[Archived] Qpr

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

Not great at all but a point deserved by the end.

Long ball to Rhodes and Lawrence is pointless. End of.

Thought we looked ok defensively again (though Steele was poor)

Apkan tries to get forward at times.

Front 2 poor but the tactics don't suit.

Thought Marshall had his best game in ages. He and Bennett dovetailed well at times.

Conway off the boil. Like the look of Lennihan.

Team for Saturday - If it is long ball then start Brown.

Steele

Marshall Hanley Duffy Spurr

Bennett Akpan Lennihan Olsson

Lawrence

Brown

Subs

Eastwood

Rhodes

Conway

Evans

Mansell

Mahoney

Henley

[Stuart]

Agree. The players aren't performing at all for Lambert. Either he is a dud or the players are stropping. Think it's the latter.

Yes we were as bad under bowyer but it was a different kind of bad. An inept tactically and defensively bad, a carelessness if you like. Now we just look like we don't care.

Hate to be an I got it right too often - partly due to the amount that I get wrong too - but have always said Steele isn't good enough. Granted we've bugger problems but if we have any ambition whatsoever we won't achieve it with him in net. A comedy keeper for all the fine saves he sometimes brings out.

Brown coming on changed something tonight. Ironic cheers somehow made the fans hear their own voices and it translated into the pitch and in turn got the fans going again. QPR visibly wilted - moreso after the goal. Another 10 minutes longer might have made things interested.

I'm not sure though if it was necessarily Brown or if it was a moment that everyone needed.

It seems like we are missing a spark. If we can find that again we might be back on track - with some confidence returning to the players. A Savage, or a Dickov, or a drummer, or a school kid taking a penalty at half time, an idiot fan who just won't stop trying to get chants going, the "Riverside Rumble", just something that gives people a lift.

We lost our Premier League place, and we lost some of our pride, but we also lost our voices. Whatever happened to the singing and chanting. We need what we had in the last 5 minutes tonight.

But how?

[K-Hod]

Steele isn't all that bad, but we could do better. Some of his decision making at times is poor, and his concentration isn't all that either...

A final point from me as well, I don't know if it's a continual angry from Venky's tenure, but people's natural expression of anything going wrong seems to be a boo!

Do they boo at their boiler if it breaks at home? If they go to Aldi late on a Sunday and there's not much fruit and veg left, do they find the nearest staff member and boo at them? When they go around KFC drive-thru and are told they need to wait 5 minutes for their food, do they boo at the staff?

In any event, booing is absolutely embarrassing and toxic. I've also gone off on a tangent, my apologies!!

[LewisF]

The final 20 minutes of the first half were probably the best I've seen us play under Lambert.

[tomphil]

Brown coming on changed something tonight. Ironic cheers somehow made the fans hear their own voices and it translated into the pitch and in turn got the fans going again. QPR visibly wilted - moreso after the goal. Another 10 minutes longer might have made things interested.

I'm not sure though if it was necessarily Brown or if it was a moment that everyone needed.

It seems like we are missing a spark. If we can find that again we might be back on track - with some confidence returning to the players. A Savage, or a Dickov, or a drummer, or a school kid taking a penalty at half time, an idiot fan who just won't stop trying to get chants going, the "Riverside Rumble", just something that gives people a lift.

We lost our Premier League place, and we lost some of our pride, but we also lost our voices. Whatever happened to the singing and chanting. We need what we had in the last 5 minutes tonight.

But how?

Get the drummer back, plenty space to stick him in now so he isn't busting ear drums. No way could he ruin chants because there just isn't any. Time for drastic action

[the original david brent]

How did bennett play??

I thought he did absolutely nothing! Andy Cryer was right - he has no pace at all. Perhaps I am being harsh to judge him so soon but would have hoped for better on his debut.

Marshall was our best player. Hanley solid as ever. Spurr okay although the most one footed player I've ever seen.

Conway is devoid of any confidence and I think needs a spell on the bench. Perhaps give Ollson a game at left wing if this mysterious illness clears up for Saturday.

Centre midfielders were garbage. Lawrence garbage. Rhodes missed a number of chances again that he would have put away previously.

Something isn't right. The body language of them - it's as though they aren't enjoying it under Lambert and aren't buying into it.

As Preston Blue has already said tonight was the absolute pits. A Rovers player still hasn't scored a goal from open play under Lambert. Playing like Relegation fodder - perhaps fortunate there are teams such as Bolton, MK, Charlton and Bristol City in this league.

[ABBEY]

A touch harder and on target and I'd have been dry worried. Not sure what he was thinking.

Thought I was seeing things

[LDRover]

Although a new keeper isn't the highest priority we could and should look for better than Steele. You can't underestimate how much confidence a solid, vocal keeper can give to the rest of the team. We saw it with Brad when the majority of us were happy enough with Filan.

[DE.]

I was shocked to see we'd scored, which is worrying. Knew it wouldn't be Rhodes though.

Some very illuminating comments on this thread. Nothing more to say on that.

Any chance of extending the transfer window for another thirty days? God knows we need it.

[Baz]

Poor game, although apart from the goal we restricted their chances. For the goal, was Hoilett not offside? Looked to be the only player in that half when the ball was played to him.

Turning point for me was the enhancement that both Brown and particularly Lennihan gave us. Lawrence was awful, there no chance he and Rhodes can play in the same team, too slow and too lightweight. Brown at least put himself about a bit, won a couple of headers.

That plus the much better distribution from the back from Lennihan got us some much needed possession further up the field.

Bennett didn't get himself into the game, something that could be levelled at 7 or 8 of the others to be frank.

[oldjamfan1]

I haven't seen the goal, was it yet another Duffy mistake for the JAL scrapbook?

[chaddyrovers]

I dsliked Lambert from his villa days.. That team was utter garbage and was dull and boring.. Hope it's not going to be the same here.. He still needs to get his own players

I think you have ONLY judge Lambert when he has bought in his own players and from his own comments he will do most of signings in the summer(expect 6 or 7 new signings).

Lambert style is a direct style playing 4-4-2 and with a target man and a lot of crosses from wide areas.

Williamson and Brown were much better than what came before them

Bennett was decent I thought but Conway poor

Rhodes had 4 good chances all on target but saved or blocked but he was offside far too often

I have faith in Lambert even blind faith maybe

I thought all 3 subs have a good impact.

I was impressed with Lenihan and Brown performances

Bennett did ok but Conway was poor. But Conway game need a big target man for him to be cross the ball.

I have totally faith in Lambert and I think he will get us promote during his time as manager of Blackburn Rovers

People treat Brown as a joke but for me Lamberts big decision for Saturday should be who starts with him up top.

We were much more effective with him on and his presence seemed to give Rhodes a visible lift and he looked much for up for it.

Lawrence flatters to deceive so for me Rhodes and Brown should be the front two.

Brown's Performance deserve to start on Saturday.

I would play 4-4-2 with Brown and Rhodes. that's suits Lambert's tactics/style of play

[G Somerset Rover]

Didn't realise we were 18th! Bloody hell. That table makes for grim reading. Can't see it but IF a couple of those sides below hit a bit of form then it could get very twitchy. Difficult to see where our next win is coming from at this rate. Brighton are on a horrendous run so no doubt they'll be licking their lips for Saturday.

[aletheia]

Dire. Same old –too much to list. In fact worse. If you’re going to play primitive 442 hoofball then at least have the appropriate personnel. Lawrence and Rhodes clearly don’t enjoy scraping the ice of those defensive clearances. Reminded me of schoolboy football -launch it and see what happens. Bennett distinctly underwhelming for a debut. The myriad issues have all been aired before. Better add a few positives. Lenihan looked like a footballer. Hanley still sharp. Marshall only sign of quality (Lawrence hardly given the chance to shine) and might just settle at that position.

Jan/summer signings crucial and, presuming survival, let’s judge after 10 games next season.

[Tom]

Bennett for me was the first winger in a long time to actually repeatedly try to get in behind the full back to the goal line; late in the game he won us a few corners doing that and a couple of half decent crosses.

The right side attacking wise linked up well the left side was terrible when Spurr did overlap conway never passed to him and vice versa instead opting for cutting back around 18 yards and trying to float one in.

Like the look of the teams people have suggested, give Olsson a crack on the wing with Bennett on the other with brown and Rhodes up top.

Two wingers with pace, two full backs that can cross a ball and a targetman and a poacher in the middle.

The problem again being who plays with Akpan, on tonight's showing and another vanishing act from Evans you would have to say Lenihan if Duffy is fit.

If anyone wants to see Steeles rush of blood here you go

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10127774/blackburn-1-1-qpr

Rhodes first chance wasn't so easy but in the past he buries the one on the goal line every day

[grizfoot]

The weather was kind enough to only supply light drizzle tonight which meant we could play our first game at Ewood in a little under a month. The way we started the first 35-40 minutes you would have been forgiven for thinking that the players hadn't actually seen a football in that time given how poor we were. QPR could have easily been out of sight given how dominate they were in both possession and chances. Hoilett turned Duffy with ease and it was only a little bit of dawdling by the former and a good last-ditch tackle from Marshall that prevented them from opening the scoring earlier than they actually did. Marshall was superb at right-back, and would have got my man of the match award. As silly as it sounds he seems to look a greater attacking threat from right back than he does in midfield, and it was noticeable late in the game that he was the player that was surging forward trying to make things happen.

We rallied towards the end of the first half and did create some decent chances but the overall level of performance for the half was poor. The second half we were on top without ever really threatening the QPR goal. They were content to sit back on their lead, and you could hardly blame them given it was clocking on 500 minutes since we'd last scored a goal. Then everything changed. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and Chris Brown strutted onto the pitch and the so far barely audible Ewood faithful came to life. Half-season ticket holders smiled to themselves knowing that they'd made the correct choice with their purchase. The game totally changed, suddenly hoofball could be adopted more successfully with Brown's colossal aerial ability and physical presence. One superb move he brought the ball down on his chest and in one fluid movement passed the ball out wide to the wing, gasps of astonishment went up around the ground, okay the ball did go to a QPR player but that doesn't take anything away from the skill. The rest of the players upped their game an extra 10-15% with Browny on the pitch, removing the ineffectual Lawrence turned out to be a good move from Lambert. Not to be one to hog the limelight our Chris he tactfully decide to leave what to a mere mortal might have seemed like a perfectly good chance to "throw yourself at the ball" and break his duck for the club. Instead he allowed the ball to go out for a throw-in, the ball comes back in and Akpan, who is our best central midfielder by some distance at the moment, was there to nod in a deserved equaliser.

[jim mk2]

If anyone wants to see Steeles rush of blood here you go

http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/10127774/blackburn-1-1-qpr

Rhodes first chance wasn't so easy but in the past he buries the one on the goal line every day

Rubbish equaliser really, the sort of set-piece goal that fans used to decry Sam Allardyce for.

How many of Rovers' goals under Lambert have come from set pieces?

[Tom]

Rubbish equaliser really, the sort of set-piece goal that fans used to decry Sam Allardyce for.

How many of Rovers' goals under Lambert have come from set pieces?

I think all bar the own goal - luckily they still count the same as any other goal.

[JHRover]

I thought parts of the first half we looked decent. We certainly looked more of an attacking threat than we have in recent weeks. Apart from their goal on the break they didn't look much of a threat and defensively we looked by and large ok. We really should have equalised at the end of the first half. Numerous chances and corners with a couple off the line. We just needed someone on the end of one. Marshall and Spurr both got forward from defence and put balls into the box which is more than we've had recently from Olsson and Henley. Bennett had a quiet but steady night, Conway I thought was decent. Rhodes worked very hard and I sympathise with him that he's not had anywhere near proper service these last few weeks. He chased all sorts down tonight. Darragh Lenighan was impressive when he came on. I would drop Duffy irrespective of his fitness on Saturday and play either Kilgallon or Lenighan next to Hanley. Duffy is really frustrating. He wins so many headers (as he should at his size) yet I've lost count tonight yet again of the number of times he just lumps the ball as far as he can without thought or heads it into nowhere. He doesn't seem to ever think about what he is doing with the ball. Central midfield was disappointing.Marshall seemed happier at right back.

Second half was poor up until the last 10 minutes bar the odd attack. That wasn't helped by QPR's approach of trying to run down the clock and stifle us completely to hold on to the 1-0. If they'd have thrown men forward for a second goal I'm sure that we'd have had more opportunities. I'd have been happy with a point with 20 minutes to go with us not looking likely to score.

In the end not a great performance by any means but an improvement on Reading and Cardiff IMO. We actually looked like a team that could score goals tonight, the wide men contributing more.

We really need a win against Brighton and a result at Charlton. Anything less than 4 points will be a big disappointment against two sides that are bang out of form.

We need another signing or two before the weekend to give us options to change a game. It is clear to us all now that we need to strengthen significantly over the next couple of windows.

[Neal]

We need to hope that we can either pick up some points but we really need some fresh blood who are match fit. Bang in form League One player a la Stead might be in order, loanees aren't going to be match fit.

Been mentioning Connor Washington for bloody months, drives me bloody mad we're never even linked to lower league quality players.

[roversfan99]

I think you have ONLY judge Lambert when he has bought in his own players and from his own comments he will do most of signings in the summer(expect 6 or 7 new signings).

Lambert style is a direct style playing 4-4-2 and with a target man and a lot of crosses from wide areas.

I thought all 3 subs have a good impact.

I was impressed with Lenihan and Brown performances

Bennett did ok but Conway was poor. But Conway game need a big target man for him to be cross the ball.

I have totally faith in Lambert and I think he will get us promote during his time as manager of Blackburn Rovers

Brown's Performance deserve to start on Saturday.

I would play 4-4-2 with Brown and Rhodes. that's suits Lambert's tactics/style of play

Is it? Why did he play 4-4-1-1 then and leave a big striker on the bench?

Also, we get the ball at the back and keep hoofing it up, so im not sure how you know he relies on crossing.

Really poor not to have scored in open play, why keep lumping it up when we have Conway, Bennett, Marshall, Lawrence and Rhodes playing? Suits no one.

And Tommy Spurr man of the match was a joke.

[SoldierMo]

If anybody is on twitter read duffys comments hes had some abuse of rovers fans but also support and he has said hes tryng his best and goals will come from his headers

[Tom]

If anybody is on twitter read duffys comments hes had some abuse of rovers fans but also support and he has said hes tryng his best and goals will come from his headers

Just don't see why folk get personal and think it's good to abuse players on Twitter, as he says he knows he should be scoring with the headers and is trying his best to make it happen

[RevidgeBlue]

I thought parts of the first half we looked decent. We certainly looked more of an attacking threat than we have in recent weeks. Apart from their goal on the break they didn't look much of a threat and defensively we looked by and large ok. We really should have equalised at the end of the first half. Numerous chances and corners with a couple off the line. We just needed someone on the end of one. Marshall and Spurr both got forward from defence and put balls into the box which is more than we've had recently from Olsson and Henley. Bennett had a quiet but steady night, Conway I thought was decent. Rhodes worked very hard and I sympathise with him that he's not had anywhere near proper service these last few weeks. He chased all sorts down tonight. Darragh Lenighan was impressive when he came on. I would drop Duffy irrespective of his fitness on Saturday and play either Kilgallon or Lenighan next to Hanley. Duffy is really frustrating. He wins so many headers (as he should at his size) yet I've lost count tonight yet again of the number of times he just lumps the ball as far as he can without thought or heads it into nowhere. He doesn't seem to ever think about what he is doing with the ball. Central midfield was disappointing.Marshall seemed happier at right back.

Second half was poor up until the last 10 minutes bar the odd attack. That wasn't helped by QPR's approach of trying to run down the clock and stifle us completely to hold on to the 1-0. If they'd have thrown men forward for a second goal I'm sure that we'd have had more opportunities. I'd have been happy with a point with 20 minutes to go with us not looking likely to score.

In the end not a great performance by any means but an improvement on Reading and Cardiff IMO. We actually looked like a team that could score goals tonight, the wide men contributing more.

We really need a win against Brighton and a result at Charlton. Anything less than 4 points will be a big disappointment against two sides that are bang out of form.

We need another signing or two before the weekend to give us options to change a game. It is clear to us all now that we need to strengthen significantly over the next couple of windows.

I agree with most of that, I thought that unlike the Bolton game we showed plenty of fighting spirit but we're generally bereft of any quality. How we could do with a midfielder who can get hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and pass the ball accurately to our forward players. That said I thought Akpan did OK and Lenham looked impressive when he came on.

I thought Brown was no better than usual when he came on, he really is an absolutely dreadful player who would struggle to get into a decent pub team Imo but the atmosphere was lifted when he came on because the crowd chose to treat the period after his introduction as comedy half hour. On the night another body up front seemed to un nerve the QPR defence slightly but I'm not sure it will work for 90 minutes from the start on Saturday when the crowd would be more likely to grow irritated than be amused by his ineptitude.

I'm in a minority but I far prefer Spurr to Olsson.

Was wondering what we signed in Bennett in the first half but he showed some promising flashes second. Rhodes badly needs a goal or two as it looks like his confidence and belief is starting to waver, Conway is completely off the boil at the moment Imo.

Overall not a good performance but it may be one of those results where we win on Saturday and look back on this as a decent enough point in terms of the haul from the two games.

[Steve Moss]

Just don't see why folk get personal and think it's good to abuse players on Twitter, as he says he knows he should be scoring with the headers and is trying his best to make it happen

There are some pathetic souls out there who can only feel important/happy if they're tearing someone down.

Personally, I think Duffy is getting into the right spots and taking his chances. The goals will come.