Well, I have been to both Birmingham and Brighton in the last few days, and whilst I didn't get a chance to write a report for the Birmingham game, its two very contrasting emotions. Tonight game was a good one for me - living in Brighton it meant a nice short journey home for a change! THE GAME Well tonight, for the first time in what must be ages we started with the same midfield as Birmingham - good! Overall, we were the side who deserved to win this game - having the vast majority of shots and dominated for most parts. In the first half Morrison had a great shot pushed over the bar, and we just couldn't find a way through. That being said, Brighton did look dangerous going forwards, often counter-attacking. Towards the end of the half it was very end to end stuff, very nervous to watch! Second half started, and we were creating so many chances, often being wasted by Hoilett. Traore was causing problems for them, and Morrison did look the most likely for us. We were constantly creating chances, keeping good pressure on them. Before their 1st however, they were starting to create more and you could see a goal coming from either side - but one defensive mistake and we find ourselves 1-0 down. Mistake again from BAE who let the winger come past him who squared the ball to Ulloa into an empty net. Then we were forced to really pile people forwards and got caught again, gave a corner away, and the goal was scored from that. As is expected, we got more and more desperate and nothing fell right in the final few minutes. THE RATINGS GREEN - 7 - did what was asked of him, came out for crosses and cleared well. don't think he could have done much for either goal. ASSOU-EKOTTO - 5.5 - whilst his ball control and forward play is excellent, he is now starting to let us down regularly in defence, and did so a few times today. Then immediately went off 'injured' after the 1st, meaning Traore had to go to LB to cover so we lost his attacking input as well. HILL - 7.5 - defended very well throughout, won virtually all headers and had good communication. Think either him or Dunne should have done better for the 1st, and crucial goal though. DUNNE - 7 - defended well, but a few hairy moments which have crept into his game recently. ONUOHA - 7 - solid as ever, but did miss one great chance when he swiped at the ball with just the keeper to beat. BARTON - 7.5 - another good performance, good communication and constantly organising the team. noticed Keane often looking back to him for instructions. Passing was good, and tried to keep up a good tempo to our play. JENAS - 7 - looks good playing with Barton - they seem to have a good understanding. Passing was good, controlled the midfield well and chased down well. HOILETT - 5.5 - the biggest frustration for me. often had the ball but has zero end product and wasted so many great chances to get the ball in. I just think he couldn't give a damn about us tbh. Lazy when chasing down and half the time barely breaks sweat when running - he should be using his pace to beat people but often doesn't. Infuriating - I would rather O'Neill plays. When he came on for Hoilett on Saturday within minutes we had our 2nd goal from a move started by O'Neill. MORRISON - 8 - MOM - our best attacking player, who looked the most threatening. Ran with the ball well, often beating players and had a few nice shots. TRAORE - 7.5 - always working hard (not to Hoilett!!) and using his pace to beat the defender (note to Hoilett!!). Caused problems all day, and it was a shame he had to go to LB once BAE went off. Lots of nice runs, and mixed them up - down the wing, or cutting back. Playing really well at the moment. KEANE - 4 - sorry, but he isn't up to it. Cant win a header often enough, has no pace, poor 1st touch, and can't shoot. Cant see what he offers tbh - harsh assessment, but true. Would rather Maiga for a bit more strength and pace at least. FINAL WORD Well, as I said above I don't know how we lost that. Dominating the game and looking on the front foot and then suddenly find ourselves 1-0 down. The first goal was always going to be crucial, and obviously they got it. Certainly deserved more as we created loads of chances, but had nobody to stick them away. Unbelievable that we bought 3 strikers in Jan on loan, but it seems like we have none again as they have been poor largely (less so Doyle who has looked brighter). However, at this stage of the season, its results that matter, and we are bottling it. 4 losses out of 6 now I think, and most likely will be 12 points off 2nd after Burnley play tomorrow night. If it wasn't already gone, then it will be now. Hoilett is proving a massive frustration at the moment, well all season! He has the ability, but his attitude stinks. We only sealed the Birmingham game once he went off. He always seems to get injured - I have noticed recently that he picks up a 'knock' in the first half and then doesn't try in the second as if he wants to come off - it was clear against Birmingham. Anyway, we just simply don't have enough in the players to get us over the line and win games. Too many average players we are carrying, and not too many options to change a game from the bench at the moment.
After giving up on automatic promotion I'm pleased to hear our performance wasn't bad after our good win over the weekend, cheers Judo Imo the rest of the season is all about consolidating the play offs, get in 3rd or 4th so we have home advantage in the second leg and finally and most important, time our form so that we approach the play offs on hopefully or best form of the season.
Didn't think I'd ever say this but........... Harry out. Why? We're sinking faster than the titanic. We have a group of overpaid players who masquerade as a team every weekend. Other teams work harder than us. Other teams press harder and higher up the pitch than us. We have brought in too many lightweight players who are simply not physically robust enough for the most demanding league in the world. We look clueless and void of ideas. We have 342 forwards and none can score. I've always been a Harry fan but enough is enough.
Thats how I feel, but not now. Too disruptive and we may as well let him have the full season to either fail or succeed. If he went now we'd be looking for another man in a panic which isn't good. Lets just see what happens at seasons end and then change in a calm way for once. If by some miracle we do go up, Harry can have his bit of glory and then bugger off for me. If we dont go up, then Harry wont have anyone to blame than himself and we can plan for next season and replace him.
Keane did struggle but I didn't Brighton looked dangerous at all I am still in shock but nice to see a few happy mates but they don't know how they won also
Of course your spot on but it felt good getting it off my chest. Our last ten games have been very poor. If we repeat that over the next ten, then we won't make the play offs. Simples.
I know but we simply can't score. You can't win football matches without scoring goals. I really can't see us scoring enough goals over the remaining games to threaten anybody.
Your right. I felt same as you after Charlton. Tonight I just feel numb and resigned to the struggle ahead to stay in the play off's. But I fear the worst.
Good report as usual Judo. I thought Keane should of been hooked at half time. He offers nothing and is out of his depth. We had no focal point up front. Harry has royally messed up on the striker front. He ballsed it up at the start of the season and he's ballsed up the recent transfer window. He has bought in four strikers who can't score. Doyle has probably been the best of this bad bunch. I thought that the rest of the side played well though up until Brighton's goal. If we had someone to put the ball in the net we would of been home and dry by the 70th minute. We didn't deserve to lose 2-0, but that's football for ya. We can't rely on one player every week as we did Austin and now Morrison. We needed Hoilett, Keane and Traore to step up and take responsibility tonight. None of them did, but to be fair Traore tried. I just can't understand why he is playing as a right winger??? From left-back to right wing in a season! If I was defending against him it would be a doddle. Even if he got past me I'd know he'd be cutting back inside.. everytime. Same goes for Hoilett. Harry has played these two as inverted wingers for a few games now and neither have produced anything from these positions. If you play them you play them on their respective sides where they can be most effective. It was a very frustrating night.
Couldn't agree more, most times he just left the ball to their defender and kept running for the end line. I'd rather see SWP there, as good going forward and better defensively.
I think you are right but I hope the next man is lined up now and has been told to start scouting for a championship squad with a chance of promotion for next season.............sadly, an unlikely scenario. If we hit May, H goes and then we dither for a few weeks getting a new man, we've lost the window. On balance I've changed my mind, might as well go for it now. I am not usually a malicious man, but I would quite like Harold's career of smoke and mirrors to end in humiliation. He has never been QPR, has never given 100% to this job, and he needs to know that we know this.
For all those who say its pointless to get shot of Harry now can I ask why not? For me - the football is terrible we must be near to bottom of the form table we have 567 players 99% of whom Harry can't motivate We are in the playoff spots but the chances of falling out of them on our current form are fairly high Chop him now and give Bircham & Gallen it on a temp basis to the end of the season. I'd rather 'fail' through trying than through complete apathy
I hear what you say and I couldnt really argue with any of it. I just cant see TF wanting the bad PR that would come if we sacked the "media darling" before he's failed totally. In reallity I think this seasons gone and we look a busted flush, even though we didnt actually play too bad last night up to the penalty area. We just have a very soft underbelly with some underperforming individuals. Im not sure that a new manager could make a big difference in a few weeks. Its a very difficult call to make.
In terms of next season it would be much better to get rid of HR now, give a new man a chance to have a look at the players and decide which ones he wants to keep. Starts the transfer situation early and allows us to prepare now rather than at the end of May. For this season, well its a write off anyway. Even if we do cling onto a play-off place we haven't got a chance of winning it as we have only beaten one of the top 8 teams once this season. That is a terrible record.
But its just that vague hope of getting up through the play offs that enables H to cling on - he'll only go when TF has written the season off too. What a complete waste of 18 months. Austin and Phillips, the knackered duo, the only small consolations on the football side looking forward, and I'm not that sure of Phillips........
I reckon we will lose Austin in the summer if we fail to go up. Of course we don't have to sell, but he is desperate to play in the PL. That would be gutting tbh - losing Remy last summer, and Austin this summer. Two great finishers, who don't come around very often, gone so quickly.
Sounds like the QPR way to me, I think we're nailed on to rip up the record book and win the play-offs, Harry or not. When did we ever do the expected!
