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Comment | Not all the victors will be victorious – Report
at 00:44:36
Clive, excellent report as always.
My issue with the first half (apart from the bleedin' obvious) was the obsession of piss balling at the back to give their defence time to set. Awful to watch and quite pointless.
For me, the improvement in the second half was the way they were playing in their final third, especially the work within the penalty area. Great close control, with defenders frightened of committing in case of a foul. Really disciplined, very effective and good to watch. Unlucky not to snatch a win.
Lets face it, all we want is players doing their best and we got that in spades!
I feel that Adamson is going to have a great season. And hopefully this game will put an end to any pathetic criticisms on Smyth, who is a true team player.
PS love the story regarding Keadby! |
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Comment | Season Preview 26/27 – The Contenders
at 15:31:35
Magnificent work as always. Great read and interesting to read the other 23 Clive's views too! If we are to rise to 9th, I think it'll be interesting to see just how many points we take off the top 6 as a real indicator of improvement.
Hopefully the injury list won't be as chronic this season. Cheers |
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Comment | End of Term Report 25/26 – Strikers
at 14:54:16
Clive, thanks to you and the team for all those excellent write ups. So vital for many of us to stay in touch
If we could solve that injury liability, whatever is causing it, plus acquiring cover for those weak positions as you highlight, I feel next season could be a good one.
Just dreading to see the selling on of players in the strong positions.
Have a great summer and please take me to nirvana of 16th next season! |
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Comment | QPR play the perfect promotion party guest once more – Report
at 10:24:36
What a poor performance! At all costs, we had to kill the first 20 minutes, which was responded to by slack concentration and 2-0 down within 10!
Some of the ball play whilst in possession after that was quite good. Unsurprisingly, the attack was toothless and only when Smyth came on did the team look dangerous going forward. Credit to him, given that he is treated as a substitute player. I believe he should be a starting player, since he has addressed his weaknesses and his pace is valuable.
I totally agree that the game plan should remove playing out from the back from goal kicks. If booting the ball straight out from the kick off is deemed a good idea (quite galling to see a player of Chair's talent doing just that), then perhaps our keeper should adopt the same from goal kicks. If you really think that is seen as a good way to get up field. I don't, it's not rugby but FFS do not play out from the back.
I feel for Walsh, as a goalkeeping error is always an easy thing to spot. Tracking back from midfield was a clear error in the first goal. Wrong side positioning at full back for the second. And handsome Ronnie's decision making for the third. On top of that, Walsh made a couple of very good saves.
There is some good in this team but it does lack steel/desire. Maybe Chair back would address some of that. And really, the fitness issue is absolutely dreadful. What is going on there, I cannot fathom.
Thought our away support was very good on a day that we knew what was coming. Highlight was 'We want our dick back' chant (regarding the inflatable for those not there).
Anyway, Clive, as others have said, for those who cannot get to all games, the excellent Previews / Reports beat anything out there and it is a magnificent service that you and others here provide. I am indebted to this and thanks as always.
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Comment | Kingmakers (again) – Preview
at 07:58:00
Thanks Clive as always. Extra cudous for managing a MAFSAus reference into a match preview!
I will embellish your predicton ... So 0-1 after 5 minutes, 0-2 after 25 and 0-3 within 5 minutes of the restart. Then cameo substitutions. And with other results, we parachute into 16th!
At least we won't be missing a scorching day out by the seaside. Doh!
No mention of Jimmy Dunne. Have I missed something? |
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Comment | Portsmouth hit for six in QPR’s bizarre numberwang – Report
at 10:12:47
Thanks Clive, very much as I saw it.
I am glad you gave MotM to Smyth. His contribution in the first quarter was excellent and essentially set up the whole result. This is a player that frequently does not start but still shows total commitment to the team when playing. I think underrated.
All said, this curiously does show that you can win a game without a midfield. Portsmouth were very poor and a better team would have scored with ease. Yet, I thought our forward play was good (all 6 of it) and back four was decent, which highlights where we need to focus for next season. Without Madsen, the midfield is very weak. Morgan gets stick but I think is learning and has potential. Just need another solid experienced midfielder to compliment Madsen and the team (as reported v Coventry) should compete.
Plus, somehow improving fitness / injury weakness, as you have highlighted.
As you say, let's savor the moment. By the end of the week, I'll only remember the goals and very good they were too.
PS a credit to the Kick Up The R's seller outside at the end who was claiming the result to be all his work. Qualified by 'Well it's all my fault, when we lose"!
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Comment | The window that was (and wasn’t) – Preview
at 11:21:14
Totally agree with the transfer hype. After falling for the click bait, I read on "Raheem Stirling is a free agent and if he took a large pay cut...." . Laughable. Truth Social stuff
A steady ship right now, even with the injuries. Consistently is all that's missing. |
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Comment | Kolli rescues Rangers, but injuries mount – Report
at 14:12:53
Accurate report as always! The game was saved by 3 well taken goals. This was a very poor opposition that might have stolen a point. Whilst Bannan was a self appointed play maker, as long as our defence dealt with his deliveries there was no threat. However, his drifting about left their midfield gaping. Quite why it took so long to seal the game, I don't know.
The injuries is a worry and I am not keen on JS statements on the difficulties of the Xmas period, highlighting other teams that struggled too. If some are losing, then others are winning - look at Watford or Wrexham. The reality for me was this was a poor return and we have lost a chance to post some cheap points on the board. Just one of those defeats a win and we would be close to the play-offs.
However, given the injuries now and games to come, I am less positive about our final position. Is the definition of a good season parachuting into 16th rather than scrambling into 16th? |
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Comment | QPR continue to slide as Saints set off on new march – Report
at 10:38:32
Thanks Clive, even though (rightly) it was reading.
Is there anyone who can explain our passing out from the back - the only virtue I can see is time wasting - and after a minute at 0-0 I am not sure why we would be doing that! And furthermore, it's got worse, as the eventual/inevitable big boot now comes from inside our 6 yard box, so we have lost yards!
As mentioned above, this slow build up (no build up, actually) is just what any opposition wants. We actually have some fast players now, so why are we not using this and increasing the intensity from the off and stretching teams. When they were forced to do this later on, it was effective.
Highlights would show a good game but there were some awful moments too. I thought Southampton were poor and were there for the taking. To allow them into the game and indeed win was a very poor result indeed.
At least Burrell's goal was something to enjoy and shows what Varane is capable of (almost Wilkins-esque v Leeds!). We should be looking for more of this and when it doesn't work, fight to get the ball back and try again.
Another long season, I fear! |
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Comment | Overtaking National Express coaches – Report
at 09:44:40
Clive, great summary of a disappointing night.
I really think that we do have some strength in depth, compared to other seasons, allowing potential change in 3 game weeks. However, this makes it all the more puzzling to start with the Frey/Kone and Field/Hayden combinations on the pitch at the same time. Start with one and I would have given Frey and Field the first half.
Also, this lack of intensity gave Oxford the perfect time to settle in, when we should have stretched them from the off. Reminded me of the opening period with Derby last season, only we got perfectly timed goals out of the blue to change the game.
Only positive for me was to see the impact of Madsen. Good technique and quick intelligent passing. If he continues to improve his tackling back /competing (admittedly not difficult to improve from very low), he could be a key player in the future. Just hoping.
Points dropped like this may make another long season. Passed up opportunity.
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Comment | Out of the darkness – Report
at 09:59:06
Thanks, Clive. A much needed confidence booster for the R's.
A number of sometimes vilified players contributed here. Smyth as always 100% and really a nuisance to their backs. If Madsen keeps improving his physical presence on the pitch, he could become quite a player for us. His footwork and vision is already good. Walsh did command his area and can kick and hopefully will grow into the role. A few shaky moments .... that cursed goal kick routine naturally and still not sure about the goal.
Whilst Mbengue's movement forward is great, he needs to watch getting caught goal side. As you say, lucky to stay on the pitch.
And Burrell seems a really under the radar sound acquisition.
Nice to see Saito back and Kone will enjoy his role too.
A little worried about the on pitch spats ..... as long as it is because they care, rather than a dressing room divide.
Now two weeks to prepare for the start of the season! This might be more fun after all. |
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Comment | Seven days – Preview
at 10:54:43
Clive, you're not negative, you're a realist, which means negative comments about things that are negative! It's always an outstanding read that real supporters (as above) appreciate.
On another note, Coventry's opener involved a player offside in the six yard box jumping over the goal bound shot. Did it affect the outcome, no. But imagine if it had been a game we were competing in.
PS love the deja vu reference above! |
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Comment | Clash of the cup titans – Preview
at 23:55:52
Francis: Definitely beat Spurs. I saw all 3 games and after the first 2 rounds of knocking out the holders and that huge win, we all thought it was the League Cup coming home. Ironically, the Plymouth game disaster occurred with us fielding a strong team, unlike today's ties. |
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Comment | Clash of the cup titans – Preview
at 16:37:38
I saw part of that 1973/74 Argyle cup run, as having won at top division Burnley, naturally they then won at Loftus Road. This after we had knocked out the holders Spurs and put 8 past Sheffield Wednesday! |
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Comment | Preston make their point as QPR run out of puff – Report
at 09:31:26
Thanks Clive for a very accurate excellent report. A similar game to the opener last season, only against a much poorer opposition.
Some positives in the team, with good debuts from Mbenge and Burrell. Esquerdinha a bit naive but has potential.
Sadly, Celar does not to seem to have learnt anything from last season, just peeling off from the shoulder chasing a pass that will never be delivered. However, an improved Madsen, which gives some hope of development there.
Again, piss balling at the back seems to be a theme to continue. I don't get it, taking risks just for the keeper to go long regardless (and lose possession regardless). What's the point?
As you said, a good first half (but nobody to finish the advantage) and they really ran out of puff in the second. A long old season ahead, I think.
Hopefully the return of Dunne and a forward (any forward) will help things. I count myself as one of the 21%!
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Comment | Pre-season and Perpignan – Awaydays
at 19:52:53
Clive, absolutely superb read ... especially when reading this in France! Personally, I like the one way systems in small towns, which means that traffic mostly goes that way! Good to point on cementing relationships with the fans, after all it is us that support them when they are crap not Sky.
Whilst there are weak spots, it seems a shame that the Varane spot is in doubt. You would have thought a deal signing seals it all or was it just to get the get out clause?
Anyway, a fine start to your season. Thanks |
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Comment | Rangers read the room, finish on a high at Sunderland - Report
at 00:21:20
Clive, thanks for another superb season of previews, reports and articles. I do not go to many games and all you write enriches my continued of the club, to which I am most grateful.
Having lost a talented manager, it will be a real shame if we let certain players go, notably Dunne but others too. Who knows what we start with next season? One thing that cannot continue is the Dubai phone in. Surely there must be someone that can be appointed in that role.
Anyway thanks again to you and your helpers. Have a well earned break! |
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Comment | QPR trounced in final home game as Burnley run riot - Report
at 19:16:18
A very accurate reflection of a poor result. Whilst Burnley were a decent team all round, the space afforded to them at times was awful. I appreciate our team was weakened but really. The inability to get up field till the second half was shocking to see.
If we are going to play out from the back, we need to be prepared for pressing and give options. It happened in the Swansea game and again it just became a case of how many seconds before we gave it back to them, probably from a hoof.
The only highlight of the game was the build up and finish by Colback. Outstanding save denied him.
Fully agree with you on the need for all players to make that trip to Sunderland!
So, who are we hanging onto next season? If I was one of the decent players or manager, would I stay? Shorter season but a long summer. |
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