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Latest guest column for the international break (get in touch if you've got something to get off your chest in the November break) from Dorse on how QPR's abrupt change of tack post Coventry might have finally put them one step ahead of the rest of the game...
"In effect, with less than we’d like, we’re doing better than we expected – and that has to be down to the set up."
Isn't this sentence in a nutshell what Moneyball was really all about?
When Nourry said:
"we identified the fact that we needed to play some form of 4-3-3, possession-based, mid-block/high press football."
What he meant was that he had looked at the data and seen this had been successful at our level.
What he (seemingly) hadn't done was linked that playing style to the budgets of the clubs that had been successful with that system.
If you can afford the best players in those positions available at your level then great, play 4-3-3 and it will probably work for you.
If you have a mid-table budget then you end up with second or third rate players trying to flesh out your 4-3-3 dream and it becomes a bit of a nightmare.
Being data driven should never just mean doing what the data says has worked in the past.
Use the data to work out what other clubs do then find a different approach that will work well against that style.
That's how the Oakland A's were able to punch well above their weight for so long under Billy Beane.
We might have stumbled into this new way of playing more by luck than judgement but hopefully we will stick to it.
Last season we changed our style of play a third of the way through the season and had a lot of success. Then we switched back to what we tried in the beginning and results and performances fell away.
Hopefully we won't make that mistake again this season.
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 15:09 - Oct 14 with 2771 views
The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 15:15 - Oct 14 by BrianMcCarthy
Beautifully written, Dorse. Would expect no less. You've a lovely turn of phrase.
Thanks for that.
Cheers Brian - my missus usually despairs about my use of language so I will be using your post as Exhibit A next time she tells me off for saying the wrong thing.
'Look love, Brian said it's OK... put them scissors down...'
'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!'
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 16:07 - Oct 14 with 2512 views
The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 15:29 - Oct 14 by Dorse
Cheers Brian - my missus usually despairs about my use of language so I will be using your post as Exhibit A next time she tells me off for saying the wrong thing.
'Look love, Brian said it's OK... put them scissors down...'
Thanks Dorse very good. Not a single mention of FFP’s, CEO’s, xG’s, data banks or defense coaches as it should be. Also very funny about the underboob away kit 😂
I enjoyed it even more on my second read with Michael Nyman accompaniment.
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 16:23 - Oct 14 with 2426 views
Lovely Dorse. You make me LOL more than anyone here except Clive. The Dominic Ball line in particular. Also cos I loathe Pep-ball - he's clever but just a naughty boy really.
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 17:06 - Oct 14 with 2219 views
I know I’m a dinosaur, I know I’m considered a Neanderthal and very much Mike Bassett but…… All this xG, data and millennial speak leaves me cold. I mean….. who knew…… if you run around a bit more than the opposition you might have a good chance of beating them. Yesterday’s piece and this ratifies it for me.
I don’t think anyone has gone full on Wimbledon Crazy Gang but I definitely think people are playing a more dynamic game.
Good stuff
Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 20:14 - Oct 14 with 1738 views
Thanks everyone - I wrote this last week and actually forgot to send it to Clive! When I read Andy's brilliant piece yesterday, I was shocked at how simply he was able to prove that what we were seeing over the last 7 games has been an actual step-chsnge rather than just one fan's interpretation.
In hindsight, however, I would correct my description of the away kit to 'under-boob and marmite'. That's right: I'm not afraid to tackle the important issues.
'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!'
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The death of Pep-ball – are QPR finally on trend? Column on 23:19 - Oct 14 with 1354 views
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