With the season coming to an end, QPR look sure to win promotion to the premier league for the first time in 16 years, but why have they done so well? Last year they finished in a disappointing 13th in the table with a pretty similar squad although there have been quite a few signings this season, not many big names but how have they fared? Signings: please log in to view this image Jamie Mackie: Plymouth Argle Undisclosed Fee Mackie has endeared himself to Rââ¬â¢s fans because of his great work rate and effort, he started off the season in blistering form with 8 goals in his first 7 games although afterwards he failed to score in 13 but still played well and managed to get back to scoring terms at Swansea. Unfortunately against Blackburn he suffered a double tibula and fibula break that is likely to keep him out for a lengthy period with some fans wondering if heââ¬â¢ll still be the same player after he gets back. Rating: 9/10 Leon Clarke: Sheffield Wednesday Free ââ¬ÅItââ¬â¢s worth a gambleââ¬Â said Neil Warnock upon signing Leon Clarke. I suppose it was, except it didnââ¬â¢t really pay off, 0 goals in 13 games saw Clarke offloaded on loan to Preston where he managed to score once in five games before cancelling the loan deal for personal reasons. Rating: 1/10 Paddy Kenny: Sheffield United 750k An ever present this season and has been amazing, with 24 clean sheets and counting + being named in the championship team of the season, this season has set new heights for the ex-Sheffield United keeper. My signing of the season. Rating: 10/10 Shaun Derry: Crystal Palace Free Snapped up from Warnockââ¬â¢s old club Crystal Palace, Derry has been a rock in midfield this season alongside Alejandro Faurlin. Rating: 9.5/10 Clint Hill: Crystal Palace Free Again a free from Palace, not had much competition at left back but has done well, very consistent and is a gritty and determinated man. Rating: 8.5/10 Bradley Orr: Bristol City Undisclosed Orr has done well at right back, he doesnââ¬â¢t have the greatest of disciplinary records in the past and had to face competition from Walker in the first half of the season. Rating: 8/10 Adel Taarabt: Spurs Undisclosed (thought to be about 1m) The Moroccan maestro. Can be a bit stroppy when things donââ¬â¢t go his way but then he comes up with a piece of breathtaking magic. Received many plaudits including winning the championship player of the year. 18 goals and 19 assists in 41 games. Rating: 10/10 Rob Hulse: Derby Undisclosed Urgh. Rating: 0/10 Gavin Mahon: Free We signed him back 2 months after releasing him, still hasnââ¬â¢t played. Rating: 1/10 Giorgos Tofas: Anorthosis Famagusta Free Apparently signed by Gianni Paladini as a favour to a mate. Rating: 1/10 Petter Vaagan Moen: Brann Free Yet to be given a proper chance, the free kick expert is still waiting for a league start. Rating: 5/10 Tommy Smith: Portsmouth Undisclosed Probably the biggest name signing, played well, nothing spectacular. Rating: 7.5/10 Pascal Chimbonda: Free Blackburn Came in January, didnââ¬â¢t get a start and was releases earlier in the week. Rating: 1/10 Danny ****tu: Millwall Free Chim-Chiminey, Chim-Chim Churoo, who needs Sol Campbell when weââ¬â¢ve got ****tu. The legendââ¬â¢s back, only played a handful of games but yeah. Rating: 8/10 Troy Hewitt: Harrow Undisclosed This boy looks promising, shined at non-league Harrow, a risk but it worked with Les Ferdinand. Rating: NA Kyle Walker: Spurs Loan Signed on loan for the first half of the season, dazzled the crowd with his forward runs, not spectacular defensively. Rating: 8/10 Wayne Routledge: Newcastle Loan Came back to us on loan and has been great, hotly tipped for a permanent move in the summer. Rating: 9/10 Ishmael Miller: West Brom Loan Big things were expected and nothing too amazing has come from him although a winner from Leicester has partly filled his place in Rââ¬â¢s fans hearts Rating: 7/10 So there are the changes from last year, now we try and see whyââ¬Â¦ The manager and tactics please log in to view this image Last March Neil Warnock was appointed manager, he had the task of making sure we avoided the drop, this was pretty simple and we finished in a comfortable 13th. This season the expectations were to at least finish mid-table and maybe push for the play-offs which was thought to be difficult, no one could of predicted what happened next, with QPR sitting merry at the top of the table and looking a certainty to go up to the Premier League for the first time in 16 years but how much is down to his tactics? please log in to view this image Under Warnock, QPR have pretty much always used a 4-2-3-1 system, I will breakdown the positions and who has been used Defence GK ââ¬â Pretty much a normal keeper although Kenny sometimes turns into a Sweeper-keeper as seen in the Cardiff match on St. Georgeââ¬â¢s day. (Paddy Kenny) Left-Back ââ¬â Whilst being primaringly a defensive player, often covering the centre-backs, Clint Hill likes to get forward sometimes as seen in the match V Preston at Loftus Road where he grabbed an assist and a goal. (Clint Hill) Central Defenders ââ¬â Just good old fashioned centre backs, Connolly and Gorkss being the only contenders for the spot in the 1st half of the season with Peter Ramage and Fitz Hall both injured. Fresh competition emerged for the 2nd half of the season with the recovery of Hall and return of Club legend Danny ****tu. (Matt Connolly, Kaspars Gorkss, Fitz Hall, Danny ****tu) Right Back ââ¬â the most attacking player in the defense often seen running down the flank to launch in a cross whether it be Walker or Orr, although the latter is arguably better defensively. (Bradley Orr, Kyle Walker) Midfield Defensive Midfield 1 ââ¬â ââ¬ËThe unofficial captainââ¬â¢ most defensive midfielder, often barking instructions and diving into tackles. Not the greatest passer. (Shaun Derry) Defensive Midfield 2 ââ¬â With Alejandro Faurlin being slightly more creative than his partner, he is often the initiator of attacks with his great vision of passing although still has hefty defensive duties. (Ali Faurlin) Attacking Midfielder ââ¬â Neil Warnock uses star man Adel Taarabt for this role, the team is basically built around him and he is given a very roaming and free role, often attacking through the left, right or centre. (Adel Taarabt) Right Winger ââ¬â tends to grab a few goals, with both Mackie and Routledge cutting inside to take on shooting duties, Mackie played almost as a second striker before getting injured terribly while his replacement, Wayne Routledge acting as more of a winger, often using his pace down the flank to cross it in. (Wayne Routledge, Jamie Mackie, Ishmael Miller to an extent) Left winger ââ¬â slightly more deep than the right winger, operates outside the box looking for a pass, or a long range shot, this is slightly less true when Ephraim is used here as he is quite similar to Routledge. (Tommy Smith, Hogan Ephraim, Patrick Agyemang to an extent) Striker ââ¬â Plays quite deep, holds the ball up and looks to bring others into play rather than try and score, sometimes even popping up on the wing. (Heidar Helguson, Rob Hulse) Players that arenââ¬â¢t there: Akos Buzsaky ââ¬â been injured for a long time, just recently come back, has played briefly at right wing or attacking midfielder Lee Cook ââ¬â again ravaged by injuries, hasnââ¬â¢t played a part this season Peter Ramage ââ¬â again injured, not played a part. Petter Vaagen Moen ââ¬â Signed I January, yet to start a league game. Radek Cerny ââ¬â been replaced by Kenny Troy Hewitt ââ¬â one to watch, destined for big things. Pascal Chimbonda ââ¬â Signed in January. Didnââ¬â¢t start a game. Released in April Leon Clarke ââ¬â Flop And a few more young-uns and flops sent on loan. It looks a bit like Warnockââ¬â¢s found out his best players, put them in their favoured position and it turned into a formation :L, he has managed to get the best out of players like Derry and Hill who people thought were old has-beens and turned them into a winning team. There arenââ¬â¢t too many stand out names, with the exception of Taarabt and maybe Routledge but they gel and work together. My 5 Key Players: 5 players I believe key to our success. please log in to view this image Adel Taarabt ââ¬â All round brilliance Shaun Derry ââ¬â Strong force, natural leader. Alejandro Faurlin ââ¬â Great passer and works well with Derry Paddy Kenny ââ¬â Saved us so many points. 24 Clean Sheets Jamie Mackie ââ¬â mainly for his large contribution to our excellent start. An honourable mention to our entire defence for their 24 Clean sheets (and counting) please log in to view this image The table brings a tear to Rââ¬â¢s fans eyes.
Great report and breakdown Sid! A couple of comments to add to your review. I think one of Warnock's masterstrokes was to adopt a system that fits his players, rather than trying to 'shoe horn' his team into a more traditional system. Also I think we have been fortunate overall in terms of injuries to key players; with the exception of Mackie from your above list, the others have missed very few due to injury.
I dont quite go along with all your ratings I would give Hulse 2 out of 10 as he scored a hatrick for the reserves and he has shown in the first team that he isn't frightened to use his own balls I would agree with Leon Clarke 1 out of 10, he should of followed Sheff Wed into the first division Chimbonda, I would give 0 out of 10. Dont think he give a **** about playing for our team. Walker was only on loan to us but give it everything. I would give him 10 out of 10
Def agree with Andrewqpr rating for Walker, 10 out of 10. Derry is also a 10 out of 10 - this rating also for Clint Hill as well. Mahon is a slightly difficult 1 to judge: Experienced pro, never got back in the first team - however - I do wonder why he was offered continious 1 month contrats if not giving something back. My own view is that mabe he was a behind the scenes person that geed players up - something we would not see so maybe a 4 out of 10 for me.
I didn't want to be careless with the 10's! I would have given Walker 10 but he was only here for half the season and his defensive side of the game wasn't that great, Hulse was more of a joke, I didn't really want to give too many 0's so I just gave 1's for the other flops, Mahon is a nice enough bloke but he hasn't played so I couldn't really give him any higher
Fantastic piece of work there Sid. Extremely well organised and 9.5 for presentation! Of course I would score some things differently but then ratings are not an exact science. As part of your audience on this one, I am more than happy to accept your assessments which are generally pretty much in accordance with the rest of ours on this board. At the end of the day, you have made a great contribution to what I think we're on here for: a greater understanding of our pet interest - them Rs in one of their finest ever seasons!! Thanks Sid - and Sir Neil, the lads and Amit Bhatia. All true Rs imo!!
