| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 13:52 - Apr 23 with 1527 views | Spen |
There was a point about midway through the first half where we’d tried playing out and had the ball nicked off us by about the fourth pass for what must have been the fifth time in a row.
Swansea then straight on the attack.
It wasn’t so much the speed of the press (which was very good), but the lack of urgency in passing the ball quickly. Even though it was 2 touch, those 2 touches seemed to be a second behind how quickly the Swansea’s players made them. Fox being particularly guilty of this for most of the game.
There has to be a point during the game where the coaching staff look at what’s going on and say, ok let’s go long for the keeper a few times.
There was also several occasions in the second half where we had a free kick on about the halfway line and rather than try to play a longish ball into the penalty area it went sideways and within 2/3 passes was back with Nardi.
A very frustrating watch irrespective of the circumstances. |  | |  |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 14:09 - Apr 23 with 1478 views | QPROslo |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 10:04 - Apr 23 by gazza1 |
All very strange!!!!
One minute you praise Colback (which he deserves for his decent performance on the day) then you say 'Colback would be a 'bench option for next season' - why?? Colback is good for the Team.
Not sure MC had many other options but to move Edwards into midfield and provide some cover for our defence - what were his other options??
Re Madsen, been doing much better, playing well, so why should he not be in the starting 11?? He passed the ball for our goal - good vision pass too as well as very tidy pass ball indeed!!! and overall played his part and worked quite hard throughout. |
As often I agree with you. Posted the same on another thread about MC not having other half decent options other than playing Edwards in midfield. Agree with your comments about Colback and Madsen too. Where I think he made a mistake was playing Madsen wide where for me he is less effective than played centrally where there is better range for what he is really good at, his forward passing. A mistake to start Andersen, but sort of understandable after his goal at Preston, and played centrally rather than wide where his lack of pace has caused us problems defensively recently. Dembele a better option out wide I think as he showed with his goal. | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 14:52 - Apr 23 with 1407 views | TheChef |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 13:39 - Apr 23 by gazza1 |
Well, we have been doing quite well over the season when Colback has played....and very well the last 3 matches which kept us in the Championship. |
Absolutely.
But if we keep him and he starts more than half of our league games next season, I'll be amazed/impressed. |  |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 15:09 - Apr 23 with 1348 views | derbyhoop |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 20:55 - Apr 22 by colinallcars |
I must have come away from dozens of games in my lengthy tenure as an R's fan saying “that was the worst game I've ever seen”
But that really was the WORST game I've ever seen |
As dire as we were, I'm not convinced it was the worst game, this season. Oxford (H)?
If nothing else, you could admire the way Swansea played. |  |
| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 15:54 - Apr 23 with 1258 views | Wilkinswatercarrier |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 13:52 - Apr 23 by Spen |
There was a point about midway through the first half where we’d tried playing out and had the ball nicked off us by about the fourth pass for what must have been the fifth time in a row.
Swansea then straight on the attack.
It wasn’t so much the speed of the press (which was very good), but the lack of urgency in passing the ball quickly. Even though it was 2 touch, those 2 touches seemed to be a second behind how quickly the Swansea’s players made them. Fox being particularly guilty of this for most of the game.
There has to be a point during the game where the coaching staff look at what’s going on and say, ok let’s go long for the keeper a few times.
There was also several occasions in the second half where we had a free kick on about the halfway line and rather than try to play a longish ball into the penalty area it went sideways and within 2/3 passes was back with Nardi.
A very frustrating watch irrespective of the circumstances. |
Reference the slow 2 touch passes. It all goes back to THE major problem with this team - none of the midfielders can pass or are technically good.
Technically players can move the ball quicker and with more accuracy, hence we never retain possession with Varane, Colback or Field, and at the back Dunne, Fox and Cook all struggle.
Yes, Swansea were impressive on the press, but if our players were better the press is pretty simple to break through.
The irony is that the one player who has any sort of technical ability, Madsen, gets absolute pelters for not running around like a headless chicken.
Footballs not difficult, keep the ball and they can't score. | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:00 - Apr 23 with 1246 views | simmo |
Not to turn this into a Colback thread and there will be end of season assessments to come, but a few things to consider.
1) Colback looks fresh recently, but you might expect that for a player that missed half the season and is playing for a new deal. Think he's done 20 odd games this season, similar to last year in terms of availability.
2) His best attributes are out of possession. He's not esp good passing or scoring, etc. He's very good at other things - particularly getting around the pitch to nuisance - but that requires fitness, athleticism and legs, all of which will diminish.
3) Let's not forget Johansen, he looked arguably better than Colback in the season before his extension, and we saw what an expensive mistake that turned out to be. I hope that lesson is one of the reasons we didn't pursue Hayden and instead signed a work in progress replacement with Varane.
Overall I agree Colback has been decent for the 50 odd games he's been available these last few years, and has shown up in patches and given us a bit of what we're lacking elsewhere. I also think his abilities and play style are relatively unique to our squad and midfield and need to be replaced next season, but do we really expect a 36 year old body - backed up by our medical team no less - to suddenly be able to maintain recent selection & performance levels in the slog of a championship? If you think he's good enough to start next season, are you happy to pay him even though he's likely going to miss half the season?
Overall I think it's fair to admit both sides, he's been important and fulfilled the remit of his contract, and that there's now an opportunity to shake hands and find a similar profile that would cost less and be more reliable. [Post edited 23 Apr 16:01]
|  |
| ask Beavis I get nothing Butthead |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:06 - Apr 23 with 1219 views | TheChef |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:00 - Apr 23 by simmo |
Not to turn this into a Colback thread and there will be end of season assessments to come, but a few things to consider.
1) Colback looks fresh recently, but you might expect that for a player that missed half the season and is playing for a new deal. Think he's done 20 odd games this season, similar to last year in terms of availability.
2) His best attributes are out of possession. He's not esp good passing or scoring, etc. He's very good at other things - particularly getting around the pitch to nuisance - but that requires fitness, athleticism and legs, all of which will diminish.
3) Let's not forget Johansen, he looked arguably better than Colback in the season before his extension, and we saw what an expensive mistake that turned out to be. I hope that lesson is one of the reasons we didn't pursue Hayden and instead signed a work in progress replacement with Varane.
Overall I agree Colback has been decent for the 50 odd games he's been available these last few years, and has shown up in patches and given us a bit of what we're lacking elsewhere. I also think his abilities and play style are relatively unique to our squad and midfield and need to be replaced next season, but do we really expect a 36 year old body - backed up by our medical team no less - to suddenly be able to maintain recent selection & performance levels in the slog of a championship? If you think he's good enough to start next season, are you happy to pay him even though he's likely going to miss half the season?
Overall I think it's fair to admit both sides, he's been important and fulfilled the remit of his contract, and that there's now an opportunity to shake hands and find a similar profile that would cost less and be more reliable. [Post edited 23 Apr 16:01]
|
All good points. And with a 35/36 year old, fitness levels are very unlikely to improve
And yes he has done well of late as you suggest, just when his contract is due to expire... | |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:47 - Apr 23 with 1153 views | QPROslo |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 15:54 - Apr 23 by Wilkinswatercarrier |
Reference the slow 2 touch passes. It all goes back to THE major problem with this team - none of the midfielders can pass or are technically good.
Technically players can move the ball quicker and with more accuracy, hence we never retain possession with Varane, Colback or Field, and at the back Dunne, Fox and Cook all struggle.
Yes, Swansea were impressive on the press, but if our players were better the press is pretty simple to break through.
The irony is that the one player who has any sort of technical ability, Madsen, gets absolute pelters for not running around like a headless chicken.
Footballs not difficult, keep the ball and they can't score. |
Every time I look at our passing stats Colback tops them - 86% accuracy with 56 passes against Swansea. | | | |
Login to get fewer ads
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:53 - Apr 23 with 1147 views | R_from_afar |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 13:38 - Apr 23 by gazza1 |
So, as far as I am concerned, Colback has played a big part getting us points over the past several matches......but you think he should not be starting next season and should be a back-up, whats the difference from now & later?? If he is fit and ready and we get him within our finance budget and he wants to stay & play then we should sign him & play him if he is playing well, like he has recently but basically whenever he plays. Basically, you are talking nonsense about Colback saying 'as a back-up'!!! As a Manager/Coach, you want players wanting to play, not players just collecting their wages.
So, re Varane replacement, you would play Morgan who is an offensive player who has not been 'doing it' recently and leave Colback, the 'old boy' whom you would only have his as 'back-up' to run the show defensively in midfield. Did you moan about having Madsen & Anderson playing and now you want Morgan in the side!!!, three forward thinking players, playing together and Colback protecting the back four (they would really enjoy that!!!). I do not want to break the CB partnership but, please, come up with a proper solution/alternative!!!
Madsen work ethic has been good the last couple of matches, nothing worse than others imho. And as Norf, and as I have seen, has said he has been a creating good chances recently and deserves his selection.
It is not easy for the Manager to select a team when you have so many injuries......but I am glad it is MC and not you!!! |
Gazza, genuinely, I'm glad you are now more relaxed about players' ages than you were back in March, when you proclaimed: "We have one striker, an old man called Frey". 
NB: Frey is 30. |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:54 - Apr 23 with 1144 views | Hugey |
Amazed to read that people online are having a go at Paul Smyth!!! Of all people! Bloke couldn't try harder. |  | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 17:00 - Apr 23 with 1129 views | gazza1 |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:47 - Apr 23 by QPROslo |
Every time I look at our passing stats Colback tops them - 86% accuracy with 56 passes against Swansea. |
I am not a stats man really but those stats tell you a story when you think of the amount of times the CB's get the ball. You do not get to play in the Premier if you cannot pass the ball......and Colback has. He is one of, if not, the best passer in the Club. But, hey, let make up stories that he cannot pass and his legs are gone. His passing ability is a major asset and he frequently has space to take a pass from a team mate, even at throw ins where he gets us going very well..
I understand Colback is getting old, so was Steve Gerrad when he captained Liverpool in the Premiership at 36!!!...... | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 17:02 - Apr 23 with 1120 views | gazza1 |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:53 - Apr 23 by R_from_afar |
Gazza, genuinely, I'm glad you are now more relaxed about players' ages than you were back in March, when you proclaimed: "We have one striker, an old man called Frey".
NB: Frey is 30. |
Frey is an old man and so is Colback........no issues. Never said that Colback was a 'young man'. | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 17:09 - Apr 23 with 1082 views | NorthantsHoop |
Totally how I feel about QPR, sort of come to the conclusion is it just us?, but anyway hope remains and season ticket renewed for next season. Long gone are the dreamy days of the early to mid 1980s when the likes of Stainrod, Fenwick, Allen, Wickes, and Gregory to name a few graced the hallowed turf/plastic pitch and you just knew that the Rangers were up for it, each and every game, not bad away from home either. |  | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 18:12 - Apr 23 with 986 views | simmo |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 16:47 - Apr 23 by QPROslo |
Every time I look at our passing stats Colback tops them - 86% accuracy with 56 passes against Swansea. |
Wins it back and keeps it simple, that's his job and he's one of the best in the team at doing it right now. But maintaining possession doesn't make you 'good' at passing unless a chunk of those passes are going forward and/or creating chances, otherwise it makes you good at not losing the ball (a good trait, but not the same thing).
Again I'm not digging Colback out for what he's not good at, because he's great at the main part of his job, but if you were to list Colbacks 5 best attributes, passing wouldn't be one of them. Field is the same btw, except he's 10 years younger and plays double the amount of games.
Ultimately I think if Colback were given another year on reduced wages with the expectation to add depth and be a good example to younger players, I'd 100% take that. But if it's to remain a top earner and start games, I'd rather we thank him and move on. | |
| ask Beavis I get nothing Butthead |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 19:05 - Apr 23 with 906 views | Hunterhoop |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 17:02 - Apr 23 by gazza1 |
Frey is an old man and so is Colback........no issues. Never said that Colback was a 'young man'. |
Frey is 30, turning 31 in July. Colback is 35, turning 36 in October. One is a target man, the other a midfielder. I don’t think bucketing them together is right, Gazza. [Post edited 23 Apr 20:18]
|  | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 19:29 - Apr 23 with 877 views | QPROslo |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 18:12 - Apr 23 by simmo |
Wins it back and keeps it simple, that's his job and he's one of the best in the team at doing it right now. But maintaining possession doesn't make you 'good' at passing unless a chunk of those passes are going forward and/or creating chances, otherwise it makes you good at not losing the ball (a good trait, but not the same thing).
Again I'm not digging Colback out for what he's not good at, because he's great at the main part of his job, but if you were to list Colbacks 5 best attributes, passing wouldn't be one of them. Field is the same btw, except he's 10 years younger and plays double the amount of games.
Ultimately I think if Colback were given another year on reduced wages with the expectation to add depth and be a good example to younger players, I'd 100% take that. But if it's to remain a top earner and start games, I'd rather we thank him and move on. |
I think Colback is well capable of moving the ball forward with mainly short give and take passes. It's one of his main attributes for me, and I think he does this part of the game better than Field. As of now he still seems to be fit enough to do this. Hard to know for how long he'll be able to maintain that level, probably for our medics too! But currently we only have Field, Varanne and Colback in our squad who are well capable of playing in this more defensive central midfield area, if Edwards is not included, so as you say it sounds like another years deal if his current contract is out and the cost is reasonable, would be worthwhile. I expect us to bring in another defensive midfielder to add to these 3 before next season starts, two if Colback will be off. | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 20:30 - Apr 23 with 770 views | stainrods_elbow |
To be honest, if we're to progress significantly, I think we need to replace/re-engineer the entire midfield, with the possible exception of Field. (Which means we have a -field but no mid.) |  |
| |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 08:19 - Apr 24 with 502 views | thehat |
Blimey ladies and gents - Apologies looks like I accidentally turned this thread into a massive Colback debate.
Lots of good views both ways - It will be interesting to see how this one will work out over the summer. | | | |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 08:22 - Apr 24 with 497 views | gazza1 |
| More injuries and home woes for QPR against form Swans – Report on 19:05 - Apr 23 by Hunterhoop |
Frey is 30, turning 31 in July. Colback is 35, turning 36 in October. One is a target man, the other a midfielder. I don’t think bucketing them together is right, Gazza. [Post edited 23 Apr 20:18]
|
Yes, you are probably right Hunter.......Frey has been unavailable quite a bit though. | | | |
| |
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
