v QPR (h) - 28/09/24

[wilsdenrover]

6 hours ago, doctorryan said:

Actually Wilsden I believe it goes like this:

Each position in the League table is decided by the following tiebreakers if teams finish on the same number of points:

• Goal difference
• Goals scored
• Team who collected most points in head-to-head record
• Who scored the most away goals in head-to-head

If teams cannot be separated by the above criteria and they are fighting for the title, European spots, promotion or relegation, a one-off play-off game at a neutral ground will be scheduled to decide who finishes higher.

Since we haven't played them yet, we're essentially level with them.

See below for full list of tie breakers:

[arbitro]

8 hours ago, SpaceBarSlam said:

Bit of a kick in the teeth for Hyam, mind! Gone from being captain under JDT and then Eustace to behind Buckley (who can't even get a start) in the captaincy pecking order. 

For what it's worth, I think Hyam has had a decent start to the season and their #12 was in his pocket today, but he doesn't quite have the edge of a captain. 

I'm starting to think that the captaincy hung like an albatross around his neck. His form with the armband was poor which has been widely acknowledged. His performances as just a player have been good to very good. It's something I think Eustace has looked at, even perhaps Hyam has admitted the captaincy affected his game.

[arbitro]

6 hours ago, Upside Down said:

What did you make of the sending off?

I didn't think it was a red, yellow at most, but the foul just before it should have been a second yellow for the lad and he just waved it away.

There can't be many complaints as far as the game itself goes as QPR should have been down to ten but they now have a player serving a three match ban whereas they should have had a different player serving a one match ban. I think they should feel hard done by for that.

My gut reaction was red card. He was high, at speed and his lunge looked out of control this endangering Baath's safety. We said the very same thing about the QPR number 30. His challenge just before the red card was certainty worthy of a yellow card but it wasn't even given as a foul. Incidentally both of these incidents came after the additional minute was over.

[arbitro]

I haven't read every post but from the ones I have read there has been nothing about Hedges playing left back in the second half. I thought it was a masterstroke by Eustace despite me having reservations when he lined up there. His athleticism was important as he worked the line often from deep positions whilst he showed good defensive awareness. I don't think he will feature too often in that position but whilst Beck is suspended it's good to know we at least have some cover.

[lraC]

31 minutes ago, arbitro said:

My gut reaction was red card. He was high, at speed and his lunge looked out of control this endangering Baath's safety. We said the very same thing about the QPR number 30. His challenge just before the red card was certainty worthy of a yellow card but it wasn't even given as a foul. Incidentally both of these incidents came after the additional minute was over.

As always in the championship, he had one look at it. I was watching it on TV and found it hard to judge, first time around. The reaction of our players made me convinced the red was coming, but it goes to show what a hard task it is to get things right. 

[chaddyrovers]

14 hours ago, SIMON GARNERS 194 said:

Damn Sky,only just over 13k home fans on...just hope we can maintain this run and folk back this side in increasing numbers.

I think 4k walk on fans is a good return considering the finances involved, kick off time, also factoring in the opposition

14 hours ago, Forever Blue said:

Park is head of recruitment so I’d imagine he’s responsible, he’s no doubt got far better knowledge and contacts than GB ever had.

Gestede apparently knows the Belgium and France markets so maybe Gueye was his choice.

I would imagine, its a team effort from John Park(with a range of contacts all over), Gestede(will know people in France, Belgium, etc), Owen(will know a range of different people), then Eustace plus any other scouts we hired during the summer 

11 hours ago, arbitro said:

We have eleven games in October and November which includes two international breaks. You make a good point about the possible forward thinking. We were talking today and didn't think we are picking up too many injuries this season. I do wonder if the lighter work load in training and the time off that Eustace gives them is a big factor here.

I think they are some great points you make here and I think your point on Hedges moving to left back being a masterstroke by Eustace is a very good valid point

[M_B]

54 minutes ago, Rochdale_rover said:

So strange how people see the game .

I thought first half by his standards was the best he'd played in a long time.

Second half way back to same old dolan. 

Cwe could have had another 2 or 3 goals but he holds on to the ball too long . Loses it or does a poor pass and another attack breaks down 

 

He did hold onto the ball well and played it back to Travis  for the first goal,that was second half. I just don't see who anyone could choose over Dolan for motm.

Such a pity that Ohashi didn't finish his chance first half, the pass from Dolan will probably be forgotten because we didn't score. Had he put it away, it would have been replayed over and over for some time. 

 

[Forever Blue]

41 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I haven't read every post but from the ones I have read there has been nothing about Hedges playing left back in the second half. I thought it was a masterstroke by Eustace despite me having reservations when he lined up there. His athleticism was important as he worked the line often from deep positions whilst he showed good defensive awareness. I don't think he will feature too often in that position but whilst Beck is suspended it's good to know we at least have some cover.

It’s been mentioned that it allowed Eustace to return to his preferred option of playing an attacking full back and having the wide midfielder (Cantwell) drop in centrally. I thought Hedges was really poor in the first half as a traditional winger/wide mid. 

I think Eustace really values Hedges. He’s mentioned what a good player he is and how he was looking forward to working with him when he got the job. Hedges works really hard and is good defensively for a wide mid so you can why JE likes him. For me though his work in the attacking areas is L1 standard. His final ball/cross is invariably poor. 

Edited September 29 by Forever Blue

[47er]

9 hours ago, Tom said:

Genuinely excited by Cantwell, he’s just hugely talented. 

Keep his head in it and he could be a special player for us 

 He's regarded with absolute contempt by Norwich and Rangers fans because of his behaviour at their clubs.

That's why we got a real talent so cheap.

The only fans who were distraught at his leaving were Celtic fans!

So we have to be cautious but optimistic that he's decided to turn his career around. If so we'll get the benefit---ie he'll leave for a profit.

 

 

[chaddyrovers]

9 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

The benchmark for any strikers cant be Gallagher last season. He is a below average Championship striker but he has a particularly bad, injury ravaged season in which he only scored 3 goals. Baring in mind we nearly went down and had a player who scored 27 playing off the striker, we need much, much better than that. 

who is the benchmark then? 

9 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Im not convinced that Eustace particularly rates Buckley. He tends to only be given token cameos when games are won.

It would be interesting to see when Travis inevitably is banned whether Buckley would firstly come in, as I suspect Baker and JRC would be more likely. And if he did, who would be captain. Letting him keep the armband for 15 minutes rather than passing it on might be clever man management to appease him, knowing he probably will need him at some point.

I don't see JRC playing there ahead of Buckley or Baker in centre midfield. 

Buckley will play more when we need to take the game to opposition and need to be more creatively in the middle and final third

Edited September 29 by chaddyrovers

[Forever Blue]

9 minutes ago, M_B said:

He did hold onto the ball well and played it back to Travis  for the first goal,that was second half. I just don't see who anyone could choose over Dolan for motm.

Such a pity that Ohashi didn't finish his chance first half, the pass from Dolan will probably be forgotten because we didn't score. Had he put it away, it would have been replayed over and over for some time. 

 

Thought Dolan played well. He’s obviously inconsistent but he seems to reserve his good performances for Ewood Park. And it was a cracking ball to Yuki. 
 

Dolan or Travis was my MOTM. I’d give it Travis for the goal but also for his reaction to the challenge that got their lad sent off. It was worthy of a place at RADA and I’ve no doubt influenced the ref a little bit!

[arbitro]

21 minutes ago, lraC said:

As always in the championship, he had one look at it. I was watching it on TV and found it hard to judge, first time around. The reaction of our players made me convinced the red was coming, but it goes to show what a hard task it is to get things right. 

Experience taught me to back my gut reaction to serious incidents. I don't like it when referees are slow to issue red cards as to me it looks like they are in doubt. The incident where the Nobber was sent off last week was 51 seconds from the challenge to the red card being shown. I honestly thought he was going yellow given the time lapse. It also acts as a pacifier to any players looking for retribution. I have heard commentators praising this by saying the referee was taking their time. I disagree and like to see decisive refereeing.

[M_B]

10 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

Thought Dolan played well. He’s obviously inconsistent but he seems to reserve his good performances for Ewood Park. And it was a cracking ball to Yuki. 
 

Dolan or Travis was my MOTM. I’d give it Travis for the goal but also for his reaction to the challenge that got their lad sent off. It was worthy of a place at RADA and I’ve no doubt influenced the ref a little bit!

I was actually saying at the ground that I'd take Travis off at half time, given the card situation. Wrong yet again. 

[Upside Down]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

My gut reaction was red card. He was high, at speed and his lunge looked out of control this endangering Baath's safety. We said the very same thing about the QPR number 30. His challenge just before the red card was certainty worthy of a yellow card but it wasn't even given as a foul. Incidentally both of these incidents came after the additional minute was over.

As joey big nose said before there wasn't any objections from the QPR players. Having seen it again he was quite reckless.

Can't believe he gave nothing for the foul before, that was obvious.

It was good to see us go after them in the second half and come away with an easy win. At 2-0 the game was over, you could tell by the QPR subs the manager was just winding things down and looking forward to the next game.

I said at half time we needed to shoot at goal and when we finally did we scored and their keeper made five amazing saves in a row.

[Forever Blue]

5 minutes ago, M_B said:

I was actually saying at the ground that I'd take Travis off at half time, given the card situation. Wrong yet again. 

I was thinking the same. I thought when Cantwell was warming up it was Travis coming off. 

[ABBEY]

15 hours ago, oldjamfan1 said:

I don’t think he’s quite fit enough to start yet. Be a good sub to bring on for 30 minutes in these two away games though.

start him and take him off when gassed.

[Hasta]

Considering they brought only about 800, 13k+ wasn’t too bad.

However it felt much less than that. My two season ticket holding buddies didn’t go and I suspect quite a few others.

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

26 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Experience taught me to back my gut reaction to serious incidents. I don't like it when referees are slow to issue red cards as to me it looks like they are in doubt. The incident where the Nobber was sent off last week was 51 seconds from the challenge to the red card being shown. I honestly thought he was going yellow given the time lapse. It also acts as a pacifier to any players looking for retribution. I have heard commentators praising this by saying the referee was taking their time. I disagree and like to see decisive refereeing.

I’m “ old skool “ so I thought the sending off was harsh. Younger fans who are used to red cards coming out in every game will obviously differ. I also thought the ref got us out of jail at the end when Batth got caught in possession. I’d describe both decisions as “ home town “ decisions, away teams rarely get them
 

Regarding your earlier comments on Hedges, his life at left back was made a lot easier given they were down to 10 players.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

33 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Experience taught me to back my gut reaction to serious incidents. I don't like it when referees are slow to issue red cards as to me it looks like they are in doubt. The incident where the Nobber was sent off last week was 51 seconds from the challenge to the red card being shown. I honestly thought he was going yellow given the time lapse. It also acts as a pacifier to any players looking for retribution. I have heard commentators praising this by saying the referee was taking their time. I disagree and like to see decisive refereeing.

As you say the Sky Commentary team made a big thing about the time it took the ref last week saying how composed he was. There are times when refs can be too quick to react at times and make rods for their own back.

[dingles staying down 4ever]

1 hour ago, arbitro said:

I haven't read every post but from the ones I have read there has been nothing about Hedges playing left back in the second half. I thought it was a masterstroke by Eustace despite me having reservations when he lined up there. His athleticism was important as he worked the line often from deep positions whilst he showed good defensive awareness. I don't think he will feature too often in that position but whilst Beck is suspended it's good to know we at least have some cover.

Actually think that Left back or LWB is his best position. At half time I was suggesting putting him to RWB and going three at the back with Pickering at LWB. Pickering being ill actually helped Eustace's decision but what ever way the decision was arrived at it was a great one.

[Neal]

6 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Hopefully we will become more creative when everyone is up to speed as the attacking make up of the team is still not right IMO. Cantwell should provide much more creativity when fit to start and hopefully Cozier Duberry can too. Repeatedly playing Hedges will never lead to many chancss creative and we have sometimes opted for the likes of Baker and JRC on the other side who dont seem comfortable there.

I still think questions over Gueye and Ohashi are very valid as we try and figure them out. Both have been totally ineffective in the last 2 games and both have shown promise and potential limitations so its hard to know exactly what sort of return we will get over the course of a season.

 

A little harsh I think. If you think back to the Bristol game, we created hardly anything for Ohashi, first chance we gave him he battered in the top corner and then he created another for himself out of nothing. We've created little for our forwards but given us a fantastic return on not much supply. 

 

We can round and round about it but let's be honest, nothing needs to change at all. Eustace has us set up not to get beat and we're unbeaten and 2nd in the league, keeping clean sheets and scoring goals. It's pointless nit picking about this and that whilst we're picking up points. When the results turn then perhaps it's time to talk about our creativity (or lack of) but right now things are as good as they possibly can be and despite our league position we can still improve. 

[Forever Blue]

Can’t remember the last time we had a GD of +8

[Forever Blue]

It’s silly criticising Eustace for the way we set up as some on here do. We’re doing incredibly well because of the choices Eustace makes. We don’t have the players to out-football everyone so he makes sure before anything we are hard to beat. He’s a pragmatist. So if he wants to play a CM on the left or right he does it for a reason. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 minutes ago, Forever Blue said:

It’s silly criticising Eustace for the way we set up as some on here do. We’re doing incredibly well because of the choices Eustace makes. We don’t have the players to out-football everyone so he makes sure before anything we are hard to beat. He’s a pragmatist. So if he wants to play a CM on the left or right he does it for a reason. 

He’s taken a look at what we’ve got player wise and set the team up accordingly. Not like some managers who insist on playing a certain way irrespective of the skill set of the squad.

Edited September 29 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[arbitro]

47 minutes ago, dingles staying down 4ever said:

As you say the Sky Commentary team made a big thing about the time it took the ref last week saying how composed he was. There are times when refs can be too quick to react at times and make rods for their own back.

I prefer quick, decisive decision making though. I found it I was thinking too much I invariably went yellow. Experience taught me to go with my gut reaction rightly or wrongly. That alone would help to 'sell' the decision.