“Wholesale Rebuilding Job to Do” — Notes for the QPR Game Friday, 16th Aug 2013 12:00 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game by delving into their forums. “…I never understood why we were favourites anyway.” In one thread predicting Rangers’ end of season position, 40% of fans expect their team to make the play-offs or better, but the majority expect a mid-table finish. “The only reason we are favourites is our love of spending money.” Transfer Strategy“It just feels like Groundhog Day.” With the well-featured news that former Hammer Scott Parker may join Rangers from Tottenham this week, there are serious concerns that mistakes made in previous transfer windows are simply being repeated. “If we get Parker, Redknapp will have signed four central midfielders since January! Four!” Most Hoops would welcome the arrival of Parker as a player, but they are alarmed by the strategy underpinning the decision to sign him. “This is a ridiculous signing. Not because he is not good enough, but because we have just gone out and signed two other central midfielders, at least one of whom we are about to replace straight away.” “We simply cannot keep signing a player, giving them one or two games, and then signing a high profile player in exactly the same position.” “We are making the same Rob Green/Julio Cesar mistake. We signed Karl Henry, but then someone better comes along so we sign him as well, replacing a man who has been here for two weeks.” Harry Redknapp“Harry seems to think all of his ex-players are the best option. He is short-term in his thinking, and clearly can’t be a**ed with this scouting lark.”
“He has made no bones about his only being in it for one crack at promotion, so why would he bother about youth players, scouting or resale value to be fair?” The pre-season hostility towards the manager has softened, but fans are anxious about the short-term nature of his signings and especially about his vocal transfer pronouncements, which they feel are alerting predatory top flight teams to their high calibre targets. “There is a fear that Fulham or Palace may scupper us.” “Harry's playing poker with his cards face up on the table.” “Oh Harry, why can’t you just keep a lid on it until (Parker’s) signed? Just tell journalists you cannot comment like everybody else does.” Scott Parker Scott Parker From a footballing perspective, supporters are mostly positive about the possible new signing, but some query his age and cost. Other supporters are concerned that he had a poor end to last season. “He is better than all our midfield options. A great pro, captain material, dressing room, right sort, etc, England international from one of our top clubs. Any other team in this division would be thrilled.” ”Parker could turn out to be an inspirational signing, just like Wilkins was.” “We are spending big money again on a transfer and wages for a player with no sell-on value.” “It looked like his legs had gone a bit last season. As we saw with Park Ji-Sung, it is dangerous assuming that a player can cut it a league down if they can’t at the highest level.” “Ji-sung Parker.” “He looked a shadow of his former self when I saw him last season.” The Tactical Overview in One SentenceQPR fans’ greatest concern by far is their lack of a midfield presence, whether in protecting their back four on in providing any quality supply to their two strikers. Defence“Harry’s got a lot of work to do. That defence is still dodgy.” “It would be nice to see some defenders coming in to make a more rounded team.” “No more £12 million unfit lumps from Russia though please, I don't think the Sky camera operators had it so easy following Samba around the pitch.” Hoops are reasonably happy with the quality of their backline, but are worried about a lack of depth.
“Robert Green shows signs of fragile confidence and mentality. Perhaps he knows he is going to get stick for whatever he does that doesn’t go well. We don’t have a plan for his distribution, expect for counter-attacks when he launches wingers. It looks as if it is done on impulse rather than planned.” “When Green throws it out, we are too static and reactive. Defenders play the way they are facing. He was moaned at against Huddersfield because we were being pressed, and he tried to play it cute when defenders were under heavy pressure. Had they pinched the ball, we would have been immediately outnumbered around the box.” The England goalkeeper’s game was greatly analysed. “If you look at most of the goals he concedes or the saves he makes most mistakes over they are down his left-hand side. On his right-hand side he is excellent.” “Nedum Onuoha looked calm on the ball, solid and got stuck in. Centre-back is definitely his best position.” “He has been impressive for a while.” “I would like to see him made captain after Clint has done his stint.” The former Manchester City player has completed both league games and is widely seen as the defence’s strongest link. “Clint Hill seems to be getting caught out these days.” “He may prove more of a liability this season, especially against pace.” The captain and former Palace centre-back’s start to the season has caused some nervousness. “Hill very much looks like the weak link in defence.” “The worrying thing about Clint is that he’s getting himself into bother with what ought to be basic situations. He is missing routine headers, allowing balls to bounce and the like. It is silly stuff. It’s not the same as his lack of pace, which we have known and understood for as long as he has been with us.” “Clint's gonna need a Zimmer frame come January.” “Hill’s having a bit of a shocker today.” “My concern is that we have not played teams that have really tested Green, and Clint is looking less dependable. Bigger teams could be quite a different story.” “We have found the Korean we wanted all along.” Twenty-three-year-old Yun Suk-Yeong played at left-back on Saturday and impressed supporters. “He was keen to get forward as much as he could to support Junior Hoilett, but was let down by Hoilett when overlapping and not receiving the pass needed.” “He has a tendency to get forward and not really get back quickly enough, but that could be about his adjusting to the pace of the league and his inexperience.” “Yeong looks okay coming forward, but stands off his man too much”. “He’s a bit suspect n defence.” “Simpson gets plenty of the ball and uses it well.” Danny Simpson, the former Magpie and Ipswich loanee, has been praised for consistently good performances since arriving at Loftus Road this summer. Another summer signing has been less impressive: “Richard Dunne (who joined from Villa) looked more pub landlord than centre-half on Tuesday night at Exeter.” I really hope Dunne is a back-up player. He is a right donkey, and has never been good since his Man City days.” Midfield“We are still missing that spark from midfield. Someone who really makes us tick.” “Our central midfielders are a pretty defensive lot who should provide the back four with decent cover. It seems to be the way Harry wants to play it with the wide players providing the attacking threat from midfield.” “I’m not convinced by the midfield two.” “What about that gaping hole in the middle of the park which Huddersfield are strolling through with ease?” “Central midfield is seriously non-existent here.” “Stand off. Stand off. Stand off. Oh look — they’ve scored!” There has been sustained criticism of the midfield’s lack of defensive protection and creative flair. “Our ball control and passing was poor.” “We haven’t done enough today (against Huddersfield) — too many stray passes.” “For Christ’s sake, get rid of Esteban Granero once and for all!” The former Real Madrid midfielder, widely been seen as the weakest midfield link, has been loaned to Real Sociedad for the season. “Under-hit passes and powder-puff defending led to their goal.” “Granero was shocking, but Henry was not much better.” “Henry has been non-existent for a game and a half now. I will give him the benefit of the doubt as he is new, but he simply has not impressed thus far.” “Henry’s contributions must be very subtle.” The former Wolves player was described as “the invisible man”. Granero was replaced against Huddersfield by Shaun Wright-Phillips, with Joey Barton moving from right midfield into the centre. Barton, who spent last season on loan at Olympique Marseille, has played every minute of every competitive Rangers game this season, but still divides supporters.
Although a couple of eagle-eyed fans criticised him for Huddersfield’s goal on Saturday, most people agreed that, “Joey Barton was man of the match”. “He didn't stop pushing, challenging and had an almost unstoppable engine. We've missed a bit of his bite last season. We really did. I really hope he stays.” “Given the way he has started the season for us and his attitude to knuckle down, I would be disappointed if he leaves now.” “It’s Joey, and anything can happen, but the guy is playing with a smile on his face. We know that when he is on his game, he is a very, very good player.” “Love him or hate him, we cannot afford his wages while we’re in the Championship.” “Let’s face it. He’s in the shop window at the moment and he’ll be off at the first chance if someone offers him a good financial deal.” “(Alejandro) Faurlin was missed, and we probably should have started (against Huddersfield) with Barton in the middle.” The Argentine picked up a thigh injury last Thursday, and fans want him back in the starting XI: ”Ale’s presence was much missed.” “I just hope Redknapp has now realised what a quality player he actually is.” “Hoilett has recovered from a dire end to the last campaign and starred in both matches so far.” The former Blackburn winger is seen to offer the greatest link-up option with the strikers, but there are defensive question marks. “Hoilett is always unlikely to do a great deal to help out.” “Hoilett was surprisingly bad last season. Hopefully he keeps up his early season form as it might teach us to work on players and their problems more rather than simply disregard them and go chasing the next signing. Doubt it though.” “Since coming in, Shaun Wright-Phillips has been excellent.” The former Manchester City player has made three appearances from the bench so far on the right flank. “SWP has looked good in all three games and in a fair few last season. He will be a handy player indeed this season.” “Gary O'Neil is a great signing for a team looking for promotion from the Championship. He has endeavour, know-how, experience, discipline, and a bit of quality.” The 30-year-old, who has arrived with little fuss from the Hammers this summer, may feature at some point on the game. ”He's a good professional and I know that West Ham supporters rate him too. Either way, he's definitely got a good attitude and hopefully a clever bit of business from Harry.” Attack“Who on earth is going to be getting the strikers their assists? Karl Henry? Jenas?” “It would be nice to have two pacey wingers. We need to give Austin more service.” Supporters are happy with their two first choice strikers. They have great concerns about their weak supply lines. “If only, once again, we could find someone who could deliver crosses, or one-two’s around the box, or through balls.”
“Anybody with eyes in their head can see that Charlie Austin and Andy Johnson is the first choice partnership.” “Austin offers real pace against slow defenders.” “Austin is the only exciting signing for me.” “He is the one positive addition we have made this summer.” The former Burnley striker’s speed and movement are seen as crucial to their promotion prospects. “We need strikers to rotate given that Johnson, Austin and Zamora have only three knees and two pelvis joints between them.” They would hugely welcome a fourth front-line goalscorer. They are less forgiving of Bobby Zamora. “I would actually pay Villa or any club £1 million to have Zamora.” “I’ll drop him off myself.” “He is a woeful signing. He is a target man who can’t win a header because he can’t jump.” “He’s less mobile than a Belisha beacon.” The former Fulham striker has the sympathy of a minority of fans. “He is not a poor hold-up player.” “Zamora needs a hip operation.” “He cannot recover full fitness without an operation. An operation would mean he is out until his contract expires next summer.” QPR have also been pursuing 22-year-old Colombian striker Duvan Zapata, and have been locked in protracted negotiations with his current club Estudiantes, with Napoli also interested. He is unlikely to feature on Saturday. Rangers’ Views on ITFC and the Game“Ipswich have thrashed Millwall and (QPR loanee Shaun) Derry 3-0. It’s not going to be easy next week it seems.” ”Ipswich will prove a good measure of our abilities, especially if Mad Mick has instructed his troops to kick us off the park... again.” There has been little analysis of the game, and I will follow up tomorrow on the forum with their thoughts, line-up predictions and score forecasts. There was some follow up to our discussion on the forum this week of the ‘Manningtree incident’, which I will also include tomorrow. WebsitesThe best website for informed discussion and debate by far is Loft For Words. Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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Harry Redknapp
Robert Green
Joey Barton
Charlie Austin
