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Dembele 15:02 - Oct 2 with 11044 viewsdmm

What do we do with Dembele? I was excited when he came but now, not so much. We know he's got talent but we also know he has real weaknesses. He's not been helped by his stop/start time at QPR so far, partly through injury but also through a lack of form. And I can't help feel he's not a happy lad right now.

He's only 22 and needs games to develop. If we're to see him realise his potential, we'll have to give him a run in the side sooner or later. Either that or move him on.
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Dembele on 20:18 - Oct 4 with 1959 viewsWilkinswatercarrier

Dembele on 18:29 - Oct 4 by Esox_Lucius

This all smacks of the vitriol that was aimed at Madsen for so long. Why not look to support a player who is struggling a bit rather than hang him out?
This isn't directed at you, but all the fans who only appear to be looking for a scapegoat.


There is a huge difference between Dembele and Madsen which should be pointed out.
Madsen was new to this country and had not played in a league with the same physicality. Its taken him 12 months to get up to speed.
Dembele has played for Celtic and had a full season at Blackpool in L1 yet still waves a leg.

He is competing with Saito, Vale, Poku, Chair and Smyth yet based on his performances he is going to be behind them all and for someone with so much natural ability that is unforgivable.

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Dembele on 22:16 - Oct 4 with 1731 viewsrobith

He has 21 starts for us.

Maybe it will work out, maybe it won't. We definitely don't know which yet. But we seem to need to always be mad about someone lately
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Dembele on 22:25 - Oct 4 with 1680 viewsHooping_Mad

I don't see him having any impact on games, Vale came on for him and 2 minutes later was involved in a goal. Defensively he goes through the motions looking a bit disinterested, if we can see that from the stands what are the other 10 players seeing?

What I will say is that Madsen also looked zoned out when he arrived so things can definately change. If he's going to start he has to work the opposition full backs much harder otherwise I dont see the point of him.

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Dembele on 22:27 - Oct 4 with 1669 viewsbosh67

I feel like he plays within himself. Perhaps that is to do with mentality aster such a long injury or a lack of confidence/belief. He seems to be a very quiet person and he probably needs an arm around him and a bit of a boot up the arse too sometimes. It will be interesting to see if Stephan sits him down or works closely with him over the break. If we can get him firing, he has got the lot in terms of ability.

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Dembele on 22:27 - Oct 4 with 1662 viewsPhilmyRs

There’s a thread under this one on Nic Madsen - a player posters are eating humble pie over and who was referred to as “shit” and one “we should get rid” not long ago, is now being lauded as a success story. No idea if he’ll make it, but at 22 Dembele’s got time on his side and after so few games and injury problems last season, he probably deserves a bit more time. I don’t have any problem with him not making the side, time out may be a good thing, and with Poku coming back I think he’ll find it tough to get back into the team, but he deserves more of a chance than what he’s had to show what he can do. I wasn’t one that wrote Madsen off, would suggest people shouldn’t write Dembele off…just yet.
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Dembele on 22:53 - Oct 4 with 1561 viewsHooping_Mad

Dembele on 22:27 - Oct 4 by PhilmyRs

There’s a thread under this one on Nic Madsen - a player posters are eating humble pie over and who was referred to as “shit” and one “we should get rid” not long ago, is now being lauded as a success story. No idea if he’ll make it, but at 22 Dembele’s got time on his side and after so few games and injury problems last season, he probably deserves a bit more time. I don’t have any problem with him not making the side, time out may be a good thing, and with Poku coming back I think he’ll find it tough to get back into the team, but he deserves more of a chance than what he’s had to show what he can do. I wasn’t one that wrote Madsen off, would suggest people shouldn’t write Dembele off…just yet.


You're absolutely correct about Madsen, however at the time the stats backed up the criticsm. The same people who called him out have also been completely fair so I don't really see the negetive.

I don't think Dembele is getting quite the same pelters just yet it's honest critism mostly. I do think his stature goes against him not just on pitch but because we already have a few smaller guys. Fans are always going to notice a player struggling, its up the manager to leave him out there or rest him. I'd send him to the devopment squad, not to train or anything like that but for game time.

I think Madsen played a few.
[Post edited 4 Oct 22:54]

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Dembele on 06:51 - Oct 5 with 1341 viewsnumptydumpty

With Chair and Poku coming back, Vale, Smyth and Saito doing well, and would also currently have Kolli ahead of him, i doubt he will make even the bench for a period, even if we revert to three behind a lone striker.

There is definitely a player there, a la Madsen. Hope somehow, we get to see him improve. Some of the goals in pre season were top drawer.
[Post edited 5 Oct 8:39]

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Dembele on 07:23 - Oct 5 with 1271 viewsQPROslo

Dembele on 20:18 - Oct 4 by Wilkinswatercarrier

There is a huge difference between Dembele and Madsen which should be pointed out.
Madsen was new to this country and had not played in a league with the same physicality. Its taken him 12 months to get up to speed.
Dembele has played for Celtic and had a full season at Blackpool in L1 yet still waves a leg.

He is competing with Saito, Vale, Poku, Chair and Smyth yet based on his performances he is going to be behind them all and for someone with so much natural ability that is unforgivable.


"Natural ability" Dembele may have. Natural physicality he doesn't have, but for his size he's a tough little player I think. Right now it's more his decision making that is letting him down I suspect. A little break with some guidance and he may come back better. I'd say the same with Saito, he's not been at his best since Charlton. Poku has barely played a League game for us. Chair looked good pre-season but not in League games for a long time. Vale seems a bit up and down. Smyth is the man for me to start out right. Saito out left but he needs to get back on his best form, hopefully his time with Japan will help.
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Dembele on 08:26 - Oct 5 with 1117 viewsPlanetHonneywood

Here's a thought: Some players thrive on competition, others struggle. He's coming back from injury and looks at the squad and sees about six blokes all with strong cases to be starting.

Smyth, Kolli, and Saito called up for their national sides; Chair been a stalwart and played in a WC; Poku in just one game looked something; and Vale could top the pile!

Maybe post-injury his returning to this cast of household galacticos in some countries, legends, and rising stars, the boy has just lost confidence!

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Dembele on 08:27 - Oct 5 with 1106 viewspriceyparkrangers

He has been very disappointing this season - his persistent cramping is a worry.

Take him out of the side for a bit when Chair and Poku are back.

Let him get fit and reintroduce him in a few weeks.

He’s a very good player, I’m sure of that. Just having a bad “moment”
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Dembele on 08:38 - Oct 5 with 1075 viewsnix

Dembele on 07:23 - Oct 5 by QPROslo

"Natural ability" Dembele may have. Natural physicality he doesn't have, but for his size he's a tough little player I think. Right now it's more his decision making that is letting him down I suspect. A little break with some guidance and he may come back better. I'd say the same with Saito, he's not been at his best since Charlton. Poku has barely played a League game for us. Chair looked good pre-season but not in League games for a long time. Vale seems a bit up and down. Smyth is the man for me to start out right. Saito out left but he needs to get back on his best form, hopefully his time with Japan will help.


I think Smyth has earned his chance to start with recent cameos off the bench.

As for Saito teans have clearly identified him as our key attacking threat and he's almost permanently double marked. This gives much more space for Burrell and he's revelling in it. Maybe we could sometimes start Smyth on the left to make us less predictable, especially when Poku is back.

I'm sure Saito will adapt to this extra attention.

As for Dembele he should come on later atm. Not doing enough to start for me. But definitely not writing him off. Things he needs to work on:

Showing more for the ball - he doesn't always provide an outlet for our DM and CDs.
Improving his defensive cover
Not switching off in games.

He's obviously got raw talent and I'm sure they're working on those things but it takes time.
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Dembele on 08:47 - Oct 5 with 1032 viewsrbee

I have never been completely convinced with Dembele but he has shown plenty of bright moments with a few goals and assists thrown in. The talent is there.

You would think with every player fit Kader might be in danger of not even making the bench but as we are learning Julien likes to rotate his squad so it's up to Dembele to put his head down, work hard in training and really want a place in the team.
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Dembele on 14:41 - Oct 5 with 830 viewsnumptydumpty

Think a couple of wonder strikes for the first team and he could kick on , however as we have such strength in depth, his opportunities could be limited in the very near future.

Hopefully it works out for him. Another player i feel needs the confidence boosters to perform at the levels he undoubtedly could achieve, but absolutely hasnt as yet.
[Post edited 5 Oct 14:41]

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Dembele on 17:32 - Oct 7 with 521 viewsfrancisbowles

I'd get him to play full back in the ds games. Toughen him up more and learning how to defend better. Then in January, if all our wide attacking options are fit, loan him out to an SPL side. Then next pre season we re-evaluate.
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