QPR v Sheffield Weds Sat 11JUL 0 - 3 FT (53pts/now 16th)
Jul 9, 2020 12:50:20 GMT
Post by kingfisher on Jul 9, 2020 12:50:20 GMT
It is hard to get interested in the next match - let enthusiastic! But the EFL grinds on....
There is lots of talk in the press about Warburton being criticised for the Rs getting 3 losses out of 4 games and, whilst it is sickening to suffer, fans keep forgetting or discounting the fact that our side has been built on a shoestring. For example, the transfer payments for the forward line of Wigan (so not big spenders) totalled way more than our entire squad! When you take into account that the football is good to watch, rather than us packing the defence because we have little talent, then you appreciate how far we have travelled. The club has been totally stupid in its past spending, but now the finances are right (even if the results are not) and Warburton can continue to look for better players. He will certainly continue to make mistakes with his choices, but we should look at how successful transfer targets for big-spending clubs are - even with all their resources they still have a percentage of 'duds' each season!
OK, rant over... Onto the match against the Owls. Difficult to see how Warburton will set up the team after Wednesday's debacle. I know it should include Lumley, Shodipo, Kakay, and Manning; but beyond them I am not sure who deserves a slot on merit. If it comes down to a need to fill a slot then Barbet, Chair and Ball probably get in, but would I play Cameron in a Back 3 over Masteron, or Kane over Rangel, or even BOS over Shodipo? For me, the game against Wigan was lost in the midfield. Whilst Ball (and then Amos) disrupted play where they could, there was precious little gaining of 'second balls' from Lumley's long-range hefts and often we saw Oteh, Chair and Eze sharing the same spaces (which also meant problems with crosses). Added to that is the news that Wallace & Hugill will probably not be fit, a rethink is needed!
Lumley
Rangel Kakay Masterson Barbet
Ball Manning
Shodipo Eze Amos or Battache
BOS
There is lots of talk in the press about Warburton being criticised for the Rs getting 3 losses out of 4 games and, whilst it is sickening to suffer, fans keep forgetting or discounting the fact that our side has been built on a shoestring. For example, the transfer payments for the forward line of Wigan (so not big spenders) totalled way more than our entire squad! When you take into account that the football is good to watch, rather than us packing the defence because we have little talent, then you appreciate how far we have travelled. The club has been totally stupid in its past spending, but now the finances are right (even if the results are not) and Warburton can continue to look for better players. He will certainly continue to make mistakes with his choices, but we should look at how successful transfer targets for big-spending clubs are - even with all their resources they still have a percentage of 'duds' each season!
OK, rant over... Onto the match against the Owls. Difficult to see how Warburton will set up the team after Wednesday's debacle. I know it should include Lumley, Shodipo, Kakay, and Manning; but beyond them I am not sure who deserves a slot on merit. If it comes down to a need to fill a slot then Barbet, Chair and Ball probably get in, but would I play Cameron in a Back 3 over Masteron, or Kane over Rangel, or even BOS over Shodipo? For me, the game against Wigan was lost in the midfield. Whilst Ball (and then Amos) disrupted play where they could, there was precious little gaining of 'second balls' from Lumley's long-range hefts and often we saw Oteh, Chair and Eze sharing the same spaces (which also meant problems with crosses). Added to that is the news that Wallace & Hugill will probably not be fit, a rethink is needed!
Lumley
Rangel Kakay Masterson Barbet
Ball Manning
Shodipo Eze Amos or Battache
BOS
(On the other hand many of our team seemed like they were suffering fatigue...)
We just cannot get it together and bringing on Clarke to replace Shodipo seems an odd selection to me. with the changes we are unbalanced and certainly going for a goal. Leaves us vulnerable but what can you do when two down?
