http://soccernet.espn.go.com/blog/_/name/queensparkrangers/id/119?cc=5739 It's all about the stats - they don't lie. While the Daily Mail and The Independent had the West London derby down as a "drab draw", Match of the Day said that Chelsea probably edged it, and the general consensus was that Chelsea were held by plucky QPR, the stats tell a slightly different story. I'm primarily talking about the midfield battle that pretty much dictated what would happen in this encounter - and QPR's midfield quartet pretty much bossed it. In fact, lets break it down to the battle right bang slap in the centre of the park: Lampard v Faurlin. The two duked it out in a match where possession had to be fought for, and Faurlin - our jewel of the South Atlantic - made Frank look exactly what he is: yesterday's news. While Faurlin won 80% of his tackles, Lampard barely managed 50%; Faurlin won 70% of his ground duels, Lampard managed a paltry 38%*. And when he managed to hold on to the ball, life didn't get any easier for poor old Frank. Lampard managed a passing accuracy percentage of 68%, which wouldn't have been good enough for QPR: Faurlin (88%), Shaun Wright-Phillips (88%), Esteban Granero (75%) and Ji-sung Park (90%) can all do more useful things with a ball at their feet. Which would suggest that one facet of QPR's play is well and truly fixed - now we just need to convert the chances that we create in the middle of the park. Both sides had 12 shots: QPR had three on target, Chelsea had four. Next Sunday against Tottenham the key will be getting the ball in behind their back four. We might see Hughes play Junior Hoilett, and bring on Adel Taraabt at a later date, because the weakness for Spurs is most certainly at full-back. Kyle Naughton - in for injured Benoit Assou Ekotto - looked nervy when he was attacked at Reading on Sunday, while we all know that Kyle Walker is fantastic going forward and less-than-able when he is forced to carry out his primary job. And as for Chelsea: I don't think we'll be having to worry about them being Champions of Europe - or indeed Premier League leaders - for long. If Chelsea's side were to be put up for sale tomorrow, I think the only player Mark Hughes would be interested in signing would be Eden Hazard - and he'd like to get him out of Stamford Bridge quickly before Chels ruin him, a la Fernando Torres. Already they are stifling his creativity by playing him through the middle - it's only a matter of time before they have him doubting his own ability.
Thanks Col, thought I was losing it then, was convinced he was up against Onuoha most of the afternoon, thought the brain had finally gone.....
For Moses who also played out wide. http://espnfc.com/en/gamecast/345801/gamecast.html?soccernet=true Click on formation and also on heat map, then Hazard and Bertrand. Also formation then average position.
