You like me would have had an excellent view of Mbengue (looks like a great addition) constantly trying to calm Walsh down. Walsh is not confident in his distribution and that quickly spreads to the defence. Agree he dealt with a couple of crosses well.
We did look very slow to get runners coming in which is one small mitigation for Celar’s performance IMO. Possibly a fitness issue as for Dembele and Poku’s obvious ability on the ball I’m not sure either are brilliant off it. This, again for me and my zero professional knowledge of the sport, is another reason to start a quicker forward player as the defence is forced to shift back and the whole team gets 15 yards up the pitch and those runs from deep become more feasible.
I think it will click with him and his defence. Too often the defenders turned back when there was ample space to bring the ball out. Mbengue is the new Danny Maddix for those of us just too young to remember prime Danny Maddix (which is just me).
Doesn't help that Celar seems to have the movement of a sedated, blind-folded sloth with all his legs tied together.
I understand the argument for 5 in midfield but the game isn't won by running in circles 30 yards from goal. We also need a release and options in their box. That Field was in our best attacking positions is madness. Celar needs to work off a holding striker.
Morning folks, ditch the pratting around in the penalty area from goal kicks better teams than us will punish you, also over the years you have had some tremendous away kits, See you again when it's no doubt cold until then good luck https://not606.com/threads/qpr-away-9-8-2025.419045/
Madsen had a decent game yesterday, there were several worse. Field looked like he'd never played the game before. Field's only effective position is holding in front of the back four, a role he's very good at.
Considering that we have a brand new manager and several new players, trying out new systems, coming into the first league game with a lot of pressure in front of the home crowd, I actually think yesterday was a very good showing. Yesterday's match was the real deal, where it all counts, with points up for grabs. We were competitive, we did not roll over and we gave plenty of problems to the opposition. Yes, I'm disappointed in the goal conceded. But not too much went wrong yesterday and a lot of things went right. This is a good sign, imo. If this is our baseline and we can improve from here, we're going to be competitive in the league. With a few more good signings in our weakspots, even more so. Goalkeeper is arguably the most important position on the pitch. People here saying they're not that fussed as there are bigger problems elsewhere on the field I think are being a bit naïve. With a flappy, hesitant and less skilled keeper, we will: ship out goals for fun, cause mayhem, confusion and frustration amongst the defence and miss out on good distribution and possession. How much of each match is based on goalkeeper distribution? A huge amount. Most managers think of their game and movement plans based on it coming from keeper. I want Walsh to do well but I've seen a lot of games with him, including pre-season, championship, youth. He does tend to make mistakes. How many of those mistakes are from lack of talent, how many are from nerves, I don't know. I do know that Nardi is an excellent shot stopper and generally gets things right when taking chances and coming out. Is Nardi perfect, no. But when the rest of the team and especially defence are working well, Nardi is a top keeper at this level. He doesn't need coaching. He's experienced and confident. Walsh still needs a lot of coaching and talk from his teammates. At his age, it's not a great sign for having him as our main keeper. Quote from WLS' match report: "Walsh, meanwhile, had a let-off when he fumbled Stefan Thordarson’s low cross and Osmajic’s goalbound follow-up was blocked by Sam Field." Shh, you can't say that!
Nardi had plenty of moments worth forgetting last season. I honestly don't think there's much between them. I'm not too sure about trying out new systems. It was the same as what Marti played and it looks like there's no deviation to that.
I thought we were good 1st half with Madsen controlling the midfield, Chair busy and putting in some decent balls, Dembele and Poku lively, though Poku should have done better with that great ball in from Chair. Celar laid off a clearance well in the build up to our wonderful OG, but never seemed to get onto anything in their box, and for all our good attacking play 1st half we created little with only 3 shots on target the whole game. Burrell was far more lively when he came on and pressed dangerously. Esquerdinha got forward well too. Their early goal 2nd half was a gift for them and knocked the stuffing out of us. Poku looked to have got a non-contact injury, Morgan did ok at RB but tired noticeably 2nd half, as did Madsen having missed a lot of pre-season, but must have played his first 90 minutes in a long time. Mbenge did well. I ended up pretty disappointed with the draw as Preston were poor and most probably a team we need to beat at home to stay in this division, and also with the ever growing injury list.
