Harry Redknapp again blamed an apparent lack of fitness among his players following the 4-0 defeat against Manchester United. The Rangers boss previously put his team’s poor start to the campaign – which included a 4-0 thrashing at Tottenham – down to some of his players not being fit after what he described as a poor pre-season. And after a one-sided game at Old Trafford, Redknapp said: “Some of our players need games. “They need to get fit, but that’s the problem with the international break. We need to get them fit and playing.” Rangers fell apart after Angel Di Maria’s first-half goal and were 3-0 down by half-time. “To be honest we came in and found ourselves 1-0 down with five minutes until half-time. I thought if we came in at half time at 1-0 we’d be still in the game,” said Redknapp. “But we gave away two goals and came in at 3-0 despite Rob Green barely having a save to make. “You know it is going to be tough at 3-0. You don’t want to get beat six or seven and it be demoralising.” http://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/...-lack-of-fitness-after-qprs-defeat-at-man-utd Re the part in bold: Leicester played a friendly over the international break- where most of their first team got 90 mins of football. Why couldn't we have done that? Seems to me that the break was a perfect opportunity to get fitness.
Anyone would be tired chasing a ball round the park for 90 minutes. All teams are in the same situation. It's nothing unique.
What shocking sound bites !!! . ... "We came in 3 nil down despite Rob Green barely having to make a save" I'd suggest Harry, that there were at least three saves he needed to make. "..... They need to get fit that's the problem with the international break" That would be a decent excuse, but I am pretty sure Man U also have some internationals playing for them too. Although maybe this the reason we got done by Burton Albion ?
Normally I'd keep my official opinions to myself, but I can't. We had several decent chances and the players ended up being selfish, Philipps for one, and there really wasn't any spark. We were flat and gave up. At the end of the day it's the players, but the spark and intensity comes from the coach. I was really surprised at the outcome, and I thought we'd do better. I've got my fingers crossed because I believe we have a decent squad, but the stand out players need to play.
I just don't understand why we radically alter our tactics & style of play for away games. It's still a football match isn't it, on grass and with 11 players? The opposition fans will be a bit louder, and the pitch might be a bit bigger- but we shouldn't suddenly morph into a totally different entity. How're we ever going to hit form and acquire our own style when it's constantly tinkered with? 2 good performances V Hull&S'land, 2 poor ones V Utd&Spurs. Lets just approach every game as if we're at home- by attacking and giving it a proper good go
Traore showed what could have been when he came on and had a go at them, we didn't get anything like that from Phillips, Hoilett or Isla all game. Gave them far too much respect. Vargas looked sharp though.
I have said it for the last 4 years that the team don't look fit,different team different managers same unfit players. For example take Puncheon he didn't look fit enough to tie his own shoelaces with us but now looks fit as a flee.
A few thoughts, and I know we were playing a good side with top players, but I still have a few problems. 'If we came in at 1-0 down we'd still be in the game.' : Yes, but losing it. That isn't something to aspire to. If we are aiming to only be 1-0 down at half time, that is poor, and I want to see more ambition than that. “They need to get fit, but that’s the problem with the international break. We need to get them fit and playing.” : Maybe I am getting this completely wrong here, but surely an international break means those off on international duty are training with their countries, and those who aren't can be training at QPR, working on fitness and strategy. If players are coming back from injuries, or not 100% they are unlikely to be with international squads, so surely an international break is a great chance for some focused and intensive training aimed at improving fitness. "But we gave away two goals and came in at 3-0 despite Rob Green barely having a save to make." : As others have said, he had three to make, but didn't. “You know it is going to be tough at 3-0. You don’t want to get beat six or seven and it be demoralising.” : True, no one wants to lose by 6 or 7, but I'd rather have a go and get thumped than try and defend for our lives and keep the score low. I'm afraid for me, I sat hoping I was seeing the last of Redknapp, he became our manager, and we didn't really improve from where Hughes had left us. I'm sure I read somewhere that Tony realised he stuck with Hughes too long, and by the time he made a change it was potentially too late. I just hope the same mistake isn't made again.
Did any of you actually listen to his press conference. He identified fitness specifically for Sandro who has not had reg games (nothing in training equates to match time) and Fer who Harry implied had been left hanging around on international duty. It was not a comment about the whole team.
Without going into the particulars of the fitness levels of this player or that player, time and again over the past few years the question has to be asked what exactly do we do in training? Our players (especially new signings or returning from injury) are never "match fit", our set pieces (both in attack and defence) are park standard and we never seem to have a plan of how we want to counter the other team (especially away from home). I am no manager but surely logic would have dictated the following yesterday: "Look at all this disgusting fawning over LVG and his new pretty boy signings - they are not even counting you guys... go out there, show them who you are, snap at their heels early, these pretty boys won't want a fight... their defence is not world class so get in behind them early and often and try to rattle them a little... get the crowd nervous and toxic" I would have happily taken a couple of early fouls conceded in midfield so they knew we weren't going to lie down and wave them through. Instead we got 10 men behind the ball and acres of space and time for their better players to operate in. I.just.don't.get.it....
So why play three players in central midfield that are not fit? I realise that injuries to Barton, Mutch & Faurlin came into the equation but a central midfield where no one if fit. There could be only one outcome.
If we really had 5 CMF players unfit then Henry and Adel could have started CMF with Vargas and Hoillet wider, and Charlie and OBZ up front. Other than SWP I can't think of any other midfield players.
Please let us not pretend that Adel is fit But not playing Henry and Traore yesterday was wrong (both superfit and eager to please) I hate to say this, as I love Clint beyond all other players in the squad, and I think he will give everything, try for the full match, is a fit/fitter than the rest of the squad AND CARES...I do not think he will start another match (unless we are desperate in the fitness stakes). He cannot hack it....He must now be no1 on the bench... Traore must start (I assume Yun is still unfit, hamstring??? as he is not even on the bench) I really believe, Arry is already targeting matches he can win (which is why Barton and Mutch did not play) Next week we will see a different team, and I think a diffrent attitude. After halftime, there was not really a captain on the pitch and it showed Arry has been told to keep us up...it will not be pretty, but I think he will do it
Well said Beth and agree with this I still think Clint will play a part this season in emergencies and as you say from the bench.
