QPR boss says Birmingham played into our hands 12:19, 28 Feb 2016 Updated 12:19, 28 Feb 2016 By Jon Batham Hoops were on song to take the points over a City side who were well and truly beaten at Loftus Road - and the Rs man in charge explains how please log in to view this image Men in charge: Gary Rowett (L) and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink QPR head coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says foundations for the 2-0 win over Birmingham were laid by the visitors themselves. By playing just one striker, the Blues allowed Rangers to make full use of their centre backs to good effect. Goals from the recalled Tjaronn Chery and Junior Hoilett from the spot marked a dominant first half from Rangers containing enterprise in stark contrast with some of their dour showings at home this season. Boss Hasselbaink claimed Birmingham’s preference for a lone hitman allowed his side to express themselves in a way which has not been possible playing against two where every first and second ball is contested. “It was that kind of game that our centre halves could have the ball,” he said. “They had only one striker so one of our centre-halves was free and they can then start to play. please log in to view this image Congrats: Tjaronn Chery (C) and James Perch (second left) take the plaudits “But that was because we played against Birmingham. When you play against other teams you maybe have to do things differently. “The majority of the games we have played against two strikers so it is harder to get that flow.” Especially pleasing for Hasselbaink was scoring two goals against the playoff chasing Blues who had only conceded three in their last eight matches. Chery was the catalyst of success – a perfect foil for target man Sebastian Polter as he teased and taunted the Blues’ rear-guard in the first half, capping his display with an exquisite turn and shot for the opening goal. Hasselbaink confirmed his good big ‘Un and good little ‘Un had carried out the game-plan to get in from deep to a tee and he was delighted Dutch striker Cheri had grabbed his moment in the spotlight. “Birmingham are a difficult side to get behind, so we needed to play with somebody to hold the ball and someone to come beneath him,” he added. “That’s why we played Polter and Chery because we thought we could cause them problems in that way. “Chery has been knocking on the door for a while, training really well and being very positive around the place, but I’ve been saying to him he has to wait for his opportunity and that is it.”
is there a lesson there when we play 1 up front. Doesn't that allow the opposition to play more flowing football too
I read it that way as well. Plus the clear message that we do not like to play against 4-4-2. But perhaps this is Machiavellian disinformation?
well it was the gerry francis way of playing to play from the defence,so if we could continue to use this system all of our dreams are answerd
