I think we finally saw the full potential of CR yesterday. He got the players psyched-up for the game with the perfect balance of belief and aggression (contrast and compare with Redknapp and Hughes), his tactics were far from pretty to watch but spot on for the occasion and circumstances (how many other teams have completely nuetralised Hazard as we did for 87 minutes) and unless I'm very much mistaken, even saw to it that the grass was cut long to reduce the effectiveness of Chelsea's passing game. One minor criticism might be that he left BZ on for too long this time around but overall a very strong managerial performance when pitted against one of the best teams in the world. I think we could do worse than to let him start planning for next season right now. If we could somehow convince JB to continue their excellent partnership that would be even better.
Agree, I just feel that we've already done a deal with Clemence, so no matter what happens I think he'll be number 2. But him and Clemence together would be fantastic, as CR has already said he'd be happy to be back at number 2.
I do hope you mean Paul Clement, and I do hope Ramsey is his number two If that were right ...I would be down HQ this afternoon insisting they take next years Season Ticket money off me now.
Clement? He is only an assistant now. See absolutely no need to change our current Manager, unless possibly Jose likes us so much, he wants to work with a real football Club.
Of course, we all immediately loved Ramsey after the Sunderland result but I started to wonder about him after the disappointing displays against Crystal Palace and Everton. Now, after the heart-warming Chelsea display, I feel very positive again. Clearly, I should wait until the end of the season and have a few more games on which to judge him. Nevertheless, there are promising signs in terms of generally rational team selection and tactics. We could do a lot, A LOT, worse than stick with him. On one thing there is no doubt, he handles himself well in front of the press: his defence on TV yesterday of Green was excellent, even if I didn't necessarily agree with him!
On the BBC match thread yesterday a photo was posted showing the pitch being watered pre-game. please log in to view this image The pitch is watered at Loftus Road prior to QPR vs Chelsea in their west London derby The game has't even started and Joey Barton has started an argument! I will be surprised if Joey Barton gets through 90 minutes without picking up a booking because the QPR star is already getting into arguments before kick-off! Here he is before the game speaking with ground staff, trying to tell them not to water the pitch! please log in to view this image I guess this part worked as Joey didn't collect a 10th yellow card and a 2 match ban. Barton of QPR talks with team psychologist Steve Black before the warm-up please log in to view this image http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...e-LIVE-Follow-Loftus-Road-action-happens.html
Steve Black is not a psychologist, nor does he (I think) claim to be. He is a conditioning coach and motivational speaker. To be a proper, practicing psychologist takes several years of training and at least two qualifications. Steve Black has a sports science 'degree' from an un-named college. His website (not updated since 2010 as far as I can see) does claim he has worked with 'an almost infinite number of people' though, which is pretty astounding when you think about it. Especially because there are nothing like 'an almost infinite' number of human beings in existence and by definition never can be. His website writers obviously don't realise that infinite does not mean 'a lot' it means 'limitless'. It also says 'he has been called a psychologist....' amongst other things. All very complimentary. Given his impact on the world of sport he surprisingly does not merit a wiki entry.
Did anybody notice the players were very focused yesterday? Normally on a home match day, they walk from the players car park to the ground and sign autographs for fans by the club shop. Yesterday, they all arrived together in a coach. They left the coach with heads bowed and didn't even look at the crowds waiting never mind sign any autographs. Looked like they could have stayed in a hotel overnight in order to be fully focused.
I would imagine that a number of factors are at play - they do seem to like each other and Ramsey, which is good. Some may have informed the others of how important a match it was for the fans. And above all, many would not want to have a(nother) relegation on their CVs, with the immediate impact on earning power. Or it may have been Steve Black yelling 'find a way!' at them and being relentlessy positive for 2 hours on the coach.
Not to put a dampner on the way we played against Chelsea, I watched the game on TV with a Chelsea fan who goes to most home games and he said before the match that they are really struggling to put in half decent performances over the last few months and he could see the gaming being very tight. I personally though that was one of the best games we had played this season
Chelsea's next two games are ManUre and The Arses, if they play like yesterday the title race is wide open, even Leicester will fancy their chances in their game in hand...
