Exactly. To the doom mongers as I recall we made our usual cameo walk on / fall off stage performances in each Cup competition in the three promotion years. (I'm including the Holloway promotion back from the depths we'd sunk to once before as a result of reckless spending) It really is unimportant as the majority of our fans fully realise judging by the not quite record attendances we always manage.
How can wanting your team to play good football and to win games to get some confidence through the squad be fickle?
It is a shame we are out of the cup as a trip to Liverpool would have been interesting. I think CR took a risk last night and it didn't pay off. He has hinted that Hoillet could be on his way out and I think that is probably the right decision, apart from the cross to sent up BZ at Wembley, he has done **** all.
Ramsey’s side have now conceded two goals in all but one of their six matches this season. “We’ve conceded two very soft goals again. I’m not happy. We’ve conceded two goals in every game and that cannot be right,” said Ramsey. “It means that teams are coming to us and rubbing their hands, knowing that they’re going to score. It means we then have to score three or four goals to win a game and that’s not right." That's what happens when you take a poor defense from last season, add practically naff all in the way of solid players in that area whilst overloading on as many midfielders as you can lay your hands on Chris.
I was there last night. It's just that with the exception of Polter, JET and Kpekwa those that came in to the team weren't good enough. Not that they didn't play well Grego-Cox, Furlong, Hoilett, Gobern and on last night's evidence Doughty, are all not good enough and are League 2 standard at best. Difference is most of them are inexperienced as well so we're outplayed by a better more experienced side. Think Ramsey was using the game as a message to the board. Similar to Mourinho taking Terry off at half time as a message to buy stones or Redknapp picking 2 goalies to highlight lack of squad depth. Only real black mark against Ramsey was putting Phillips on bench and using Comley instead
As QPR fans we all hate to see our team losing especially to so called 'inferior' opposition. It's infuriating but it's also a serious wake up call should we look at the overall situation. We're rebuilding again with another new manager and a shed load of new players. We're finally bringing several of our development squad into the first team panel and exposing them to first team football in a suitable match (not league, cup). Isn't this what we have all been crying out for. Every journey or new adventure has its ups and downs. That team on paper should have been strong enough to put up a better show but instead of whinging at the result, I think people should try and look at the bigger picture, which in my opinion is; Positives •None of our better players got injured in a completion that's not a priority. •Plenty of our younger players were given game time in a competitive match. •We created enough chances to win 2 matches. •Ramsey has honoured his commitment to keep trying youth. Negatives •Hoilett continues to underperform. Must go as heart obviously not at this club. •We have a pretty decent first 11 while Austin, Fer, Philips & Green are here. If they go, we go back to very mediocre. It's great calling for youth all the time but players like Furlong, Doughty, RGC, Kpekewa, Hall etc are far from the finished article and right now probably aren't good enough to make the first team. They're all still learning their trade and we as supporters have to give them the time and space to develop. •Alas I fear that JET and Polter although decent lads, IMO, aren't very good. If Austin goes we really need to buy a decent replacement (funds probably only available after he's sold) or we will be in trouble. Our scoring options don't look great at all. Last night CR showed faith in our second string and gave them the opportunity and stage to claim a place at the top table. It should come as no surprise that many came up short. They have a long road ahead to reach the next level but surely a top coach like CR is exactly the right man to develop these young players. Patience is required.
Ramsey takes the full blame IMO Anyone with common sense in the game should know how long it takes to gel a side into a unit He picked a side not a team We should of put out the QPR team he is looking like building Resting players is crazy IMO Bring in one or two at the most A settled winning side is the best way to build. This fashion of resting players only applys IMO to teams who have strength in depth A young brilliant coach like Ramsey should know this after all he has had development players all his career I hope the club learns from this stupidity and a game to really test our team against Liverpool is gone
The starting XI played Wednesday and Saturday. To play all or most of them again the following Tuesday would have been asking for trouble. Could you imagine the furore on here if Austin or Phillips picked up a serious injury in a League Cup game. Pitchforks would be out.
Sorry Sir, but on this I REALLY strongly disagree. Players that needed game time Kpekwa and the Hall/Hill formation and Doughty were played. Players were rested (and not injured) Phillips, Austin, Henry, Faurlin, Chery which is exactly right Hoillet who scored a hatrick for the EDS was played in his best position and did nothing. JET and Poulter got serious game time. To me that is what a sensible coach does...he needs to see what is what...that was acheived. We created enough to have won that, we let in two silly goals....nothing Ramsey didn't know already....but he knows a lot more about his squad strength now So....We have a first team that can establish itself in the league(Konchesky, Hall, Ned, Perch; Faulin,Henry, Phillips, Luongo, Chery, Austin).....and a few back ups at the correct level (Polter, JET, Clint, Kpekwa, Doughty and probably Mackie, Yun, Gladwin and Fer (if he can be bothered)...the rest are not ready yet......or should go (Hoillet, Traore, Diakite) The defense is still very porous (and to me that is AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE PROBLEM)...the attack is dependant on the inventiveness of a few talented players (Chery, Phillips, Faulin...and Fer if he can be bothered). I am not downhearted about the result, we knew there would be unexpected great wins (Wolves) then pit falls. We are rebuilding, we are learning....and I am still happy with what Chris, Les and the team are trying to do
Have to echo what other's have mentioned. The performances last night will highlight to Ramsey who's up to it and who isn't. He's right to defend the youngsters, although it's a wake up call to them too. Quite honestly it's a case of if you're up to it they'd already be commanding a place in the team. (Will Hughes at Derby and Zac Clough at Bolton are good examples)
Good post NUTS The quality of depth in the squad is clearly lacking at this level, and unless CR has good replacements lined up if/when Austin and Phillips go, we are going to be bang average this season.
You obviously were not at the Wigan play-off game or the Final because without him we would not have gone up. Sorry but too many fans have short memories. I cannot understand Hoilet because when he was at Blackburn he was brilliant. He comes to us and has flashes but then too many bad games. It must have something to do with our club. I remember Mike Sheron who scored everywhere he went bar QPR. Are we cursed? I read into the Hoilet situation more than him being S@@t. I really do believe our club is on a downer at the moment. Too much cr@p has gone on in the last 4 seasons with Hughes and Redcrapp and players are as p'd off as us fans. Take Diakite, what is happening with him? Why did McCarthy want out as soon as? Why was Vargas a bad egg? How many of our stars will leave on deadline day? And countless other things that always seem to happen at QPR. I read posts that fans want their Rangers back? They need to know that we are a long way off (if we ever get there) of getting this club to function as a proper club again. Last nights result is the tip of the iceberg. We have problems and i expect them to come out very shortly.
