Match Thread Queens Park Rangers - Coventry City Match Thread - Saturday 31st Jan (23 Viewers)

[Bugsy]

Doom laden post alert:

We will lose again. Narrow but still a defeat. We'll be bossed in midfield and concede at least one goal by the Kitching-Da Silva combo

We shouldn't be surprised; haven't played well since Boro. A series of narrow wins at best in that time. Bossed by Millwall and Norwich, struggled to beat a poor Leicester team. Rushworth is the most frequent MOTM - says a lot. We have become very predictable - Grimes will loop a 50-50 cross in and so on.

Frank's 'new manager bounce' has well and truly run out. Finally. He has had a better run than most - Robins' has run out already at Stoke.

8 or even 9 of the first choice starters were in the team struggling under Robins. Unsurprisingly over time they eventually return to that level - the biggest factor is the quality of the individual players. Managers can only affect so much. You can only make a silk purse from a sow's ear for so long

On the January transfer thread there is a consensus on on the need for players in key defensive positions - centre back, left back and strong man midfield. So why think we'll win, is all I ask?

For fuck sake. Hope you're ok mate

 

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[Otis]

Like back in the day where you couldn't find a way to watch every game so you'd just be checking your phone occasionally. Might take some of the stress away.

Occasionally....probably be before your days, for away games, I would only find the score out by buying The Pink, which the Cov Telegraph used to publish and would be delivered to newsagents before or around 6pm ish every Saturday night

 

[skybluecam]

Not sure I can think of anything worse than us losing this to an Obikwu goal

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I swear you don’t watch games. And haven’t learned how to read stats either. You keep shitting yourself on here with a big smile on your face. You do you I guess.

Wrong on both counts Shmmeee. Esse’s defensive stats were impressive before he went to Palace or if you watched the Stoke game, he’s good off the ball as well as on it.

Were we open because of Esse or because tactically everyone pushed up? It’s the obviously the latter. Besides, Norwich’s left winger scored the winner when Esse wasn’t even on the field.

You’re quick to make sweeping judgements on players or managers with little to no due diligence. I wonder if you still view Haji Wright as another Bakayoko or one of the many wrong opinions held about Lampard?

 

[skybluecam]

Frank's 'new manager bounce' has well and truly run out.

SBT has produced some belters post Norwich but I think a year long “new manager bounce” takes the cake

 

[Otis]

Not sure I can think of anything worse than us losing this to an Obikwu goal

Be a right slap in the chops wouldn't it

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Anyway, get a couple more in before the window closes, win this and Oxford and suddenly things look ok again. For the first time this season I'm tempted not to watch and just check in at full time but I don't know if I'll be able to resist.

We have conveniently pencilled in a visit for the lad to see his grandparents while the game is on for this exact reason…

 

[TomRad85]

We have conveniently pencilled in a visit for the lad to see his grandparents while the game is on for this exact reason…

I'm kind of hoping my wife has planned something and I just wasn't listening properly, which is very possible.

 

[alexccfc99]

Anyone had their digital tickets through yet? I'm selling x1 adult and x2 U18s but didn't want to sell them yet in case there's something stopping the transfer of them to someone else.

Someones ears must be burning

Not had mine but my mate has, says a print at home option is available so should be no issues passing it on to someone else

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

I'm kind of hoping my wife has planned something and I just wasn't listening properly, which is very possible.

She’s been telling you for years she’s a QPR fan hasn’t she?

 

[McLovin87]

Someones ears must be burning

Not had mine but my mate has, says a print at home option is available so should be no issues passing it on to someone else

Just received mine 10 mins ago

 

[Liquicon]

Anyone had their digital tickets through yet? I'm selling x1 adult and x2 U18s but didn't want to sell them yet in case there's something stopping the transfer of them to someone else.

Just received an email with mine.

 

[TomRad85]

She’s been telling you for years she’s a QPR fan hasn’t she?

She's not that bothered but if you asked her she'd go with family ties, so Spurs and Galatasaray. I will somehow ensure this kid is a CCFC fan even if it kills me though.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Yeah we really need a small, slow presence in the middle to take control of games

No, it's to help pick up some of the second balls and stop us being so hopelessly exposed every time we lose possession

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

Wrong on both counts Shmmeee. Esse’s defensive stats were impressive before he went to Palace or if you watched the Stoke game, he’s good off the ball as well as on it.

Were we open because of Esse or because tactically everyone pushed up? It’s the obviously the latter. Besides, Norwich’s left winger scored the winner when Esse wasn’t even on the field.

You’re quick to make sweeping judgements on players or managers with little to no due diligence. I wonder if you still view Haji Wright as another Bakayoko or one of the many wrong opinions held about Lampard?

He’s played very little competitive football this season until he came here and you can see he’s still catching up fitness and sharpness wise. That said, he looks like doing what we want him to do and already shown bits of individual quality that can change games.

 

[fernandopartridge]

Jamie Allen has made the most interceptions per 90 of any non defender in the squad

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

She's not that bothered but if you asked her she'd go with family ties, so Spurs and Galatasaray. I will somehow ensure this kid is a CCFC fan even if it kills me though.

There will be a creeping Liverpool presence if I have kids with my partner.

In no certain terms, all non-Cov or England kits will be bought. A point my mates and I have spoke about is that we need the fans more than these other big teams.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

I’m just pointing out that Lampard had good pretext for starting Haji v Millwall because he scored v Leicester.

My view is that we should start Simms at the weekend, his goal scoring record this season when we’re away is very good.

2 against QPR, 2 yrs ago, away from home ( from memory, haven't checked it).

 

[skybluecam]

Jamie Allen has made the most interceptions per 90 of any non defender in the squad

how many does he make?

 

[TomRad85]

There will be a creeping Liverpool presence if I have kids with my partner.

In no certain terms, all non-Cov or England kits will be bought. A point my mates and I have spoke about is that we need the fans more than these other big teams.

Do you still live in area though? Makes it easier.

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

Occasionally....probably be before your days, for away games, I would only find the score out by buying The Pink, which the Cov Telegraph used to publish and would be delivered to newsagents before or around 6pm ish every Saturday night

Used to queue up for it. Covered local rugby, as well.

 

[fernandopartridge]

2 against QPR, 2 yrs ago, away from home ( from memory, haven't checked it).

His first two goals for us weren't they

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

He’s played very little competitive football this season until he came here and you can see he’s still catching up fitness and sharpness wise. That said, he looks like doing what we want him to do and already shown bits of individual quality that can change games.

I will certainly agree with that, for me the reason why we’ve been quite exposed is deliberate.

We set out to win the ball high up and accept when that doesn’t happen, we retreat into a narrow shape. There have been times where we’ve just not picked up the loose balls or been physical enough to win the ball where we want. For example, Torp isn’t bad at the defensive part of the game, but doing that role for 60+ minutes is tough. Against Leicester when we tightened things up, we looked a lot better and I’m not sure why we didn’t do this v Norwich.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Do you still live in area though? Makes it easier.

Yes, I moved back to Cov last year and I’d be one of those parents that’d take kids to every home game from about 8-10. IIRC, that’s when I started going by regularly with JSB and could sit through a game.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

2 against QPR, 2 yrs ago, away from home ( from memory, haven't checked it).

Yes I was at the game, did a ‘posh away day’ (usually meal/drinks afterwards) that day… this weekend will not be posh

 

[Brighton Sky Blue]

She's not that bothered but if you asked her she'd go with family ties, so Spurs and Galatasaray. I will somehow ensure this kid is a CCFC fan even if it kills me though.

BSB Junior is pretty much destined for this. We were watching the Charlton game and he genuinely started wailing at the exact time they equalised on the stream.

Like father like son

 

[Skyblueabo1111]

There will be a creeping Liverpool presence if I have kids with my partner.

In no certain terms, all non-Cov or England kits will be bought. A point my mates and I have spoke about is that we need the fans more than these other big t

Yes I was at the game, did a ‘posh away day’ (usually meal/drinks afterwards) that day… this weekend will not be posh

I was there, he played very well. Missed out this week, not enough points. Just hope we get a win.

 

[clint van damme]

I will certainly agree with that, for me the reason why we’ve been quite exposed is deliberate.

We set out to win the ball high up and accept when that doesn’t happen, we retreat into a narrow shape. There have been times where we’ve just not picked up the loose balls or been physical enough to win the ball where we want. For example, Torp isn’t bad at the defensive part of the game, but doing that role for 60+ minutes is tough. Against Leicester when we tightened things up, we looked a lot better and I’m not sure why we didn’t do this v Norwich.

Torp won the ball high up the pitch on several occasions Monday and proceeded to lose it immediately, ending up on his arse in the process a couple of times.

He'd have been better conceding possesion and get back into a more defensive position.

 

[skybluecam]

Torp won the ball high up the pitch on several occasions Monday and proceeded to lose it immediately, ending up on his arse in the process a couple of times.

He'd have been better conceding possesion and get back into a more defensive position.

I thought there were multiple times he made the wrong decision to try and press high with the front 4 and allowed them to break.

It’s obviously a hard balance to strike and probably dependant on who/how our 10 is playing. But definitely contributed to our lack of control.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Torp won the ball high up the pitch on several occasions Monday and proceeded to lose it immediately, ending up on his arse in the process a couple of times.

He'd have been better conceding possesion and get back into a more defensive position.

Which is why I think it’s tactical. You’re right he could make that choice, but the calculation is push on ahead.

Without re-running the convo from Monday, we actually didn’t concede any big chances from those counter attacks. Their winner came from a completely unforced error that they latched onto.

To use an example where this tactic did backfire, Birmingham’s first goal where they pumped it up, winger crosses first time and the striker hits a first time volley. We were literally too high up to deal with it but if any team moves the ball that quickly and with precision, it’ll end up in a goal most times. Like our goal v Derby (EMC).

 

[Gynnsthetonic]

I'll be in Hamburg watching in a bar somewhere It might be better while under the influence

 

[biggymania]

Which is why I think it’s tactical. You’re right he could make that choice, but the calculation is push on ahead.

Without re-running the convo from Monday, we actually didn’t concede any big chances from those counter attacks. Their winner came from a completely unforced error that they latched onto.

Agree - I think we were somewhat willing to gamble vs Norwich because we believed they wouldn't take their chances well - which I think broadly was correct - Rushworth had a lot less difficult saves to make than previous games. But it is a dangerous game to play allowing so much to happen in dangerous areas - as you say, the winner comes from a mistake.

I also think we were unlucky not to go in 2 up (Wright) and to equalise (EMC off the bar). What I think baffled a lot of people is that we didn't seem to tactically respond to the game well, at all. By the first half it was clear we needed far more control of the game, and we already had a lead to defend, away from home. Conceding seconds into the 2nd half didn't give us much chance of that - which perhaps played a part in Lampard & co deciding to keep going for it.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Agree - I think we were somewhat willing to gamble vs Norwich because we believed they wouldn't take their chances well - which I think broadly was correct - Rushworth had a lot less difficult saves to make than previous games. But it is a dangerous game to play allowing so much to happen in dangerous areas - as you say, the winner comes from a mistake.

I also think we were unlucky not to go in 2 up (Wright) and to equalise (EMC off the bar). What I think baffled a lot of people is that we didn't seem to tactically respond to the game well, at all. By the first half it was clear we needed far more control of the game, and we already had a lead to defend, away from home. Conceding seconds into the 2nd half didn't give us much chance of that - which perhaps played a part in Lampard & co deciding to keep going for it.

EMC and Wright’s chances were at 1-1 so if EMC scores a 3 yard header, we probably win the game (or at least don’t lose). Haji also had the best chance of the first half too when the ball ricocheted off a defender to him. Eccles’ header at 2-1 down should’ve been a goal, I’ve rewatched it and can’t see how he didn’t score.

Norwich hit the post but it was a shot in a crowded area and frankly, a low % shot. The poster(s) saying we should’ve been down 2 or 3 before Esse’s goal is talking nonsense. We have them 2 big chances, they scored them, we missed all 3 of ours.

What Norwich did well was to put 10 men in their own half whenever we brought the ball out to the half way line because Grimes, Kitch or Thomas didn’t know what to do with it bar hoof it up the pitch. It’s also what lead to Kitch miscontrolling the ball because he was probably thinking about his next pass.

 

[AFCCOVENTRY]

Rushworth
MVE Thomas Kitch JDS
Grimes Onyeka
Markelo Esse EMC
Wright

 

[wingy]

I'm not going to throw him under the bus,he has been excellent for many games his pressing and coming away with the ball is usually exemplary IMO.