2-2 Leistner and Manning Rs In Germany 21 July 2018

As long as we don't mention the war.

Sky Sports saying he has a back injury so not going

I am not sure. I think there are some reputations on the line. Les and Andy Sinton were very vocal about his capture and thought it to be a real coup for us. I think they will give him every chance and I wouldn't be surprised if McLaren has been given the task of getting him playing week in week out as part of his contract. 

I agree Grant Hall and Goss - they have to prove their worth after injury and loan respectively. After Robinson & Caulker leaving after long-term injuries with no loyalty (not surprisingly) I have less warm feelings about keeping anyone if not useful...

Anyone else watching the Hoffenheim game on video? Here's the line-up:

Ingram
Kakay Leistner Lynch Bidwell
Luongo Scowen Cousins
    Eze Freeman
       Smith
Subs: Lumley, Hammaleinen, Phillips, Baptiste, Manning, Osayi-Samuel, Oteh, Wheeler, Chair, Owens, Sylla, Washington, Wszolek

2 mins: From a throw-in Hoffenheim score on a rebound  1 - 0  [This is a side that spent 20m euro this season on 4 new signings, three of which started, and McClaren reckons are the equivalent of a Championship side. Certainly look from first 15 mins to be a good, well-organised side.]

Half Time: Hoffenheim work the ball up the field from the back, using a high press whenever possible, to good effect. They have quickly worked out that Eze is a handful (so dispatch 2-3 players to tackle him) and that Kakay is not that experienced (so have run most attacks down that wing). A good, fast-moving game. What have we learnt so far? Well QPR is playing with Scowen and Cousins in front of a Back Four, with Lynch passing well but vulnerable and Leistener & Bidwell doing well; in midfield we have Eze on the right, Luongo in themiddle, and Freeman on the left; and that leaves Matt Smith up front. Having said that, Smith gets constant support from either Freeman or Eze as they surge forward. Kaykay and Bidwell have both put in great crosses, but no end product sadly. Hoffenheim have looked the more dangerous by a long way. Not surprising as they managed 3rd place last season in the Bundesliga! 1 - 0

56 mins: Failure to close down on our right wing allows Otto David to shoot from a narrow angle and it goes in off Lynch for his second goal. [Hoffenheim then make a significant number of changes.] Now raining heavily...

70 mins: Cousins replaced by Osayi-Samuel, perhaps because of an earlier knock. This is the R's third substitution as at HT = Washington replaced Smith & Manning replaced Luongo.

80 mins: Freeman free kick results in Leistner header into the net. QPR looking more threatening - may be it is the heavy rain.. 2 - 1

87 mins: Ryan Manning shoots into the net after a corner was cleared out to him 2 - 2 and it ends FT as a draw

Negatives: Lynch & Kakay vulnerable at the back, but Leistner, Bidwell, and Ingram were good. Washington and Smith offered nothing new up front and did not really trouble our hosts. Worry about continued plays by Scowen/Freeman/Lynch that result in free kicks and yellow cards.
Postitives: To a lesser extent Bidwell, and a larger extent Kakay - crosses were good from them. Scowen and Cousins/Manning did well in front of the Back 4. Eze was a constant thorn in their side. Against a good, physical side QPR overcome a 2-0 deficit to force a draw, although it is indicative of the situation to find it was Leistner & Manning scoring - not an attacker.

You are most welcome! I must say I agree with your assessment. Apparently their first game of the their season is against Bayern Munich, and they looked ready for it - even though they do not start until 3 weeks after we do! Interesting to note that they have only got 17 sides in the Bundesliga as well....