QPR v Swansea 26DEC20 0 - 2 FT 20pts/19th

We seem to play much better against the teams doing well, whether it because we know we need to raise our game or because the opposition think they don't need to try as hard to beat us, I have no idea.

We did well against Swansea around this time last year after we had been on a bad run so you never know! (Always hopeful)

I just don't see how we win this game. Even when we have performed against the better teams this season we've drawn (Bournemouth, Watford) or still fallen short (Bristol, Brentford).

This is a big match for Warburton. He can probably afford a decent performance where we get a point or lose narrowly. But if we lose 3-0 and don't get going he is a dead man walking, especially with Norwich away after this match, which is a bleak looking fixture.

It is not these matches that will cost him his job, it is all the recent points we've thrown away.

Bristol City - leading - lost
Brentford - got level, should have led - lost
Millwall - leading - lost 2 points
Reading - level with a minute to go - lost
Wycombe - leading with 3 minutes to go - lost 2 points

Has the match been postponed? I just read that all amateur football has been banned in Tier 4 areas.

Those who managed to attend one of the games with fans recently said on the QPR W12 Podcast just how noticeably quiet QPR were as a team, compared to the opposition. There was no 'motivator' or 'shouter' constantly talking to the team. The closest to that was apparently Dieng who could be heard urging Dickie on (but not Kane for some reason I suspect). We are really missing that type of captain on the field. Onuha did it by example and I suppose Cameron feels that is good too, but I really would like to see them more vocal.
Re the team selection, I would be tempted to go for a back 3 of Masterson Dickie Barbet and use the WBs to cover and spread the play. I know that means only 5 more places to choose, but we need to expect Swansea to come at us. Having Ball and Carroll as DM, with BOS Dykes & Willock up front might give Swansea something different to think about!

I like the idea of a back 3 and when we played that formation last season it brought out the best n Manning who got the cover he needed when making those forward runs. Both the current wing backs are weak links and need to be given some help.

The issue as I see things is that Warburton is so stubborn he can't bring  himself to change things because he has a fear of having to admit his 4-2-31 wasn't the correct formation. Rather than play a system that suits the players he would rather persist in playing his system that has clearly not worked.

It's the reason that Brentford got rid of him and why we will continue to struggle whoever becomes our manager. Brentford owners have a plan and they appoint managers and buy players based on KPIs, Algorhythms and Statistics.  Their whole strategy Is based on a plan whereas ours Is just left to whoever Is the manager.  We all know that Warburtons days are numbered and when the new manager arrives he will want to get rid of Warburtons signings and bring in his own. Just as Warburton wants to get rid of previous managers signings.

Everyone knows my thoughts on the owners and its their mismanagement of the club that is behind all the issues. Every business has to have a  plan and because there isn't one at our club we lack organisation at all levels.

Like everyone else, I’m expecting 2 more defeats over Christmas. But, who knows? This club often surprises us. We lose games that we should win and sometimes win games we expected to lose. So I can’t help thinking that there is just a chance ...