QPR boss hints at change in tactics and admits surprise at Southamptonâs start
08:11 26 September 2014
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that he might revert to a 3-5-2 formation for tomorrowâs trip to Southampton
Rio Ferdinand has played every minute of QPRâs five league games so far and is set to start at the heart of the defence for Saturdayâs trip to the high-flying Saints.
The veteran has predominantly been used in a central defensive trio this season and while Redknapp reverted to a back four against Stoke last weekend, the QPR boss says 3-5-2 remains an option.
âI had thought about it this week, itâs in my mind,â Redknapp said.
âI spoke to the coaches, we had a meeting and chatted about it - itâs something that I wouldnât discard.
âI bought the little right back Mauricio Isla in to play right wing back from Juventus and Armand Traore is a left wing back really.
âIâve also got five centre halves and I like all of them - to play three of them would suit us fine.â
Southampton have dispelled doubts surrounding their summer transfer policy by taking 10 points from their opening five games and beating Arsenal in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
The Saintsâ excellent start under new boss Ronald Koeman sees them sitting second in the Premier League table, three points behind Chelsea.
âIâve been very surprised at how well theyâve done, itâs been amazing,â said Redknapp, who managed Southampton for a year from December 2004.
âThey keep producing good players there, theyâve got this conveyor belt of kids coming through.
âTheyâve bought well - Ronald Koeman has got a couple of good players from Holland that he knew and theyâre a powerful outfit again.â
08:11 26 September 2014
QPR manager Harry Redknapp has admitted that he might revert to a 3-5-2 formation for tomorrowâs trip to Southampton
Rio Ferdinand has played every minute of QPRâs five league games so far and is set to start at the heart of the defence for Saturdayâs trip to the high-flying Saints.
The veteran has predominantly been used in a central defensive trio this season and while Redknapp reverted to a back four against Stoke last weekend, the QPR boss says 3-5-2 remains an option.
âI had thought about it this week, itâs in my mind,â Redknapp said.
âI spoke to the coaches, we had a meeting and chatted about it - itâs something that I wouldnât discard.
âI bought the little right back Mauricio Isla in to play right wing back from Juventus and Armand Traore is a left wing back really.
âIâve also got five centre halves and I like all of them - to play three of them would suit us fine.â
Southampton have dispelled doubts surrounding their summer transfer policy by taking 10 points from their opening five games and beating Arsenal in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday.
The Saintsâ excellent start under new boss Ronald Koeman sees them sitting second in the Premier League table, three points behind Chelsea.
âIâve been very surprised at how well theyâve done, itâs been amazing,â said Redknapp, who managed Southampton for a year from December 2004.
âThey keep producing good players there, theyâve got this conveyor belt of kids coming through.
âTheyâve bought well - Ronald Koeman has got a couple of good players from Holland that he knew and theyâre a powerful outfit again.â
