Oxford Thread - just in case we need it

[robindubois]

A week before kick off and 2 of our summer signings sitting out the last pre-season game as they are not match fit, JCS maybe ok for Watford (maybe), still trying Gape in midfield and a relatively unheard of 21 year old CB who has played one game since January. All according to WLS of course but I am not getting the feeling we are fully prepared for next week or know what our first team should be, and certainly do not seem to be playing the first team together but maybe the ones that are fit will play today. 

www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/smyths-fitness-assessed-fox-could-sit-out-oxford-game-young-defender-likely-to-play

[surreychad]

anyone got any team line ups?

[harr]

[harr]

Very weak bench but have taken strong development team to Bedford.

I know Armstrong is starting for development and maybe others like Smyth

[harr]

[robindubois]

Jul 29, 2023 13:22:52 GMT harr said:

Based on our current squad that is probably our strongest line up apart from Gubbins instead of Fox who apparently is not fit enough yet. 

If that is the case and nothing changes before Watford would we start with Smyth and Kelman onto bench or start Smyth up front with Dykes? 

Just do not understand testing Gape in midfield after him being overlooked by Ainsworth last season at Wycombe and not a youngster either.  Maybe a sign we cannot get anyone else to partner Field.

[surreychad]

share.recast.tv/v/5RrOB?referrer=5axEV Link to game

[surreychad]

not much action in first 25, neither team with a shot on goal. Dunne taken off on a stretcher, we now have no fit senior center backs

[surreychad]

oh dear, oxford 1 up. Richards pulls out of tackle and nice passes from Oxford and good finish

[surreychad]

uninspired first half against a team that was in relegation trouble in league 1 last season. No shot on goal for QPR, lost a key player and Kakay having a mare. If this is the team for next week we are in real trouble.I can't even give you any silver linings, there really wasn't any first half

[Macmoish]

QPR losing 0-2 and Dunne stretchered off

[harr]

This team looks shocking under Ainsworth
Little confidence we will finish anywhere other than the bottom three this season.
Weak as chips.
No central defenders now either and messing about with a ex Wycombe player Stockport refused to take.

No words watching this garbage friendly or not.

[harr]

Can not wait for post match chat about this…
We need a prediction League up for the season , under Ainsworth mine is 24

[harr]

Laughable 4-0 to Oxford , first shot on goal took an hour…
Kakay showing his qualities, not……

Has a Manager ever been sacked before a season started?

[harr]

4-0 down and send on Gape

insert quote here

well that’s his sort of League level…….

I tell you if there was any new interested owners watching this crap they wouldn’t offer a fiver, embarrassed of our club for turning that trash out, even for a friendly

[nomar]

I have no words.

[nomar]

I think I’m going to have to get used to seeing results like this.

[Macmoish]

FT 0-5

[Macmoish]

[harr]

One of the worst matches I have seen recently, I know it was a friendly but was appalling in every department.
Reminded me of the Blackpool game under Ainsworth.

Gape, League One /Two player with an injury history, please don’t bother.

[nomar]

My thoughts, for what it's worth.

These kind of performances are becoming more and more the norm with this club rather than the exception.

It doesn't matter who is in charge, what tactics or formations are employed, it's still the same. Players looking totally disinterested, shying away from any sort of contact or 50/50 balls, nobody taking any responsibility and all of them looking like they don't want to be here and absolutely don't want to play football anymore.

Yes, if we play like that this season we will go down and likely be lucky to get a point all season, or even a goal.

And yes, Ainsworth would be sacked after about 8 games. But I really don't know what difference it would make.

They've turned in performances like this for Warburton, Beale, Critchley and Ainsworth. None of them could stop this happening and happening far too often.

Results like today are now results you kind of expect to happen with this club but hope it actually won't happen.

I can't really put it any other way, really. I have genuinely never seen a group of footballers on this planet who appear to care less than this lot.

Of course, it would be the most QPR thing ever to go out next week and beat Watford.

But even if they do, I'm just used now to knowing that another result like today's woodshed beating isn't far away.

[harr]

They cared so less Nomar they couldn’t even be bothered to tackle most of them ,Sam Field apart.
It resembled the 20 Games played earlier in 2023, (minus WBA,Norwich,Stoke and Burnley)
Team went down and mentality couldn’t be arsed.
Saying that though, the tactics and formation from Ainsworth looks shocking, we have two of the best midfielders in the division and we can’t get them barely to have an effort on target.
If after 4-5 games we show this interest, I expect us to stay 24th until someone can motivate them.

If the Club can’t get a couple of free CBs in this week we might as well give up.

[stylecouncillor]

WOW.... 1985 milk cup final was less embarrassing!! I've always gone into a season believing we might scrape top 6 . Can't see us avoiding bottom 6 .

[hitmanrangers]

agree with all the above. At the game and yet another depressing effort from the players. But forget attitude, lack of effort/team spirit, put simply the vast majority of the players are just not at the standard to churn out consistent performances, week in, week out, for the Championship. Only Field can do that in my opinion. The rest don't have the technical, tactical, football intelligence, positional savvy, know when to spot danger etc to be at the level required of the division we are in. I don't blame some of the players, particularly 3 of the back 4 today, as they are just not at the required standard - Kakay (L1 at best), Gubbins and Rendall are both basically Vanarama Conference level - FACT. If we have players aged 18-21 which are not capable ot securing loans to L1/L2 teams, as is the case for most of our players on loan the last few seasons, then they are NEVER going to be good enough to step into the first XI, hustle and bustle of a Championship team - we are in one of the most competitive divisions in Europe and yet too many of our players cannot perform to the required standard on a regular basis because they are just not good enough - combined with lack of effort makes it even worse to watch. Chair and Willock have talent but not consistent, we can't afford for them to have a good game every 5/6 matches (if we are lucky). The squad needed a complete rebuild over the summer but that could only have been achieved by selling more players - either there is no interest, or the club believe they can turn it around - I don't think they can! We need to take what we can get for Chair, Willock and Dykes (maybe £7-10m in total), and use £1-£2m of that on 4-5 players who will put in 7/8 out of 10 performances every week - maybe not as good technically, but of the required standard to do the basics first. Then the rest is up to the coaches to develop them - but are they capable at this level?
Very poor and there is not a cat in hells chance this side stays up with that defence and lack of proper creativity in final third.

[harr]

Well we need two defenders in this week minimum and a couple more loan players before the end of the window.
Unless this squad gets a 4-5 player injection before the end of August , it’s bottom three all day long.
My only decision at the minute is where to place it, 22,23 or 24.

[rickyqpr]

That was as bad as ever yesterday at Oxford.
Ainsworth seems mentally gone. He is clearly expecting a hiding at Watford and is pleading for patience.
But the changes we were promised for the Summer have not materialised and we started with players who were all here last season and phoned it in again.
Branagan giving a master class on what it is to play in midfield.
A couple have left without real replacements.
I thought last season that if we could only avoid the drop we could rebuild.
But now before a ball has been kicked in the league, it is looking like we could have saved a year through relegation and rebuilding in the third tier over time.
Club on the lookout for new investors - they know they are powerless, but it is pretty bleak.
My positivity drained out of me yesterday as so many players let the travelling support down again.
Two centre halfs who have never started a competitive senior game. A right back who could not tackle.
Willock and Chair spectators and on opposite side of the pitch.
Dozzell in a broken dream.
Even Dykes stopped running.
Richards hopeless.
Only Field emerged with credit - as per usual.
Good job that I will not be at Watford next weekend after all.
N.B. - I previously posted this on the wrong thread I guess.

[robindubois]

In the Watford prediction thread I made a comment that I did not think we would score a league goal in August- I was serious and yesterday showed why.

Now putting emotion and anger to one side (with difficulty) for a moment there is something wrong that the club needs to sort out - and quickly.

If I go down that starting team, player by player, what do we find:

Dykes - usually 110% effort, can score goals for Scotland in Internationals against tougher defenders but not for us . Why? I think because we play him in a different way and he does not get the service he gets in Scotland but at the end of the day he is Championship standard.

Chair and Willock - 2 of the most talented ball playing/dribbling players in the Championship and both can score regular goals as we saw at the start of last season. Chair an international player and both must be classified as decent/good Championship players.

Richards - not seen enough to tell after a long injury but in theory and reports should be a standard Championship player.

Field - no need to say - a rock and definitely Championship standard.

Paal - has the odd bad moment but a steady Championship player both defending and going forward

Dunne has proven his Championship level ability but if he did his shoulder or collar bone yesterday (as it looked) we will not see him this side of Christmas.

Bergovic. No doubt he is Championship standard maybe needs a bit more match practice to get back to his best.

So we have 8 of the 11 who I would say are decent Championship players and if we add Fox we can say 9 regular Championship players.

So what does that prove.:

1. We cannot afford to carry 2 or 3 weak spots especially when they are in defence. A defensive mid field partner for Field, a right back who can actually tackle and a CB. Ainsworth's policy is to build on a no nonsense defence to keep clean sheets. At the moment he is building on a non existent defence.

2. We have to play to and use the abilities of the players we have. Dykes got so frustrated he stopped running, Chair and Willock might as well have taken out their deck chairs and sun bathed while the ball by-passed them by.

3. A couple of player interviews , arguable with people like Kakay, have said all the players have bought into Ainsworths plans and tactics and are a close knit group raring to go and fight for each other. Really - did not see that yesterday.

4. Player attitude - last season much was said about the bad influence of our loan signings, nigh club culture, loanees not caring and happy to cry off at any opportunity - but they have gone so are we saying the remaining players are the same - I doubt it - they need to make a living and they are not earning much with us.

5. So to me it comes down to coaching and tactics. If my comments re players above are anywhere close to true we have the core of a team of near regular Championship players, being trained and coached to play League 1 or League 2 kick and rush disorganised football. Not only does that not work in the championship but will be demoralising to the players who know they can do better. Maybe Ainsworth has already lost the dressing room before the season starts.

6. Lastly pre-season. Like many clubs we arrange games and split them into three 30 minute sessions mixing and matching players to give everyone a run and judge who can play. The coaches should have a pretty good idea of the first 15 names on the team sheet so pick them and play them together through the pre-season so they are ready as a team on day one, and arrange B team games to have a look at others. What did we see yesterday - using our final pre-season game to trial a rejected league 2 player and a CB who I had never heard of and apparently had only played one game since January. due to injury. What was all that about?

We have other players who played in the development game yesterday who COULD break into the team but they have come with no Championship experience from lower leagues or PL rejects so there is nothing to add competition for the few qualified players we have.

I got shot down a few weeks ago for saying Ainsworth has my full support while ate the same time being critical of his approach. But nothing has changed in that respect. He is our manager and as long as he is I will wish him all the luck (which he will desperately need) and hope he does well. But on the other hand I did not support his appointment and to me he is a fish out of water in the Championship and does not have a coaching staff around him to add any support. I cannot see Ramsey and Ainsworth seeing eye to eye on tactics and style.

So we will see what happens and it is no surprise to me that Sir Les knew the right time to jump ship and we have not found a new DOF given the shambles and authority of the next level down.

Normally I would hold out hope that some senior players would get hold of the team , shake them up and motivate the others to go out , put in the effort and show what they can do regardless - just for self pride.. Unfortunately we do not seem to have any leaders and the battle for players to be self motivated is probably destroyed by what is going on around them. Bring back Joey Barton and Clint Hill !

With Dunne injured we will probably have to push FFP to buy a CB at least or more likely sell Chair for a give away fee to pay for a defender or 2 but basically on the face of things we are stuffed.

Conclusion - don't shoot the players, they need our support, and are probably totally confused.  But how long can or will they be bothered to even go through the motions if they do not believe in or enjoy what they are doing. I wonder what would have happened if Ainsworth had been the coach for Marsh and Bowles.........loving the club is not enough but with 3 years of a contract to run we probably cannot even afford to change coaches even if we could find someone better and mad enough to take it on.

[rangersman]

Laughable, all well known of course. was anyone expecting a win? This season is going to be a hoot, I can just feel it.

[rickyqpr]

Jul 30, 2023 8:52:09 GMT robindubois said:

In the Watford prediction thread I made a comment that I did not think we would score a league goal in August- I was serious and yesterday showed why.

Now putting emotion and anger to one side (with difficulty) for a moment there is something wrong that the club needs to sort out - and quickly.

If I go down that starting team, player by player, what do we find:

Dykes - usually 110% effort, can score goals for Scotland in Internationals against tougher defenders but not for us . Why? I think because we play him in a different way and he does not get the service he gets in Scotland but at the end of the day he is Championship standard.

Chair and Willock - 2 of the most talented ball playing/dribbling players in the Championship and both can score regular goals as we saw at the start of last season. Chair an international player and both must be classified as decent/good Championship players.

Richards - not seen enough to tell after a long injury but in theory and reports should be a standard Championship player.

Field - no need to say - a rock and definitely Championship standard.

Paal - has the odd bad moment but a steady Championship player both defending and going forward

Dunne has proven his Championship level ability but if he did his shoulder or collar bone yesterday (as it looked) we will not see him this side of Christmas.

Bergovic. No doubt he is Championship standard maybe needs a bit more match practice to get back to his best.

So we have 8 of the 11 who I would say are decent Championship players and if we add Fox we can say 9 regular Championship players.

So what does that prove.:

1. We cannot afford to carry 2 or 3 weak spots especially when they are in defence. A defensive mid field partner for Field, a right back who can actually tackle and a CB. Ainsworth's policy is to build on a no nonsense defence to keep clean sheets. At the moment he is building on a non existent defence.

2. We have to play to and use the abilities of the players we have. Dykes got so frustrated he stopped running, Chair and Willock might as well have taken out their deck chairs and sun bathed while the ball by-passed them by.

3. A couple of player interviews , arguable with people like Kakay, have said all the players have bought into Ainsworths plans and tactics and are a close knit group raring to go and fight for each other. Really - did not see that yesterday.

4. Player attitude - last season much was said about the bad influence of our loan signings, nigh club culture, loanees not caring and happy to cry off at any opportunity - but they have gone so are we saying the remaining players are the same - I doubt it - they need to make a living and they are not earning much with us.

5. So to me it comes down to coaching and tactics. If my comments re players above are anywhere close to true we have the core of a team of near regular Championship players, being trained and coached to play League 1 or League 2 kick and rush disorganised football. Not only does that not work in the championship but will be demoralising to the players who know they can do better. Maybe Ainsworth has already lost the dressing room before the season starts.

6. Lastly pre-season. Like many clubs we arrange games and split them into three 30 minute sessions mixing and matching players to give everyone a run and judge who can play. The coaches should have a pretty good idea of the first 15 names on the team sheet so pick them and play them together through the pre-season so they are ready as a team on day one, and arrange B team games to have a look at others. What did we see yesterday - using our final pre-season game to trial a rejected league 2 player and a CB who I had never heard of and apparently had only played one game since January. due to injury. What was all that about?

We have other players who played in the development game yesterday who COULD break into the team but they have come with no Championship experience from lower leagues or PL rejects so there is nothing to add competition for the few qualified players we have.

I got shot down a few weeks ago for saying Ainsworth has my full support while ate the same time being critical of his approach. But nothing has changed in that respect. He is our manager and as long as he is I will wish him all the luck (which he will desperately need) and hope he does well. But on the other hand I did not support his appointment and to me he is a fish out of water in the Championship and does not have a coaching staff around him to add any support. I cannot see Ramsey and Ainsworth seeing eye to eye on tactics and style.

So we will see what happens and it is no surprise to me that Sir Les knew the right time to jump ship and we have not found a new DOF given the shambles and authority of the next level down.

Normally I would hold out hope that some senior players would get hold of the team , shake them up and motivate the others to go out , put in the effort and show what they can do regardless - just for self pride.. Unfortunately we do not seem to have any leaders and the battle for players to be self motivated is probably destroyed by what is going on around them. Bring back Joey Barton and Clint Hill !

With Dunne injured we will probably have to push FFP to buy a CB at least or more likely sell Chair for a give away fee to pay for a defender or 2 but basically on the face of things we are stuffed.

Conclusion - don't shoot the players, they need our support, and are probably totally confused.  But how long can or will they be bothered to even go through the motions if they do not believe in or enjoy what they are doing. I wonder what would have happened if Ainsworth had been the coach for Marsh and Bowles.........loving the club is not enough but with 3 years of a contract to run we probably cannot even afford to change coaches even if we could find someone better and mad enough to take it on.

Don't disagree, but that leadership is being sought from aging players and loans now.
Get off to a bad start and good players will opt for elsewhere.
The thing I don't comprehend is that the FFP situation has been known by the management for some time.
Beale seemed surprised when he was told he could acquire no more.
Now Ainsworth looks shell shocked that there is absolutely no money available.
His answer about us having to turn to Dominic Gape was very worrying. Something like ' that is the level that we are having to shop at now, a player with a history of injuries released by a third tier club'.
Has something changed? Have we had a recount? Did Ainsworth foolishly presume that free agents would want to sign for us?
Or were we assuming that the sale of Dykes, Willock and / or Chair would go through early in the window - because they never do for struggling clubs.
If you have not watched the post-Oxford interview with Gareth - I suggest you do - but have the anti-depressants handy.

[robindubois]

Ainsworth said he knew all along what he was getting into. Maybe the numbers have changed.

I watched the video. Most comments extremely worrying especially re Gape and all we need is more running and effort.

Ainsworth seemed totally blown already almost speechless and left me feeling he does not have a clue what to do next. We will see but if Dunne is as bad as it seems we have a massive problem.

Glad to see Rangersman has crawled out from under his stone as expected. As a leader of the constant sack the manager clan he got what he wanted with Ainsworth. As they say you made you bed now lye in it. If he thinks the season will be a hoot or the situation is laughable I feel sorry for him