Here's a response to the LFW match report that i thought was pretty decent: "Park's performance was an interesting one. I was particularly unkind to him on the match thread and thought he was the one who should have been replaced rather than Granero. Having watched the game again and having had the chance to rewind and reply bits of it I would say that, even before the goal, Park was actually a lot more effective (and Granero a lot poorer) than I'd given him credit for. True he hadn't offered much at all going forward prior to the goal and did have two poor moments, once when he passed the ball into touch and another when he lost his footing and lost possession which Clive alluded to above, but other than that he covered a hell of a lot of ground and won back possession on several occasions. Basically, watching the game second time around it was like I'd been watching a completely different player the first time around - a classic case of 'confirmation bias' I reckon ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confirmation_bias ) First time I was really annoyed that Harry had picked him and so everything I was watching was simply confirming my belief that he was a completely spent force, running around a lot to absolutely no effect. The times where he put a foot in and won the ball back, or read the play and made good interceptions, really didn't register - but the two errors I mentioned above certainly did. Of course it was impossible not to notice Park's contribution for the goal, and it really did give him a bit of extra bite and confidence thereafter, but on the rewatch it really struck me that Park had been effective before that and played a key role in a very good defensive away performance that limited Southampton despite all their possession to very few clear cut chances. I think on that performance he's got a part to play for the remainder of the season, particularly away from home, and that reports of the demise of his engine may have been exaggerated. Other than that observation, superb report as always Clive." http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/footba...d_remy_silence_the_saints_–_full_match_report
Hopefully he's got his confidence back & can kick on from it, he definitely played well to set the goal up and then to defend it. Needs to stop falling over though, cos that is winding me right up!
There should be a "I Don't Really Know" button. Watching the game I can't say that his performance, other than Bothroyd's assist, was particularly stand-out. But I could easlily say the same of Granero, Traore and Jenas.
Based on Park's previous performances he played well Saturday! Strangely, I also thought Park's performance was better watching a rewind Sunday, and Granero's a little worse, than when I saw them live. But they still were long from good enough to be starting games on that form in the PL. I hope to see Derry, Diakite, SWP or Jenas replace Park, and Adel (or anyone that can pass a ball) replace Granero on Saturday.
When we signed him, I remember quotes from utd fans saying he's a hero, under rated, great going forward and many more compliments. But one thing that was mentioned in almost equal quantity was that park can't play centrally, his position is wide right and nowhere else. Yet I can only remember 2 occasions, 2nd half at Southampton being one of the cases, where he has actually played in that position. I remember him playing well when he was played on the right in the previous occasion also. We have an abundance of options on the left and centre, but on the right we seem to persist in playing mackie, love him, but he isn't premiership quality!!! Then there's swp, who always works hard but delivers so little. So why do we buy a player who's won all the domestic trophies there are to offer, who's position is wide right, the position we struggle with and then fail to play him in that position?? I think the critisism of park has been unfair for that reason, ok his performances have been poor, but if we don't play to his strengths is that his fault? Hopefully we stick with him on the right because it is a very long time since mackie has offered anything and we can't afford to be so ineffective down the right.
I'm glad i am not the only one who thought he wasn't that good. http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/fb_mb.php?m=v&t=76251#34 Many other QPR fans thought the same. For me, it's wasn't the Park i saw at ManU or at the begining of the season. He seemed slower and kept making mistakes. Saying all that he did get better and helped with the goal and was better than M'bia/Granero. Maybe he is not fully fit/injured or is not confident at the moment but not as good as i have seen before.
I could only vote Played better (not on there). We were bad again in Midfield over run and couldn't string any passes together to relieve, the pressure. He played OK, out of the 3 maybe the best and also probably the best performance I've seen him play in the Hoops. However the Midfield wasn't very good and he was part of it, make your own minds up.
FFS it's a easy poll it was so clear yet so far there are again its just another opportunity to moan. How about some really simple facts about the game. Park made the goal and in effect won us three points and showed his class by picking out Bothroyd who had a tap in. Yet he was called rubbish by some posters Look... each to your own but seriously if you want to show at least some degree of knowledge for the game you need to clearly acknowledge what Park did in that game: He produced the best tackle and pass of the game for the winner as well as the best bit of tidy football in the second half ... did anyone miss that? did anyone see the amount of running he completed. Look we worked hard and didn't play that well yet we were too much for Southampton, we were resolute and Park was just IMO our best player on the day.
Boswinga made the best tackle of the game (however it would have been offside). Hoilett made the best pass of the game for the Remy goal. My comments exactly
I agree, your talking a lot of sense here. Fans still seem to be judging Park on previous performances, it's weird. Whilst he didn't look like a world beater on Saturday he had a good, solid game.
Thank you for this! I thought the world was watching a different match, the way some people were lambasting Park. His positional sense was excellent, his harrying was so effective up top in pushing the So'ton defense back just by chasing them around, he didn't need to touch the ball or even put in tackles - that's the mark of an experienced professional. Good post.
I think there's something in this. It was difficult for me to say that Bosingwa played well, but I managed it.....just!
It's funny how two people can see a game so differently. Just read a guardian report saying what a good job mbia did. My mate thought samba looked a bit roper and the guardian gave him man of the match! Oh it's a funny old game!
I thought he did brilliantly for the goal, chased and harried a lot, but also gave the ball away and fell over far too often. Did Park play well? Yes, in parts
