| Midfield General(ly) 10:19 - Dec 19 with 5840 views | _tf_ |
Hundreds of years ago when I actually played football I had trials for a local team. These were simpler days and we were asked to split into three groups - defenders, midfielders and attack. I walked to the midfielders. Coach then returned and said 'are you sure? Because you should know that whenever I see the ball in our own box I'm expecting to see you there. whenever I see the ball in the middle of the park I'm expecting to see you there and whenever the ball is in the oppo box I'm expecting to see you there too, non negotiable.'
What has happened to the QPR midfield? Watching Bannan on Saturday dictate terms against us for about the thousandth time in his career was so on brand for us... For the last two/three years we haven't had what I would call a proper, consistent midfielder. Yes, I know some of them have had the odd stand out game or moment but that's all they are, moments. It's so long since we had someone who you thought could take the game to the oppo, you know, try and dictate terms to teams, impose ourselves, not just wait and see what happens.
I understand SF is a holding/breaker upper type and that's fine to a point, but he now seems incapable of doing anything that involves moving forward (and might account for his woeful finishsing). And he's not alone. All our midfield seem to be able to do is occasionally win a ball, pass it sideays and then jog off, job done. Broadly, the midfield seems to be watching life pass it by.
Maybe it's me. Whilst I watch a lot of football I don't really get what's going on any more. I look back at performances like Roy Keane at Loftus Road for Forest or before that, Gerry Francis' career for us and wonder if that role, the hard tackling, creative, ten goals a year lynchpin of a team, I wonder if that role exists any more. I wish it did. Saturday's game was appalling, almost a negation of the game I grew up loving.
So what says the board? What has happened to the midfield generally and is there a role any more for the midfield general? |  | | |  |
| Midfield General(ly) on 10:42 - Dec 19 with 4351 views | GaryBannister86 |
I get your point. That performance by Keane at Loftus Road remains, in my opinion, the best performance I've seen by any opposition player at HQ.
Awesome. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 10:44 - Dec 19 with 4350 views | bosh67 |
I agree.
Watching Bannan for Wednesday made it pretty obvious what we are massively lacking in midfield.
Dozzell isn't that kind of player, Richards was bought to be that kind of player but is barely fit to play and has no experience. Chair is great but not a midfield general and both he and Willock are number 10s.
You're right, we don't have a number 8 playmaker. Johansen (for a short while before he lost fitness) Adel and Ale were the last few we had. Buzz before that.
If you put a playmaker like Bannan in this side it would make a huge difference.
Field is a decent holding midfielder at this level. Dixon-Bonner similarly has both defensive and advanced skills but he's not a playmaker. Dozzell simply doesn't have the footballing brain to be a playmaker. Colback I forgot about but we haven't seen enough through injuries, suspensions and possibly age to know. So it is a huge gap in our ability to open up teams. [Post edited 19 Dec 2023 10:58]
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| Midfield General(ly) on 10:55 - Dec 19 with 4296 views | Lanhoop |
Where most of the team seems to have progressed over the last few weeks I remain puzzled as to why nice Sam is the one who seems to have regressed. It will be interesting to see how, and if, Colback is re-introduced this weekend. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 with 4279 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
| Midfield General(ly) on 10:55 - Dec 19 by Lanhoop |
Where most of the team seems to have progressed over the last few weeks I remain puzzled as to why nice Sam is the one who seems to have regressed. It will be interesting to see how, and if, Colback is re-introduced this weekend. |
He can't pass for toffee, just like Dom Ball under Warburton. He is out of form, but he is also having to break up play for 2 as Dozell seems incapable of doing it.
If Field had Colback next to him it would help him massively. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 with 4281 views | Sharpediver |
| Midfield General(ly) on 10:42 - Dec 19 by GaryBannister86 |
I get your point. That performance by Keane at Loftus Road remains, in my opinion, the best performance I've seen by any opposition player at HQ.
Awesome. |
Are we thinking of that 4-3 match v Forest, 1993? Les Ferdinand Hat-trick? Clough's last season as manager. God, what a game. Everything about modern professional football is not fit to lace the boots of my memories of that game. Think it was also one of my last memories of the old terraced lower loft. God it was good on there that day and in the pub afterwards. Can we build a time machine please? | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 with 4276 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
Bannan is an anomaly IMO.
I can’t see many ‘monied’ clubs in the Championship with that Keane / Vieira type midfielder let alone clubs hamstrung by FFP.
The only one we’ve had like that in recent times is Faurlin or arguably Johanson although his legs were going by the time he came to us.
The very recent criticism of Field is a mystery to me, as was the recent calls to drop Chair. These are two (relatively) class players who other supporters comment on positively.
A Norwich fan told me that he thought Chair was the best player on the pitch against them recently. Although I thought he had a quiet game that day, my mate was incredulous when I said some QPR fans wanted him gone.
I’m sure it’s not just QPR fans who do this, but we have a habit of ‘keying our own car’ just when the opposite is needed. I’m not saying we need to be blind happy clappers but Field (and Chair) have consistently proven themselves for QPR and should be judged on that basis and not the fleeting mistake or odd ineffective game IMO.
Form is temporary, class is permanent as someone once said. |  | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:16 - Dec 19 with 4214 views | GaryBannister86 |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 by Sharpediver |
Are we thinking of that 4-3 match v Forest, 1993? Les Ferdinand Hat-trick? Clough's last season as manager. God, what a game. Everything about modern professional football is not fit to lace the boots of my memories of that game. Think it was also one of my last memories of the old terraced lower loft. God it was good on there that day and in the pub afterwards. Can we build a time machine please? |
Yes, I think that was the game. I was telling my 17 year old about it on the way to the Plymouth game. Remembering how good that performance was by Keane.
And Les! | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:21 - Dec 19 with 4192 views | Antti_Heinola |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 by BazzaInTheLoft |
Bannan is an anomaly IMO.
I can’t see many ‘monied’ clubs in the Championship with that Keane / Vieira type midfielder let alone clubs hamstrung by FFP.
The only one we’ve had like that in recent times is Faurlin or arguably Johanson although his legs were going by the time he came to us.
The very recent criticism of Field is a mystery to me, as was the recent calls to drop Chair. These are two (relatively) class players who other supporters comment on positively.
A Norwich fan told me that he thought Chair was the best player on the pitch against them recently. Although I thought he had a quiet game that day, my mate was incredulous when I said some QPR fans wanted him gone.
I’m sure it’s not just QPR fans who do this, but we have a habit of ‘keying our own car’ just when the opposite is needed. I’m not saying we need to be blind happy clappers but Field (and Chair) have consistently proven themselves for QPR and should be judged on that basis and not the fleeting mistake or odd ineffective game IMO.
Form is temporary, class is permanent as someone once said. |
Agree.
Field got a few pelters even in the Hull game, but no one seemed to notice he won the ball and then played a decent ball to Willock for the first goal (I'd stretch to call it an assist, but still!).
Chair similar. After the Plymouth game, my mate (an ex-pro) texted me and said. 'Bloody hell, Chair's a bit good isn't he?'
I do think what we have at the moment is a lot of players on the biting point as it were. Players who some fans are decent and do a good job, and others think are a waste of space. Usually the truth lies in between. We're both guilty of talking up players too highly when in good form, and coating them off when they have a few poorer games.
Field will be fine. He's a good player. |  |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 11:26 - Dec 19 with 4173 views | BAWHoops |
We are hugely lacking in midfield and it's the first place I'd look to bolster in Jan.
When we play out from the back the ball goes to Cook/Cannon and their options are to pass into Dozzell or Field, neither of whom are then able to turn and move us forward. It's that half turn that makes all the difference and makes progressive teams tick.
Faurlin wasn't very skilful, but what he did better than anyone was receive the ball and move it quickly and perfectly. As others have said, Johansen did this when he first came, drove us forward with a pass or a run.
Dozell wants to play like Bannan, sitting their in the quarterback role, but he doesn't move it fast enough. As for Field that's just not his game |  |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 11:28 - Dec 19 with 4168 views | PhilmyRs |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 by BazzaInTheLoft |
Bannan is an anomaly IMO.
I can’t see many ‘monied’ clubs in the Championship with that Keane / Vieira type midfielder let alone clubs hamstrung by FFP.
The only one we’ve had like that in recent times is Faurlin or arguably Johanson although his legs were going by the time he came to us.
The very recent criticism of Field is a mystery to me, as was the recent calls to drop Chair. These are two (relatively) class players who other supporters comment on positively.
A Norwich fan told me that he thought Chair was the best player on the pitch against them recently. Although I thought he had a quiet game that day, my mate was incredulous when I said some QPR fans wanted him gone.
I’m sure it’s not just QPR fans who do this, but we have a habit of ‘keying our own car’ just when the opposite is needed. I’m not saying we need to be blind happy clappers but Field (and Chair) have consistently proven themselves for QPR and should be judged on that basis and not the fleeting mistake or odd ineffective game IMO.
Form is temporary, class is permanent as someone once said. |
I think there's different kinds of criticisms though. There are players you criticise because you don't think they're good enough and players you criticise because you think they are better players than what they're showing.
Kakay, I hate to say it as he seems a likable guy and a committed player, but I don't think he is, or ever will be good enough for us. Whereas Field I think is clearly good enough and on form one of our better players, but I don't think he's been playing anywhere near the level he can, specifically with the ball where his default has been a backward or sideway passes and his finishing has been poor and its cost us points. He's got the ability to be a 7-9 out of 10 every week but I'd say he's dropped recently into a 5-7 out of 10.
And Chair, I think he's our best player, wouldn't drop him, first name on the team sheet for me but I think he's deserved some criticism for his tendency to hold onto the ball too long at times and his general decision making. One of his best games (Preston away) his decision making was faultless. I thought Tarrrabt got away with a lot in his first season when he tried one trick too many rather than really hurt the opposition and I was critical of him at times, but he was still one of the best players I've ever seen in a Rangers shirt and was one of the highlights of watching Rangers back then but he wasn't beyond criticism. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:29 - Dec 19 with 4157 views | BklynRanger |
Good opening post. Dull response but I think it comes down to our finances - for some time now we haven't been able to afford anyone who can do it on a consistent basis.
Some of them have been able to do it on their day, if the sun's rays have correctly aligned with Stone Henge that morning, others may have been able to do it at a point in their career, but were with us because their legs have gone - Johanssen until he signed felt like one of those to me.
Others that we could afford may be decent in certain parts of their game but not that sort of 'multi-tool' player - Field has been mentioned and I think is in that category. Faurlin has to be the last one of that kind I can remember at the moment, would be open to hearing more. He did lack pace but not much else.
Plus recruitment and our ability in attracting and developing our own.
There's also the bigger question of the extent to which these players exist in the modern game - maybe things are a bit more segmented or specialised now than they used to be?
[Post edited 19 Dec 2023 11:33]
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| Midfield General(ly) on 11:37 - Dec 19 with 4130 views | Burnleyhoop |
Couldn't agree more.
Martin Rowlands one was of my favourite box to box midfielders. Tenacious, hard working and a bit of flair. Dozzell looks like he is playing the game in slow motion. Ponderous. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:47 - Dec 19 with 4100 views | Watford_Ranger |
Weird one with Dozzell. Generational difference maybe or match-goers vs. Not match-goers but older fans/those who go tend to not see it with Dozzell and I still don’t while the yoof love him. Similar with Richards though he’s probably less popular with both groups.
Bonner I had severe doubts about at first but he’s the one who can potentially do a bit of everything. Still a lot to learn about adult football but the raw materials are there.
Still think it’s the position we most need someone new in even with the dearth of strikers. Dread to think what sort of budget we’ve spunked on an aging Ronald McDonald. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:57 - Dec 19 with 4064 views | bosh67 |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:47 - Dec 19 by Watford_Ranger |
Weird one with Dozzell. Generational difference maybe or match-goers vs. Not match-goers but older fans/those who go tend to not see it with Dozzell and I still don’t while the yoof love him. Similar with Richards though he’s probably less popular with both groups.
Bonner I had severe doubts about at first but he’s the one who can potentially do a bit of everything. Still a lot to learn about adult football but the raw materials are there.
Still think it’s the position we most need someone new in even with the dearth of strikers. Dread to think what sort of budget we’ve spunked on an aging Ronald McDonald. |
'Dread to think what sort of budget we’ve spunked on an aging Ronald McDonald.' cruel but hilarious. Colback is a player I have always admired but I am concerned that someone who is in their 35th year, injury and suspension prone is any kind of solution to the playmaker problem. His first few games, scoring and being everywhere were hopeful but since then he's either been a walking yellow/red card or not walking at all. Bannan is the same age but seemingly ten times fitter and more reliable.
Someone said on here that Ale wasn't very skilful??? Totally disagree on that. He had no pace (no knees) but saw the game much quicker than other players and was that elegant midfield general type player. We simply don't have one now. | |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 11:57 - Dec 19 with 4062 views | dannyblue |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 by Sharpediver |
Are we thinking of that 4-3 match v Forest, 1993? Les Ferdinand Hat-trick? Clough's last season as manager. God, what a game. Everything about modern professional football is not fit to lace the boots of my memories of that game. Think it was also one of my last memories of the old terraced lower loft. God it was good on there that day and in the pub afterwards. Can we build a time machine please? |
I seem to recall Keane played centre back that game?
I didn't realise then, my first with a season ticket, that it would be our zenith. |  | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 12:06 - Dec 19 with 4028 views | T_Block |
Excellent thread.Agree Field is one of our top players.At times he has carried the team but yes he is not creative and recently has been slightly off.If we were premiership yes some Chair criticism justified.But again he has carried us.
First post is correct though.Aball winner who attacks would help.
Dixon Bonner in three years time.I believe the lad can do it.Love it when he shoots.
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| Midfield General(ly) on 12:23 - Dec 19 with 3961 views | Lanhoop |
In case I was misunderstood, I like Sam. A lot. He's been one of our best players for the last few years. It's just that the others seem to have improved and he hasn't noticeably changed. If he'd gained the extra 10% that some of the others have then we'd be very lucky to keep him next month. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 12:30 - Dec 19 with 3933 views | TheChef |
Based on this season so far I've liked EDB a lot - looking to get on the front foot and affect the game positively.
Field we all know is solid enough but could do more further up the pitch at times.
Dozzell can sometimes be good but for me tends to be a passenger in games and lightweight.
Colback - jury is still out (and he likes a yellow card).
Duke McKenna probably not up to it?
So, er yeah could probably use another quality midfielder in January. Assuming we have the finances, and there is actually one available (tricky). |  |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 12:31 - Dec 19 with 3923 views | stevec |
Agree with the poster, midfielders used to need something more than stroll mode, something that drives me mad with Dozzell. To get away with that you’ve got to be as good as Ray Wilkins and he isn’t.
I doubt if I’ll ever see another performance like Keane’s ever again, phenomenal, Gerry Francis could do it in his prime for us, best midfielder I’ve ever seen at this place. But whilst those players were different class, we should be able to expect present day midfielders to at least be able to pass and move, something Dozzell and, to a lesser extent, Field, struggle to do.
To me, training at this club has been lazy for too many years. None of our midfielders, even the better ones, have any mindset for one touch football. Partly down to the lack of running off the ball by others but substantially due to control and pass being the easy default option and seemingly trained into them or, at least, not trained out of them.
The Larkeche/Chair/Willock goal at Preston showed it can be done if the mindset is right. |  | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 12:36 - Dec 19 with 3903 views | johnhoop |
I think we had a couple who were more than decent not so long ago. Massimo Luongo, now doing a great job at Ipswich and Luke Freeman could both be outstanding in that midfield role, picking the ball up off the defence and driving with it towards the opposition box.
Freeman’s exhibition of midfield play in his one man defeat of a Premiership bound Leeds side was one of the finest examples of midfield leadership I’ve ever seen. | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 13:12 - Dec 19 with 3773 views | TheChef |
| Midfield General(ly) on 12:36 - Dec 19 by johnhoop |
I think we had a couple who were more than decent not so long ago. Massimo Luongo, now doing a great job at Ipswich and Luke Freeman could both be outstanding in that midfield role, picking the ball up off the defence and driving with it towards the opposition box.
Freeman’s exhibition of midfield play in his one man defeat of a Premiership bound Leeds side was one of the finest examples of midfield leadership I’ve ever seen. |
I miss Scowongoman  | |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 15:47 - Dec 19 with 3608 views | LongRanger |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:57 - Dec 19 by dannyblue |
I seem to recall Keane played centre back that game?
I didn't realise then, my first with a season ticket, that it would be our zenith. |
I think he started in midfield and ended up as one of 2 centre backs with Nigel Clough, what a game, a forever memory that one, Keane was on another level to everyone else, but great hat-trick from Les and I think Gary Bannister was back to bag for them!? | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 16:19 - Dec 19 with 3537 views | bosh67 |
| Midfield General(ly) on 12:36 - Dec 19 by johnhoop |
I think we had a couple who were more than decent not so long ago. Massimo Luongo, now doing a great job at Ipswich and Luke Freeman could both be outstanding in that midfield role, picking the ball up off the defence and driving with it towards the opposition box.
Freeman’s exhibition of midfield play in his one man defeat of a Premiership bound Leeds side was one of the finest examples of midfield leadership I’ve ever seen. |
Freeman is 31 but apparently beset with injury problems, which makes him a perfect candidate to return. I loved him here. Top player. | |
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| Midfield General(ly) on 16:32 - Dec 19 with 3498 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Midfield General(ly) on 16:19 - Dec 19 by bosh67 |
Freeman is 31 but apparently beset with injury problems, which makes him a perfect candidate to return. I loved him here. Top player. |
I’d argue he probably had the best part of his career with us, which is rare! | | | |
| Midfield General(ly) on 17:36 - Dec 19 with 3406 views | joe90 |
| Midfield General(ly) on 11:00 - Dec 19 by BazzaInTheLoft |
Bannan is an anomaly IMO.
I can’t see many ‘monied’ clubs in the Championship with that Keane / Vieira type midfielder let alone clubs hamstrung by FFP.
The only one we’ve had like that in recent times is Faurlin or arguably Johanson although his legs were going by the time he came to us.
The very recent criticism of Field is a mystery to me, as was the recent calls to drop Chair. These are two (relatively) class players who other supporters comment on positively.
A Norwich fan told me that he thought Chair was the best player on the pitch against them recently. Although I thought he had a quiet game that day, my mate was incredulous when I said some QPR fans wanted him gone.
I’m sure it’s not just QPR fans who do this, but we have a habit of ‘keying our own car’ just when the opposite is needed. I’m not saying we need to be blind happy clappers but Field (and Chair) have consistently proven themselves for QPR and should be judged on that basis and not the fleeting mistake or odd ineffective game IMO.
Form is temporary, class is permanent as someone once said. |
To be fair, I think part of this is seeing our players differently to other fans due to watching them regularly. I remember thinking Ovie Ejaria was the bees knees when I saw him play against us for Reading a few seasons ago...I even thought he had a better game than Eze on the night and look where they both are now! |  | | |
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