QPR v Derby 23JAN21 0 - 1 FT 17th/27pts

Yesterday's game highlighted just what a poor squad of players we have and just how many of them were Warburtons signings. In particular the full backs who breach the trade descriptions act by claiming to be defenders. That made me laugh! 

IMO Kane, Hamaillainan and Wallace are 3 of the worst full backs we have ever had. Their defensive qualities are not good enough for Championship football. I would accept that all 3 give 100% but so would I (probably for just 10 minutes before needing copious amounts of oxygen). 

Wallace admittingly didnt play yesterday but I have to mention him. Wallace is a mistake waiting to happen and has to be the worst player in the first team squad. The guy did well for Rangers in the Scottish Championship (EFL One at best although probably more League 2) but that was his level. We have had some poor defenders in recent years and Wallace must be close to the worst. I didnt think he could get any worse until the day Warburton tried him in central defence when he was so bad that I wanted Lynch to return. Stop it! 

Niko who isnt a Warburton signing and cant be faulted for effort  gets caught out of position so often that I wonder whether anyone has ever given him any defensive coaching. Sometimes players find their level and the Championship is too high a level for Niko.

Kane is a bit of conundrum because he can have one good game but its normally followed by 3 or 4 poor performances. Kane or Calamity Kane as kingfisher has renamed him has the crossing skills of a schoolboy playing on a full size pitch for the first time. The ball delivery of Kane from out wide is abysmal for a professional and his crosses are regularly cleared by the first defender. When forwards run at Kane he is clueless and doesn't have a clue on how to make a challenge.

The only full back that is worth his place in the squad is Kakay who might be average but does have some skills as both a defender and going forward.

Another thing that yesterday's game against Derby proved is that Willock is not a central midfielder. The lad is still learning to be a wide player and Warburton totally blew Willocks mind by asking him to play a different role. Rabbit caught in headlights springs to mind. Yes possibly a violation of Willock's rights as a footballer...   Game effort and in all fairness there was nobody else suitable in the current squad.

Dykes might well have out muscled some of those Scottish defenders but the defenders in the Championship are much wiser and stronger. Dykes is not a goalscorer and arrived with a lead weight on his shoulders because he was expected to be our main man. Dykes has never scored lots of goals from open play he never will. Dykes is a trier but the Derby defenders like most defenders find him easy to deal with. Playing deeper to supply Austin does seem to work for him, but of course that puts him even further from goal and therefore makes it even less likely he will score! In contract we have Bonne, who is largely a box player so has to be compared with Austin (where he does indeed fall short).

Bonne like Dykes is never going to be prolific and Charlton were laughing all the way to the bank when we handed over £2m for his services.

If the signing of Johanson is imminent then next on the list must be a left back because in a very weak squad this is the position that needs sorting more than any other. Cannot wait - no really, I cannot wait!