Another depressing afternoon spent in the Ellerslie Rd stand, watching our 10 men chase the game!! For the first 20 mins we were absolutely awful and I can't for the life of me work out what our formation was meant to be! MH played 1 up front, at home, in a game we had to win. Zamora was totally isolated up front, but the most puzzling thing of all was that no-one, for the first 30mins was playing on the right! We had SWP, inexplicably playing in the centre with Taarabt wide on the left. Mackie was dropping deep, but not onto the right, which resulted in us having 5 in the middle, with 4 playing very narrow and Taarabt out on the left. This was incredibly clueless imo and Riise and Dempsey were 2 against 1 on Onouha all the time. Riise was free to cross after just 2 mins, only for AJ's header to be ruled out for off-side. But we didn't heed the warning and were completely out played in that opening 30mins. They were so much in control that I thought the game would be over by half time. Riise simply had the freedom of Loftus Rd!! Either MH got it badly wrong or Mackie didn't follow instructions. Either way....it was a terrible tactical decision. We should have had Mackie right up front with Zamora and SWP out on the right. Him in the middle, with Adel out wide was ridiculous! Now to Mr Diakite. Let me say first off that he looks a very good player. Strong, fast and good on the ball. However, after 10mins everyone around me was saying he looked like an accident waiting to happen. I'm prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he simply wasn't used to the pace of the Premier League which led to him being slightly late with 3 or 4 challenges before he was finally booked. But it was totally thick to continue lunging in after being booked. We all knew what was going to happen and Dowd had no choice other than to send him off for, what was probably his worst challenge of the lot! Cue another 60 mins of watching us play with 10 men!! Once we were down to 10 men, we actually had a better shape, with Mackie now playing on the right (but still with SWP centre mid!!!!?). After the break, Fulham were terrible and didn't seem to have the no-how to use their extra man and to be fair, QPR were the better team in the 2nd half. On chances, we should have won the game comfortably!! Zamora and Taarabt missed sitters in the first half as did SWP in the 2nd. Mackie also wasted a good chance in the 2nd half. Imo Barton had a an ok game but his constant moaning at Taarabt does nothing for morale and I firmly believe that he is a cancer at the heart of the team!! Like it or not, Adel needs encouragement, not criticism and he was our ONLY threat going forward yesterday, whilst playing the pass of the match to get SWP in. All in all, MH got it wrong from the start and it's hard to see how we will avoid the drop from here with our run of fixtures during the run-in. The mood at the ground was very bad, illustrated by the berating of Barton ("what the ****ing hell was that" aimed at him after yet another dire dead ball delivery!!) and the booing of SWP when he was substituted. I don't agree with doing that, but it shows how bad things have become!! Bottom line is....if you don't take your chances....you don't win!! Player ratings: Kenny - 7 Didn't see him do anything wrong Onouha - 7 I thought he kept Dempsey pretty quiet considering he had no help whatsoever Ferdinand - 7 A better game imo Hill - 8 Our best defender. Put in a very strong performance at CB Taiwo - 7 Looked a lot better, although I couldn't see how he did in that first 30mins as he was on the far side diagonally from me. Very good distribution. Mackie - 6 Never gave up the fight, but his first touch is appalling SWP - 5 Again, as ever, flattered to deceive. Made a couple of good breaks, but should have scored Barton - 6 A slightly better game, but his dead ball kicks were simply dreadful. He must be removed from them (and preferably the club!!) Diakite - 4 Looks a good prospect...but brainless!! Taarabt - 6 Blowed hot and cold...not helped by Barton's constant criticism....missed a sitter but played the pass of the game to SWP Zamora - 4 Very isolated....but looked no better than Bothroyd imo Buzz - 5 No impact Traore - 7 Looked good and should start in front of Taiwo on the left of midfield imo Hughes - 3 Terrible tactics, with no-one on the right and SWP in the middle of midfield???????????????????
Great report as usual Col. Watched online so only get in possession footage. i couldn't figure out the formation either but remember the commentator saying it was 4-1-4-1. Zamora is a hold up player so obviously needs players running beyond him for this to work. only mackie seemed to be doing this so why the hell he didn't just play him up top anyway is beyond me! Totally agree about barton, i think he adds considerably to an already negative atmosphere at the club which is not wanted or necessary. he hasn't got one single scrap of captain material about him. felt sorry for adel being harassed by him. Diatkite looked very confident and comfortable on the ball but is either clumsy, dirty or a yard of the pace when it comes to tackling. think he will be a good aquisition though. Think we have all seen what missing Faurlin has done to our play and if joey could just win it and play a simple ball instead of trying things he obviously isn't capable of then we could be ok. On another note, met Warnock for the first time the other day and told him i was a QPR fan. he laughed and said he could tell me a tale or two but would keep his mind on his new job from now on!! Nice bloke.
Bob...yeah I think it was 4-1-4-1....with Diakie holding. But why on earth did we play no-one on the right? I was on our right in Ellerslie for the first half and I'm telling you...Mackie tracked back centrally...it was bizarre!!! And SWP centre mid? FFS!!
Great report as ever Col, I wish the players would put in the effort that you do. Having only seen the match on Football First I certainly won’t argue with any of your analysis (we can leave that for next weekend). You do raise several interesting points which I’d like to pursue. Clint Hill. As he was our best defender would you play him in the centre against Everton? If so, even if Young is fit again? Taiwo. Do you think that he is he getting better, maybe adjusting to the Premier League? If so, do you think can expect Diakite to follow? Jamie Mackie. He is the only player immune from the lack of passion and desire criticism and while he runs his socks off but isn’t really good enough. I’m no fan of 4-4-2, but other than playing him up front with Zamora I can’t see how he can retain a place in the team. What the hell do we do with him? Hughes. Do you have any belief that he can sort it out in time?
Hi mate. Depressing times eh? Clint hill is a difficult one, as his lack of pace is always a worry, but that doesn't get so exposed at CB. I think, taking into consideration that Young's form had dipped a fair bit before his injury, I'd probably play Onouha at RB and Hill and Ferdinand at CBs. I do think Taiwo is improving and his distribution is 1st class. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who was sitting in South Africa Rd as to how he played in the opening 30mins when we were ripped apart. Things like his positioning etc? 2nd half he looked good to me. Hopefully it was only cramp that he went off with, although I like Traore. Diakite looks a good player to me and just what we needed in the holding role. This season may be over too soon for him to adjust to the Prem though! Mackie's desire and work rate can't be questioned...but his first touch is ****e and that gets badly exposed at this level. I don't think we have any choice other than to play him up front while Cisse is missing, but I'd be tempted to start HH up there with him against Everton after the way Zamora played! I'd also consider HH up front with Cisse. Mackie is a squad player at best for me when all are available. I have serious doubts whether MH can sort it out in time. Not his fault really as we had to get a lot of new players in and they are playing like a bunch of strangers, which is exactly what they are. Add to that the reports of dressing room fights and divides, I feel the only way is down mate!
I think he'll be good for us mate...although I'm sure Barton will do his best to undermine him (another player who's better than our skipper...he won't like that!!).
Cheers Col. Obviously not a great day at the office for Hughes. Watched on line, get a chance to see live next weekend, and unlike Roller I am looking forward to it, always believe that we will click in the next game. Especially pleased that Taiwo seems to be settling in, sure he is a class act. What is depressing me is the reaction on here, a kind of mass hysteria of negativity. The reasoned stuff like this thread is fine, and I don't expect happy clappy stuff given our situation and performances, but the level of malice in some comments give the impression that a few posters are actively hoping MH, TF and Barton in particular will fail and for relegation to give them a chance to indulge in an orgy of 'I told you so' and whining about 'loyalty'. Remains to be seen whether the team and club is big enough to survive in the Prem, but seems like quite a few of the 'supporters' would be more comfortable at a lower level of less challenging cosiness. For the record I still think we will survive (and will do until it becomes mathematically impossible) and that Hughes is a good Premiership manager and that TF and the Mittals are extremely good for our club. But I hope none of them ever look at forums like this, as it would make me feel '**** the lot of them'. You Rs!
I like the look of Diakite, his positioning was good and his reading of the game was also good, he just needs to learn when its necessary to get stuck in and when its better to stay on your feet, close down a player and look to intercept the play. He looked great on the ball and gave 150% for the team, give him time to get used to the demands of the English game and hell come good, im sure of it
Not only do you give Barton 6 which is ludicrous given yet another abyssmal display from our so-called captain, he also rates as highly as Taarabt according to you which is a joke. IMO nobody rated more than 5 on our side other than Traore who really put the earlier weak efforts of Taiwo to shame in his cameo.
SB, I’m sure that I’ll perk up again by next Saturday, but I still don’t expect I’ll go thinking that we will win. As you know, I’m in complete agreement with regard to the ridiculous knee jerk reactions we get on this (and most other) forums. Some of the post do leave me flabbergasted, but these days I just leave them alone (that may even have been your advice to me in the past!). Knowing QPR we probably actually need to hit the bottom of the table before we start to play, but sitting here today, I can’t see how we will survive, there just doesn’t appear to be the will among the players to do so. I’ve been trying to think of something positive to say, but I fear that Letitia Landon may make a return to the forum later! By the way mate, how is your son's recovery coming on?
A good read as usual I am afraid that many on here are infected ... Disgraceful stuff and very poor QPR fans
Roller - thanks for the thoughts, boy is doing well, back on bike in the gym, straight line running, just no twisting/ turning allowed. Hopefully will be fine for athletics season, if goes well cricket too. We'll be fine mate, even if it all goes pear shaped we are still QPR. The reactions are bizarre, wish there was a way to actually see the first on line QPR induced aneurysm, level of anger and hate is so high.... DT - Keep it up mate, as always the voice of consistency and surreal intelligence on here. Where has Ellers gone?
Yet another good dissertation of events col. Not a lot to add to what has already been said. But I can't help thinking that we just need to chuffing stick the ball in the back of the onion bag. If we could just do that we wouldn't be sweating the small stuff. We're creating the chances.
I don't think some of the posts are knee jerk reactions. My reaction towards barton has been based over all his performances for us!! I don't wish him a career ending injury as i think his mouth will eventually lead him out of the game. Im not a pessimist or optimist but a realist and i realise that we have some over paid over hyped players with reputations they are not playing up to. i honestly think team spirit and performances would be better without barton in the team!!
People saying they can't wait til' Barton leaves, the rumours say it's not even Barton who's divided the dressing room etc He's just an easy scapegoat, he seems to get on REALLY well with the likes of Hill, Derry, Mackie as shown on twitter..
His performances, his constant twittering, his attack on Warnock, his slating of other players as Keith curled stated, his bollocking Taraabt for having the audacity to shoot! His set pieces etc etc that's why i want him gone!!!
