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Reply | Harvey Vale
at 09:58 15 Mar 2026
Not sure the technically skilled and Mbengue and Kone fit into the same sentence. Both are technically deficient, it’s their biggest weakness. But general point is taken.
As for Vale, bigger challenge is his position. Doesn’t seem to have one. Definitely talented, but in a fully fit squad, he doesn’t play for me, as there are better players in all the positions he plays. |
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Reply | That time of year – Preview
at 06:23 14 Mar 2026
Excellent piece.
“Personally, I still think it was crazy to take the CEO and DOF roles (two big gigs in their own right), slam them together and give them to a 20-something who’d never done either job before. I still cannot believe Ruben and Lee Hoos did it. It certainly wouldn't happen at Westports. C-suite execs are in their 40s and 50s – the average age for a CEO in this country is 53-58 – and that’s because you need experience and you need people skills to do the job, both of which are picked up over time. QPR is a difficult club to run.
The first thing I would do this summer is separate those two back out and seek strong, experienced characters for the roles.”
And Amen to that. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 12:35 13 Mar 2026
I used to play 90 minutes on a Saturday and 90 minutes on a Sunday, plus 3 times midweek in 6 a side. I could run forever.
This idea that Kone is knackered and being run into the ground is nonsense, sorry.
I suspect he might give the impression of looking knackered because he is heavy-arsed and heavy-legged. But the data shows he runs and works extremely hard - one of his qualities.
At the end of the day, he’s 22 years old, and a professional footballer. This is not amateur hour.
He’s played 30-odd games this season, no additional cup games, it’s nothing. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 20:54 12 Mar 2026
It’s not really slagging him off. It’s bringing up a valid point that many fans at games are talking about and is evident in front of eyes.
His hold up game is erratic and poor, yet sometimes quite good.
His lack of goals is not masking that, would be different if he was banging them in. He’s not. He’s return is average at best.
But look, I’ve certainly not written him off. I fully agree age is on his side and he has potential. But he will need to improve his hold and lay game significantly, because that is the type of striker we need, and frankly have needed one for years.
He’s a not a channel runner, he’s too flow for that, he’s a number 9, and he has to do more than “score goals”, which is not really doing. Would be different if he was banging them in, as then the other weaknesses in his game would be not so visible.
But all in all, I’m still hoping next season he will step up and improve on his overall game, and get more goals. Let’s see, time will tell. [Post edited 12 Mar 20:58]
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 20:31 12 Mar 2026
I’ve been hearing about this for years that we don’t create anything for our strikers and so it’s not their fault.
It’s far from the truth. Good strikers create their own opportunities. And that’s the difference.
I get it, he runs around a lot, so he is loved like Paul Smyth.
But if he doesn’t improve his touch, technique and hold up - he’ll never make it at this level. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 20:20 12 Mar 2026
Lyndon Dykes - player I did not rate to be clear - was 24 when he signed for QPR. He was allegedly a hold up striker, as much as allegedly Richard Kone is.
It is well within reason to compare Richard Kone at 22 with Lyndon Dykes first season at 24.
For all this talk that Kone is a great finisher and striker, the data (goals) is not backing it up.
Worth repeating that Dykes got 12 goals in his first season at this level. Kone currently has 7, and may not even get double figures.
Next season is a huge one for Kone, as he will have to improve, the good news is age is on his side. And hopefully it’s in the Championship. |
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Reply | WE WANT NOURRY OUT SAID WE WANT NOURRY OUT
at 20:07 12 Mar 2026
Desperate to sell does not equate to 25m put down on the training ground, a further 5m+ minimum in phase 2. Covering 20m+ losses every season. Announcement of plans for Category 1 academy. And a 25m transfer kitty in the last 2 seasons. Does it?
The owners have repeatedly publicly said they are in it for the long haul, and continuously demonstrate that with investment plans.
What they must do however, is remove the Hand of Hoos once and for all - and his wild decision to hire unqualified child protege Nourry, who in turn hired his unqualified sidekick Bicycle Ben. The owners must take significant action, and no longer by conned by Hoos and his self-appointed interests and hires. Cut the head of this nonsense. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 19:18 12 Mar 2026
He is increasingly splitting opinion at games. I’ve sat in both R block and South Africa, and it’s on the rise.
Twitter (yeah not a great barometer, for what it’s worth) is also heavily split. Some massively for, some far from convinced. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 19:11 12 Mar 2026
That’s a brush-off. I’m not just ‘not rating him’, you’re not engaging with the points I made.
Even if you have the opinion that you think Kone is good at holding the ball up - the data says otherwise.
And he’s on 7 goals, with finishing said to be his key skill, but likely to finish below Dykes’ first season total of 12 goals.
Lastly, the frustration with Kone isn’t exactly a fringe view among fans at games, which is why I raised it here. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 13:56 12 Mar 2026
He’s scored 7 goals this season despite being a virtual ever present. His hold up game is poor.
He will be lucky to hit 10 goals. Even Lyndon Dykes hit 12 goals in his first season at this level.
Whilst there is potential no doubt, he’s also vastly over rated by many QPR fans, probably due to his initial purple patch in front of goal, where everyone went hot and heavy. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 09:59 12 Mar 2026
None of this excuses his erratic first touch and decidedly average hold up game. It’s been evident all season long.
Sometimes he brings it down and finds a team mate, but just as equally he gives it away.
It’s not been good enough for some time, and is a big reason why this side cannot retain possession.
He is a usual finisher, that is his key strength, but he lacks in other parts of the hold up striker game.
We’ll also see how many goals he actually gets, because 7 isn’t exactly a great return right now. |
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Reply | Koki Saito
at 23:08 11 Mar 2026
Been clear to me for some time that his selection is mandated by Nourry. Nourry, of course, having sanctioned a huge investment on Saito is self-invested in any big money signing.
It was Madsen last season, who kept getting picked again and again, but was incredibly poor, until Cifuentes finally pulled him out of the side. Probably another reason why their relationship went south.
And as it is Varane this season also. Not deserving of starting games, but looks like the coach is operating under strict guidance. |
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Reply | Koki Saito
at 22:14 11 Mar 2026
Must be moved on in the summer. Need to desperately try and get some money back. A very very expensive flop.
Nourry is cooking. |
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Reply | Richard Kone
at 22:07 11 Mar 2026
Bump. Another nothing game from Kone.
Hold up play is nowhere near good enough, been evident all season. Struggles in the number 9 role despite the hope that was what he was/is better at.
Fails to retain the ball and get the side up the pitch. A far bigger problem than most fans realise. |
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Reply | I've never felt more like starting the Blues Match Thread..
at 20:17 11 Mar 2026
Playing centrally where others have suggested he is better, and somehow turning in an even worse performance from an already low bar. Powerpuff.
So many culprits in this side for turning over possession with embarrassing ease. Saito a big one, and whilst folks don’t like it, Kone another one.
Far too many players not good enough on the ball in this side, hence our inability to actually keep hold of the ball and progress play |
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Reply | WLS - Edwards might be moved into QPR’s midfield
at 22:55 10 Mar 2026
It’s been a completely wasted year for Morgan and Kolli.
Both our best young prospects, totally mismanaged.
Getting splinters on the bench, or not even making the squad - save for the odd few minutes here and there does nothing for no one. It’s little wonder why either has not performed to the standards set last year. All players need a run of games, especially young developing players.
Really really poor from Nourry. [Post edited 10 Mar 22:57]
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