good day yesterday, though inconclusive. Holloway must have remembered it was Christmas on the 3rd minute. Cousins and Perch aren't good enough imo.

Ipswich away next week will be a decent test for the new QPR.

 

[stick]

A couple of things I disagree with here...

I think our effectiveness dipped not when Sandro took to the field but when Luongo went off.

Sandro got things really moving across the middle of the field. In the second half there was a 10 to 15 minute spell where we played the best football I've seen QPR playing for a long while. Then Luongo went off and Shodipo came on and it went to pieces a bit. I would have kept Luongo on (if possible) and swapped Shodipo for Chery maybe... since Chery never got into the swing of things. Chery was stop and start... some good moments, then some bad.

This!

When Luongo went off Chery switched and we completely lost our shape and our way. In fact the best period I thought we had was the first ten minutes of the second half. We knocked it around really well and created chances at will. We should have scored a third during this period and killed them off.
Slightly worrying that we looked relatively poor after making the changes and against ten men but a win is a win and we looked excellent for an hour!

 

[QPR Oslo]

So you're saying Hall played as a libero in the first half? Very interesting. We might have a Franz Beckenbauer on our hands

Good write up Beth, I think you have described the tactical part very well. Encouraging read, I like the fact that Ollie will try something different than what most were expecting.

But the Libero normally played behind the defensive line, sweeping up breakthroughs, and starting up Counters. Perhaps Hall was a lost Libero! Or maybe just able to get forward more with a 10 man opposition?

 

[Sooperhoop]

I think we have to factor in the appalling mindset our team has had for long periods this season, so to fail to add to the half time lead by the last 20 minutes and then concede must have set the alarm bells ringing, that will have got to the crowd as well. The win will hopefully be a platform for more positive form from now on.

On another note it will be interesting to see if Ollie has any transfer targets in January, if the play-offs are our target we definitely need someone as the right sided wingback and one or two additions to improve the squad may give us a chance, we're only four points off those places...

 

[Star of David Bardsley]

Worth noting that we are fortunate his first two games are Norwich and Ipswich who are both in awful form and have managers close to the sack themselves. Still, merely playing to win rather than not lose is a huge plus.

 

[NorwayRanger]

But the Libero normally played behind the defensive line, sweeping up breakthroughs, and starting up Counters. Perhaps Hall was a lost Libero! Or maybe just able to get forward more with a 10 man opposition?

I thought the sweeper (Italian way) played behind the defensive line, and the libero (German way) played in front of the back line. The libero role, invented by Beckenbauer was more fluid than the sweeper role, playing all the way from behind the defense and up joining the attack.

Pretty much the same job, utilised differently.

 

[QPR Oslo]

I thought the sweeper (Italian way) played behind the defensive line, and the libero (German way) played in front of the back line. The libero role, invented by Beckenbauer was more fluid than the sweeper role, playing all the way from behind the defense and up joining the attack.

Pretty much the same job, utilised differently.

I'm with you on the Libero making and joining attack, Libero meant free role and the best were all over the pitch. But my memory is of the Libero and in particular Bechenbauer playing from behind the defense not in front, and that is what I find on it now.

 

[Windom Earle]

Great win
Makes me want to chase the sunset
Very happy about QPR
Just got to adjust my latitude and it's on and we will beat Newcadtle 4-0 at SJP to get those goals back they nicked from us
IPswich 0 Rangers 2

 

[QPR999]

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[QPAAAAAGH]

I don't agree with the consensus on here that it was the Luongo substitution that marked our decline. The entire team seemed to have a different mindset as soon as they emerged for the 2nd half, almost as though they believed the game was already won. The problem of our not being able to hold the ball higher up the pitch as you need to do when protecting a lead showed its ugly head again (this for me typified the JFH era). Ironically it is Luongo who should be taking responsibility for improving this and needs to do much more to link up the play. Instead he spends a lot of time running away from the ball rather than making the much need option when we are in possession. I think IH notice this and tried to push us further up the pitch with his subs but the changes didn't gel. Don't get me wrong, Luongo is crucial to our chances, but he needs to play the role expected of him rather than the more attacking option he seems to adopt.

 

[sb_73]

I don't agree with the consensus on here that it was the Luongo substitution that marked our decline. The entire team seemed to have a different mindset as soon as they emerged for the 2nd half, almost as though they believed the game was already won. The problem of our not being able to hold the ball higher up the pitch as you need to do when protecting a lead showed its ugly head again (this for me typified the JFH era). Ironically it is Luongo who should be taking responsibility for improving this and needs to do much more to link up the play. Instead he spends a lot of time running away from the ball rather than making the much need option when we are in possession. I think IH notice this and tried to push us further up the pitch with his subs but the changes didn't gel. Don't get me wrong, Luongo is crucial to our chances, but he needs to play the role expected of him rather than the more attacking option he seems to adopt.

I wasn't at the game and only saw a minute or so of highlights, but what you describe seems to me to be a player trying to find space, which is what good players do. Of course it requires others in the team to see it and move the ball quickly.

 

[YorkshireHoopster]

I don't agree with the consensus on here that it was the Luongo substitution that marked our decline. The entire team seemed to have a different mindset as soon as they emerged for the 2nd half, almost as though they believed the game was already won. The problem of our not being able to hold the ball higher up the pitch as you need to do when protecting a lead showed its ugly head again (this for me typified the JFH era). Ironically it is Luongo who should be taking responsibility for improving this and needs to do much more to link up the play. Instead he spends a lot of time running away from the ball rather than making the much need option when we are in possession. I think IH notice this and tried to push us further up the pitch with his subs but the changes didn't gel. Don't get me wrong, Luongo is crucial to our chances, but he needs to play the role expected of him rather than the more attacking option he seems to adopt.

I've just watched the full 90 on the website. Big difference was our attitude in this game. Didn't seem to me to be that much difference between first and second half performances until their player hit the bar. It is important not to underestimate the mental side of the game. Perfectly understandable to me that they would have mentally panicked a bit and concentrated on defending what they had. They did so pretty effectively. No shortage of players wanting to get to the ball. We still created as many if not more chances than they did in the last 15. The Luongo substitution did not contribute at all and Holloway would have wanted to see Shodipo have a go. There may be other reasons we don't fully know yet. Better to do it after 63 minutes than 88. It just seems to me that you cannot blame the side for panicking a bit particularly when it's your own nerves and panic that make you do it. Yes of course it should have been more comfortable but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Teams are often most dangerous when one of their players is sent off particularly if they collectively feel that an injustice has been done.

Just love the way some are already criticising individuals and Holloway. Let's give it a chance shall we - 12 games anyone?

 

[Tramore Ranger]

Just to add my tuppence worth.....

Firstly great to see friends again.....hoops eternal with son and partner, roller, Beth and number 1 son in law, 999's, terry and son...also being introduced to captain Croydon jack.....this is what going to a game is all about.

It was a hell of a long day, alarm went off at 2:30 am saturday morning and finally got home at 1:30 this morning....but a thoroughly enjoyable one.....

When the team was listed we all scratched our heads, 5 defenders on the pitch and none on the bench......what was Holloway thinking off? Then it dawned on us...352... had to be, how else would thoseem selections work? And it was.....

On the way home we asked the question, is it better to conceed an early goal and still keep 11 players on the pitch or give away a penalty and have a player sent off especially so early? We concluded that in the first minute we'do rather conceed and keep 11 on the pitch especially in the first minute of the game than have a player sent off......I know chery missed this time.....he should have just held onto the ball and waited for the ref to be ready then place the ball on the spot instead of having to wait 2 minutes as he did......but after that Norwich had to be the most negative side I've seen for a long time......time wasting from the penalty onwards......apart from the ned short back pass smithies was a virtual spectator in the first half.....I can't recall Norwich having another attempt on goal..

Sure the sending off helped but the amount of space chery and Robinson were finding out wide was unreal, I liked the idea of hall being the holding midfielder, added height and strength in that part of the pitch, he's not bad with the ball at hisome feet either, this allowed cousins and mass to push further forward. 2 really nice well worked goals was the least we deserved by half time and there was a contented purr around the ground at half time, if not the full on rocking version.....

2nd half and in all honesty I thought it was going to be a case of how many we'd score I couldn't see Norwich scoring and until 70 odd minutes I don't think they created any chances.......then they hit the bar and all of a sudden we dropped deeper and couldn't hold onto the ball in their half although ruddy made very good saves from hall and Washington to keep the score to 2-0. Their goal was no real surprise and ment for 15 minutes of nail biting, the crowd getting a bit more edgy......but we held on, smithies still didn't have a save to make......

3 very welcomed points, a lot of positives, not many negatives, decent crowdo, a few pints with friends....all in all a good day out.

UR'sssssssss

 

[Telford Ranger]

Early days obviously but it's good to see the feel good factor back. Cheers to all for posting reports.

Can anyone tell me if player now shows the full match? Last time I had it you only got a few minutes highlights.

 

[seagullhoop]

Early days obviously but it's good to see the feel good factor back. Cheers to all for posting reports.

Can anyone tell me if player now shows the full match? Last time I had it you only got a few minutes highlights.

Looking on my phone, at the mo' it's just extended highlights - about 10 mins - most of the time it will show the entire 90 so it might not have been added yet

 

[Telford Ranger]

Looking on my phone, at the mo' it's just extended highlights - about 10 mins - most of the time it will show the entire 90 so it might not have been added yet

Cheers for that. Subscription time.

 

[QPR Oslo]

I've just watched the full 90 on the website. Big difference was our attitude in this game. Didn't seem to me to be that much difference between first and second half performances until their player hit the bar. It is important not to underestimate the mental side of the game. Perfectly understandable to me that they would have mentally panicked a bit and concentrated on defending what they had. They did so pretty effectively. No shortage of players wanting to get to the ball. We still created as many if not more chances than they did in the last 15. The Luongo substitution did not contribute at all and Holloway would have wanted to see Shodipo have a go. There may be other reasons we don't fully know yet. Better to do it after 63 minutes than 88. It just seems to me that you cannot blame the side for panicking a bit particularly when it's your own nerves and panic that make you do it. Yes of course it should have been more comfortable but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Teams are often most dangerous when one of their players is sent off particularly if they collectively feel that an injustice has been done.

Just love the way some are already criticising individuals and Holloway. Let's give it a chance shall we - 12 games anyone?

Thought they all got 10! LOL

 

[Rangers Til I Die]

Late to this celebration as away most of w/e though did get to game.
Just had to register my sheer delight at seeing a Rangers team playing with passion and pride and not a little skill too. Chery's through ball for Polter would easily grace any Premier League game.
We could waste time speculating what might have happened had Norwich not helped us with their stupid red card but who cares?
So long as we see pride and passion and whatever skill they can muster, I, for one, am happy and winning is just brilliant so let's be having more please.