Another game with Reading, another defensive shambles, another goal for Kaspars Gorkss, another game without a win, another match ticks by, another two points dropped.

In an interview with Junior Hoilett made up of submitted questions from supporters, the official QPR matchday programme was actually brave enough to ask the Canadian winger whether he regretted joining the club in the summer, spurning a potential European campaign with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the process.

“Definitely not,” he said. “I’ve never regretted anything I’ve done, I know we’ll do well with the players and staff that we have got here.” He went on to say he sees his long term future in W12 because of “the direction the club is heading.”

There’s a lot of this sort of rhetoric coming out of Loftus Road at the moment. A sort of weird mix of Andre Villas Boas, David Brent and former Iraqi information minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf – more commonly known as Comical Ali who became famous in the UK for talking about how the Americans would be burned in their tanks as Baghdad fell in the background behind him.

“The overriding feeling at the moment is one of frustration,” we’re told and “there’s a lot of quality in the building.” Training is “upbeat”, “high tempo” and “confidence is high.” Chairman Tony Fernandes preaches patience and stability but on Sunday he sat in the directors box to my right and watched a first half that, by the end, had me struggling to stifle laughter.

I wonder when QPR are going to realise that simply saying you’re heading in a certain direction doesn’t actually make it true. Saying that things will turn around soon doesn’t actually mean they will.

Immediately below Fernandes, myself and the other unfortunate souls on the South Africa Road side of the ground stood Mark Hughes, a man who our chairman admitted “interviewed QPR” rather than the other way around when he was appointed. Hughes is collecting quotes like this that make him look like a bigger fool with each passing winless match – ten now at the start of this season following this dire draw with an equally awful Reading team – and this week followed up his “this will never happen again while I’m here,” post-Man City belter with an ill-advised two minute burst of quotes about how the current predicament isn’t affecting his sleeping pattern.

I was reminded of a moment in the middle of the Rugby League season just passed when Leeds coach Brian McDermott – a former Marine it should be said – was asked if he was panicking as another home defeat left his reigning champions in danger of not making the play offs at all. Leeds always come home with a wet sail, in the same way that Mark Hughes’ teams have done up to this point, but compare McDermott’s response at the time to this weird, lethargic “it’ll be alright in the end” attitude that seems to prevail at Loftus Road at the moment.

McDermott said: “I am panicking. I don’t like being eighth. I want to be first in the league; I want us to finish top and not mess about waiting for this mythical back end of the season before Leeds switch on. That is a very dangerous route for us to go down and this is not helping this group. I know everyone else is saying we are all right after what happened last year, but I’m panicking. I’ve just asked the team if they’re in the comfort zone, wondering if this mythical back end will happen for us.”

Leeds finished as champions again four months later.

Speaking of comfort zone… sitting behind Hughes on the bench was striker Bobby Zamora, who took time out of his hectic schedule this week to inform the Mail on Sunday that he’s actually pretty fed up of football these days. He doesn’t watch it, it doesn’t interest him, he’s just not that bothered really. Frankly, I’m not sure he should ever play for the club again.

Nor, in an ideal world, should Jose Bosingwa. This is a man who has won the Champions League with two different clubs and has 24 Portuguese caps. Here he began a performance that could only be described as embarrassing by allowing Reading veteran Jason Roberts to turn him on the byline and play in Jobi McAnuff whose low cross almost provided Noel Hunt with a tap in inside the six yard box. Within two minutes Hunt did get the ball in the area, but dragged a shot through the goal mouth and away for a corner via a deflection.

Bosingwa spent the rest of the afternoon conceding mindlessly stupid free kicks and knocking aimless, lazy long balls up to a small QPR strike force playing against two big Reading centre backs. His entre performance smacked of a player treating our club as little more than a cash machine. He was pathetic and he wasn’t alone.

While we’re talking about full backs, how about Mr Porcelain himself on the other side Armand Traore? He graced us with his full attention for 70 minutes and then demanded to be taken off and replaced by Nedum Onuoha for 15 minutes until the change was finally made – as he has done in pretty much every match since he arrived. Traore wasn’t the only one looking longingly at the bench and limping about with one knock or another either. I’ve never known a team with so many players so keen to be substituted. Telling.

And then there’s Anton Ferdinand, whose body language gave Harry Enfield’s Kevin the Teenager character a run for its money in the sulking stakes. Ferdinand spent his afternoon anywhere between five and 25 yards deeper than the rest of the defence, playing the Reading strike force onside, and on the rare occasions the defence did actually deal with the danger and clear successfully he trudged up the field at less than walking pace, back hunched, head down, apparently cold, fed up and too bone idle to get his expanding arse into position. This is somebody apparently trying to fight for a place in the team. Compare this to the off the ball work you see from teams like Newcastle and West Brom, who presumably QPR feel they should be competing with, and the difference is alarming.

It was hard not to feel sorry for veteran Ryan Nelsen who was, as he has been in several games this season, immense. The 35-year-old should be winding down a successful career, not attempting to hold back the tide surrounded by younger players with twice his speed and half his attitude.

I mention the back four in isolation because that’s exactly what it was: consistently far, far too deep and operating completely independently of the midfield in front of it. Low on confidence, low on morale, low on effort, low on commitment – a group of three individuals contributing little and one veteran free transfer signing trying to hold the job together. Further forward a midfield unit of Esteban Granero, Samba Diakite, Adel Taarabt and Junior Hoilett sat totally separate from the four players behind and two in front. They set about making Mikele Leigertwood and Jay Tabb look like Ballon D’Or candidates.

Tony Fernandes must have sat at the front of the director’s box during a truly, truly awful first half performance from his expensively assembled team and wondered what on earth has gone wrong. He backs his manager in the transfer market, he keeps him employed when many others would have swung the axe, he communicates with the supporters, he spends money on the club and the more he does all of this the worse the team gets.

What is wrong is that this extortionate squad of players and coaches lacks heart, attitude and feel for the club. And you can’t buy that stuff.

There were positives, provided by the players who did actually appear to want to be on the field, and were willing to show for the ball. Junior Hoilett, who had a decent first half and a poor second as opposed to the team which did at least go the other way, collected Reading’s first corner and drove down the field before setting up Taarabt for a shot that deflected wide. Djibril Cisse, recalled at Zamora’s expense, ran purposefully into the danger area and then lashed a shot over the bar. Hoilett did likewise but missed wide of the target.

But let’s be perfectly honest here; this is a Reading team that has proven wholly inadequate at dealing with the rigours of Premier League football so far this season. During the week the Royals conceded seven against Arsenal Reserves to lose a match they had led 4-0 at one stage in the first half. Despite that they were far, far better than QPR in the first half: Roberts, when he wasn’t chewing the ear off referee Michael Oliver, was a pacy, physical pest; Noel Hunt, consistently won a physical battle against defenders who were happy to allow him to do so rather than engage him and possibly get hurt; Leigertwood and Tabb dominated the middle of midfield while Ale Faurlin sat on the bench, unused.

After a quarter of an hour the visitors took the lead. Reading have been running the same corner and free kick routine all season - previously it was Alex Pearce at the heart of it but in his absence Premier League debutant Sean Morrison came up from the back, ran round late to the far post and then tried to head a deep cross back into the danger zone. Despite Reading doing this in every match they’ve played so far, Rangers were dumbfounded. The home team also - despite him playing for QPR for three years and scoring against them from the same position at the same end of the ground in the League Cup – neglected to pick up Kaspars Gorkss. Morrison was permitted two attempts at his free header, the second of which rebounded back into play off the bar and Gorkss stuck in the rebound.

And apparently Reading running the same set piece routine all season, and scoring from a set piece in the League Cup, and now taking the lead from a set piece in the league as well, wasn’t warning enough. All afternoon Rangers left visiting players unmarked from corners and free kicks. Morrison could have had a hat trick. Visiting players, hundreds of them, wearing bright yellow shirts, completely unmarked all match.

I’m drawn to another of Mark Hughes’ recent quotes about how his coaching staff prepare the team “meticulously” for every game to give them “the best possible chance of success.” Really Mark? Really?

With the going now really tough, that problem of players hiding started to become prevalent. At the midway point of the half Samba Diakite collected possession, looked up, and found nobody. In the end he carried the ball half the length of the field himself, bypassing three visiting defenders before delivering a low cross that Cisse miskicked when he should have scored. When faced with the same situation a moment later Anton Ferdinand chipped an aimless, lazy long ball up down the middle and only hard work from Jamie Mackie turned it into anything like useful service. Mackie teed up Taarabt who shot over and on the next attack the Moroccan miskicked on the edge of the area having driven to the heart of the Reading team.

The referee incurred the wrath of an increasingly frustrated home crowd around the half hour as he first of all bought an obvious dive from Roberts on halfway and awarded Reading a free kick, then penalised QPR again over by the corner flag when it appeared that Mackie was the man dragged to earth, and was then quick with the whistle again when Tabb hit the deck under minimal contact but Shorey struck the ball over the bar from a similar position to the one he’d scored from in the cup game here a month ago. Oliver did however show a yellow card to Hunt for a firm foul on Diakite, and then rather kindly let the striker off without so much as a warning when he deliberately used his hand to set himself away down the line. Other referees would have issued a second yellow card – but then I do often say we don’t come to football to see people sent off so I won’t criticise him for that.

Cisse and Taarabt combined well ten minutes before half time but the French striker mishit his shot. Then a purposeful run from Mackie drew a foul on the edge of the box and Granero saw a fine free kicked tipped onto the bar by Reading keeper Alex McCarthy with his finger tips. Bosingwa stuck the rebound over the top. Promising, but again anything good QPR did came from Mackie, Taarabt, Hoilett or Diakite running with the ball for want of a better passing option, ot through any structured attacking plan. QPR’s “meticulously planned” attacking strategy for this match could have been written on the back of a stamp with a thick pen.

The second half could scarcely have been worse than the first and the early signs were promising for Mark Hughes. Another lung busting run from Diakite drew a foul from Tabb and Granero struck the free kick into the side netting after a prolonged argument with Taarabt over who should take the kick. Cisse had a shot blocked and Jamie Mackie had what looked like a very decent penalty shout waved away by Oliver as he fell to ground chasing the loose ball. Then Hoilett went on a mazy run from the left flank to the heart of the penalty area but shot wide via a deflection.

Better, but Bosingwa was in a giving mood down at the School End in front of a paltry following from Reading. The hapless full back stupidly fouled McAnuff when he was going nowhere by the corner flag which gave Reading a chance for another free kick and, wouldn’t you just know it, Rangers left Morrison unmarked and he should have headed in a second.

Rangers made Morrison pay for that miss, and a botched attempt at a diving header clearance in his own area, with an equaliser halfway through the second half. The Reading man was attempting to clear a low cross from Bosingwa but having missed the ball completely he left space behind him which allowed Djibril Cisse to take one touch to control the ball and then divert it into the bottom corner with his second. A fine finish and proof once more that Cisse should be in the team whenever possible for his goal threat alone, even when he’s not playing particularly well overall.

Within two minutes Taarabt had called McCarthy into action from long range and there was a sense that a weight had been lifted from the home team’s shoulders with the equaliser. But the slapdash nature of their defending, and the way the back four was consistently far too deep inside its own half, meant Reading were always dangerous. Having sent on Jimmy Kebe for Garath McCleary the Royals boss Brian McDermott almost reaped rewards when the Malian ran fully 80 yards unchallenged before shooting wide after Bosingwa had farted about dancing in front of Tabb and then delivered a lousy cross that set Reading away on a counter.

The game then became a bit of an end to end farce. Bosingwa’s back post header was important at one end, Diakite’s driving run and shot at the other rather wild. Oliver awarded a generous free kick to Cisse, Taarabt and Granero argued over the free kick, the Spaniard shot into The Loft. Hughes sent on Bobby Zamora – nothing better to do with his time on Sunday apparently so he decided to turn out – and Reading introduced Hal Robson Kanu for Jobi McAnuff. As much as things change, they stay the same: ten minutes from time another corner, Morrison unmarked again, this time he headed wide of the target. Excuse me a moment while I tear off my own face and throw it at somebody through the pure frustration of watching the basics of football neglected to such a bloody huge extent for an entire afternoon.

Eight minutes from time, something amazing happened. QPR actually put together a structured attack, that cut through the Reading defence very deliberately. Three QPR attacking players actually linked up, they looked like they knew each other. Hell it was actually good to watch. Zamora killed the ball on halfway and played a crisp pass up to Cisse, he in turn fed a perfect ball through to Taarabt who remained composed enough to check inside his man and then just when it seemed easier to score he tried to place a shot and allowed McCarthy to make a fine save.

After 15 minutes of waving and limping Traore finally got his wish and left the field to be replaced by Nedum Onuoha. Reading in turn introduced Adam Le Fondre for Roberts when QPR’s piss weak defence would surely have sweated more over an introduction for Pavel Pogrebnyak.

Cisse did his best for the cause in five minutes of stoppage time – first keeping a long clearance from Cesar in and crossing wonderfully for Zamora who bundled the ball straight into McCarthy’s arms from close range. Then with the very last kick he lashed an inch wide with a shot the keeper actually injured himself trying to save. But Reading could easily have snatched the match as well – Kebe cut inside and saw a goalbound shot blocked, Leigertwood shot over the bar after Bosingwa gave the ball away again, and the Zamora chance actually came after Robson-Kanu had been left unmarked in the QPR penalty area and planted a free header straight at Cesar from a long throw. There was also a yellow card for Le Fondre when he dived attempting to win a penalty from Taarabt, of all people, back in his own area.

At the end of the day these match reports are simply the long winded rambling of a dyed in the wool QPR fan who just wants to see the team succeed. I’m no kind of authority, I’m regularly wrong about just about anything, so feel free to disagree and tell me I’m being harsh. QPR, after all, had more shots than Reading for whom the goalkeeper was the stand out performer. Rangers went closest to winning the game and should have done given the chances they created in the second half. Had they taken a couple of those and won 3-1 – they could easily have done so – I’m sure I’d be pouring forth about the relief that everybody is feeling and how it’s onwards and upwards from here. Write this off as an over-the-top, knee jerk reaction if you like. It could well be just that, and we’ll all look back and have a jolly good laugh at how I thought Bosingwa was appalling against Reading and then he went on to win the Player of the Year award and I wrote about a draw at home like it was the end of the world when it actually turned out to be the start of the revival and whatever.

However, in my opinion, not only could you compile a very long list of very basic things QPR did wrong on the field, but you could also start putting together a worrying dossier of examples of poor attitude, dreadful body language, and quotes from players and management that suggest they either don’t grasp the seriousness of this situation, or they don’t give a toss, or both. And yes, I’m aware that it’s always the first wail from a supporter that the players don’t care enough and aren’t trying and more often than not it’s just reactionary nonsense from some beered up idiot. That could well be what this is, but I looked at the way Bosingwa and Ferdinand carried themselves in that game, I’ve read what Hughes and Zamora have said this week, and I’m looking out there at all these players who cannot bloody wait for their number to go up on the substitution board and I’m both worried and heartbroken.

All I ever am is honest, and honestly, I thought that was an utter fucking shambles.

A terrific advert for the Championship, which is where this fixture will be played next season if both teams don’t start pulling their collective fingers out soon.

Links >>> Photo Gallery >>> Have Your Say >>> Interactive Player Ratings >>> Match Thread

QPR: Cesar 6, Bosingwa 4, Ferdinand 4, Nelsen 8, Traore 5 (Onuoha 84 -), Hoilett 6, Granero 6, Diakite 7, Taarabt 7, Mackie 5 (Zamore 81,-), Cisse 6

Subs Not Used: Green, Hill, Derry, Wright-Phillips, Faurlin

Goals: Cisse 66 (assisted Bosingwa)

Reading: McCarthy 8, Gunter 6, Morrison 6, Gorkss 7, Shorey 6, McCleary 5 (Kebe 62, 7), Tabb 7, Leigertwood 7, McAnuff 6 (Robson-Kanu 79, 6), Roberts 7 (Le Fondre 88, -), Hunt 6

Subs: Federici, Pearce, Cummings, Pogrebnyak

Goals: Gorkss 16 (assisted Morrison)

Bookings: Hunt 33 (foul), Le Fondre 90 (diving)

QPR Star Man – Ryan Nelsen 8 A beacon of quality, hard work, ability, commitment, heart, experience and organisation at the heart of a defence that was an abject embarrassment to its profession and looked thrilled to death about it.

Referee – Michael Oliver 7 I actually came away from this thinking he’d had quite a poor game. He allowed Jason Roberts to pretty much follow him around all afternoon saying whatever he liked and influencing decisions and several times awarded free kicks when he’d clearly been conned by a dive. I also thought Mackie had a decent case for a penalty. However, on reflection, the game was controlled reasonably well, and the big decisions were correct including the late booking for Le Fondre.

Attendance – 16,797 (900 Reading approx) With the form that both teams are in, the early kick off, and the presence of the television cameras, a low crowd was to be expected, especially as the match was graded in the ‘extortionate’ ticket band. Reading actually brought less than they did for the League Cup game which is very poor for a local Premier League game. I’m amazed at how patient the QPR fans are being with the team and management, and I wonder how long it can continue.

Tweet @loftforwords

Pictures – Action Images

Photo: Action Images

baz_qpr added 09:57 - Nov 6 Spot on Clive only thing is I would have given MOTM to Taarabt for showing heart fight and desire on top of his skills whilst most were flailing around him
0

highlandbill added 10:19 - Nov 6 It looks like we will eventually see the team we have all wanted on the pitch since the start of the season.Even Hughes must see that Faurlin must play and that Cisse & Mackie should always start. What worries me now is that the good,committed players we do have in the team might begin to lose heart due to the overall state of affairs. Granero is beginning to look fed up & the rumours about Real Betis are alarming. Zamora & Boswinga have clearly given up. Should the rot spread to Adel & Ryan we might as well resign from the Prem. I have been lukewarm about Hughes since Warnock got the push.He really does not have a great record as a manager ,it is his apparent lack of motivational ability that worries me most.I dont know what he said in the dressing room but I am sure if Olly had been there instead they would have come out with a clear view of what was expected of them. I am still reluctant to say he should go but as the situation becomes more desperate the time for a new man to turn things round is gradually reducing. These days I have to travel 130 miles to the games & on Sunday suffer the chaos that is our rail "service". Frankly I am getting fed up losing 8 hours of my life every time I go to the Bush and have to watch shit. I love the R's and it depresses me greatly to see them so awful. Where is the fun,the excitement, the pure joy of winning? Stoke is a test for any team and normally I would be happy with a point. I think Fernandes should tell MH a win is essential for his continued employment.

0

komradkirk added 10:21 - Nov 6 i think the use of the word shambles many times since sunday is apt. we cant jump or defend and only flashes of inspiration from individuals give us any chance. cant jump and stoke next ???????
0

Pigbag added 10:31 - Nov 6 Fantastic piece Clive, it really was hard viewing.
0

R_in_Sweden added 10:51 - Nov 6 The irony of it all is that a player who has been considered a showboating diva in the past is actually the one who showed the most commitment to the cause (apart from Nelsen). And this wasn't for the first time this season.
0

carrotcrunch_R added 10:52 - Nov 6 Clive I think everyone is getting over emotional due too the fact that everyone expected us too win against this opposition no game is easy in the prem and we pretty much dominated the second half but the problem I have is we are still trying too get an organised side due to the signings . We should had done the signings at the beginning of preseason or end of last season or just not bother. If we hit the ground running like we. Should have done against Swansea this result and performance would have been ok IMO. Another point to make cisse should play every 90 mins no matter how badly he plays he is more likely to score than anyone else.

0

hoof_hearted added 11:22 - Nov 6 The emotional outburst is not just because of Sunday. It's a release of the pent up frustration because we all wanted to believe that Hughes will turn it round and we can have some stability for once. We had pinned our hopes on November and so far so bad.
0

JAPRANGERS added 11:36 - Nov 6 Great read as usual but hell, so depressing. The Stoke match is just plain scary.
0

HastingsRanger added 11:59 - Nov 6 Clearly, this is no Sunday league side who meet up once a week, yet that is how they are playing. Exactly what do they do in the week at training? I don't want change but MHs record since joining us is there for all to see. With poor team selections, motivational failure and tactical naivety (especially away from home) - in truth the writing is on the wall. I thought Adel's desire and tracking back work rate was impressive and Samba's controlled (re. fouling) performance, Nelson's fight and Cisse's work rate were the few positives that could be taken. Little else. MH has to pick the players who are hungry for the Stoke game. The confidence is low and part timers will not get us anything there.

0

snanker added 12:01 - Nov 6 Professional ........not with MH running the shop. He's a my way or the highway cliche kind of guy and there are far too many ego's in the dressing room to tolerate that message. What the hell did he expect ? He sure struggles to man manage and it is all too plainly evident on the pitch. What needs to be going on is Hughes going out Come on TF u cut NW little slack so what about the bloke who interviewed us ? Bite the bullet and make the call so we can get on with earning some respect back & giving ourselves a chance of staying up.

0

RBLOCKPAT added 12:34 - Nov 6 If I had a company and I gave my sales manager a quarterly target of £150,000 and he came in with £40,000 nice though he was I would sack him simply because If I kept him I would go out of business and its the same scenario at the club, an incompetent manager leading us into oblivion. Does Tony not realise we need to win 12 games just to stay up! Personally I cannot see any hope of winning more than one game before Christmas, we are not playing as a team who actually know what they are doing and the manager not winning away for a year is an utter disgrace whatever eloquent excuses he makes, we are all bored to death with excuses coming out of Loftus and its hard not to lose faith inTF' judgement I mean all the support raised in Asia must have dicipated they must have been embarrased getting sucked into all the hype with JSP who has under Hughes turned out to be a lost sheep and as for Zamora it pains me to even write his name even Priskin tried harder. Its difficult for me to say but half of me was hoping Reading would get a late winner just to give more ammunition to get rid of Hughes and I have been goin down to Loftus Road for 52 years! All this stability nonsence doesn't wash we got promotion through total instabillity Briatore changed managers until he got the one to take us up now stability seems to be taking us down.

0

nedflanders added 12:39 - Nov 6 week in week out we see players storm off pitch upset to be substituted. Sometimes you think to yourself 'what a child' etc but at the moment I would give my left arm to see some of that attitude at Rangers. Its truly pathetic and embarrassing to see player after player 'wanting' to be substituted for no good reason. This is where the manager earns his corn. But QPR seem to be the eptome of a club run by 'player power', something we all criticised our neighbours down the road for. A boss is there to sort it out - if someone at my work doesn't pull his weight for no apparant reason, he will have his hook slung. For Derry to have to sit on that bench and watch these pathetic money grabbing individuals do absolutely nothing to earn their corn must be killing him.

0

probbo added 12:58 - Nov 6 Its either going to take a home defeat against Southampton or a 6-0 away loss to some half decent team for Fernandez to finally put Hughes out of his misery. All this support for his manager, his appointment is commendable but is looking increasingly misplaced with each passing week. With no Park or SWP in the starting line up I thought we might actually do something but we are lightweight up front and the defence is a mess. Only Nelson and Mackie look prepared to die for the cause. What is a concern is come Christmas if Hughes is still in charge he will no doubt do some more panic buying in the transfer window but he must be held accountable for all these previous signings that have so far failed to cut it. Zamora is awful - a superb piece of business on Fulham's part.

0

BullyHoop added 14:03 - Nov 6 "Excuse me a moment while I tear off my own face and throw it at somebody through the pure frustration of watching the basics of football neglected to such a bloody huge extent for an entire afternoon." Sums up my feelings as well Clive. The worst parts were the visible lack of application by most of the team, the fact that there was a yellow head on every set piece (defensive or attacking) and that I really couldn't fathom what system we were playing...and still can't. The buck for the last 2 stops at the manager, sadly the first is probably an indication of the players as a group, the manager and that jumped up bunch of 'coaches' he relies on.

0

extratimeR added 14:17 - Nov 6 Thanks Clive, sadly match report all to accurate, I remember after about 70 minutes looking across at Ellerslie, during Reading break down the middle, and shouting " Jesus, Bosingwa not bothering to get back" I thought hang on, he must have pulled a hamstring or something, I watched him for next 5 minutes nothing wrong, he just could not be bothered to chase back and cover, its a long time since a QPR player has done that, thats £ 70,000 a week that could'nt be bothered. Taraabt worked very hard, another day could have had a couple, Nelson should ask for pay rise, dont ask me to comment on Ali, Hughes must be nuts.

0

dermyqpr added 15:16 - Nov 6 Everything you have said Clive x by ten. Used the word HATE to express my personal feelings about some of our defenders earlier and I do not regret that. I didn`t see the Zamora article and I am not convinced he is a lost cause (after all we already have enough of them)so have to believe the replacement will get goals out of him. Its down to when not if MH goes. Amit please help sort this out. WE ARE DYING HERE.

0

Spiritof67 added 15:28 - Nov 6 As a long time supporter it’s difficult not to criticise the performance of the team, but Sunday’s match revealed a whole list of problems that both Clive and those contributing to this site have already mentioned. I remember when QPR were first promoted to the top division in 1968 they were out played on many occasions leading to (at that time) the lowest points total at the end of the season, but probably the only excuse at the time was they relied on the same players who got them promoted to keep them up, which eventually backfired. But in comparison to that team, we have a team with far more experienced players who don’t appear to be on the same wavelength, with the one exception being the lead up play between Cisse and Tarrabt’s attempt on goal A number of the current team appear to be playing like a group of strangers who have been contacted in the morning to see if they fancy a game later in the day. Basic errors when defending at set pieces have happened, more than once this season. When will the manager/coaching staff learn from the mistakes and try to instil some basic football methods. I tried very hard to remember if Ferdinand actually won or even got close to out muscling any of his opponents when defending a corner, and appears to be strolling around, with the attitude of “of course you know I’m Rio’s brother,” As for Bosingwa strolling back, words fail me.

0

Monahoop added 16:23 - Nov 6 Good report Clive. All bar a miracle happening in the coming weeks I can hardly see any positives at the present time. That was a league two standard game on Sunday. We are beginning to look as bad as Derby and Sunderland were a few seasons back and I'd hate to think what our final points tally will be with this shambolic set up. The club is rotten and not just on the field. I've followed this club for 44 years. There have been some bad starts, but this takes a beating made all the worse by the fact that a lot of money has been spent. And on what? I now find myself nodding in acknowledgment to fans of other clubs laughing at our expense. Many can clearly see what is about to unfold if common sense doesn't prevail soon.

0

Imelda added 16:57 - Nov 6 I now feel worse than ever after reading everyone's comments. You can't see what is going on off the ball when you only see the match on TV so I didn't realise things were quite so bad with body language etc. It reminds me of 10 years ago at the Vauxhall Motors match when we could not be ars*ed and ended up cheering Vauxhall Motors off the pitch when they won on penalties I am back from the USA next week and will be going to a few matches - I had a 100% win record when I went last season so I had better get up to Loftus Road pretty sharpish!

0

TacticalR added 17:31 - Nov 6 I didn't think we were *that* bad, or to put it another way, no much worse than we have been on other occasions (e.g. away to Norwich). Reading. Played good one-touch football in the first half, have a uniform quality to the side, and have 'a plan'. Leigertwood played well in the holding role. I thought he was finished when he left QPR, but I think he's survived by covering less ground. Why didn't McDermott bring on Pogrebnyak? Reading could probably have won the game if they had. Cissé. Sometimes feels like a one-trick pony, but what a trick! Scored the goal, and made a brilliant through pass to Taarabt coming up on the blind-side from midfield, and also made a great cross to Zamora at the end of the match. Taarabt. His shoot on sight policy, while useful once in a while, is a little bit counterproductive when overused. Diakité. Played well and his quick turns drew a lot of fouls. Bosingwa. I didn't think he was quite as terrible as some posters here seem to think, but he did put in a lot of poor crosses (although his cross led to the goal). His build is slim and he seemed to struggle against the larger players he was up against. Is there some reason why other players cover his position? At various times I saw Ferdinand, Mackie and Hoilett acting as right back. Mackie. Generally played well, and seems to have a good sense of when to pass and when to hold. Drew the foul for Grenaro's free kick. The pulling over by Morrison looked a penalty from one angle on the replays. Grenaro. Great free kick. At least we have a free kick taker. However, seems to try to score from free kicks at every opportunity, even when a cross from a free kick would be better. One or two lapses in concentration when passing from deep. Traoré. Played quite well, doesn't give away possession, and has a good understanding with Taarabt. Nelsen. Not sure how much he could have done for the Gorkšs goal. Apart from that seemed reliable as ever. Defence. Our marking on crosses and corners was poor and Reading got in several free headers.

0

thehat added 17:44 - Nov 6 I think Tony and his shareholders must have their head in their hands. They paid a lot of money for 66% of the club got in their own manger and back room staff on long contracts backed them with fortunes in the transfer market and wages and seen the team go alarmingly backwards from Neil Warnock. Problem now is we are stuck with them £10 million to get rid of the management team. Amit looking for an exit strategy fills me with fear too!! Bloody Rangers you can rely on us to cock it up!!!

0

Kaos_Agent added 18:41 - Nov 6 Team morale is clearly at rock bottom and won't improve without wins. Can't see it coming at Stoke. MH should be out unless he can "manage" a draw there and a convincing win against Southampton. The locker room atmosphere must be toxic, despite all the feel-good comments.
0

PinnerPaul added 19:01 - Nov 6 I think much of the reaction and the report, although understandable is a tad ott. 2 things though that DO annoy me with the majority of supporter reaction 1) Individual players get criticised but the "solution" is get rid of Hughes?! I really don't think even the special one could get players motivated if , as the majority say, they ARE only here for the money. Also, aside from the fact that we can't change the 25 until Jan 1, would the "messiah" Harry keep the same 25, no he wouldn't he would go after those committed players who don't care about money like Dawson, Defoe and Adebeyor! Anyway as I have said on the main MB, no way are TF and the MIttals going to write off another 5 huge player contracts and bring in yet more new players in Jan. 2) Zamora criticism is ridiculous. As Hughes said in press conference, if he really didn't care about football and that showed in training during the week, how the hell has he got where he is today then - & no it issn't only MH who has picked him! I really do think supporters have to accept MH and this squad and get behind them. I DO think we are in serious danger of getting relegated but it's an absolute certainty if we start to act like Blackburn fans from now onwards. Honestly we must sound like a spoilt brat at Christmas to TF. "But I was promised such a wonderful,shiny new team. moan, moan, moan"

0

Doughnut added 20:18 - Nov 6 There's only one 'direction' this club's going under Hughes, and that's down!!! Is it acting like a spoilt brat to want my team to win a match or do well? I haven't seen the Zamora article, but can well believe it, with his lacklustre performances. If it is true, then he shouldn't be picked again, full stop!! And Bosingwa is a what's wrong with Hughes; he signed him. I know Hughes would be expensive to get rid of, but I think relegation would cost more. What an antidote to this lot Ollie would have been, fire , drive, commitment. Amazingly Harry's still on the shelf. If it were to be done, then let it be done quickly.......so we can be proud of the R's again!

0

cranieboy added 20:19 - Nov 6 Its was the first time on sunday that i have been really worried about us, I had been optimistic up til now thinking that things will click soon and we will beat someone good and proper, but after Sun I am not convinced, there just seemed to be no urgency or desire, watching other teams usually having two or more players making an effort to get to a opposition player and close them down or hunting in packs, while we looked like it was all for themselves and usually had just one player ambling towards the man on the ball. i would love to see Faurlin on the pitch also, but i wonder how he will fit in with granero and Diakite also on the pitch, would you play three in the middle and three up front, or push granero further forward, and who would you leave out, assuming SWP and Park are not in anyhow. I think we probably need diakite for his pace and wreaking abilities as well as his ability to drift past players, and I also think Granero should not be left out, though a one match rest occasionally might be justified, just to freshen him up again, and Faurlin brings some cohesion, an ability to see a pass and to also keep it simple to maintain possession also, and he does seem to be there for the second balls more than most in our team, his obvious downside is pace in defence. I'm not sure the answer to this question but I do know that if we don't start winning soon then we may as well give it a go and at least we should be having better possession. I quess from Sundays team then you would have to leave one of the front four out. Prehaps we could play the Spain way and start without a striker on the pitch and then bring on Cisse if we need a goal. We could talk players and formations forever but in the end if they don't have desire and committment then we will always struggle.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Colchester United Polls