Post by rickyqpr on Jul 14, 2020 10:47:15 GMT
Full Backs
The poor post lockdown run has emphasized just how big the rebuilding job will be in the next window – whenever that is, but possibly only 3 weeks away.
So perhaps it is timely to review where we are regarding the various positions and get the views of the message board.
So Next Up –Number 3. The Full Backs
Well it seems that Warburton likes a full back who get forward. We probably fair well in that area. What we have lacked is full backs who can defend and /or get back into position.
This Season
Two new signings in Kane and Wallace were presumably the intended first choices. But as Wallace arrived with a sick note, Manning was given a chance to establish himself at left back. We also had Barbet, the ageing Rangel, and youngsters, Kakay (now 22) and Hamalainen (now 23).
Kakay was dispatched to Partick Thistle. Hamalainen to Kilmarnock. Barbet never played at left back as he was needed as left central defender.
Ball & Cameron can also play at right back but have not been used there by Warburton.
I think that the manager has struggled to find the right solution at full back. Sometimes we have played with three at the back, sometimes a flat back four, but Kane and Manning have experienced similar problems of getting caught out positionally. I have lost count of the number of goals that we have conceded from our left back position as attackers cut inside and shoot. Likewise, the countless free kicks that we have conceded in a similar position. Manning won many plaudits for his attacking play and dangerous crosses and so it is hard to drop Manning when he is contributing to the team. But teams quickly worked out that our attacking full backs were vulnerable and exploited it.
Wallace had the odd cameo from the treatment room and Rangel has provided useful experience. But neither have any pace going forward and neither can play as wing backs.
Post lockdown, Rangel, Kane and Kakay have all been deployed down the right with Manning on the left. Only Kakay has emerged with any credit from this period. Manning is probably operating at 60%, mindful of a Summer move. Kane’s application and effort has been wasted by his poor touch and he looks way out of form. Hamalainen was not allowed to play for QPR post lockdown.
Next Season
Much depends on the recruitment for the central defenders. Playing wing backs in a flat back four has been a problem. Playing Wallace and Rangel makes it harder for us to advance up the pitch.
Right Back - I think that it is unlikely that Rangel will be retained for next season. So, we are likely to start with Kane and Kakay. Kane needs to rediscover his form. Kakay is a work in progress and will no doubt suffer dips in form. But I hope Kakay is good enough to grab his chance, I have always been impressed with him, albeit in meaningless cup games.
Left Back – I think Manning will be gone, possibly quite cheaply. Surely, Wallace at best will only be cover? Hamalaienen has been retained for a further year, but hard to see him as first choice left back and could well go straight out on loan I guess. Depending who we recruit for the central positions, I would not be surprised to see Barbet start as first choice left back. At present he is our only left footed central defender. Surely we will recruit another left sided defender? I suspect that we will recruit utility defenders who can cover at full back or central.
But yeah, plenty of options, but no obvious answers as yet.
The poor post lockdown run has emphasized just how big the rebuilding job will be in the next window – whenever that is, but possibly only 3 weeks away.
So perhaps it is timely to review where we are regarding the various positions and get the views of the message board.
So Next Up –Number 3. The Full Backs
Well it seems that Warburton likes a full back who get forward. We probably fair well in that area. What we have lacked is full backs who can defend and /or get back into position.
This Season
Two new signings in Kane and Wallace were presumably the intended first choices. But as Wallace arrived with a sick note, Manning was given a chance to establish himself at left back. We also had Barbet, the ageing Rangel, and youngsters, Kakay (now 22) and Hamalainen (now 23).
Kakay was dispatched to Partick Thistle. Hamalainen to Kilmarnock. Barbet never played at left back as he was needed as left central defender.
Ball & Cameron can also play at right back but have not been used there by Warburton.
I think that the manager has struggled to find the right solution at full back. Sometimes we have played with three at the back, sometimes a flat back four, but Kane and Manning have experienced similar problems of getting caught out positionally. I have lost count of the number of goals that we have conceded from our left back position as attackers cut inside and shoot. Likewise, the countless free kicks that we have conceded in a similar position. Manning won many plaudits for his attacking play and dangerous crosses and so it is hard to drop Manning when he is contributing to the team. But teams quickly worked out that our attacking full backs were vulnerable and exploited it.
Wallace had the odd cameo from the treatment room and Rangel has provided useful experience. But neither have any pace going forward and neither can play as wing backs.
Post lockdown, Rangel, Kane and Kakay have all been deployed down the right with Manning on the left. Only Kakay has emerged with any credit from this period. Manning is probably operating at 60%, mindful of a Summer move. Kane’s application and effort has been wasted by his poor touch and he looks way out of form. Hamalainen was not allowed to play for QPR post lockdown.
Next Season
Much depends on the recruitment for the central defenders. Playing wing backs in a flat back four has been a problem. Playing Wallace and Rangel makes it harder for us to advance up the pitch.
Right Back - I think that it is unlikely that Rangel will be retained for next season. So, we are likely to start with Kane and Kakay. Kane needs to rediscover his form. Kakay is a work in progress and will no doubt suffer dips in form. But I hope Kakay is good enough to grab his chance, I have always been impressed with him, albeit in meaningless cup games.
Left Back – I think Manning will be gone, possibly quite cheaply. Surely, Wallace at best will only be cover? Hamalaienen has been retained for a further year, but hard to see him as first choice left back and could well go straight out on loan I guess. Depending who we recruit for the central positions, I would not be surprised to see Barbet start as first choice left back. At present he is our only left footed central defender. Surely we will recruit another left sided defender? I suspect that we will recruit utility defenders who can cover at full back or central.
But yeah, plenty of options, but no obvious answers as yet.