Since the return of Onuoha our results are improving. In the 5 matches he’s played since returning, our record is 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats, whereas we lost 4 and drew 1 of the previous 5 matches. This pattern is reflected across the whole season. Ohuoha’s return has allowed us to return to a back three as he has the pace to cover the space down the flanks. When our injury crisis forced us to play 4-4-2 we were painfully exposed as having a soft centre. I’d rather field a back three of Robinson, Onuoha and Baptiste (or Hall) than any back four you can muster as it allows our midfield triumvirate to operate as a compact triangle as opposed to having them strung out across the park; a situation that Brentford, in particular, showed was unviable. Both Bidwell and Wszolek are improving in their new roles. Bidwell is playing far better than he did last season (who knew he could cross with the outside of his foot?) and Wszolek has regained some spark after his short spell out of the team. I also disagree that he does know how to utilise his players. He is the first QPR manager to play Luongo in the correct position, as an attacking midfielder (Col and I used to despair at him being wasted further back). How many “Luongo is a waste of space” threads have there been this season? Holloway doesn't select 3-5-2 because we have great wing-backs, but because it gets the best out of our best players. And to think I only wandered in to read Beth's verdict on the match.....
I just hope the club management are preparing for a change of manager and have a short list. Holloway won't go yet, but if we don't get more than a point in the next two Championship matches, Cardiff and Burton, and sort the goal drought out, I think he'll be on his way. Any new manager would want some of the January window to bring in new blood, even if we only have 5p in the kitty.
Problem is when Luongo and Freeman had a little purple patch it was when Washington and mackie were starting or sometimes washington/Sylla. For some reason Olly stopped this and results stopped. I rate Washington higher than most and again someone who isnt utilised properly but in August and again in October we looked like a team.
One word (or 3) which I hate associating with QPR and the Management and Board better take not is BORING, BORING, BORING. The football is ****e with no end product.....my son of 23 is disinterested for the first time in his life, I am, mates are and we are not alone. Will always support QPR but we have had worse teams that entertained occasionally. I like the bloke but his record is crap and 6 points out of 30 with the only win against the bottom team is shocking...I am disappointed to hear myself say he has to go.......and put your Mortgage on MK Dons in the Cup....
In short....we could not play Robinson last night with Ned andHall was off the pace. That is why we did not draw. I truely believe Ollie has got the defence/midfield sorted Why we did not score is a different kettle of fish...and he does not have an answer...and in truth nor do we
How is playing a winger who is going to the world cup and attracted the interests of Chelsea by playing on the wing getting the best out of him by making him play the majority of a game at full back??? If this is getting the best out of our players then we truly are in crisis!!!
I seriously can't understand how anyone is happy with this situation. We weren't happy in better league positions when we sacked other managers. I'm yet to hear a serious FACT or STATISTIC that is a reason to keep this manager who is blatantly out of his depth
I believe that the defence and midfield is the problem!!! By having too much of a space between midfield and attack. Remember we do concede for fun!
There is only one reason why he's still here, and will continue to be here - we can't afford to sack him. Your only hope of him leaving is if he falls on his sword and walks away, but I think that's unlikely. As I've said before, he needs help on the training ground, I don't think Bircham is the one for that, but who is out there to come in?
Beth I’m not sure how you can say this when, despite having probably the best keeper in the league, we have let in 35 goals (only the teams below us and Forest have let in more), and the midfield just doesn’t score goals. I have no problems with the players as individuals (strikers excepted) but the team is less than the sum of its parts.
I think he's the right man based entirely on the circumstances i.e. a club still fighting FFP and with zero room for manoeuvre in the transfer market. I don't know who we could attract in this situation other than some old has been or never was. The only option would be taking a major gamble on a younger manager but again it may be difficult to entice them here with the limitations they'd be working with. Also it would be an incredibly risky move to get someone in without experience. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't mind of deal I fear.
mmm still away and managed to catch SkyNews. Saw the fiasco with Hollow getting off the coach then saw the score. Typical Hollow can't beat a crap team. I won't call for his head I will leave that to the posters that wanted him. I don't think we will go down but this is not an improvement on JFH or Benny.
I too thought out defence was improving, until I looked at the last few months of matches and our goals against is very very poor during that period. October, I think, was our better month with only 4 goals against and 5 scored (2D, 2W). However November brought 10 against us and only 3 scored; December: 7 against and only 4 scored. The constant changes have to be affecting our cohesive abilities and understanding between players and their positions. There is a reason we often hear how teams with successful runs use the least number of players; reasons why we hear about players that have a clear/good understanding with one another having strong stats for assists/goals and knowing where to put the ball for a strike partner. Can all our forwards be so bad at once? Comments above about poor delivery must contribute to our inability to convert to goals or having so many missed shots. Tombola selection isn’t working, hasn’t worked and is in danger of taking us down. If IH doesn’t know his best team by now, he damn well should. Everyone has injuries, but you don’t throw the whole team selection up in the air and see how it falls and go with it. I think we do have some good/promising players (and some we need to improve/replace - but that doesn’t happen!). I just don’t think we are getting the best out of them as individuals or as a team.
And we approach another transfer window, again with a manager that could be gone before it closes. On current form, we are going down. Having checked the form tables it's looking like a 22nd place finish atm. Can't see him changing it up, didn't at the last 2 jobs he's had. Lessons Learned. Sorry Ollie has to go now. Head over heart. Edit: I think we need a quality coach as other have also said, not sure McLaren is the answer though.
I've had the impression the defence has looked more solid the last few games, about from when Ned returned. 3 goals against from 4 games, if I can add up as far as 4, rather confirms this. Ned played very well last night, organising and using his speed well, and Baptiste has been consistently good. If they and Robinson stay fit and Hall can recover from last night, we have a good back 3 in there. The midfield doesn't score, that needs a lot of work, but with Scowen back should at least allow Luongo and Freeman to provide more chances than last night. Liked the look of Chair as well, he looks a better ball player than Cousins. I agree with Roller that Bidwell has been getting better and better as a wing back, and Pawel is usually involved in our best attacking moves as early on last night. Yet we still aren't creating enough chances or taking them. Without convincing alternatives I'd like to see Sylla and Smith up front, but we have to give them lots of chances from wide and angles, and not just lump it up to them as we resorted to when Pawel (on a yellow with a ref who loves to give us reds) went off last night.
I understand what youre saying Beth but why would you contemplate Smith and Sylla but then no natural width to cross in attacking areas?
Hopefully a serious answer. Pragmatic approeach. Can IH improve results? Maybe. We were at the head of the form table earlier this year so he has actually dine it. Would a 'better' manager come to QPR? Maybe but probably not just atm. Would a lower league manager - Karl Robinson etc - do better than Olly? Maybe but no guarantee at all. Basically it's a gamble either way and given that we are not the bookies' favourites to occupy the last relegation place I can understand why they might want to stick and not twist.
I actually think we will go down mate but totally agree with everything else you say. This is not an improvement on JFH or Ramsay infact it's worse
