Post by rickyqpr on Dec 2, 2023 10:43:28 GMT
I guess it is easy to say that Marti Cifuentes is succeeding where Ainsworth failed so dismally with the same players, but what has he actually done or changed?
Watching the game last night, albeit on Sky rather than the freezing terraces, in the first half, it could even have been an Ainsworth set up. He picked a team to contain, dropping Chair and Dixon-Bonner to the bench with Dozzell, Colback and Field asked to do a containing job, with very little ambition on display.
I commented before a ball was kicked that had Ainsworth selected that midfield, he would have got pelters and that by 10 o’clock, Cifuentes will either be a mastermind, or joining the ranks of the WTF QPR managers.
The difference between the two managers though is huge. Ainsworth had no luck, and we had some terrible officiating with apologies to follow. But sitting back for 90 minutes, I guess you make your own luck. I have always believed that such poor officiating, levels itself out over a season. Marti has had the rub of the green over the last two games, but perhaps he earned it.
We watched as Preston stroked the ball around, and yet without any real penetration as QPR just kept their shape. Preston tried to move us around but couldn’t. I sat wondering if we had anything to offer should they score first – much as I would have thought watching an Ainsworth set-up. The only issue of any note in the first half was the Dykes elbow on Hughes. Watching live I did not think it was a red card, and I am in a small minority in not thinking it was a red having seen the replays. Preston manager Lowe clearly thought otherwise and spoke of the previous with Dykes and how had it been Ched Evans it would have been a straight red. But that is the good fortune that we are currently being repaid. But restricting Preston to one shot on target all night is more than just good fortune, our work rate was high, yet conservative in application, whereas Preston ran themselves out.
I am not a lover of Colback. His legs have gone, he was always a ‘tough’ tackler, but now he is a card waiting to happen. Once booked, he has to be careful, and he has 7 cards already. Injured in the first half, I wondered if the plan was always to bring on Chair for him at half time, but the decision was made easier for Cifuentes. But the change of shape and ambition was refreshing. At half time I was not hopeful. At full time I was euphoric. We have sat and watched opposition managers make changes that we have had zero answers to for so long. Never more so than with Ainsworth. It was so good to see Preston completely outmaneuvered. The Sky commentators so partisan for the first hour, forced to recognize there were two teams playing and the better one won.
But was has changed? It is the same meat but different gravy for sure.
• Some regulars for Ainsworth have slipped into the background now. Ageing Adomah (possibly injured) no longer on the bench for our first change.
• Dixon-Bonner’s flair and skill, replacing Dukes-McKenna’s graft in the pecking order. We need EDB to sign a new contract as he and 13 others expire next Summer.
• Two of our best players in Clarke-Salter and Cannon back to near full fitness, supplemented by Cook’s leadership.
• Begovic playing the ball out rather than launching it into the stands or over Chair and Willock’s head.
• Chair and Willock being played in their best positions with a welcome return of confidence and form. . Willock scored two in two, Chair assisting both goals rather than doing it all himself.
• Youngsters whose career at QPR looked wrecked by the previous manager, now gently welcomed back into the fold. Larkeche was a hero on Tuesday and his ball through to Chair for the goal was sublime. Likewise, Drewe now occupies a seat on the bench having started well but then slaughtered by Blackpool and cast out to the shadows.
• When Kakay came on for Cannon, I feared the worse, but even that was seamless last night.
• Dozzell’s ball through to Paar for the goal, reminded us of what he is capable of.
• Under Ainsworth, games turned on red cards and dodgy decisions. The opposite is the case at the moment, but it will turn again, and again.
• Squad rotation and tactical changes – all currently working (although I am not fool enough to think it always will).
• In summary, confidence is a wonderful thing, and we were devoid, but now have some belief. The team look like a team again. Good players look good We now look coached. We make change
This morning we sit 3 points adrift, having played a game more, and yet it feels good.
We are by no means out of the woods, games are turning on fine margins. It has been a superb week, we can relax on a Saturday for a change. There will be bad days ahead, but let us just enjoy the week we have had!
Watching the game last night, albeit on Sky rather than the freezing terraces, in the first half, it could even have been an Ainsworth set up. He picked a team to contain, dropping Chair and Dixon-Bonner to the bench with Dozzell, Colback and Field asked to do a containing job, with very little ambition on display.
I commented before a ball was kicked that had Ainsworth selected that midfield, he would have got pelters and that by 10 o’clock, Cifuentes will either be a mastermind, or joining the ranks of the WTF QPR managers.
The difference between the two managers though is huge. Ainsworth had no luck, and we had some terrible officiating with apologies to follow. But sitting back for 90 minutes, I guess you make your own luck. I have always believed that such poor officiating, levels itself out over a season. Marti has had the rub of the green over the last two games, but perhaps he earned it.
We watched as Preston stroked the ball around, and yet without any real penetration as QPR just kept their shape. Preston tried to move us around but couldn’t. I sat wondering if we had anything to offer should they score first – much as I would have thought watching an Ainsworth set-up. The only issue of any note in the first half was the Dykes elbow on Hughes. Watching live I did not think it was a red card, and I am in a small minority in not thinking it was a red having seen the replays. Preston manager Lowe clearly thought otherwise and spoke of the previous with Dykes and how had it been Ched Evans it would have been a straight red. But that is the good fortune that we are currently being repaid. But restricting Preston to one shot on target all night is more than just good fortune, our work rate was high, yet conservative in application, whereas Preston ran themselves out.
I am not a lover of Colback. His legs have gone, he was always a ‘tough’ tackler, but now he is a card waiting to happen. Once booked, he has to be careful, and he has 7 cards already. Injured in the first half, I wondered if the plan was always to bring on Chair for him at half time, but the decision was made easier for Cifuentes. But the change of shape and ambition was refreshing. At half time I was not hopeful. At full time I was euphoric. We have sat and watched opposition managers make changes that we have had zero answers to for so long. Never more so than with Ainsworth. It was so good to see Preston completely outmaneuvered. The Sky commentators so partisan for the first hour, forced to recognize there were two teams playing and the better one won.
But was has changed? It is the same meat but different gravy for sure.
• Some regulars for Ainsworth have slipped into the background now. Ageing Adomah (possibly injured) no longer on the bench for our first change.
• Dixon-Bonner’s flair and skill, replacing Dukes-McKenna’s graft in the pecking order. We need EDB to sign a new contract as he and 13 others expire next Summer.
• Two of our best players in Clarke-Salter and Cannon back to near full fitness, supplemented by Cook’s leadership.
• Begovic playing the ball out rather than launching it into the stands or over Chair and Willock’s head.
• Chair and Willock being played in their best positions with a welcome return of confidence and form. . Willock scored two in two, Chair assisting both goals rather than doing it all himself.
• Youngsters whose career at QPR looked wrecked by the previous manager, now gently welcomed back into the fold. Larkeche was a hero on Tuesday and his ball through to Chair for the goal was sublime. Likewise, Drewe now occupies a seat on the bench having started well but then slaughtered by Blackpool and cast out to the shadows.
• When Kakay came on for Cannon, I feared the worse, but even that was seamless last night.
• Dozzell’s ball through to Paar for the goal, reminded us of what he is capable of.
• Under Ainsworth, games turned on red cards and dodgy decisions. The opposite is the case at the moment, but it will turn again, and again.
• Squad rotation and tactical changes – all currently working (although I am not fool enough to think it always will).
• In summary, confidence is a wonderful thing, and we were devoid, but now have some belief. The team look like a team again. Good players look good We now look coached. We make change
This morning we sit 3 points adrift, having played a game more, and yet it feels good.
We are by no means out of the woods, games are turning on fine margins. It has been a superb week, we can relax on a Saturday for a change. There will be bad days ahead, but let us just enjoy the week we have had!
