There are plenty of positives from today’s first half showing. We played some lovely, one touch, quick football and is was delightful to see. Complete opposite 2nd half as others have eluded too. Brittain struggled today I think and Styles is poor defensively. We played with such a high tempo that we were shattered after an hour. No challenges in midfield, not picking up or contesting 2nd balls. They played right through us at will. We’re definitely a couple of players light.
Overall it was an encouraging performance and some signs that things are gelling, albeit intermittently. The first half was good with some good passing at pace and some good movement. Pressing was good. Second half was not so good and they lost shape a bit and tactically allowed QPR to dictate. Substitutions failed to work in helping to regain a grip. However I didn't think the 2nd half was quite as dreadful ad some have suggested. On another day they'd have scored another - perhaps... Overall 7/10
First half was so good to watch, with some of the approach play being sublime. QPR couldn't get a look in. Second half we had the opportunity to make it 0-3, on two occasions. Firstly Woodrow was through on goal with Frieser running through square for a tap in. Unfortunately Cauley overhit the pass, and the chance was gone, He did similar later on when Devante Cole was square, in a great position. I think on that occasion Cauley elected to shoot, and it was wide. It feels frustrating, after leading 2-0, with a 92nd equaliser and so on, but after a 3-0 loss prediction I have to be pleased with a point. And some of the rapid inter-passing in the first half was of such a high standard. Hope we can repeat that and finish teams off, as should have happened today. One mention for the support, which was fantastic, constant chanting.
Agreed Archey, definitely a lot of positives today. No team can win every game, so after Tuesday's defeat I was looking for a better performance. We got that and more today. We don't need to worry this season, we'll be more than OK. I doubt we'll replicate last season's exploits, but we'll be comfortable
The other positive from today that no-one’s mentioned is that Bet365 pay out on a straight win bet if your team goes 2 goals up, a point away from home, an entertaining game and £75 up!
who knows? Wasn’t the last time Conwy was acting CEO the summer we had our “best transfer window ever” and it turned to be complete s**t? I don’t worry about Schopp, it’s the behind the scenes stuff that concerns me
Excellent first half and if we can replicate that for slightly longer periods and improve the quality of the bench, it will be a very enjoyable season. lots to praise, lots to learn from. very happy camper.
Other positives, the half time music, The Clash, The Jam, Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe! What did we get last Saturday? Peters and Lee and Sweet F***ing Caroline.
Sweet Caroline I hate that fookin song no detraction on Neil diamond I was always a glen campbell fan myself.
Thought now about it.... still disappointed. Not at the coach or players though who did show us they can step up to the higher quality needed. But the disappointment still is that we look good until we need to start making changes. Thats where we have the problem. Two striker visa fixes doesn't solve that fully and while the window is open we need to act. I think a couple of loanees will help move forward and give Kane time as will as the new lads.
In the running yes but for certain maybe not. Based on the first half and clear opportunities missed in the second half to kill the game it should be us that are aiming for the playoffs.
I think they've certainly got enough quality to be in the mix. Warburton has had a while to tweak and tinker to get them to where they are. We're a few players short, and I think we'll need time to perfect our game plan. Overall though on the day, I thought we were the better side.
Were no mugs though mate a deserved top 6 last season, get players back fit and a quality loan or two and it's only the ex prem teams that we should be scared of. I think we underplay ourselves sometimes,
Having played 3 of the present top 6 teams and not lost to any winning 1 and drawing 2 without our full squad to pick from you have got to take positives.
Yeah totally agree with the positives from the game (amazing first half) but the substitutions were bewildering. Had we been able to continue with the tired 11, I think the outcome might have been different. As soon as Benson went of, the attacking zest and passing fluency disappeared. To give credit to QPR, their manager had a tactical solution with very few player options; we seemed to be clutching at straws with our subs. Interesting that fitness was mentioned in our post match analysis - that didn’t seem to be questionable last season, plus with the likes of Anderson and Morris unavailable that too might have made the difference.
I agree entirely. Last season was no fluke. I just think it'll take time to adjust to the game plan, and maybe one or two more players to get us back to that level. I don't think there's anyone to be scared of. If anything, I think we'll perform better against the relegated Premier League teams. The last time West Brom and Fulham were in this division, we were unbeaten against them playing a similar style to what we do now.