On the plus side, we're the only team outside the top 6 who've only lost 1 (or less) league games all season. And, if the league were decided on the number of draws, we'd be top!! Draw at Blackburn next week anyone?
It seems to me that we're trying to play a style of football that is quite difficult to play when you have no space. So it seems to me we need to find a style of play where we create space!
The lack of options for a pass in midfield was consistently an issue. Think that’s one thing Colback does quite well.
I do find it strange that once again the only player spared criticism for such a negative performance generally and a shambolic midfield in particular is Sam Field. I come away from most games with a mental picture of him pointing backwards whenever we get near the halfway line with the ball and can only dream of him making himself available to link up the play when we're struggling to play out from the back. Vastly overrated IMO and shouldn't start if Colback is fit.
Yeah we did, it gives the opposition something to think about and it's not as if Saito or Dembele are going to win any headers
Remarkably, Dembele did actually win a couple of headers. Not directly from the corner admittedly, but around the edge of the box. I agree though, we should leave at least one up.
Do you remember Man City doing it with David Silva wide on one wing and Sterling wide on the other, just knowing they could beat us one-on-one if they’ve got the ball
He has been the constant on there, never being a central midfielder to give the ball to from the back, or one in particular who might turn and do something with it.
Personally I don’t think we can have the luxury of Madsen and Andersen on the pitch at the same time, especially with Chair on the way back, one or the other yes but not both, remember they are continental players just because they look lazy when playing doesn’t mean they actually are, both are technically good footballers but not in the same side, they tend to cancel each other out in my opinion
To be honest Turkish, I wouldn't class either of them as a luxury based on what I've seen so far. If I was an opposition manager, I would be happy to see them in the line up. Things can change, and players take time to settle. Plenty of time for them to change my mind like.
Andersen had a poor game on Saturday, but I still like him as a player. Madsen didn't do too much wrong as far as I could see - I'd like like to see what he might bring playing as a 10. The thing for me, though, is that they're both what I consider to be proper cultured footballers. I'd rather watch either of them ahead of the likes of Colback. Perhaps they are luxuries, but that's fine with me.
I think Colback might be our best central midfielder, he seems to be the only one who can find space and play a forward pass. I know he can be a bit of a a calamity but I think we could've done with him yesterday. I think we're okay in defence and attack, the midfield needs sorting out, it's a bit lightweight. We'll see.
I did notice Frey sticking his hand up and making runs a number of times with it being sent to him zero times. The only times the ball got sent up to him was when the defence needed to go direct. I'm not a manager but surely if a player is making runs and calling for it, we should give it to him and see what he can do.
I think it's fair to say the midfield balance hasn't been right all season, we seem to be under the cosh most of the time. Chair is a big miss, without him we're pretty toothless. Saturday was a tough watch and Blackburn will be another testing game. Marti needs to work out this problem or we'll be in the brown stuff before we know it...
Clive's match report ... Frey and Nardi drag QPR through clunky Millwall show - Report - Queens Park Rangers News | Loft For Words (fansnetwork.co.uk)
