|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 26, 2019 20:26:17 GMT
Pretty much nothing to report from the first 45 minutes. Reading started much better than QPR because we simply could not pass to our own players. We settled , but most chances have fallen to Reading. Hugill put the ball in the net, but was offside. Always amazes me that the attacker is looking across the line so must know that he is offside, but at least he put it in the net. First goal important - I think if Reading score first then unless we make changes then the game will drift away. Eze playing quite deep, BOS being well marked, Pugh not very prominent....Hugill in a physical battle.
|
|
|
Post by rangersman on Dec 26, 2019 20:46:26 GMT
Err basically we are crap, again
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 26, 2019 20:48:36 GMT
Err basically we are crap, again We are losing so like clockwork, here you are. Don't even have to check the score, just have to see if you've turned up. The way you take absolutely zero joy out of our football club makes coming on here tiring.
|
|
|
Post by rangersman on Dec 26, 2019 20:50:15 GMT
Err basically we are crap, again We are losing so like clockwork, here you are. Don't even have to check the score, just have to see if you've turned up. The way you take absolutely zero joy out of our football club makes coming on here tiring. Yes, how very astute of you. Is that a problem for you? i mean i say what i see.
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 26, 2019 20:51:02 GMT
No more a problem than what I've said. Likewise, I'm saying what I see, no different to you.
|
|
|
Post by rangersman on Dec 26, 2019 20:51:14 GMT
Well dont come on then, how childish
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 26, 2019 20:55:52 GMT
Well dont come on then, how childish Haha ok 👍.
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 26, 2019 21:21:44 GMT
Unbelievable, keeper saves from Hugill on the line with his face.
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 26, 2019 21:23:23 GMT
We had no luck there. Reading were clinging on at the end. The keeper made some stupendous saves from Hugill. Swift's worldy went in. Chair's worldy hit the cross bar. One moment of magic from Eze had me out of my chair. 2 games with little luck.
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 26, 2019 21:26:17 GMT
We had no luck there. Reading were clinging on at the end. The keeper made some stupendous saves from Hugill. Swift's worldy went in. Chair's worldy hit the cross bar. One moment of magic from Eze had me out of my chair. 2 games with little luck. Yeah, I agree. 15 shots, hit the bar, keeper makes a save off the line that he knows nothing about, one disallowed for offside. And they score a worldy. Gutted.
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 26, 2019 21:49:36 GMT
What a crap Christmas so far one point off Barnsley Charlton and Reading, Rubbish return from those three. 2 wins from 12 since Hull, total turnaround in form and results.
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 26, 2019 22:51:23 GMT
Interesting that so much still comes down their right flank / our left back. Tonight we had BOS then Pugh then Eze playing in front of Manning and yet no one seemed to get back and Manning could do nothing about Guntner's crosses into the danger area. Is it because Manning is not really a left back or is it because our forward players don't like to run back? Or is it just that the opposition know to double up on Manning? Thought Pugh had been playing better recently, but he was the obvious first switch today.
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 26, 2019 23:36:10 GMT
I know we still well pretty well in patches of games recently ( Forest, Barnsley apart) but I’m sad to say I am starting to question if our tactics/ formation is being found out opposing Managers more now and we have no answers. If we fail to collect much from the next two home games, January could be a big struggle for us, Two games for us that MW needs to get the team collecting some points. Hitting the post is unfortunate and annoying but nobody remembers how many times we hit the post at the end of the season, picking up points and wins does.
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 27, 2019 10:26:05 GMT
I know we still well pretty well in patches of games recently ( Forest, Barnsley apart) but I’m sad to say I am starting to question if our tactics/ formation is being found out opposing Managers more now and we have no answers. If we fail to collect much from the next two home games, January could be a big struggle for us, Two games for us that MW needs to get the team collecting some points. Hitting the post is unfortunate and annoying but nobody remembers how many times we hit the post at the end of the season, picking up points and wins does. You could be correct, but I probably subscribe to the view that being found out is only part of it.Yes, teams have worked out that they should not let QPR get onto the front foot from the outset because they can hurt you. To counter that, the high press is not liked by many of our players who pass poorly in the circumstances. Likewise, we concede a lot of goals from our left wing / their right by either a free cross or a cut inside. But there are many other factors. It was unlucky and naive to concede with the last kick against Charlton. We were so close to doing the same to Reading, the keeper knew nothing about the save or the rebounds. Several of our players are inconsistent. We know our defence can be dodgy, but I think the problem lies in midfield. I think Amos is steadily improving, but it is going to take time and game time. BOS struggles with decision making - I think he is improving though. Cameron and Pugh are aging and with the number of games at this time, I fear they cannot both start as we need a greater engine. It may be one season too many for them both and they should now be cover not starters. Charlie Adam was spraying the ball around yesterday. Ejaria is a real talent and Swift always plays well against us. We could not get near them at times. Shame that no-one tried to close Swift down for his wonder strike. Bowen is a lucky manager (at present) he took all 3 off yesterday and Rangers were then all over them as a consequence. It is a real shame that we did not punish him for that alone. It was a different game without them. Up front, we should have scored, but we could not convert. Hugill is an enigma for me. I cannot fault him on one of his efforts, but he and Wells are not converting at the moment. Hopefully it will improve. But, a lot of the above is just about form, confidence and that bit of luck or good fortune. Apparently, Reading were the net highest spenders in the division last window. We were in the bargain basement totally rebuilding and banking the Freeman money. We probably do not currently have the players to deal with the Reading midfield or many of the top teams in the division. But it is all about step by step building. If we suffer key departures in January it will get tougher. Alarm bells will start to ring. But we are where we are and we have no choice but to hang in there I guess. But I still love watching some of our play...............
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 27, 2019 10:52:07 GMT
I know we still well pretty well in patches of games recently ( Forest, Barnsley apart) but I’m sad to say I am starting to question if our tactics/ formation is being found out opposing Managers more now and we have no answers. If we fail to collect much from the next two home games, January could be a big struggle for us, Two games for us that MW needs to get the team collecting some points. Hitting the post is unfortunate and annoying but nobody remembers how many times we hit the post at the end of the season, picking up points and wins does. You could be correct, but I probably subscribe to the view that being found out is only part of it.Yes, teams have worked out that they should not let QPR get onto the front foot from the outset because they can hurt you. To counter that, the high press is not liked by many of our players who pass poorly in the circumstances. Likewise, we concede a lot of goals from our left wing / their right by either a free cross or a cut inside. But there are many other factors. It was unlucky and naive to concede with the last kick against Charlton. We were so close to doing the same to Reading, the keeper knew nothing about the save or the rebounds. Several of our players are inconsistent. We know our defence can be dodgy, but I think the problem lies in midfield. I think Amos is steadily improving, but it is going to take time and game time. BOS struggles with decision making - I think he is improving though. Cameron and Pugh are aging and with the number of games at this time, I fear they cannot both start as we need a greater engine. It may be one season too many for them both and they should now be cover not starters. Charlie Adam was spraying the ball around yesterday. Ejaria is a real talent and Swift always plays well against us. We could not get near them at times. Shame that no-one tried to close Swift down for his wonder strike. Bowen is a lucky manager (at present) he took all 3 off yesterday and Rangers were then all over them as a consequence. It is a real shame that we did not punish him for that alone. It was a different game without them. Up front, we should have scored, but we could not convert. Hugill is an enigma for me. I cannot fault him on one of his efforts, but he and Wells are not converting at the moment. Hopefully it will improve. But, a lot of the above is just about form, confidence and that bit of luck or good fortune. Apparently, Reading were the net highest spenders in the division last window. We were in the bargain basement totally rebuilding and banking the Freeman money. We probably do not currently have the players to deal with the Reading midfield or many of the top teams in the division. But it is all about step by step building. If we suffer key departures in January it will get tougher. Alarm bells will start to ring. But we are where we are and we have no choice but to hang in there I guess. But I still love watching some of our play............... I agree with most points here Ricky but we can’t suggest as Reading were one of the highest spenders we should take losing to them lightly. The League table is where the truth lies most of the time, if we lose to some of the better top teams so be it, I fully get it but we have just picked up one point from Barnsley who won there second game of the season against us, then failed to beat a Charlton team who had not won for ten games , then lost to Reading. The teams in the bottom half of the table are there for a reason. One point from those three was as pretty much bad as it can get and we should not hide that fact. We conceded eight goals against three of the Divisions worse teams. We do miss someone in midfield, agree, probably missing Luongo or someone similar to break things up a bit and help out the defence more. I certainly don’t have the answers but am getting very concerned what we have picked up over the last 12 games. 10 points over our last 12 games equates to about 38 points in a season, so really pleased we had that great start over the first 12 games to be sitting where we currently are. Up to October we were brilliant, since the start of November the last two months we have been brought back to earth with a bump. I hope we can pick a win up in our next two home games to get us going again as our fixtures after that are really tough.
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 27, 2019 11:59:06 GMT
This league is all about runs, good runs and bad runs. Barnsley are on a very good run and were close to beating the league leaders yesterday, but they will probably have a bad run to follow it. Reading are on a decent run and have had a lot of injuries who are now returning and so they may well go on a good run and are not far off the play-offs even now. Charlton were on a poor run including a lot of bad luck - their luck changed against us and they went on to win from behind yesterday. Charlton's poor form coincided with the loss of their top striker Taylor - guess who returned for our game? But so much does hang on injuries and loan stars who have to return home in January that the league naturally fragments into these runs of losses and wins. Teams change considerably in the January window dependent on signings and recalls. So I think it is less about league position and more about form and returning players available for selection. Reading are a far better team than their league position and we deserved a point last night. We may well struggle from January. It could be interesting if Hall has a run in that holding / break up play position. Again could be the success we are looking for or an unmitigated disaster. But I agree we do miss a Luongo in the middle of the park. Cannot disagree that we concede and gift too many goals though. Plus that we have some tough games in the New Year. But one thing that is frustrating is that too many teams start or continue their good form against us!
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 27, 2019 14:53:29 GMT
Whilst I do agree Reading have been improving over the last few weeks, the others were there for the taking. Barnsley’s form only really improved after they put 5 past us, not surprising there confidence went through the roof after that.
IMO they should be games we should really be winning, although realise we always come out in charity when coming up against teams with poor runs. I don’t really buy the one player returning making much of a difference to a team really lacking in confidence, we should have won easily,
Barnsley form before they played us after they won their first game.LDLLdLLLDLDDLDLLLWLD Charlton form before they played us LDLLDLLLLD
We can keep making excuses for us, missed penalties, hitting post, opposing goalkeeper saves. End of the day you have to make the most of chances when they come. Since October we have not but continually leak goals. Which earlier was ok as we was out scoring opponents but when goals dry up you end up losing games even against teams underneath us in the table. We need ideally to pick up 3-4 points over the next week. I think it’s possible we could have a further slide later in January when up against Leeds,Brentford and Blackburn etc. Need to make next two games count.
|
|
|
Post by bowranger on Dec 27, 2019 19:58:09 GMT
They aren't excuses, they're just factors in winning or losing football matches.
Personally, I agree with Ricky that this league is all about runs. Beyond the absolute best and absolute worst teams in this division, in most cases, teams get momentum and other times they don't.
In the same way we aren't in a good run now, we also beat Preston, Brum and drew away at Derby. Personally, if we are a midtable team, if you aren't going to predict us rampaging up the table with a run of good performances, I wouldnt predict doom because we're not on a great run. We are a work in progress and like most teams in this division, we are pretty inconsistent. It doesn't all have to form part of a narrative.
Small mercies (for watching us play as much as anything) that we are mostly playing well and just missing out currently, as opposed to being really poor (like against Forest).
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 27, 2019 20:38:04 GMT
Yes they were two good wins against Birmingham and Preston but Birmingham are also on a terrible run of form.(LLDDDWLLLD) 7 points from 10 games. I think without researching, recall Preston had lost their last 3-4 we played them too, so was a good time to play them. I don’t accept this season a point as being that great result at Derby , Millwall just won there. It was an away point yes but Derby form is pretty rubbish too. Their form has been poor with the draw the second result in that run results. Derby form, our result second game....... L. ‘D’ LDLLD , 3 points from seven games.
I fully appreciate we are still work under progress under Warburton though but our run of 2 wins in about 12 is a concern to me, when you put into the equation where some of the teams lie and how well they were playing at the point we came up against them, I think we should have done much better than 10 points over our last 12 matches.
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 28, 2019 0:28:02 GMT
I worry about not converting chances when we are in control of games, then concede and end up losing or getting a point out of a game. No I don’t think the result was that special at Derby really, for sure we differ on this one. Yes we had a hammering at Forest, that maybe could have driven on us even more to go to Derby and get the win. All I’m trying to say here is Derby are a poor team this year, look at there recent results and form, we shouldn’t get to carried away with that point all be it was a much improved display than the Forest one and we showed good resilience. Another point would be after conceding five against Barnsley which was shocking in its own right and then facing a Charlton team with no win in ten or more, we should have really made sure we were not in a situation to concede in the last minute like that. Not really devalue a team performance, Im always over the moon to get a win but surely we would rather have played Barnsley, Derby , Birmingham , Preston and Charlton whilst they were on that run on form rather than when they had just won six on the spin. I would imagine we would therefore had a better chance of beating them on a confidence level alone. Albeit a win is a win. In terms of mutual expectations, I doubt we are that far apart to be fair. I am pretty happy hovering around mid table, it beats last two seasons for sure. As we know it doesn’t take much though another month of less than a point a game and all of a sudden we can be sucked back down there in the bottom six or so and then the pressure is back on us again. Of course it is good to see we are competing in games and having spells of good possession and creating some chances, this has to be better than just turning up and getting smashed with poor displays and we had several of these under McClaren. If we just converted a few more chances and stopped silly lacks of concentration in defence we could quite easily have had another 5-10 points. The next two home games I still see as pretty crucial in getting a few points but I still feel we are a better team than last season Bow Four points would be just what’s needed.
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 28, 2019 11:51:37 GMT
I worry about not converting chances when we are in control of games, then concede and end up losing or getting a point out of a game. No I don’t think the result was that special at Derby really, for sure we differ on this one. Yes we had a hammering at Forest, that maybe could have driven on us even more to go to Derby and get the win. All I’m trying to say here is Derby are a poor team this year, look at there recent results and form, we shouldn’t get to carried away with that point all be it was a much improved display than the Forest one and we showed good resilience. Another point would be after conceding five against Barnsley which was shocking in its own right and then facing a Charlton team with no win in ten or more, we should have really made sure we were not in a situation to concede in the last minute like that. Not really devalue a team performance, Im always over the moon to get a win but surely we would rather have played Barnsley, Derby , Birmingham , Preston and Charlton whilst they were on that run on form rather than when they had just won six on the spin. I would imagine we would therefore had a better chance of beating them on a confidence level alone. Albeit a win is a win. In terms of mutual expectations, I doubt we are that far apart to be fair. I am pretty happy hovering around mid table, it beats last two seasons for sure. As we know it doesn’t take much though another month of less than a point a game and all of a sudden we can be sucked back down there in the bottom six or so and then the pressure is back on us again. Of course it is good to see we are competing in games and having spells of good possession and creating some chances, this has to be better than just turning up and getting smashed with poor displays and we had several of these under McClaren. If we just converted a few more chances and stopped silly lacks of concentration in defence we could quite easily have had another 5-10 points. The next two home games I still see as pretty crucial in getting a few points but I still feel we are a better team than last season Bow Four points would be just what’s needed. I think I will look for your post with great trepidation should we lose tomorrow......
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 28, 2019 16:30:45 GMT
I worry about not converting chances when we are in control of games, then concede and end up losing or getting a point out of a game. No I don’t think the result was that special at Derby really, for sure we differ on this one. Yes we had a hammering at Forest, that maybe could have driven on us even more to go to Derby and get the win. All I’m trying to say here is Derby are a poor team this year, look at there recent results and form, we shouldn’t get to carried away with that point all be it was a much improved display than the Forest one and we showed good resilience. Another point would be after conceding five against Barnsley which was shocking in its own right and then facing a Charlton team with no win in ten or more, we should have really made sure we were not in a situation to concede in the last minute like that. Not really devalue a team performance, Im always over the moon to get a win but surely we would rather have played Barnsley, Derby , Birmingham , Preston and Charlton whilst they were on that run on form rather than when they had just won six on the spin. I would imagine we would therefore had a better chance of beating them on a confidence level alone. Albeit a win is a win. In terms of mutual expectations, I doubt we are that far apart to be fair. I am pretty happy hovering around mid table, it beats last two seasons for sure. As we know it doesn’t take much though another month of less than a point a game and all of a sudden we can be sucked back down there in the bottom six or so and then the pressure is back on us again. Of course it is good to see we are competing in games and having spells of good possession and creating some chances, this has to be better than just turning up and getting smashed with poor displays and we had several of these under McClaren. If we just converted a few more chances and stopped silly lacks of concentration in defence we could quite easily have had another 5-10 points. The next two home games I still see as pretty crucial in getting a few points but I still feel we are a better team than last season Bow Four points would be just what’s needed. I think I will look for your post with great trepidation should we lose tomorrow...... I would hope we can get a win tomorrow and start moving back up the table Ricky. We should be capable of beating Hull at home, fingers crossed we can do it.
|
|
|
Post by Lonegunmen on Dec 29, 2019 1:12:31 GMT
Harry, something big, round and smelt of Pork just flew past my window.....
|
|
|
Post by rickyqpr on Dec 29, 2019 10:28:46 GMT
I think I will look for your post with great trepidation should we lose tomorrow...... I would hope we can get a win tomorrow and start moving back up the table Ricky. We should be capable of beating Hull at home, fingers crossed we can do it. You may well hope, but I chuckled when I saw that you had predicted a victory for Hull. It cushions the blow of the defeat I guess. HNY - Have a great 2020, all the best Harr.
|
|
|
Post by harr on Dec 29, 2019 11:03:21 GMT
I would hope we can get a win tomorrow and start moving back up the table Ricky. We should be capable of beating Hull at home, fingers crossed we can do it. You may well hope, but I chuckled when I saw that you had predicted a victory for Hull. It cushions the blow of the defeat I guess. HNY - Have a great 2020, all the best Harr. (I saw that you had predicted a victory for Hull.) In my defence I did predict that about an hour after the Reading game which is never a good thing. I would love to list a win every week on the predictions here Ricky but I want to win the title😉 In fact most weekends I have a couple of quid on bets on the fixed odd football coupons and I put Rangers down for a win practically 99% of the time on these whoever we are playing, even the top teams. Perhaps that’s why I don’t win much 😀 Thanks very much, wishing you all the best for the New Year too. I have a positive feeling the hoops will get the points today......
|
|