Agree with you @singlespeed , especially as that was so contentious a penalty!
Onto the game itself....
Having watched the full 90 I have to say we did pretty well against a quality side (they are not #2 for nothing). Their pressing play kept both of our WBs mostly pinned in our own half, so we were dependent for width on the wingers, but Freeman was pretty quiet.
I am coming to the opinion that both Eze and Freeman can do no wrong because, no matter how poor they are playing, it is usually Wszolek who gets substituted. On Saturday he was far more effective than Eze and also better than Freeman, so if McClaren clearly has no problems with them swapping wings: Why did he not replace Freeman with O-S or (better still) replace Eze with O-S. The extra pace and solidity of O-S would have certainly made a difference in the middle, where Eze was not keen at all to have the ball or position himself to make it difficult for Leeds players to pass around him. I love seeing Freeman & Eze when they are on fire, but even demi-gods have off days...
In contrast to Eze, Nakhi Wells is working really hard, tabbing back to make clearances and tackles far deeper than I would have expected. On top of that, he is a real threat in front of the goal and his solo effort on Saturday was very good. On whoscored he was made our MotM: The 28-year-old scored 8.03 and given second placed Joe Lumley was down on 6.94 that probably gives its own message about the gritty performance. The top five were completed by Angel Rangel, Pawel Wszolek and Ebere Eze.
Lumley had a poor game in terms of his ball distribution and he needs to work on this. It was a shame, because otherwise he did well; and he cannot be blamed for not saving the penalty. Now I mentioned it, that penalty decision was a very harsh one, and furthermore one that I cannot see how the referee was in a position to award. The assistant referee did not raise his flag and, from behind, all the referee could judge the situation was from the reactions of the crowd and Leeds players. When in doubt, as he should have been, then this was one to let go. Sadly this was one of many decisions that went against QPR on Saturday....
Cameron & Rangel were both injured, which could become a major problem if the injuries are long-term. There was certainly less effective play in midfield with Scowen there instead. If Furlong plays then I suspect in the back of his mind will be his appearance when we lost against WBA, which is not a good recipe for facing Middlebrough and Notss Forest...
Were the other substitutions, Smith & O-S, effective. I think so, but I do wonder why Smith was preferred over Hemed. Was it because time was running out and we needed to bypass the midfield with long balls?
Onto Middlebrough, who will be an equally tough team to beat, or even match, but most of the team has shown it still has the determination to fight. Cannot ask for more than that!
Anybody got an idea on how many players are hovering upon suspension because of the amount of yellow cards?
Last Edit: Dec 10, 2018 17:48:26 GMT by kingfisher
Post by northwesthoop on Dec 10, 2018 19:30:15 GMT
I agree kingfisher that McClaren's substitutions are getting a bit predictable (as his actual team selection to be honest). It is always the same players coming off for the same replacements at similar times of games generally. Plus our Plan B is always just to lump it to Smith which irks me. Why not have another option up our sleeve, like a change of formation or shape rather than thinking 'oh right we are losing with 20 to go, let's launch the artillery and hope for the best'?
Furlong didn't play against West Brom, that was Kakay so he shouldn't be mentally scarred by that result!
Lumley hasn't really been at fault for many goals conceded but I can absolutely guarantee that if Ingram has conceded 11 in 5 games he would be getting torn to shreds. Lumley seems to be flavour of the month whereas Ingram is public enemy No. 1.
On the subject of Wells clapping hands with Roofe I think it was just mutual respect. I don't think we can worry too much about it.
I agree kingfisher that McClaren's substitutions are getting a bit predictable (as his actual team selection to be honest). It is always the same players coming off for the same replacements at similar times of games generally. Plus our Plan B is always just to lump it to Smith which irks me. Why not have another option up our sleeve, like a change of formation or shape rather than thinking 'oh right we are losing with 20 to go, let's launch the artillery and hope for the best'?
Furlong didn't play against West Brom, that was Kakay so he shouldn't be mentally scarred by that result!
Lumley hasn't really been at fault for many goals conceded but I can absolutely guarantee that if Ingram has conceded 11 in 5 games he would be getting torn to shreds. Lumley seems to be flavour of the month whereas Ingram is public enemy No. 1.
On the subject of Wells clapping hands with Roofe I think it was just mutual respect. I don't think we can worry too much about it.
I think that McClaren is undoubtedly a good coach but IMHO Im not sure he is a good team manager or as tactically astute as other managers. The issue as I see things is that he is a bit set in his ways and this could be seen at the start of the season with his insistence on playing 4-4-2. Clearly 4 -4- 2 didnt work and resulted in 4 defeats and the hammering by West Brom. Knowing that he had to change I think he read the comments on this site and changed to a 4-1-4-1 formation that turned things around. Unfortunately he now doesn't seem to be able to see that the likes of Eze and Luongo are not performing to the level they were and need a rest.
To be honest the wells thing is not a big deal and he probably has known roofe through the football circuit I also agree the lump it up to smith doesn't work and most teams know it's our plan B As far keeper is concerned if lumley concedes more and more we need to change him and give Ingram a chance Most worrying for me we have a two more tough games and boro will fancy their chances and forest let's forget that one hey,they always beat us there All the hard work and we could have confidence totally shot again and back to square one
