| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 16:13 - Apr 30 with 2935 views | Antti_Heinola |
Panic over. It wasn't exactly QPR 6 Palace 0 (particularly as, unlike that day, no one even considered singing 'Next year we'll be champions', even sarcastically) but still, it was relieving. Yes, never pleasant, but, like a massive constipated 7-couric poo, you feel much better after it's passed.
1. OLLIE: After the deserved and eminently predictable caning at the hands of little Brentford, Ollie was at pains to deny he had been experimenting with the team, or that he was tinkering for the sake of it. He was right - in a way. What he was doing from week to week and during games could hardly be described as tinkering. To tinker means to dabble, to attempt a repair in a casual, comfortable way. You know, like someone tinkers with an engine in a garage. Ollie wasn't doing that. He was taking the whole thing apart every week, chucking in giant new pieces, often where they didn't fit, never consulting the manual and then, halfway through that, throwing all the pieces up in the air and seeing where they land. That is not tinkering. If only he *had* just tinkered, we'd have probably been on about 60 points now.
Anyway, the point is that having said all that last week, Ollie now sought to keep it very simple. 4-4-2, with Manning tucked in a bit on the left, Wszolek finally restored to his best position, and Washington playing off Smith. Apart from Hall, and arguably Furlong, this was the best XI he could have put out. And there were no bells and whistles, no fancy positions, nothing complicated. Just get it to Pav. Hope Freeman creates something. And, a little tiresomely, hit the big man. It worked. We weren't brilliant, but we were better than them and we scored two, could and should have had more, and while Smithies was required to make some good saves (along with a couple of terrifying spills, it must be said) that is what he's paid for.
We saw far less of Ollie on the touchline gesticulating and calling players over. Far less of players sprinting to the bench to clarify the tactics or formation. And it worked. People knew their jobs. It may not have worked against a better side, because we were so incredibly nervy, but it was enough against a poor Forest side who may very well be singing about being Champions of Europe in League One next season. Sometimes, it pays to keep things simple.
2. FOULS: A common theme of the last few weeks has been the amount of stupid fouls we give away in dangerous areas. It cost us v Brighton and Sheff Wed as well as other games and could've cost us again yesterday. It's utterly brainless. Lynch is a regular culprit, but yesterday it was Perch, doing his level best once more to get sent off, and Bidwell who made ludicrous and needless challenges when their opponent was facing away from the goal, on the wing, and going nowhere. Worst of all came in the second half. Perch did a good job of shepherding his man back towards the halfway line until he was forced to play it back into his own half. Job done. And it was then that Perch chopped him. I mean, this man is the most experienced pro in our side. Why does he do this? Why can't he learn? And it happens EVERY WEEK. Bidwell I'm slightly less critical of as he's younger and has endured a very tough season (I'm still hopeful he can come good), but Perch really has no excuses.
3. WSZOLEK: Pav started just twice in our six game losing streak. Admittedly those performances came in the team's worst two displays in that run (Derby and Bristol), but still, I don't think there's a QPR fan who wouldn't start him every week if fit and healthy. Yesterday he was one of our four stand-out players, turning in perhaps his best display since his masterclass at Reading. Power, pace, skill, discipline. It was all there. Not only did he help Perch eventually get a grip on the tricky Carayol, he was frequently our best outlet and our most dangerous attacker, setting the tone by almost scoring after a typical stumbling, Rob Steiner-like dribble early on. Later on, his wing play, ability to beat his man, intelligence with the ball, and classic pulled back crosses all helped us threaten. If only Austin was still about - he'd have loved to have had someone like Pav knocking back those crosses every week.
One of our many problems is that we look most comfortable at the back if Hall is playing just in front of the centre backs, but that means we don't have enough players to play with wingers AND two strikers. Yesterday, with no Hall, Ollie risked the 4-4-2 and as a result we saw the best of Pav. A key player next year, we have to find a way for him to play wide right every week.
4. SMITH: I think Smith, especially for the cost, was a good buy. But I think now we're seeing why he spent so much time on the bench at Fulham. There's no doubt he's harshly treated by refs who, because of his size, seem to think defenders can do what they like to him. And it can't be easy when the team just sees you as a big target to whack any old ball up to all the time. But still, despite his obvious effort, he doesn't quite contribute enough to be a first choice upper-mid-table Championship striker. His hold up play is not amazing, his mobility is not great and he's yet to find a way of playing effectively with Washington (which is also both Conor's fault and the manager's for not giving them more time together in matches). And I could overlook all of that if only he'd take the chances when they came. But this was the third home game in a row where he spurned a real, simple headed chance. True, in one he scored from a corner straight after, and yesterday we scored just after his miss, but still. He has to put those away. Has to. I think he's a really useful player and clearly a great lad and hard-working, strong presence, but there's no doubt we still must look for another striker this summer.
5. WASHINGTON: Which brings us to Washington. It's over a year now and I'm still undecided. Part of me thinks he could go to Barnsley or someone and we'd watch him get 18 goals in a season. Part of me thinks he'd go to Barnsley, score 7 in a season, and then end up back at Peterborough on loan. There's undoubtedly a good player there. We've seen it this season. And when he was on that run around February time, he looked like scoring in every game. Somewhere, though, whether through Ollie's rotation or his own frustration when the goals dried up, his confidence went again. 7 goals in a season isn't enough, and while it's not fair to him to mention his fee, it is relevant. 7 goals is not enough for £2.5m - even if he's bizarrely had two disallowed despite crossing the line.
Yesterday I thought he worked hard as always, but still that understanding with Smith is just not there. Weeks ago, when he set him up for an early goal v Wigan, I thought maybe we had a partnership there. But it just hasn't developed. Smith didn't dominate in the air yesterday, but when he did win it, the ball rarely went to Washington. Smith was often gesturing at him to get closer and the chances of a laboured Mr Smith Went to Washington headline always look unlikely.
At half time I thought Washington was offering so little I wondered if we should cut our losses, take him off, and, if we were going to go long, bring Sylla on and try and double the options for that ball. And then when he did race clear I genuinely thought he'd overrun it until that brilliant clipped finish. That's the kind of goal I expected to see more of from him. And perhaps it could still happen. But he's one of many 'maybes' in our squad at the moment.
Still thought it was right to sub him and get Mackie on there to rough them up - Conor was both knackered and carrying a knock: he was walking off before they even held up his number. But, job done. Good goal. Next season is a big one for him.
6. ONUOHA: I like Ned. A lot more than a lot of people. Partly because I don't think my expectations are as high as some others. My main issue is that performances like yesterday don't happen enough. Reading away last year, Bristol C at home this year. This match. Genuine, towering, determined, captain's displays where he uses his strength and pace and desire to maximum effect.
Yesterday, we were nervous, tetchy, clearly terrified to make a mistake. After 5 minutes Forest were waltzing through a series of non-tackles when Onuoha nailed Carayol. It was a bad tackle. A yellow even despite the 'no-bookings-in-the-first-5-minutes rule'. But it sent a message, both to Forest and to his own players. After that, it was a controlled performance from Ned and despite the tireless running of Assombalonga (along with David Vaughan, looking for all the world as if Mark Warburton had in desperation brought Archie Gemmill out of retirement, Forest's stand out performer) he rarely let him out of his sight. To me, it always seems as if Ned's at his best when there's a real challenge. Marking Tammy Abraham out the game earlier this season, or his masterful job on Bale a few years back being prime examples. It was the same yesterday - Assombalonga was their main threat, so Onuoha took him on, and won.
Surgery is needed at the back. But defence is less about players and more about organisation and team work. Ned should be at the heart of that - the questions are, who plays around him - particularly if Hall sits in midfield - and do Ollie, Birch and Fleming have the ability to coach a back four to be far more miserly? This was, incredibly, Ollie's first clean sheet at LR since returning, and only his third in 30 games. And it wasn't a game where the opposition didn't create anything - far from it. That has to improve next season. |  |
| |  |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 16:24 - Apr 30 with 2900 views | JAPRANGERS |
Wow, brilliant stuff there Antti. Are you Clive in disguise??  |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 16:54 - Apr 30 with 2816 views | vegasranger |
Thanks for the excellent reports this season Antti !! I'm still amazed that we scouted Perch and then decided to pay a million pounds for him !! Hall has to go back in defence. .Need to unearth a quality enforcer. Maybe steal the Brentford scouting manual !! |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 16:58 - Apr 30 with 2805 views | 1JD |
Formation was not 4-4-2, more like 4-3-1-2 as Freeman was playing higher than Loungo, who had manning to the left of him tucked in, and Pav to the right of him more wide | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 17:09 - Apr 30 with 2757 views | Boston |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 16:24 - Apr 30 by JAPRANGERS |
Wow, brilliant stuff there Antti. Are you Clive in disguise?? |
He spells better than Clive. | |
| |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 17:10 - Apr 30 with 2756 views | BrianMcCarthy |
Thanks for that Antti. Chock full of info as usual. |  |
| |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 19:56 - Apr 30 with 2412 views | oldmisery |
Agree with virtually all of that. Be interesting to know who your four stand out performers were. Mine were Pawel, Ryan, Luke and The Chief.
I thought Smithies had a curate's egg of a game. Some brilliant saves, especially towards the end of the match but two or three complete brain farts that could have resulted in goals for Forest. | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 20:59 - Apr 30 with 2246 views | HantsR |
Excellent summary, pretty much how I saw things.
Re Washington's goal, 'I genuinely thought he'd overrun it' - exactly what I felt and said so at the time, without much interest from those around me as I think we were all just so glad he scored. |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:05 - Apr 30 with 2226 views | francisbowles |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 16:58 - Apr 30 by 1JD |
Formation was not 4-4-2, more like 4-3-1-2 as Freeman was playing higher than Loungo, who had manning to the left of him tucked in, and Pav to the right of him more wide |
I thought it was 442 but with a diamond, Freeman at the sharp end, Luongo deeper and Manning and Wsolek fairly narrow. 2nd half Pavel was a fair bit wider.
Perhaps this is the way to get Hall into the deep position and pick Freeman to play as a 2nd striker with Luongo as the point of the diamond and still get Pav into the team. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:08 - Apr 30 with 2221 views | CliveWilsonSaid |
I'd prefer a team full of "many-maybe's' than one full of 'definitely-has-beens'!
Thanks nice sum up. [Post edited 30 Apr 2017 21:09]
|  |
| |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:18 - Apr 30 with 2192 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
On top of a great analysis, I now know what a 7 Couric poo is and consider myself more wise than when I started reading. |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:23 - Apr 30 with 2179 views | thehat |
It was 442 and just what we needed - When you have a lot of basic average players its the best formation everyone feels comfortable and knows their job.
Keep it simple and don't over complicate things!!! | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:35 - Apr 30 with 2155 views | PunteR |
Onouha was good. That tackle at the start and a bit of dissent after showed to me he was trying to boss it.
I know he shouldnt have to but for the untrained eye like me its good to see.
Onouha and Smithies look like there's a mutual respect there.
Washington took his goal well. That was probably his most important goal for the club. I hope that builds his confidence.
Cheers for the knee jerks this season antti.. |  |
| Occasional providers of half decent House music. |
| |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 22:10 - Apr 30 with 2072 views | WadR |
Good jerks as always Antti.
On the formation, I thought our improvement in the second half coincided with a slight swtich, with Manning coming more central and Washington, at least out of possession, playing on the left. This freed up more space for Freeman and gave Luongo more support in the middle, and both benefited from it.
On Onuoha, agree that it was an excellent individual performance and he dominated Assombalonga throughout. Loved the little interaction between Washington and Ned after the first goal too and thought it was another demonstration of Onuoha's often under appreciated leadership abilities.
As you say, defensive solidity is as much to do with partnerships and organisation. We don't need to go overboard with defensive signings in the summer, in Hall and Onuoha I think we have two really excellent defenders. And Bidwell, Lynch, Robinson and Furlong have all either shown the ability to be excellent defenders in the past, or have the potential to become them | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 23:30 - Apr 30 with 1959 views | 1JD |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 21:23 - Apr 30 by thehat |
It was 442 and just what we needed - When you have a lot of basic average players its the best formation everyone feels comfortable and knows their job.
Keep it simple and don't over complicate things!!! |
Not sure what side of the ground you were on but there was no left winger, or left midfielder in that formation we played. There was acres of space down their right/our left. And that's because Manning was playing centre mid left. It was definitely not a straight up 4-4-2. And it was clear that Freeman was playing higher up beyond Loungo in practically a number 10. | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 00:41 - May 1 with 1846 views | FDC |
Thanks for that Antti , very appreciated.
Like you say, important season for Wash coming up. He's partly at the mercy of IH (assuming he will be here...) giving him an extended run in a system he can get comfortable in |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 01:10 - May 1 with 1822 views | distortR |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 00:41 - May 1 by FDC |
Thanks for that Antti , very appreciated.
Like you say, important season for Wash coming up. He's partly at the mercy of IH (assuming he will be here...) giving him an extended run in a system he can get comfortable in |
I like cw, think,especially in these straitened times, that he could be a big player for us. But i just saw big matt smith get bullied by mancienne. Wouldn't have done that to Polter, imho. High press fails because smith can't do it. Like the bloke, but if he's a starter....... | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 06:37 - May 1 with 1690 views | Roller |
Thanks Antti.
I always find it interesting when people get hung up over our formation. The one thing we have seen with Ollie over the last few months is that we generally have a fluid formation with players either pushing forward when we have the ball or dropping back when we don't. I don't think that our traditional way of describing formations necessarily covers what is actually happening on the field. |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 09:27 - May 1 with 1487 views | wrinklyhoop |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 23:30 - Apr 30 by 1JD |
Not sure what side of the ground you were on but there was no left winger, or left midfielder in that formation we played. There was acres of space down their right/our left. And that's because Manning was playing centre mid left. It was definitely not a straight up 4-4-2. And it was clear that Freeman was playing higher up beyond Loungo in practically a number 10. |
Pretty much how it looked to me, and how it's been for much of the season. Forest just didn't take as much advantage as others have done. While I'm not at all impressed with Bidwell, to be fair to the lad, he's had to endure most of the season (particularly under Ollie) with very little support in front of him. | | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 09:41 - May 1 with 1463 views | rbrb999 |
Congrats to Antti on an astute and detailed analysis.
(I am new to this forum but not to QPR, having attended my first match at loftus road in around 1967!) |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 09:41 - May 1 with 1463 views | Neil_SI |
I don't think the constant chopping and changing has helped the players in recent weeks. We did have some momentum at some point, but they've looked a little less sure and confused, which is normal given that we looked like we were trying things out.
On top of that, you can imagine that the players and the staff did feel they were safe before this second lengthy run of consecutive losses. They probably had clocked off a little bit and then found it difficult to find the right level and intensity to find that killer result to make safety mathematical, but at least they got their in the end. To be fair, I felt like I clocked off myself some weeks back and was never really too concerned. I've been pretty chilled and relaxed throughout the losing streak.
My disappointment is that we never took the opportunity to get that result earlier because that would have allowed for actual proper experimentation and minutes for players who needed them, such as Matt Ingram and Sean Goss. These guys have now probably seen their opportunities limited as we struggled to get ourselves over the line and that's a pity.
It was a bit of a drab match overall here as well, and we've had a few like this recently. But, full credit to Conor Washington for pouncing on that mistake and finishing really well. We looked more confident and at ease after that, and took our chance when it came.
Like you Antti, I'm still a bit unsure about Washington. I was really worried about him in the early part of the season because he wasn't making any progress and didn't look happy or comfortable, which is natural for someone who's had to make massive step ups in a short space of time. I think he wasn't handled well by Hasselbaink, but he has improved under Holloway because he's played a little more in his natural position and more often with a second striker alongside him.
That has given him some confidence and he's scored some goals as a result, but he still has an awful long way to go. I see a lot of tactical naivety in his play both in defence and attack, and sometimes I think the pace of the Championship is just a bit too quick for him.
But, this can only be rectified if he plays regularly. He needs that experience and if he can chip in with goals like he did yesterday it will give him the confidence to keep improving. In the end, he needs time and patience, and right now the crowd are on his side and willing him to do well, so he must seize on that and ride the wave of support he has while he continues to work on his game.
The one area he has started to improve is his ball retention and ability to try and his ability to get shots away. In the early part of his time here, his first touch was always really poor, and he often ran into trouble or clumsily lost control of the ball as he was trying to get it under control or when trying to cut inside and take a shot and most things he tried, even simple passes, just didn't come off. His timing looked all off for this, which is why initially I was very worried he wouldn't cut it at this level as these aspects of play seemed to work well for him in the division below and much of his game and goals were based around it.
But, he seems to be doing a bit better at this now, and is able to occasionally get half a yard on a defender to get a shot off, and occasionally is able to get a loose ball under control and sometimes retain possession and find another team mate. It's by no means perfect, but it's progress and gives you hope there's more to come from him. He does need a lot of work though on both a tactical and technical level, and I'd also say he needs work on his overall fitness and conditioning, perhaps the latter will make the former easier to achieve.
I thought his goal yesterday was his best yet, though. He had an awful lot to do, so full credit to him and it's a goal I didn't think he was capable of scoring earlier in the season.
I also thought Onouha was excellent yesterday and put in a MoM performance. |  | | |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 11:57 - May 1 with 1306 views | BromleyHoop |
| Antti's 6 Knee Jerks - QPR 2 Forest 0 on 22:10 - Apr 30 by WadR |
Good jerks as always Antti.
On the formation, I thought our improvement in the second half coincided with a slight swtich, with Manning coming more central and Washington, at least out of possession, playing on the left. This freed up more space for Freeman and gave Luongo more support in the middle, and both benefited from it.
On Onuoha, agree that it was an excellent individual performance and he dominated Assombalonga throughout. Loved the little interaction between Washington and Ned after the first goal too and thought it was another demonstration of Onuoha's often under appreciated leadership abilities.
As you say, defensive solidity is as much to do with partnerships and organisation. We don't need to go overboard with defensive signings in the summer, in Hall and Onuoha I think we have two really excellent defenders. And Bidwell, Lynch, Robinson and Furlong have all either shown the ability to be excellent defenders in the past, or have the potential to become them |
I'd tend to agree about the defence although even when our two best central defenders, Onouha and Hall, were playing together earlier in the season they weren't great.
For me it's the attack that needs the most attention.
Washington - like many on here, Im undecided but would keep him as a squad option.
Smith- I'm really not a fan of his at all. Not dominant enough in the air, runs like he has a chronic
back condition and has a far too negative influence on our playing style. I'd keep him but he
only makes the bench for me.
Sylla - Has a knack of scoring, again a squad option.
Mackie- Get rid of him. Runs around but has no real impact or any quality at all. Chest beating ain't
enough.
I'd say we need to buy 2 strikers in the close season. |  |
| |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
