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Reply | No threads about JS?
at 15:59 15 Sep 2025
Weii you may be right about his motivation. He certainly comes across as a decent and intelligent chap.
But let's be real, he was unemployed, his track record in recent times has not been so good. This is professional football and there are numerous examples of players and coaches being extremely 'flexible ' in their choice of employers if the money is right. So, yes. It is possible that someone would travel to another country to take a job with particular constraints.
All I am saying is neither messiah or even just a naughty boy
. At the end of the season we will have an idea as to which end of that spectrum he is.
In the meantime, a bad run will lead to difficult questions and a good run will lead to softball ones, asking what the secret of success is.
If past achievements provide some form of shield against tricky questions then journalists may as well pack up and leave it to club PRs. |
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Reply | No threads about JS?
at 13:28 15 Sep 2025
As I have said previously, it is too soon to condemn and too soon to praise. We need to be patient. However, it is noticeable that Clive secured an interview with JS soon after some of the nonsense on the Internet. Harden suddenly signed when he has been available for months.
A noticeable change in tactics? As for the disrespectful journalist, why is it disrespectful to ask a question that many people have been asking? I have supported QPR since 1968 and have never seen a first team selection so radical for a cup tie. I would have been concerned if the question had not been asked.
I am really happy that we have won two games. I am really happy the manager sounds and looks confident. I hope this turns into a positive run. But if we don't beat Stoke it will not be the end of the world.
Let's just see how the season unfolds. If the trajectory is upwards then the questions by journalists will get easier. If the opposite occurs, the questions will get tougher.
If you are in a job that attracts media attention, challenging questions are part of the job. He is a second tier football manager not a monarch or religious leader! |
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Reply | Isaac Hayden
at 14:59 25 Aug 2025
Good news. If the left sided defender arrives and both are fit, then maybe players can be put in their natural positions.
My heart says that a reaction to Coventry, plus a better balanced team and a win against Charlton. My head says, a better performance and a draw. Hope heart wins over head! |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan
at 13:03 25 Aug 2025
Thank you, my comments were addressed to WWC.
I am intrigued as to why you refer to the recruitment as a work in progress?
Firstly, I thought the chap in charge had a deep understanding of the European football scene?
Secondly, I understand his background is in data analysis
Thirdly, I understand we had an experienced data team in situ, with presumably a wealth of player information- I think there have been quotes as to players we have tracked for several years?
It is a bit concerning if the club has gone through such a radical change programme if the player recruitment bit was a "work in progress "?
I agree with your sentiment regarding hope of better things to come and it is good to see positive perspectives too. Interesting times. |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan
at 12:11 25 Aug 2025
I am struggling to understand the logic of what you are saying. There must be a thread that links model to tactics otherwise it makes no sense. The tactician must devise a plan for players that is consistent with the game model. To do so the tactical commander is given the resources so that the game model is achieved.
You say that twice now, the strategist who devised the model has failed to provide the correct resources to make the model work, but the fault does not lie with the person who devised the plan and selects the resources!
This is surely fundamental? If someone sends me on a cruise ship with nice cabins, great entertainment and excellent food but the boat has no engine and cannot float then the good stuff is meaningless.
My view FWIW, is that if the hierarchy learn from their mistakes, improve as a result then maybe it will come good. It looks currently that 'if' is doing a lot of heavy lifting. |
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Reply | Coventry City 7 Queens Park Rangers 1 – Report
at 11:48 25 Aug 2025
I don't know you Clive but your writing is a joy to read What takes it to another level is your love and emotional connection to QPR. I hope you can enjoy a break and recharge your batteries. Your choice of Jamie based on his report of Saturday means match reports are in safe hands.
Best wishes |
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Reply | Julien Stéphan
at 12:20 24 Aug 2025
Coventry is not far for me and I was going to attend, especially as I will miss the next home game On Saturday. Thank goodness I changed my mind! Whilst I do feel that a rush to judgement on a handful of games is not a good approach, it does depend on the manner of the defeats and the evidence of some 'green shoots'.
At Preston in the first half I was encouraged but worried that opportunities were not being taken and whether it would come back to bite us. Well we know what happened and it struck me how fragile the team looked against a big strong and physically imposing team. To some extent this was a problem at times last season that the manager (sometimes!) was able to counter through his actions and as his knowledge and experience of the league grew.
It seems we have neither recruited players to provide that physical power to get through the tough passages of a game, or devised through coaching, a means to overcome that deficit through best use of the players we have. The optimist in mean thinks that there are intelligent people at the club who are capable of learning and taking action. In the case of the coach, I am sure that will be the case.
I am not an expert in fitness, but as others have stated, I do not follow the logic of this approach of not hitting peak fitness until x number of weeks/games into the season. If it is supposed to pay back in terms of less injuries as the season progresses, does the data show that it has resulted in a better return in terms of both points won and player performance? I will bow to those who have the numbers but it does not feel like that from a lay perspective. Whilst I appreciate that going with the majority is not always the way to go, I do find it strange that this method does not appear to be universally adopted. Are there other football teams in the EPL or EFL following the same strategy? Again anecdotally from my limited observation, teams do appear to be stronger and fitter than QPR, certainly in the first few months of a season. Is there data that suggests these teams tail off in terms of performance later on in the season?
As others have pointed out, if the strategy is that the short term pain brings later gain then clearly the 'gain' has to outweigh the 'pain'. That seems a bit of a gamble to me.
My final point relates to the use of data which has spread into every aspect of the game. I saw a photo from yesterday and think there were four backroom staff sitting behind laptops on what looked like music stands and one? on a tablet. It would be stupid not to make use of data now that in real time you can get masses of information about players in realtime, how many specific types of activity they undertake, how far they have run etc. However sometimes so much data becomes a distraction rather than an aid to fast time decision making. The old saying about woods and trees springs to mind.
In a previous life, the use of data to inform decisions became the answer to everything. Experience and intuition were derided as some form of lazy thinking, lacking rational evidence and wasteful in terms of resource use. As always there was some truth in that assessment, but it missed the point that the most powerful approach was to marry the experience with an open minded approach that used the relevant data to make them even better decision makers. The open minded experienced person could quickly understand which bits of data would be relevant in a given situation. Conversely the data disciples believed that you followed the data, if you made a decision that did not follow the data at best you were resistant to change, (an 'old fart') and at worst 'dysfunctional' by not 'embracing' the need to use data. The problem is that data when aggregated still needs to be interpreted in a way that translates to the real world. It needs informed discussion to establish its relevance to a situation and therefore its significance.
I am not sure that data can be the lead driver in circumstances where factors such as emotion, fear, courage, belief, comradeship also play a big role. I think it can be massively important in helping understand how you can get a disperate group of people to collectively perform effectively and consistently.
This is best delivered by a person who the group identify as the leader not a bunch of people clutching laptops spewing out numbers. Their job is to make sure the 'leader' is equipped with relevant data that he can use in a variety of ways to motivate the group and give direction in simple terms that are easy to execute on the field of play.
Changing the cast will not lead to a better performance if the script does not enable the actors to give their best performance |
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Reply | Andy Sinton
at 11:24 24 Aug 2025
Sorry to hear that. He epitomises the word 'ambassador' for QPR. Hope he recovers well and back soon. He is a great asset to the club |
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Reply | The ‘project’…please enlighten me?
at 18:16 15 Aug 2025
Whatever anyone thinks about the CEO, or the plan, the 'game model' or whether the signings will prove to be good or bad, the truth is no one knows. It is far too early too say.
How can anyone say 'it' whatever they mean by 'it' is 'going well' or 'going bad'? At the very best there are indicators in some areas that look encouraging, there are some that are a bit 'concerning' . Probably all of the above have been articulated and given weight depending on where personal feelings lie.
As everyone knows the attrition rate of young professional footballers is high. Seeing our young players getting some success is heartwarming and gives hope that we will have home grown stars to cheer and maybe get handsome transfer fees for at some point. We will only really know if the different approach to youth development (if it is that different) wil succeed in a few years down the line.
Are we better at picking up young talent for the first team, maybe, more of the signings look to be promising than has been the case previously, so that is good news but will they maintain improvement and get better? Will they be 'Eze' standard of good, 'Chair' standard of good or fade and not reach their potential? Whether you are a 'CN' fan or an 'old fart' (which apparently was not an insult because the author meant a specific group ?!) No one knows.
If progress is creating new roles and giving the post holders new titles then we are doing well, but surely what we are interested in, is what they deliver. We will not know until they are bedded in and have time to demonstrate improvement.
What does not help, as others have alluded to, is history of attempts at manipulating and dividing fans at QPR. Feeding stories to undermine unpopular employees and briefing to 'favoured individuals'. In some cases, decisions being made for the benefit of a few self interested individuals rather than the football club. So anybody who is smart, with vision and great ideas should be aware of that and engage and communicate in a way that demonstrates an understanding of that experience to get buy in. If it is perceived that similar tactics are being employed (i make no judgement as to whether that IS the case) than do not be surprised if there is a reaction. Learn from it and make adjustments. That is what a good leader does. BTW whilst I do not think that we are in a place where apologies need to be made, the best leaders do apologise when appropriate.
If, the plan, makes the club more stable financially, develops a stream of talented young players over the next few years that succeed here or somewhere else and incrementally improves the performance of the first team over that period then we will know whether or not it was a success. A failure in any of these three areas will indicate something else. But maybe lets wait and see how this unfolds in the real world so we have something tangible to consider. |
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Reply | Coventry Pubs with decent grub
at 15:55 13 Aug 2025
The Greyhound at Sutton Stop aka Hawkesbury Junction is a popular canalside pub not far from the M6 junction and about 10 minutes drive (Much more on a match day I suspect ) from the ground. A canalside pub. Haven't been for a few years but still has a good reputation for food. Check out the pub website. |
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Reply | Who was this disaster down to tonight....
at 13:38 13 Aug 2025
Thanks , but I think you are reinforcing my point! The fact they 'leaked it' ( am taking what you say at face value). Why not make and own the statement and use it as part of the message you want to convey?
In relation to playing lots of kids, firstly not this volume or age, but secondly why in conversation with fans allude to the cup expertise of the coach. By implication this infers that there is going to be a different approach to cupties, yet at the first test we don't just revert to the usual approach but take it to the next level!
I have no view as to the quality and ability of either the head coach or CEO. I agree it is far too early to judge. What I can see and sense is poor engagement which has created a vacuum and that can be destructive. The football club needs to communicate more clearly and honestly. As to whether they have the right plan and a coach that will improve the first team performance we will need to wait and see. |
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Reply | Who was this disaster down to tonight....
at 12:27 13 Aug 2025
I agree with the need to distinguish from the instant reaction to a disappointing match, but the circumstances of how it happened, the decisions made in terms of team selection, the fact that it required several hundred people to incur significant cost to support the team cannot be simply explained away as an inevitable consequence of a long term plan. These debates like so many facets of modern life try and distil complex and nuanced issues into a binary choice. Frankly that is nonsense.
Read the room, don't tell fans you have hired a cup winning coach and then within weeks select a team for the first cup tie you play!
Again another example of woeful communication with fans. If there is such confidence in the plan be honest and say "we are going to use cup ties to give young players a taste of what is required, this will be good for their development and attract new talent to the club". It doesn't matter if you forewarn the opposition because that isn't the priority. We fans might not like it, some may make strong noises of disapproval but many would get a feel for the direction of travel and the rationale.
Instead, it looks dishonest and a bit sneaky. Obviously people will react and think the worst, because that is what people do when they are emotionally invested.
Of course it will take time to develop a continuous line of talent, but you have deal with today as well. You have to give hope now as well as promising jam tomorrow.
The fans are part of the solution not the problem. |
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Reply | Who was this disaster down to tonight....
at 07:25 13 Aug 2025
I am not sure that being dismissive about supporters being upset about their team exiting a cup competition is fair. To then collectively label them and pour scorn on the emotional response says more about you than them.
People want to see their team win, failing that, try hard and hopefully play some good football. I have no doubt that the youngsters tried hard and hopefully got something out of the experience. But don't be surprised if people get hacked off when they buy tickets to make an extremely long journey to support a team that has been stripped of all regular first team players in its Leagues own cup competition.
There may be a super long term plan but I fail to see how such an extreme approach to team selection is a critical part of that strategy.
Supporting a team like QPR requires massive emotional investment and hope. Disregard that emotional connection and diminish hope at your peril. Platitudes and soundbites in curated media interviews will only work so long. Critique others views by all means, but an collective dig of this kind is unnecessary. |
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Reply | The QPR summer transfer rumours thread
at 15:40 6 Aug 2025
I agree! The current shorthand using numbers to distinguish specific roles does my head in. Why does it only apply to certain positions? I cannot recall a reference to a 2, 3, 4, 5, 7 or 11? So can a midfield player only be playing a 6, 8 or 10 role?
Is a 'false 9' really a 6, 8 or 10?.
A false 9 used to be a deep lying centre forward, I think made famous by Don Revie when he played for Manchester City? I think it was based on the Hungary team of that era?
There seems to be an insatiable appetite to make the simple complex. |
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Reply | RIP Gordon Jago
at 11:19 6 Jul 2025
How very sad, ahead of his time as a communicator and with Bobby Campbell as an excellent coach developed an exciting and successful football style. He managed the 'exit' of one legend, Rodney Marsh and helped talented youngsters to flourish before heralding the entrance of a new legend in Stan Bowles and the signing of Don Givens and Dave Thomas.
He built the foundations of a wonderful era for QPR. RIP |
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Reply | Manager situation
at 10:09 11 Jun 2025
To claim that the views of posters are all 'hang in' or 'hail him' is incorrect. Of course there are some who hold that position but you do a massive disservice to the large number of posts that are more nuanced but can (and have) listed a number of reasonable concerns where there has been a lack of information that is not healthy for an organisation that needs to connect to a fanbase' It shows a distinct lack of emotional intelligence.
Owners and leaders of football clubs are transitory. The fans are for ever and pass that passion and emotion onto their families. You may choose to describe them as 'weird' or 'unable to think critically or as individuals' but you are wrong. Your posts lack any sense of that emotional attachment to the football club and appear contemptuous of those that do.
In some ways your posts reflect a sad reality of top level football where supporters are merely a useful cash cow to be manipulated by marketing and messaging and to provide atmosphere for the broadcasters. Your apparently 'rational' and 'logical' explanations come over as arrogant and dismissive of the feelings of genuine football fans. This may not be your intention but that is how it comes over. The contrived attempt at 'empathy' by a small 'Nourry is not infallible' anecdote is palpable nonsense.
If leadership is simply about being good at analysing data , manipulating messaging to try and maximise revenue then it would be dead simple. The real world is complex, messy and requires an ability to engage with people , be they employees, or customers/fans/stakeholders.
The fact that the CEO is so inexperienced is not helpful but on the plus side he can be a fast learner and adapt. If he does he will quickly get people onside. But having 'proxies' trying to defend an indefensible position looks and feels like the actions of an immature individual who needs to rethink his approach and comms style. |
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Reply | The QPR summer managers rumours thread
at 22:26 5 Jun 2025
I do not normally post but in case of doubt, I have supported QPR since 1968 when we beat Sheffield Wed at home in the old First Division. Various reasons led to me not attending matches for most of the 1980s and 90s. Change of circumstances meant I returned and have been a season ticket holder now for a number of years.
So I have no allegiance to the current board, CEO or head coach, all of whom come and go. My allegiance and emotional bond is to QPR for the many disappointments and the occasional amazing moments of joy.
It is sad to see fellow supporters pick holes in each other and seek out reasons as to why they display a particular bias. This situation is an embarrassment for the club but I suspect that the current silence is one imposed by the solicitors representing each party as they attempt to reach a settlement. Ultimately this is simply abouit money, who gets what and any restrictions and what either side can say. The solicitors will be stressing that any public statements that are capable of being used in a negative way by the other side will prolong and make more difficult any outcome. I would say that if the issue was cut and dried, e.g that MC had committed a serious breach of his contract then the situation would have been resolved much more quickly. Clearly both parties believe they hold the strongest position and that it is worth pursuing. There will not be a clear winner and loser in this mess.
It is not unknown for senior managers to act prematurely and step outside the process with an expectation that smart employment lawyers or HR professionals can simply 'retrofit' the justification for their decision. This can be a costly error. Who knows whether or not this was a factor, something obviously did occur to muddy the waters.
The issue as to whether it is the right decision in the interests of the club is entirely separate and obviously a subject of great interest and debate by us all. Whether that is a debate that will be better informed will depend on what 'facts' leak out in the coming months. Likewise, whether the skill set of the young CEO is adequate for the role(s) he holds will be much clearer over the next 12 months. Hopefully whatever the outcome of this situation, he learns from it, and does not treat it as some form of victory and personal vindication. To get to this position is a failure for everyone. Kicking lumps out of each other or questioning whether a journalist has been 'got at' is a result of the distrust that has grown by the approach of senior leaders at the football club. They need to do better.
From a football perspective, I think it is a shame that MC will be leaving. The football was inconsistent and he still had a lot to learn but he seemed to be a smart guy and some stability in that position would have been welcome, but lets hope for better things...! |
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Reply | FIVE
at 09:21 8 Jan 2025
It was 6 straight wins in 69/70 ended by a nil all draw against Preston. |
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Reply | FIVE
at 08:57 8 Jan 2025
I remember the start of the 69 to 70 season was a long home run of wins with lots of goals. Terry Venables debut season as a player. Marsh scored a hat trick against Blackpool in torrential rain. I think that might have been 6 wins on the trot |
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