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Time for reflection.....

Discussion in 'Queens Park Rangers' started by Rollercoaster Ranger, Nov 8, 2011.

  1. Rollercoaster Ranger

    Rollercoaster Ranger Well-Known Member

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    As we drift into another international break we have plenty of time for reflection, so...... what is the reason for our improvement against Manchester City? I can think of a few options.

    1) The hastily assembled team are starting to gel? Many of them have still only be together for 2 months, others for not much longer. Due to the way the takeover unfolded, the pre-season was a waste of time.

    2) Playing players in their correct positions? Mackie returning to play on the “wing”, Barton playing in central midfield, Gabbidon replacing One-Size making the team more balanced and simply better.

    3) A change of formation? A shift towards 4-4-2, even though it seems quite a loose 4-4-2 drifting into the more familiar 4-2-3-1 at the drop of a hat. We also seem to be managing to play further up field.

    4) The return of Jamie Mackie? His boundless enthusiasm and non-stop running have lifted the rest of the team to try to match his energy levels.

    5) Our off the ball tactics? We now seem to be hunting the ball down when we do not have possession. An opponent is quickly confronted by at least 2 of our players not allowing them time to consider their options.

    6) Much better retention of possession? We are not giving the ball away so cheaply, undoubtedly due to Taarabt not being on the pitch so often (sorry DT)

    7) The form of Heidar Helguson? He is currently winning an impressive percentage of his headers and so the midfielders are more prepared to gamble on getting further up field.

    8) The passion of the home crowd? Maybe the match against Chelsea came at the right time, the atmosphere at the last two home matches has been incredible.

    9) Neil Warnock? Has his man-management resulted in better performances across the board

    10) All of the above?
     
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  2. Northolt-QPR

    Northolt-QPR Active Member

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    10 plus the Barton effect! ;)
     
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  3. Staines R's

    Staines R's Well-Known Member

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    4 and 7 are pretty major factors imho
     
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  4. Woodyhoopleson

    Woodyhoopleson Well-Known Member

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    I concur with everything you say Roller. I have always felt that a passionate home support was worth at least a goal a game. Imagine playing with 16000 voices screaming support and love at you, it's got to lift you and spur you on, and conversely, imagine being the away team, and any posession you have is booed and any misplaced pass is ridiculed and jeered, it's got to affect you. It's not to say the ball should be thrown at opposition players from the crowd or that anyone need run down the front to tell the player that he masturbates a lot, but we have to use our advantages. Equally, we've got to do it against the wigans and wolves of this league.
     
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  5. hammersmith hoopton

    hammersmith hoopton Active Member

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    In the second half at Spurs and the Man City game i would say number 3 is the most important factor!
     
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  6. _qpr-scotland_

    _qpr-scotland_ Member

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    By that do you mean every single one of them??

    The mans quickly becoming my favourite player wearing the hoops at the moment. It shows that you can substitute talent and ability for sheer hard work, something that Mackie shows as well.

    Not to mention it being the reason I still believe I'll play professional football...
     
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  7. peter1954qpr

    peter1954qpr Well-Known Member

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    NO8 i just love how us fans have really grasped the importance of a terrific atmosphere with backing from us the team has upped there performance we are all one now. Jamie Mackie's return has allowed Joey to move inside and form a real partnership with Ali and what with Heider finding some real form we are a treat going forward, but the back 4 must take a lot of credit,Anton is the new Alam Mcdonald, even Danny Gabbidon has upped his game and with 2 quality full backs and a top keeper we are well set for a right go at this division,1/2 quality additions in January just to add the icing.
     
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  8. Carlos Valderama's Hairy Saddlebags

    Carlos Valderama's Hairy Saddlebags Member

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    I agree with the points made, however, the issue is, I hope the team can keep up the momentum after this completely pointless international break. If their attitude and workrate and mental belief and forward play stay as sharp as in the last 3 matches (excluding the 1st half against Tottenham) then we will be able to pick up loads of points. I just hope we carry on where we left off
     
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  9. QPAAAAAGH

    QPAAAAAGH Well-Known Member

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    Agree with all of this other than 1 & 9.

    The team did not suddenly 'gel' between the 1st and 2nd halves at Spurs and yet the transformation was incredible. The change to 4-4-2 with Bothroyd as part of the 2 did the trick.

    NW has let the Taarabt situation get out of control IMO and his shipping out of Hill was just plain nuts given our exposure. He has also been very slow to change tactics to better suit his playing staff.
     
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  10. jeffranger

    jeffranger Well-Known Member

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    most of all it but i would say 3/7/8 are the main ones & how the hell agy played those games beffore hh did i'll never know.
     
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  11. Dave Thomas

    Dave Thomas Active Member

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    10 plus a factor that Adel Taarabt will have to conform to the team ... If that comes off ie: he does his stuff to the new rules ... we keep up the last three performances then we are a great outfit ... It's about results now as I am getting a feeling about Europe maybe via the FA cup ... If we equal Our efforts against Utd and Liverpool then why not? I can see all three promoted sides making it

    Top of London in 3 years
     
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  12. Swords Hoopster

    Swords Hoopster New Member

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    10 plus the opposition. We seem to up our game against the big boys. If we can bring that attitude to Stoke and W Brom etc we're gonna be absolutely fine this year.
     
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  13. Vale_Hoops

    Vale_Hoops Well-Known Member

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    What swords said.
     
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  14. WBA2_QPR3

    WBA2_QPR3 Well-Known Member

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    Combo result imo.

    Mackie back and enhanced workrate
    4-4-2
    No 'Adel' gifting the ball to the opposition
    Barton playing 'inside'
    HH & Bothroyd. Classic little n'large combo a la Crouch & Defoe
    Traore & Gabbidon back
    Hall being injured
    Playing big names with something to prove

    Stoke in some ways is the biggest test so far. We 'need' a result here
     
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  15. Swords Hoopster

    Swords Hoopster New Member

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    <laugh>
     
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  16. QPRNUTS

    QPRNUTS Well-Known Member

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    I think that NW was a bit slow in realising that players have to fit the right shape of the team and not the other way around. IMO playing Barton, Ali and Derry in a midfield trio meant that we had to many players sitting back. We were therefore allowing teams to come onto us way to easily. At home especially, one of the three will have to warm the bench. With injuries and suspensions all three will get plenty of game time. Think Barton must play in the middle. At home i would like to see one of our two central midfielders (Barton) getting forward and into the opposition box. The workrate for the smaller teams in the Prem has to be so high to survive. Realistically the only place i can see Adel playing in our formation is one of the two upfront. If his workrate does not match that of Bootsy, DJ, Mackie etc etc then sadly he should not play.
     
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  17. Swords Hoopster

    Swords Hoopster New Member

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    I think that's a fair comment to make. He did say it needed tweaking post Villa but didn't do it for a while afterwards. However it must be remembered that COLIN is on a learning curve this season too; the whole Club is. And on the whole he's doing a cracking job as are the board, players and fans as well.
     
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  18. QPRNUTS

    QPRNUTS Well-Known Member

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    Yep, agree with that. I asked questions about NW before the season started. I was not criticising him just asking honest questions. In the last few weeks he has answered a few of those questions for me. He's a good man and is perhaps a little too honest at times. Glad we have him though and am sure he will keep us up in style.
     
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  19. Rollercoaster Ranger

    Rollercoaster Ranger Well-Known Member

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    Personally I think that the return of Jamie Mackie has been the most important factor, which is remarkable as I was one of those who couldn&#8217;t see him making it at this level. He has enabled/forced Warnock to reshape the team, got Barton off the right wing and into central midfield and prompted the alteration in our formation. As a side product he has been hassling opposing defenders and midfielders and instigating our team hunting the ball in packs.

    I&#8217;m not sure how I can credited him with HH&#8217;s improvement in form, but give me time, I&#8217;ll think of something.
     
    #19
  20. Swords Hoopster

    Swords Hoopster New Member

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    Good point Roller. One other thing I've been meaning to mention is how pleasantly surprised I've been with Nelly's style of play. We had a Stoke fan on yesterday bemoaning their "up an' under" method yet we've hardly gone direct all season. Warnock's not been known for producing silky footballing sides but perhaps that's more down to the fact he never had silky footballers than anything else!!
     
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