Roberts will always be one of those frustrating players. Decision making is key. He's got bags of ability anda great work ethic but for every good thing he does, he generally follows it with 7 or 8 wrong decisions. I think we have looked at our best with him in a front 3 with willock and chair.
Frustrating is the perfect word for him. Richards looked interesting in his little cameo, at least he got a shot on target, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the new boy Dixon-Bonner brings to the party. We are certainly not short staffed in midfield. Field seems to be the only fixed point in there.
We really missed Willock again today and gather he won't be back for a week or two. Balogun and Laird 2 more who were hugely missed. Laird could be back for the next game but Balogun and Dunne maybe out. We are way off our best when we are without our key players, like the last month or 2 of last season.
Thanks for mentioning this. I've been busy all day and only knew the score until I just read through this post. As others have said, if we are going to stay near the top we have to manage these games in a better way, and deal with teams who raise their game against us. Good to see we are still 4th even after the loss, 3 points from 7th and only a point from 2nd.
Gaffer said Dunne is in alot of pain and was hoping it wasn't a broken leg ! Jesus, fingers crossed for Dunney, sounds bleak and Balogun who landed on his spine apparently. Expect Laird back in midweek and maybe a run out for the lesser spotted Bonne at some stage. As long as Roberts isn't involved I'll be happy
Very disappointing result but having just read the manager’s response, fair play to Luton. Not going to beat ourselves up over it, let’s move on to next week.
We have a few loanees,so what is the expectation? My thoughts are they should have to improve the squad considerably, otherwise you wouldn't bother. Today's game Tim gave away 2nd goal, Roberts was invisible and created zero, JCS missed a sitter from 6yds, Richards had a few minutes after injury, Laird injured. So do we have an obligation to play all these players if fit or should they be squad players which I personally think they should be. Beale in his summary said they knew what was going to be hurled at them, yet Tim and Roberts both started neither of which are up for a battle. In summary I haven't got a clue what should happen with loanees!
We were pretty toothless upfront, Willock a big miss as was Laird. The balance of the team just wasn't right and Luton were far more dynamic in their movement. We were lucky to be only one down at the break but never really got at them. A bad day at the office...
Agree regarding Roberts, haven't been amazed by him, but Laird has been good at times and I feel I haven't seen much of Richards. To respond to your point about loans, I think we need to be 100% selfish in the loan market. No taking players, from Premiership clubs, who need game time. Different if it is a young player who needs experience. I'm pleased to have seen the likes of Kyle Walker play for us because he contributed a lot, which is key. If the loans don't add value to what we already have, seems a pointless exercise for all involved. I'd rather see Sinclair Armstrong and other young players given game time and experience.
Laird for one has been excellent for us and was a big miss yesterday. Tim won us the game against Reading with his run into the box and made more good runs yesterday. He makes mistakes which cost us yesterday but hopefully he will learn from them. He looks a really promising 19 year old who could help us as this season progresses. We've seen little from Richards yet due injury but from those small bits he looks useful. Roberts doesn't impress me so much, but he wasn't "invisible" yesterday, he had a good low shot from some 30 yards out which missed by inches. I see clips of Bonne in training and get the feeling he still has a few goals in him - would like to see him play alongside Dykes while Willock is out and Roberts isn't scoring or creating too much.
No he hasn't, I thought he was **** before he came to us. He could score a hat trick next game and I still wouldn't rate him. Why do people keep bigging him up when he does absolutely **** all ?. Thomas can run around the pitch for 90 mins doing sweet fa so what's the difference ? Tim and Salter were as bad yesterday but have had some good moments and have the talent to improve, Roberts didn't under Bielsa and won't improve here because hi finishing is poor and he sulks his way yhrough most of the games.
Opinions, opinions hey. He's still only 23 and a handful of games into his qpr loan. He had just as bad or good a game as anyone yesterday. We lost as a team. I think he's done a decent job so far, frustrating as he is but I've been just as frustrated, if not more with Tim getting harried off the ball, dykes missing a few sitters, Chair passing too late, Field misplacing a pass, johanson early season work rate etc etc. All good players though. That's football for ya
That's all as maybe pal, but we're on about Roberts not the others who have contributed things so far. I didn't rate Roberts before he came and nothings changed my view. As a replacement for Willock when he's out he's supposed to be creating things and chipping in with goals, where are they ? His only goal came from when Willock teed up Paal to cross for him to slide in and put it into an open net. We should've got another striker I instead of him and changed formation when Willock is out. Id rather go with Dykes and Bonne or Dykes and Armstrong up top and Chair behind them, to me Roberts is taking up a spot and offering **** all. Timpal needs to calm down, it's like Diakite mark 2, the gaffer should be having words with him. Earlier in the season, Dozzell , Johansen and Field were just starting to link up well together and gain confidence, I'd like to see that trio start in the next game.
What striker should we have got in? That 20 goals a season guy willing to play for 10k a week that doesn't exist?
Must admit I'm undecided about Roberts, but I respect the fact that you've worked with him and therefore are best placed to comment on his ability. Hopefully he'll come good. He does seem a little bit like he feels he's too good to be here.
