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All in All, It’s a Bit of a Mess Really — Notes for QPR
Sunday, 24th Dec 2017 17:20 by HarryFromBath

HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Tuesday’s Boxing Day game against QPR at Portman Road by delving into their forums.

“Here we are, pretty much where most of us expect to be, lower mid-table”, “We are just not good enough. The only success we may achieve is avoiding relegation”, “Anyone looking for a quick fix or massive improvement this season, with the cards dealt as they are, is going to end up disappointed.”

QPR arrive in Suffolk on Boxing Day 18th in the table and unbeaten in two games, having drawn at home to Bristol City, previously having won at Birmingham. However, their run of six games before that yielded just one solitary point and fans are looking anxiously at the second half of the campaign.

“Someone tell me everything is going to be okay this season”, “It’s beginning to look as though we’re in trouble here”, “This is a team with problems that will not be solved overnight”, “The club won’t make the change that is needed as we are skint. We could all too easily be heading for League One.”

“The team as a whole are clueless and that is down to the idiot manager and his chest-beating pals in the dugout. They are completely out of their depth”, “We won’t go down whether Ollie stays or goes as there are three worse teams than us, but this side should be doing a lot better than it is.”

“It’s all going wrong for Ollie.” For many Hoops, their manager is not helping. “If Holloway stays in charge, we are in for a titanic relegation battle”, “Nothing has changed over 12 months, it’s like Groundhog Day”, “I will be glad to get this season over with and this total idiot out of the club.”

Ian Holloway

“I’ll tell you what, I’m absolutely done with Ollie. I really liked the bloke but it’s turning sour for me. His run of results ranks with the worst in the business”, “I’m not a Holloway fan. His teams give their all and I give him that, however he is tactically naïve and he continues to blindly play his favourites.”

Mick McCarthy and Ian Holloway imageMick McCarthy and Ian Holloway

The 54-year-old returned to Loftus Road in November 2016, having previously managed the Hoops for a five-year spell starting in 2001. Fans have welcomed his motivational management style, but many have become increasingly frustrated with his “hopeless” tactics and poor player selections.

“Holloway is tactically clueless”, “We are tactically inept under Holloway. He sticks to formations which the players are incapable of playing”, “He’s a limited manager who will frustrate you with his inconsistency and he clearly has a higher opinion of his tactical ability that the evidence suggests.”

“I’m pro Ollie but he really does seem to be running out of ideas”, “I really think he has lost the plot with his maniacal team selections, and his stubbornness to play favourites has cost us points”, “If he stays, we will be involved in another nail-biting relegation battle. That one fact is pretty certain.”

A Narrow Wing-Back Formation

“We have a decent squad apart from up front where we are very poor”, “The spirit among the squad is good, it’s one good thing to come out of the season”, “We have battle and endeavour.” Fans have regularly highlighted how the team has kept playing with confidence despite recent poor results.

“Holloway will be rewarded for using our most effective personnel in the right shape rather than his tombola machine approach”, “Players are randomly thrown into games only to be removed just as abruptly in the same way.” Holloway used 22 players in the side’s recent six-game barren spell.

Hoops have flagged up five players recently selected and just as quickly dropped. “Promising young fringe players like David Wheeler and Bright Oyasi-Samuel have no opportunity to perform, selected at random after weeks of inaction often for short periods of time and almost always out of position.”

SmithiesBaptisteOnuohaRobinsonWszolekScowenLuongoFreemanBidwellSyllaOyasi-Samuel

“FFS, 3-5-2 with wing-backs again.” Holloway has used this system in recent games but started with a new strike pairing in Idrissa Sylla and Oyasi-Samuel (above) for Saturday’s game against the Robins. The alternative front pair of Conor Washington and Matt Smith has been toothless in recent games.

“By and large the defence has not been a problem.” The backline has been solid with keeper Alex Smithies and left centre-back Jack Robinson highly praised for consistently good displays. Hoops have voiced concerns about Alex Baptiste’s lack of pace and Nedum Onuoha’s occasional errors.

“I feel our central midfielders have differing roles but similar styles of play”, “We have Josh Scowen to defend, Luke Freeman to create and attack and Massimo Luongo to do both”, “I love the hustling of Luongo, Scowen and Freeman, but none have that finishing touch. We lack goals from midfield.”

“Play wingers you idiot”, “Why don’t we have any width in our play?”, “Our lack of width is a real problem”, “Pawel Wszolek is a winger and Jake Bidwell is a left-back, neither are wing-backs”, “We have countless wingers in the squad and Holloway doesn’t use them. He just stockpiles them.”

“If you are going to play with a traditional centre-forward, you have to play with a winger who will get to the byline and cross the ball for it to be attacked”, “The lack of width, the lack of crosses with seven wingers in the squad and two strikers who thrive on good service is just grinding my gears.”

SmithiesBaptisteOnuohaRobinsonWszolekScowenLuongoHallBidwellSmithWashington

An example of Holloway’s tactics frustrating fans was highlighted near the end of Saturday’s game against the Robins. Protecting a one-goal lead, he withdrew the creative Luke Freeman for converted centre-half Grant Hall in midfield and brought on the ineffective Smith and Washington front pairing.

“Taking Freeman off for Grant Hall and sitting on a 1-0 lead when we were under the cosh against Bristol was a stupid decision with 15 minutes left. It was way too early”, “Bringing on Washington and Smith left us poorer, but we were left with no chance when he put a centre-half in midfield.”

Handicapped By a Blunt Attack

“Our weakness is blatantly obvious and was there for all to see before the season started”, “The forward line is too impotent. We are desperate for a decent forward”, “Going into the season with Matt Smith, Jamie Mackie and Conor Washington as our attacking force was simply embarrassing.”

“We have a blunt strike force”, “We create lots and upset teams but can’t put the ball in the net. Washington and Mackie don’t score. Smith is a one-dimensional target man and more of an impact substitute and Idrissa Sylla looks off the game. It’s no surprise we struggle to score with that lot.”

QPR 1 — 1 Bristol City

“A point when most thought we would be slaughtered is not to be sniffed at”, “I would take a draw every day of the week against Bristol”, “On the way home, I really enjoyed that. It was a full-blown Christmas cracker with both teams slugging it out”, “We won the first half but lost the second half.”

The West Londoners took the lead on 37 minutes when Aden Flint headed into his own net. Having dominated the first half, they allowed the Robins to have the better of things after the break and the equaliser came via a Bobby Reid penalty on 81 after Flint, by now playing as a striker, was fouled.

“I swear to God I thought the referee was going to step up and take the penalty.” There was plenty of anger among Hoops with referee Bobby Madley for the penalty award, but most felt that the result was a fair reflection of the balance of the game. “A point is a point, and it could keep us up.”

Birmingham 1 — 2 QPR


“There it is, a first away win of the season for QPR thanks to a double by Jack Robinson”, “We had to rely on a full-back converted to a centre-back to show the team how to score”, “It’s three points in the end and keeps the wolf from the door”, “Ollie buys himself some time.”

Jack Robinson put the Hoops in front on 17 minutes heading home Luke Freeman’s freekick, but the hosts levelled on 57 when Sam Gallagher pounced on an Alex Smithies error to poke the ball home. Robinson added his second and won the game for Rangers with a low shot seven minutes from time.

“A poor match between two poor performing sides, one in a whole lot more trouble than the other”, “Two very poor sides and I’m not getting carried away. Fingers crossed we can kick on a bit”, “I think that Birmingham are going down. Their players don’t care at all and we have all seen what happens.”

SmithiesBaptisteOnuohaRobinsonWszolekScowenLuongoFreemanBidwellSmithWashington

“Obstinate Ollie is sticking to his 3-5-2.” Fans were not optimistic on seeing the starting XI (above). “We played too deep again and invited pressure”, “Washington and Smith’s forward play was so poor that Birmingham were able to press us knowing that there was no threat caused by those two.”

QPR 1 — 3 Leeds

“Poor. We looked ponderous, playing far too many sideways passes compared to Leeds”, “We are seemingly out of games when the other side takes a one-goal lead”, “Roofe scored the opening goal and just like we should have played. Winger, striker, goal”, “It all went wrong after half-time.”

After holding their own in a scoreless first half, Rangers conceded the initiative to their opponents after the break, a problem which has been regularly highlighted by fans. Kemar Roofe netted a hat-trick with goals on 63, 68 and 94 minutes. Wszolek had given QPR brief hope with a late reply on 90.

“Dispiriting and depressing”, “Not the worst performance but all of Ollie’s weaknesses were exposed in that 90 minutes. A decent first half but we were not in it at all in the second. We had no desire, movement, imagination, and most worryingly nothing from the side of the pitch changed anything.”

SmithiesChairOnuohaRobinsonWszolekScowenLuongoFreemanBidwellSmithWashington

Fans criticised the narrow formation (above). “Leeds unlocked our defence by playing with the width we lacked”, “Holloway threw in a fourth ball-playing central midfielder along with our other three ball-playing central midfielders. It crowded the middle of the park to the point of complete gridlock.”

Goalkeepers and Central Defenders

“Alex Smithies is so often a beacon of light in dark times at Loftus Road.” The 27-year-old ex-Huddersfield man “is one of the best keepers in the division”, “He’s the only player you can put your money on putting a performance in week in, week out”, “He produces at least one or two amazing saves every game.”

Alex Smithies imageAlex Smithies

“Smithies has been so consistent for the last two seasons. He drops the odd clanger but without him we would have gone down last tear. He has been a hero who has kept us in so many games”, “The only thing he struggles with are long shots, although his kicking has become a bit Rob Green of late.”

“Alex Baptiste looks solid and composed.” The 31-year-old one-time Bolton defender “was brought in as cover and I don’t think anyone expected him to be playing as much as he has. He has done a good job despite his lack of pace”, “He has been a stalwart defender but his slowness is a real problem.”

“Baptiste does the basics well and will clear the ball anywhere, He’s basic but that’s not a bad thing. He is uncomfortable with the ball at his feet”, “He knows this division inside out and will do a job in a poor division”, “He doesn’t take risks, he doesn’t let the ball bounce and he will never switch off.”

“Grant Hall gives us options at centre-half or as a holding midfielder.” The 26-year-old former Brighton youngster has been absent with tendinitis this season. “A cracking player who can cover for Scowen in central midfield. He never had much pace before his injury and doesn’t influence games in the same way.”

“Nedum Onuoha was rushed back from a hamstring injury for the Leeds game and basically he was playing on one leg.” The 31-year-old ex-Manchester City man “played well at Birmingham. We were far better with him in the side, as we were able to repel a series of high balls pumped into our box.”

“Ned’s main weakness is a propensity to concentration lapses at critical times”, “The problem when you play at the back is that one mistake is sometimes one too many”, “He is prone to one error per game”, “He makes regular mistakes and he doesn’t always utilise his potential physical dominance.”

Jack Robinson

“Thank God for Robinson.” The 24-year-old former Liverpool man “is one of the few bright spots this season”, “Apart from his new-found goalscoring ability, he makes great tackles, blocks and has great positional sense when defending”, “He has been superb this season, we are so lucky to have him.”

“I didn’t realise Robinson was that fast. He gets to balls speedily that he has no right to win and is not afraid to put his head in where it hurts. He seems to be stepping up when we need him”, “He is not the most talented but is so solid defensively”, “He doesn’t hide and shows great skill and composure.”

Full-Backs and Wingers

“Jake Bidwell is a proper defender who will run through brick walls for his team.” The 24-year-old former Brentford defender “is a perfectly adequate left-back for this level and the least of our concerns position-wise”, “He is conservative and doesn’t whip enough balls in on the attack, turning back and passing.”

Jake Bidwell v Josh Emmanuel  imageJake Bidwell v Josh Emmanuel

“Bidwell has not got the best cross into the box on him but he gets at least half of his attempts in. He plays the left-back role well and is only occasionally caught out, but the problem is that he is being asked to do too much in a wing-back role. This shows his limitations up positionally and creatively.”

“David Wheeler has hardly had a fair chance.” The 27-year-old August addition from Exeter “is a good footballer with a good brain. He looks dangerous and is not afraid to have a crack at goal”, “His overall play, cutting in from the right is good, as is his positional sense and he has an eye for goal.”

“Wheeler scored 21 goals from the wing for Exeter last season. He looks confident and not at all out of place in the Championship, but has hardly had a look in”, “He gets around well, is good in the air and is a poacher in the box. I have no idea at all why he isn’t getting a decent chance on the pitch.”

Pawel Wszolek

“Pawel is one of the best players in this league when played as a winger, so it’s daft to start him as a wing-back or full-back.” The 25-year-old Poland international and one-time Sampdoria man “has been ruined by Holloway. I loved watching him on the wing, but he’s afraid to take his man on”.

Pawel Wszolek v Myles Kenlock imagePawel Wszolek v Myles Kenlock

“When Wszolek was able to get forward against Leeds he did well, putting in crosses and running at his man but in our formation, he was primarily covering defensively”, “He doesn’t fit our preferred system, and doesn’t get the ball into the box like he should when forced to play the wing-back role.”

Central Midfielders

“Jordan Cousins may be a victim of being played out of position wide on the right, but for someone so highly regarded he has been a relative failure.” The 23-year-old former Charlton man “has never played in the centre, so try him there”, “He looks terrible every week being played out of position.”

“Ilias Chair came out of the Leeds game with credit for a tenacious and positive display of technical play and hard work.” The 24-year-old January signing from Belgian side Lierse SK “is so comfortable on the and takes people on. He is impressive, it looks like he has played first-team football for ages.”

“Massimo Luongo does everything. He tackles, chases and hassles without the ball and plays through balls and shoots with it.” The 25-year-old ex-Swindon man and one-time Town loanee “is now taking shots this year which he has shied away from before. He has a decent shot on him when he lets fly.”

Massimo Luongo imageMassimo Luongo

“Luongo is playing well this season. He looks sharp and does a lot for the team”, “He needs to stop going missing. Playing four good games isn’t consistent, playing 10 to 15 games is consistent”, “He moves the ball into dangerous positions and is the only midfielder who lasses early with either foot.”

“Luke Freeman is the player in the team who excites me the most.” The 25-year-old January arrival from Bristol City “is our main source of creativity and one of the leaders in assists this season. He can pass to strikers or attack the space they create”, “He’s so good on the ball, I love watching him play.”

“Freeman’s ball control and creativity are pivotal for the team”, “He is guilty of playing for himself at times”, “I get the fact that his work-rate off the ball isn’t the greatest but we are desperately short of players who want to beat a man”, “A stand-out player who always gets involved, even on bad days.”

Josh Scowen

“What a signing Josh has turned out to be, a proper defensive midfielder.” The 24-year-old summer arrival from Barnsley “is exactly what we were missing last season, which is why I see him as one of our most important players”, “He did a really good job of screening the back four at Birmingham.”

“Scowen allows the rest of the team to push forward. His vision and work-rate are second to none. He wins the ball and plays it to our creative midfielders”, “He covers a huge amount of ground, puts his foot in and keeps it simple. He plays the ball intelligently and at times he can’t half pick a pass.”

Strikers

“Bright Oyasi-Samuel is an out-and-out winger who only scored four goals for Blackpool last season.” Eyebrows were raised when the 19-year-old started as a striker against Bristol on Saturday but the consensus was that he played well. “His pace was really giving their central defenders nightmares.”

“Taking Bright off was a mistake. The Bristol City defence must have breathed a sigh of relief when they saw his number come up”, “His head was dropping and he wasn’t pushing forward enough when he was taken off. He may not fully ready for the full 90 minutes”, “He’s positive, lively and full of pace.”

“Stop playing Jamie Mackie, please!” The 32-year-old ex-Forest man is eligible for our Boxing Day game after serving a three-match suspension. “He is liked by many fans for his attitude, but we are questioning his ability as a striker and what he brings to the team. I love his spirit but he can’t finish.”

“Mackie wastes so many chances, he will never be a striker. What is his role other than simply being shoehorned up top because he puts defences under pressure?”, “He runs and runs and even gets an odd touch of the ball”, “Bring him on to chase and work defenders at the end of games if needed.”

Jamie Mackie imageJamie Mackie

“The less said about Conor Washington’s scoring record, the better.” The 25-year-old former Posh man “is a non-entity who ruins every forward move”, “His goalscoring is anaemic, attacking moves just break down around him. He lacks any composure and ability”, “The empty number nine shirt.”

“Washington’s first touch is the best bit of his game. He often brings the ball out of the sky and traps it dead. The problem is that he can’t do much after controlling it”, “He does well until get gets near the box, then he does his best road cone impression”, “He’s weak, slow and a really poor finisher.”

“Matt Smith is a big powerful lump who can push through tired defences and attack or defend set pieces, but he’s too one-dimensional and limits a team.” The 28-year-old former Leeds and Fulham target man “causes teams problems with his aerial presence, but he forces us to play too direct.”

“Smith had to come on against Bristol City due to their aerial threat. They were starting to win everything in the air”, “Bring him on to hassle tired defences which drop deep late on in games. He only scores coming on as a substitute”, “I agree with Smith being Plan B, but he should not be the opening act.”

Idrissa Sylla

“Sylla can control the ball and bring others into play, and he also scores goals.” The 27-year-old ex-Anderlecht frontman “is the most complete striker we have”, “He always looks dangerous and seems to find space to shoot which no one else can. We could be lethal if he had a quick striker beside him.”

Sylla imageIdrissa Sylla scores against Town

“The ball seems to stick to Sylla like Velcro so he can easily bring others into play with his back to goal. He absolutely knows where the net is”, “His habit of looking for fouls is the only annoying thing about him”, “He is the only well-rounded finisher we have and he needs to play, pure and simple.”

Rangers Fans’ Views on ITFC and the Game

With Christmas Day yet to pass and the Bristol City game still fresh in the memory, Hoops have had little so far to say about Tuesday’s match. One prediction league summary has 73 per cent of visiting fans expecting a Town win and only 13 percent a Rangers triumph. They may not be all that optimistic.

I will update the forum at lunchtime on Tuesday with their matchday thoughts if there is sufficient interesting comment and will link this on my Twitter feed.

Websites

The best website for QPR discussion blogs and match previews is our sister-site, the superb LoftForWords.

Happy Christmas!

Just one final note to wish everyone the happiest of Christmases and every success for 2018 both on and off the pitch. Thank you all for your comments and observations which are hugely welcomed and huge thanks to Phil and Gav for their terrific support in getting the Notes website-ready.

It has been a decent first half of the campaign for us all told. I hope we can make some mischief and give the second half of the season and right good go now. We have built a great platform with our displays and results thus far and we could have some fun between now and May. Here’s hoping!

And many thanks to you Harry for all 2017’s Notes, they have become a vital part of TWTD’s pre-match coverage. Merry Christmas, Phil and Gav.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



jas0999 added 17:35 - Dec 24
Happy Christmas Harry - an excellent read as always! Keep up the good work it really is appreciated.
8

whosroundisitanyway added 17:58 - Dec 24
Merry Xmas Harry!
Looking forward to your brilliant contribution next year.
COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!!!!!
6

runaround added 18:19 - Dec 24
Merry Christmas Harry, I always enjoy reading your previews
5

The_Romford_Blue added 19:08 - Dec 24
Merry Christmas Harry.

Thanks for your efforts this year. A read on the train to games home and away is imperative for matchdays.

Cheers
4

Global_Blue added 19:19 - Dec 24
Thanks Harry. There's clearly a lot of work that goes into each match's review and to do it week in week out every season shows amazing commitment and dedication. You deserve all the praise and so much more. Hopefully the team can give you and the rest of us something to cheer about next year.

Merry Christmas to you and yours and to all the other supporters out there. Here's to a promotion filled 2018.
5

Kikapu added 19:35 - Dec 24
Hear hear, Global Blue. Always read his 'Notes for ...'.
4

TractorBeezer added 19:49 - Dec 24
Harry. not only is your work thorough and well researched but it is consistent and very professional. Thanks so much.

And a very happy Christmas to you too!
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 21:24 - Dec 24
Merry Christmas, Harry. You have a winning formula with your regular column. Keep up the good work.
2

JCBLUE added 08:31 - Dec 25
Merry Christmas Harry, great read as always.
3

stormypetrel added 09:43 - Dec 25
All the best Harry....I always look forward to your work and really appreciate your insights and views. Thank you
2

Ardentitfc1978 added 14:11 - Dec 25
Merry Christmas to you Harry. Thank you for your hard work. I usually visit your site at least 3 to 5 times daily. Cheers!
2

TR11BLU added 15:46 - Dec 25
Best wishes for the festive period Harry and a prosperous New Year.
I always look forward to 11 0clock Fridays and your notes, your efforts are widely appreciated.
2

dangerous30 added 17:05 - Dec 25
Happy Christmas and thank you for the reports
2


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