The QPR Tactics Discussion Thread

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Warburton deserves a lot of credit but I can't see any other explanation for our dip in form aside from his leadership and tactics.

We've got a good squad with good character. But the team look like they've banging their heads against a brick wall lately, and their confidence looks ridiculously low for a team in 4th position.

I can't help myself thinking a better manager would be getting more from this squad. Which doesn't mean I want to dump Warburton now. He should definitely stay. But I wouldn't have him as manager if we manage to get promoted. And if we don't get promoted, I'd be looking out for a better to manager (though would only pull the trigger if the manager was definitely better beyond all doubt).

Warburton has taken us to a new level, but I don't think he can take us any further. However, the QPR executives should keep him if they're happy to hold a decent consistent place in the top half of the Championship for a few seasons.

Back on the subject of tactics and squad, I really like Dozzell. For me, he unlocks quite a lot with his zipped passes to attackers' feet. He sees and makes passes that other players either didn't see or were too anxious to try and make. I'm not a fan of Johansen this season... he just hasn't brought much to the table and has had enough good games for me to count on one hand.

I wonder whether Dozzell and Field both being left footed means he doesn't start them alongside each other?
Wouldn't mind Dozzell in a 4-3-3.
 
Yep, very true. I suppose it's just nice to have one of each for balance.
Bit like centre backs.
Totally agree. Balance is key. Our january window really should have concentrated on a left wing back. Wallace unfortunately has constant injury problems and macallum isnt our player anyway.
 
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I do sometimes wonder, when that left wing back position is a problem why we dont put adomah there instead of moses. Neither are left pegged but albert has a quicker footballing brain and speed of thought.
 
I like McCallum though.

Hope he can stay fit.
As much as I like him as a footballer, I am not at all interested in keeping him. He is WAY too injury prone. We took a chance on him and it didn't pay off. If he wasn't injury prone, I'd be happy to take him on permanently.

Thats another footballing teaser isnt it. Nobody would bat an eyelid if both central players were right footed
You know what? I genuinely believe left footed players are a lot more one-footed than right footed players. I don't know why that is. Maybe it's cultural, maybe it's something to do with the development of the brain. I have no idea. All I know is, almost every left footed player can do diddly squat with their right foot.

If you've never thought about it, think about it for a minute: Johansen - almost no right foot. Field - almost no right foot. Wallace slightly better but not very good. Barbet also a bit better bit still nothing much there.

Then think about all the right footed players in the team. Pretty much all can play with their left bar maybe Dickie? Dunne is so two-footed, his left is almost as good as his right. But all of them can make decent one touch passes with their left here and there, and turn on their left foot.

Found this discussion:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/2xr1mw/why_are_so_many_leftfooted_players_so_notorious/
 
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As much as I like him as a footballer, I am not at all interested in keeping him. He is WAY too injury prone. We took a chance on him and it didn't pay off. If he wasn't injury prone, I'd be happy to take him on permanently.


You know what? I genuinely believe left footed players are a lot more one-footed than right footed players. I don't know why that is. Maybe it's cultural, maybe it's something to do with the development of the brain. I have no idea. All I know is, almost every left footed player can do diddly squat with their right foot.

If you've never thought about it, think about it for a minute: Johansen - almost no right foot. Field - almost no right foot. Wallace slightly better but not very good. Barbet also a bit better bit still nothing much there.

Then think about all the right footed players in the team. Pretty much all can play with their left bar maybe Dickie? Dunne is so two-footed, his left is almost as good as his right. But all of them can make decent one touch passes with their left here and there, and turn on their left foot.

Found this discussion:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/2xr1mw/why_are_so_many_leftfooted_players_so_notorious/

Are there any stats on left-footed penalty takers? I always expect them to miss.
 
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Did anyone else think there was a distinct change in shape today? (before we lost all our shape mid-way in the second half)

I thought the wingbacks both pushed up much higher and Willock & Chair were higher up too - almost a front 3 with Gray at times. Formation almost a 3-4-3 with the wingbacks either side of Field and Hendrick.

Odd to say after a loss, but I actually thought it was working very well until they scored and we lost our heads. We were keeping the ball well and I think with Dykes up top as a more physical striker that we could also cross balls into we'd have created more chances.

Thoughts?
 
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Did anyone else think there was a distinct change in shape today? (before we lost all our shape mid-way in the second half)

I thought the wingbacks both pushed up much higher and Willock & Chair were higher up too - almost a front 3 with Gray at times. Formation almost a 3-4-3 with the wingbacks either side of Field and Hendrick.

Odd to say after a loss, but I actually thought it was working very well until they scored and we lost our heads. We were keeping the ball well and I think with Dykes up top as a more physical striker that we could also cross balls into we'd have created more chances.

Thoughts?

Thanks guys <laugh>
 
Game against Luton just about to start... what would you all like to see, tactics wise, today?

I think Warburton needs wholesale change... not of squad but of playing approach. It's time for change.

We need to move the ball faster and catch defences off balance by being bold, making forward passes of the following types: early crosses, looped through balls, flat through balls and fast passes to feet just outside opposition box.

This is basically how Millwall played against us and I liked it. Sadly, it would be Dykes we'd do best with for that.

Gray should be able to chase down some of those passes.

Dozzell really good at those fast passes to players feet near the box.

Johansen and Willock should be able to dink over shortish looped through balls.

We need to press teams back, and attack them. Instead of playing slowly and letting them get into shape.

The end.
 
Game against Luton just about to start... what would you all like to see, tactics wise, today?

I think Warburton needs wholesale change... not of squad but of playing approach. It's time for change.

We need to move the ball faster and catch defences off balance by being bold, making forward passes of the following types: early crosses, looped through balls, flat through balls and fast passes to feet just outside opposition box.

This is basically how Millwall played against us and I liked it. Sadly, it would be Dykes we'd do best with for that.

Gray should be able to chase down some of those passes.

Dozzell really good at those fast passes to players feet near the box.

Johansen and Willock should be able to dink over shortish looped through balls.

We need to press teams back, and attack them. Instead of playing slowly and letting them get into shape.

The end.
Wrote the following at half time today in the match thread:

Anyone who has followed my opinions on this board (tumbleweed blows past) will see that I've been quite critical of Warburton all along, even when we've been "punching above our weight." Why? Because there are so many simple and subtle things across the pitch that he hasn't properly got us coached up and disciplined on.

We are very undisciplined. Lack of real leadership on or off the pitch. Each player seems to have the freedom to do whatever they want, without a disciplined style of play. We are a bunch of individuals.

Moving the ball around quicker? Warburton says "don't worry about it, lads."
Release the ball quickly when you tackle or intercept? "Do what comes naturally, boys."
Watch for attackers calling for the ball and release it quickly? "if you want to keep the ball and move it around a bit more, go for it son."
Organised throw ins? "Doesn't matter if you lose possession on a throw in fellas, we'll get the ball back somehow."
Be bold and take chances in the final third? "I'd rather not lose possession anywhere. We won't concede as our defence is inpenetrable."


He clearly has his ideas about formation and use of players. He has his ideas about tactics. But he does not closely coach the small things into the team.

And now we have discipline issues with players lashing out like Chair just did.

You can see the difference between us and teams who are really organised and disciplined. The best teams are actually micromanaged, imo.
 
Just saw this thread.
Flicked through the posts, some excellent reading.
I’ve been advocating a change to a flat back 4 for ages as I really believe that we’ve been putting square pegs in round holes with our wing backs. Relying on 2 x 34 year olds for width and pace in the modern game is ridiculous IMO. Think we have the players for a 4-2-3-1 and also my preferred option of a 4-3-3.
Our results have been obviously ok but our performances have been poorish and we’ve been very lucky in several games. We deffo are not playing with the same high press, energy and creativity that we did last season
 
Just saw this thread.
Flicked through the posts, some excellent reading.
I’ve been advocating a change to a flat back 4 for ages as I really believe that we’ve been putting square pegs in round holes with our wing backs. Relying on 2 x 34 year olds for width and pace in the modern game is ridiculous IMO. Think we have the players for a 4-2-3-1 and also my preferred option of a 4-3-3.
Our results have been obviously ok but our performances have been poorish and we’ve been very lucky in several games. We deffo are not playing with the same high press, energy and creativity that we did last season

I'd be keen to see us try a 4-2-3-1, especially as it seems teams have just worked out how to play against us with the current set up.

Right back would be an issue though, as I have zero confidence with Odabajo as a right back over a wing back.
 
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I'd be keen to see us try a 4-2-3-1, especially as it seems teams have just worked out how to play against us with the current set up.

Right back would be an issue though, as I have zero confidence with Odabajo as a right back over a wing back.

I wouldn't mind a fluid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.
I think Moses has improved and Kakay probably isn't any better defensively.

When all fit: 4-3-3
Dieng
Moses Sanderson Dunne McCallum
Field Johansen Amos
Adomah Gray Willock
 
I wouldn't mind a fluid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.
I think Moses has improved and Kakay probably isn't any better defensively.

When all fit: 4-3-3
Dieng
Moses Sanderson Dunne McCallum
Field Johansen Amos
Adomah Gray Willock

I like it. Personal preference is Dykes (when fit) over Gray, and I'd probably stick Sanderson at RB with Dickie alongside Dunne. Shape would be good to see though.
 
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I wouldn't mind a fluid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3.
I think Moses has improved and Kakay probably isn't any better defensively.

When all fit: 4-3-3
Dieng
Moses Sanderson Dunne McCallum
Field Johansen Amos
Adomah Gray Willock
Almost agree Col
I’d go

Dieng
Moses Dickie Dunne Wallace
Johansen Field Amos
Willock Dykes Chair

Would love to see that lineup particularly at home
 
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