The QPR Tactics Discussion Thread

[sb_73]

Thought I'd bump this thread as via LFW twitter I came across this piece which analysis the way we played at Birmingham and shows how we made them play a style that didn't suit them....... I found it really interesting......

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Here's a link to the article if unable to get in via twitter.....

https://danlambert.substack.com/p/h...ampaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=direct

I really enjoyed the game at Brum, but we shouldn’t over think it. Birmingham were really short of players, two seventeen year olds, one making his full debut, a useless on loan LWB playing at RWB, their decent on loan (back to Wolves after the game) RWB playing at CB. The analysis might be clever but it would have been a disgrace if we hadn’t given them more than enough to think about.

 

[awjm]

Thought I'd bump this thread as via LFW twitter I came across this piece which analysis the way we played at Birmingham and shows how we made them play a style that didn't suit them....... I found it really interesting......

You must log in or register to see media

Here's a link to the article if unable to get in via twitter.....

https://danlambert.substack.com/p/h...ampaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=direct

Thanks for posting. I'd like for us to have this thread as a sticky.

We tend to press quite well as a team, but I find that we allow ourselves to get overrun in midfield almost willingly. It's why I'd have three midfielders. However, would be happy having two midfielders if it meant that one of the attacking ones dropped back on a regular basis to provide passing outlets.

Also, as I've said before, I would be giving the midfielders and attacking midfielders clear instructions to look to the strikers and other attackers for their runs, and to just release them and see what happens. I'd rather this than hopeless long through balls from the defenders.

 

[awjm]

Read this:

Bonne is a bit of a throwback striker in his instinctive finishing ability and poacher traits, he does not provide the all-round game of Ross Stewart nor is he a versatile forward who can fill in out wide.

Having said that, he has proven that when he is playing in a side that can create chances regularly, he will score goals and with Nathan Broadhead’s unfortunate recent injury, there is a slot for him in the squad.

From here.

Essentially, what we've done to strikers over the last couple of seasons is ask them to be more like attacking midfielders. We're not creating enough direct crosses and chances.

 

[Steelmonkey]

Read this:



From here.

Essentially, what we've done to strikers over the last couple of seasons is ask them to be more like attacking midfielders. We're not creating enough direct crosses and chances.

Who was the last out-and-out striker we had on our books? Wells possibly, but he was a loanee. Struggling to think of a permanent signing that filled this role since Charlie was here first time round...

 

[QPR Oslo]

Who was the last out-and-out striker we had on our books? Wells possibly, but he was a loanee. Struggling to think of a permanent signing that filled this role since Charlie was here first time round...

Sylla!

 

[Steelmonkey]

Sylla!

Suprise suprise, you're having a laugh

 

[QPR Oslo]

Suprise suprise, you're having a laugh

No. I can't think of anyone else that meets your definition, except Washington but he so rarely struck! Sylla scored far more per minute played for us than Washington as I remember, without the opportunities Washington undesevedly got in his place. Just thought of Polter, think he was ours?

 

[awjm]

Does anyone have any ideas why Duke McKenna seems to be miles away from getting a chance? For me, he was the most obvious replacement for Chair. Literally a shoe in. And in every time I've seen him get a chance as a 2nd half sub, he seems to have taken that chance well and made a good account of himself.

I've actually always felt that way about Bettache as well, actually. Whenever he's had a chance, he's looked quite decent and looked as though he could improve.

But whenever we lose a player to injury, we seem to try and force a first team player into a position that isn't natural to them instead.

I miss the way Ollie used to use 2nd half subs when we were comfortable in the game for bringing in younger players.

 

[sb_73]

Does anyone have any ideas why Duke McKenna seems to be miles away from getting a chance? For me, he was the most obvious replacement for Chair. Literally a shoe in. And in every time I've seen him get a chance as a 2nd half sub, he seems to have taken that chance well and made a good account of himself.

I've actually always felt that way about Bettache as well, actually. Whenever he's had a chance, he's looked quite decent and looked as though he could improve.

But whenever we lose a player to injury, we seem to try and force a first team player into a position that isn't natural to them instead.

I miss the way Ollie used to use 2nd half subs when we were comfortable in the game for bringing in younger players.

Warbs presumably doesn’t rate them as highly as you do, or thinks this isn’t the right time for them. Can’t say either has been a revelation on the fleeting occasions I’ve seen them.

As far as I can remember we have never been ‘comfortable’ enough in any game this season to experiment with players. That’s one of the reasons why it’s been so exciting and (because we are edging many of these tight affairs) such fun!

 

[awjm]

Warbs presumably doesn’t rate them as highly as you do, or thinks this isn’t the right time for them. Ant say either has been a revelation on the fleeting occasions I’ve seen them.

As far as I can remember we have never been ‘comfortable’ enough in any game this season to experiment with players. That’s one of the reasons why it’s been so exciting and (because we are edging many of these tight affairs) such fun!

I get that. He must not rate them as highly as I do. But this is the thing about players... some players are form players, some players will never look like the 1st choice in training... they need to be given a chance and an uplift through game time.

These players might be really good for us if given a run. But if they're continuously stuck on the training field, how can they really show what they've got? You've sometimes got to dangle the carrot in front of players to get the best out of them.

 

[sb_73]

I get that. He must not rate them as highly as I do. But this is the thing about players... some players are form players, some players will never look like the 1st choice in training... they need to be given a chance and an uplift through game time.

These players might be really good for us if given a run. But if they're continuously stuck on the training field, how can they really show what they've got? You've sometimes got to dangle the carrot in front of players to get the best out of them.

I understand the thinking, but at the moment we are stringing together results using a relatively small pool of players, and are in contention. I imagine the coaches don’t want to upset things while we are still in this position ……if we hit more injuries and suspensions, or (god forbid) fall down the table, perhaps opportunities will arise. I really think it’s a situational thing, it’s just not the time to prioritise an individual player’s development.

 

[awjm]

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Any thoughts? Four still pictures don't really pro ve much of anything but I did notice that we made quite good use of space at the back, and our keeper never seemed to be too much under pressure.

One of the responses:

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[Hammersmith reborn]

Yep all of our recent away victories have been by a single goal so no time to experiment with youngsters. Warbs obviously doesn't feel any of them can be thrust straight in and wants them to go and get valuable gametime at League 1or 2 level. He always wants to leave Willock up top when we're defending set pieces as he feels it gives us an out ball with his pace and a chance to lead a counter attack. Its pretty basic in my book, it should always be implemented as it stops all their defenders coming up aswell. I really hope we can win a few games more comfortably in the near future but I just don't see us blowing away any teams. We haven't been clinical enough with our chances especially at home and our defence has been too open, hence all the closely fought victories !

 

[Hoop-Leif]

He always wants to leave Willock up top when we're defending set pieces as he feels it gives us an out ball with his pace and a chance to lead a counter attack. Its pretty basic in my book, it should always be implemented as it stops all their defenders coming up aswell.

Said exactly the same thing to my brother on Saturday.

 

[awjm]

Yep all of our recent away victories have been by a single goal so no time to experiment with youngsters. Warbs obviously doesn't feel any of them can be thrust straight in and wants them to go and get valuable gametime at League 1or 2 level. He always wants to leave Willock up top when we're defending set pieces as he feels it gives us an out ball with his pace and a chance to lead a counter attack. Its pretty basic in my book, it should always be implemented as it stops all their defenders coming up aswell. I really hope we can win a few games more comfortably in the near future but I just don't see us blowing away any teams. We haven't been clinical enough with our chances especially at home and our defence has been too open, hence all the closely fought victories !

Willock positioning
Willock should be kept in an advanced position when we are out of possession, imo. He is tackled so rarely, it's crazy - even when it looks like he should lose the ball; you just can't get it off him.

However, when we're in possession, I'd actually like to see him drop from time to time in order to releave pressure at the back and provide another set of feet to be passed to in midfield. He can then carry the ball forward. But it really depends. I suspect that his role in the squad will be one that requires a lot of coaching and discipline; be in this position at this time in possession, on the counter attack just go, stay up front when out of possession, etc. Would be quite a tiring role but he seems able to cope with full 90 minute matches these days.

Goals
I also can't see us winning by more than 1-2 goals for the rest of the season. I get frustrated sometimes with how Warburton directs the team, especially with how we tend to defend after getting a goal, instead of pushing for more. During our dark period last season where we kept conceding late, you could see that Warburton was giving specific instructions to defend for the last 20 minutes if we had a 1 goal lead. However, I can't question his tactics too much anymore as he seems to be getting the best out of a low budget squad.

Midfield
I still think we should have 3 midfielders at the expense of a striker. We obviously try to play a possession game, rather than direct, so why have that second striker? Think back to recent games... how many passes are from or possession held by our strikers? They're barely touching the ball. The additional midfielder would allow us to dominate the midfield a bit more and distribute either wide or forward. A partnership of Field, Johansen and Dozzel sounds quite tasty to me. With those three, Willock would not need to drop at all and can focus on terrorising opponents' defences.

 

[Hammersmith reborn]

Willock positioning
Willock should be kept in an advanced position when we are out of possession, imo. He is tackled so rarely, it's crazy - even when it looks like he should lose the ball; you just can't get it off him.

However, when we're in possession, I'd actually like to see him drop from time to time in order to releave pressure at the back and provide another set of feet to be passed to in midfield. He can then carry the ball forward. But it really depends. I suspect that his role in the squad will be one that requires a lot of coaching and discipline; be in this position at this time in possession, on the counter attack just go, stay up front when out of possession, etc. Would be quite a tiring role but he seems able to cope with full 90 minute matches these days.

Goals
I also can't see us winning by more than 1-2 goals for the rest of the season. I get frustrated sometimes with how Warburton directs the team, especially with how we tend to defend after getting a goal, instead of pushing for more. During our dark period last season where we kept conceding late, you could see that Warburton was giving specific instructions to defend for the last 20 minutes if we had a 1 goal lead. However, I can't question his tactics too much anymore as he seems to be getting the best out of a low budget squad.

Midfield
I still think we should have 3 midfielders at the expense of a striker. We obviously try to play a possession game, rather than direct, so why have that second striker? Think back to recent games... how many passes are from or possession held by our strikers? They're barely touching the ball. The additional midfielder would allow us to dominate the midfield a bit more and distribute either wide or forward. A partnership of Field, Johansen and Dozzel sounds quite tasty to me. With those three, Willock would not need to drop at all and can focus on terrorising opponents' defences.

It's like that's been taken directly from my brain lol, Chair would still have to go into the team somewhere ! I do think that Thomas could go into the side on occasion , just think he needs confidence and run of games. What worries me most us Odebajo coming back in for Uncle, the bloke isn't in same league. I said it earlier in the season that Adomah had to come into the team and we would see the benefit as Odebajo was a liability. I think I've been vindicated , Albert is a key player and without him I think we'd struggle alot !

 

[Quite Possibly Raving]

Willock positioning
Willock should be kept in an advanced position when we are out of possession, imo. He is tackled so rarely, it's crazy - even when it looks like he should lose the ball; you just can't get it off him.

However, when we're in possession, I'd actually like to see him drop from time to time in order to releave pressure at the back and provide another set of feet to be passed to in midfield. He can then carry the ball forward. But it really depends. I suspect that his role in the squad will be one that requires a lot of coaching and discipline; be in this position at this time in possession, on the counter attack just go, stay up front when out of possession, etc. Would be quite a tiring role but he seems able to cope with full 90 minute matches these days.

Goals
I also can't see us winning by more than 1-2 goals for the rest of the season. I get frustrated sometimes with how Warburton directs the team, especially with how we tend to defend after getting a goal, instead of pushing for more. During our dark period last season where we kept conceding late, you could see that Warburton was giving specific instructions to defend for the last 20 minutes if we had a 1 goal lead. However, I can't question his tactics too much anymore as he seems to be getting the best out of a low budget squad.

Midfield
I still think we should have 3 midfielders at the expense of a striker. We obviously try to play a possession game, rather than direct, so why have that second striker? Think back to recent games... how many passes are from or possession held by our strikers? They're barely touching the ball. The additional midfielder would allow us to dominate the midfield a bit more and distribute either wide or forward. A partnership of Field, Johansen and Dozzel sounds quite tasty to me. With those three, Willock would not need to drop at all and can focus on terrorising opponents' defences.

I like the freedom that a midfield three of Field / Johansen and Dozzell would give for Johansen to get forward. Where would Chair fit into this however? Those 3 + 5 at the back + Willock + a striker leaves him out in the cold, no?

I've been thinking all year that at some point we will absolutely thrash a team 5-0 when it all clicks. Hopefully tonight and it won't be 1-2 goals all season!

 

[rangercol]

I like the freedom that a midfield three of Field / Johansen and Dozzell would give for Johansen to get forward. Where would Chair fit into this however? Those 3 + 5 at the back + Willock + a striker leaves him out in the cold, no?

I've been thinking all year that at some point we will absolutely thrash a team 5-0 when it all clicks. Hopefully tonight and it won't be 1-2 goals all season!

It is a conundrum when everyone is available.
Warbs prefers two tens (Willock and Chair) behind a striker.
Trouble with that is, we only have two in central midfield. This left us very open till Chair went away, when we switched to 3 in the centre and 2 forwards. Imo this is a main reason that we've been tighter at the back, as well as the three CBs playing out of their skins.
A solution would possibly be to play Chair as a second striker with Willock the most advanced of the midfield three.
If I had to choose between Willock and Chair, it would be Willock.

 

[qprbeth]

No gray tonight.. And Austin is looking a super sub.

So will we revert to 1 ( dykes) up front.

With 2 no 10s ( willock and Thomas)

Dykes....Willock,Thomas....Wallace, johansen, Field, Adomeh

Or do we fill the midfield

Dykes....Willock....Wallace, Dozzell, Field Johansen, Adomeh

Might depend entirely on how fit Johansen is

 

[sb_73]

I like the orange tictacs.