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What can QPR learn from Brentford?
I have toyed with the idea of writing this blog for a while, but never seemed to have enough time or could really be bothered with all the hassle bearing in mind some may not read it anyway. But alas, here it is.
At a time when QPR are battling to stay in the Premier League, their neighbours down the road are fighting to get in it after a whirlwind first season in the Championship. Brentford, whom have often been a joke to many in the past, are making people sit up and take notice. I’ve been convinced for a while that if Rangers were to adopt a loose version of ‘Moneyball’ they would see a huge turnaround in fortunes. I am probably wrong but if done well, it can be very beneficial to a club.
Mathew Benham, the Brentford FC chairman and supporter is a huge fan of Moneyball. The phrase was originally coined by Oakland Athletic’s Billy Beane in Major League Baseball. Beane and Oakland had a tiny budget and with this realised that by copying the methods of the bigger and better teams he and the side would never really progress as he wanted. Instead he relied heavily on a scouting network that focused on statistics and undervalued players that could be acquired very cheaply whilst selling players in their squad that they felt to be overvalued (fairly common sense I’m sure you’ll agree).
If you haven’t read Soccernomics by Kuper and Szymanski, then I’ve written out their ‘rules’ for a successful Moneyball approach. I think it makes for fascinating reading and if you haven’t read the book then I would highly recommend it. I’ve added the page numbers for those that do. Anyway, the rules are here:
1. Net wage spend is more important than net transfer spend (pp. 14-21)
2. Don’t needlessly splash out on new players or sell old ones when you take over a club – the New Manager Syndrome (pp. 21-22)
3. Don’t recruit players who impressed at international tournaments: they’re likely to be overvalued and past performance is no indication of future performance, especially when they’re playing with a different team (pp. 22-24) – there are different incentives and a different tactical set-up at tournaments, and it’s a super small sample size.
4. Some nationalities are overrated, like Holland, Brazil, and England (pp. 24-25)
5. Sell your players at the right time: when they’re around 30 years old, goalkeepers aside (p. 29)
6. Use the wisdom of crowds: ask all your scouts and a Director of Football if you have one (pp. 43-44)
7. Buy players in their early twenties, which avoids the problems with not developing properly, and means previous statistics have greater value (pp. 45-47)
8. Centre-forwards cost more than they should (p. 47)
9. Sell any player if a club offers more than they are worth and try to replace them before they are sold (pp. 48-49)
10. Don’t buy players if you don’t need to: develop a youth network and try to develop your own players (pp. 49-51)
Of course, it’s fairly hard pinpoint each and everyone one of them to Brentford, but they do make a frightening amount of sense in general.
One of Brentford’s signings last year was pacey non-league forward Andre Gray. The 23-year-old had scored 30 goals whilst still being something of a creative force for his team-mates with 8 assists in 45 games for Luton Town, before Brentford pounced to sign him for £550k (Transfermarkt). I covered Brentford in preseason and was impressed with Gray, he had all the attributes even if he was a little raw. I know he had a bit of a culture shock with the transition into full-time football, even admitting to me that he would often go home to bed after preseason training as he was so exhausted. At the age of 23, he has hit 15 goals in the league and assisted his team mates eight times. He’s quick, strong, clinical and like many of the Brentford team unselfish. I’m sure he’s worth far more than the half a million they paid for him now.
Another look at The Bees’ recruitment process shows an emphasis on young players. Last summer Warburton signed one 18-year-old, five 20-year-olds, three 21-year-olds, four players between the ages of 22 and 24, and one 27 and 28-year-old each. There was an anomaly however, Tommy Smith (35) signed on a short term deal. Whilst perhaps more experience would have held them in greater stead, the vast majority of the signings have hit the Moneyball points straight on the head. (point 7)
Depending on positon, injury history and a few other factors peak age range can differentiate but the general consensus is that it falls between 24 and 30. The majority of Brentford’s first team this year were made up of players between the ages of 20 and 24. Whilst three of the four players (Jonathan Douglas, Alan McCormack, Tommy Smith and Kevin O’Connor) that are older than the peak age range have played less than 40% of games this year. The one anomaly to this, Jonathan Douglas has been a mainstay in the side with an array of competitive and energetic performances.
So not only are they attracting young players, they are giving them game time and allow them to progress. They’re also likely to be on a vast amount of money less than their older counterparts and they can continue to develop together. When the time is right, they could be sold on for profit or kept with them all hitting their peak ages together.
When a club is run like this, it also becomes less irrelevant in comparison to other clubs of whom the manager or head coach is. Saying that however, I do really like Mark Warburton though.
He’s got a philosophy that he sticks too and always wants to play the right way. Brentford are playing teams off the park at GP this year, but even when things aren’t going right he still expects the ball to be played on the floor and berates his side if they start launching it long.
He’s very analytical, very honest and has an in-depth knowledge of European youngsters having started the NextGen series (Player of the Season Alex Pritchard first came to his attention when he played in this a few years back).
He likes to play 4-2-3-1 with two industrious midfielders protecting a back four made up with two athletic, attacking minded wing-backs and two commanding centre halves.
The lone striker doesn’t need to be good in the air and he isn’t the best, he pulls the two centre halves all over the place creating space for the three attacking midfielders – who whilst being technically gifted, have a very high work rate. The often play a counter attacking game and the keeper will be asked to drop the ball quick into the attacking third for the front four to cause havoc.
The future is very bright for Brentford, Benham and Warburton. I’m sure everyone involved is destined for the Premier League in the not too distant future even though they won’t be all at Brentford.
How it would be implemented at QPR now, I’m not sure. However, with a huge summer coming for Rangers a philosophy needs to be laid down and I’m sure there are a few Moneyball advocates that would be pushing it in the direction of W12.
Bit of background on Reece Grego-Cox…
I first noticed him on a freezing cold Tuesday night in November 2013. The QPR Under-21’s, then managed by Marc Bircham, were playing AFC Wimbledon in the Under-21 Premier League Cup. As agreed with the owner of West London Sport – David Mcintyre – if I was going to cover them, I would have to cover them properly and for every game. This meant getting two trains and buses to Woking FC’s Kingfield Stadium after a long day of pointless lectures.
Tom Hitchcock stealed the show that night, as he so often did at that level. A stunning hat-trick, one of the goals being an absolute peach. Popping the ball up in the air first-time with his chest before spinning 180 degrees and bicycle kicking the ball past the beleaguered AFC Wimbledon keeper – who had already conceded three that night. Hitchcock was hauled off with about 10 minutes remaining and replaced by a diminutive figure, who judging by his body language was a little nervous and his face was rather young.
Within minutes of coming on the big, bullish centre-half had taken a bit of the substitute when going for the ball. That was to be expected though, the defender had been embarrassed by the class and guile of Tom Hitchcock all night, he certainly wasn’t going to be made a fool by his young replacement.
A few moments later the ball was punted away from the Rangers goal and was being collected by the brute of a defender. Out of nowhere, at 100mph, the pint-size forward smashed him sending him sprawling across the floor with a fair but whole-hearted shoulder barge. I remember sitting up thinking “I like that, I like that a lot!”.
The name Reece Grego-Cox has stuck with me since then and I’ve been following his career closely. Another substitute that night was a little known right-back by the name of Darnell Furlong who replaced Samba Diakite for one of his first run-outs.
The Under-21 leagues can have a lot of big egos in it, these are players that probably won’t make it, but are still paid vast amounts of money. To see a 17-year-old come in and not be phased by any of it shows you a lot about the type of man Reece is. Those that were there on Saturday would have seen Jan Vertonghen hurl abuse towards the youngster after he was nearly caught by one of his challenges. From what I know, that wouldn’t have bothered him at all. That’s his game.
For those that haven’t seen Reece Grego-Cox play, he’s a small but stocky forward and I mean really stocky. Despite being one of the youngest in league, he doesn’t look out of place at all and the physical aspect is a massive part of his game. He also happens to be lightning quick.
Last year I compared him to Wayne Rooney on Twitter in the way he played, he’s got so much energy and strength he is a nightmare for defenders. He won’t give them a moments rest and those 21 or 22-year-olds who want to just turn up and put on an impressive display for the plethora of scouts certainly don’t want to be up against Grego-Cox – he’s clincal and deadly when given the opportunity. The energy and competitiveness he plays with is very unique.
He was given far more chances to progress once Peter Skapetis left the club, remember the uproar? Well Reece, who replaced him in the Under-21’s has gone from strength to strength whilst Skapetis has done nothing of note. The club took a lot of criticism for that, but the difference between the two players is now astronomical.
I’ve watched Grego-Cox play on the wing a number of times too and he looks more than comfortable there. He isn’t just a “full effort, limited ability” player that tears around after the ball, he’s got fantastic technical ability for his age. His touch is very good and he’s got more than enough skill to give a full-back a torrid time – which he did fairly often.
It says a lot about him that he never hides on the pitch either, it can be easy for a young player to let the game pass him by but even when things aren’t going his way, he demands the ball. He always wants to make things happen and is very positive.
The only thing negative I would have would be his aggression. Or would have been his aggression. By his own admission it was something he needed to curb and over the last couple of years he certainly has done that. But you don’t want to take too much of that side out of his game, that’s what sets him apart.
Having been picked up at the age of 13 from Bedfont Sports after scoring 70 goals in one season and collecting the club’s first ever Golden Boot award, he’s impressed every coach he has played under at the club. Reece has also represented Ireland from Under-17 level and is on course to be picked for an Under-21 squad in the not too distant future. His current contract with QPR runs until 2017.
Current Under-21 boss Steve Gallen thinks there are comparisons to be made between Reece and prolific first-team forward Charlie Austin. So much so, Gallen and Grego-Cox have sat down together to study the runs Austin makes in a game so Reece can try emulate them.
“Reece is a lot like Charlie,” he said.
“They are tenacious, they cause problems for defenders and they can score goals. They won’t give you a moments rest.
“Like Charlie has done at times for the first team, Reece creates a goal out of nothing.
“Both of them play off instinct, look at Charlie’s goal at Southampton. That was instinct; he just did it without thinking.
“Reece does the same, he can win you games that you don’t deserve to win just by playing off his instinct.
He’s been looked after very well by the club and is held in extremely high-regard by the coaching staff, he’s from a brilliantly supportive family and I have often seen his parents at the games at the EDS game, which take place on the middle of a weekday.
Reece continued to be a credit to himself, family and the club when he spent the night before he was due to fly to Dubai with Jac Rush, a 17-year-old supporter who suffered a stroke recently. He gave Jac a signed ball on behalf of the club and spoke football with him at length.
He’s young and he’s raw but he’s also supremely gifted. The best thing Rangers’ fans can do is to give him time, he might need to go out on-loan next year and get some more first-team experience, he might need two years.
But say it quietly, QPR fans might have a gem in the ranks. Someone they can be properly excited about.
Who is the ‘Little Boy’?
The much travelled Eduardo Vargas has endured some difficult loan spells since he was named the second best player in South America (Neymar was first), but if QPR can get him settled they could have a player on their hands.
Rangers signed the ‘Little Boy’ as he is affectionately called by Redknapp, on loan and can make the deal permanent at the end of the season for just £8 million – which could prove to be a real steal in the current market.
The 24-year-old was one of the best young prospects coming out of South America not so long ago and his playing style means he could fit into the Premier League very well. He stands at 5’7 but despite his small stature is very well built. He’s lightning quick, can play a either up front or out wide and is comparable to Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero. He works hard, scores goals and plays on the last defender.
Vargas comes from Chile’s capital Santiago and trained when he was a youngster with both Universidad Catolica and Palestino, before winning a contract at Cobreloa thanks to an appearance in a ‘Football Icon’ type programme in 2005.
At the age of 16, he was scoring goals in the third amateur division for Cobreloa reserve side, who as a club have a good track record for producing young talent from South America. He was impressing so much that they moved him into the first team where he went on to score 10 goals in 49 appearances before his 17th birthday.
After three seasons he moved to Universidad de Chile for just £700,000 where he was managed by current Chile boss Jorge Sampoli. His game rapidly progressed as a forward but Sampoli recognised that his pace and directness would enable him to play out wide. La U won the Copa Sudamerica as well as the Apertura and Clasura in 2011 and Vargas was named the player of the tournament by his fellow professionals. Deportes La Serena skipper Mauricio Salazar heaped praise on his performances in the illustrious competition: “He was the key man, his speed opened up the flanks, he scored goals and made them as well.”
In the same season he scored 25 goals and assisted a further 11 in 44 appearances leading to him being named the Chilean Player of the Year and a move to Europe beckoned. Despite interest from Internazionale and Chelsea it would be Napoli that secured the pacey forward for £11.5 million.
After moving in the January of 2012, he struggled for opportunities and was unused substitute in the Copa Italia win over Juventus. The following September saw him lead the line for them in their Europa League campaign and he became the first Chilean to score a hat-trick in the competition when he netted three against AIK Fotboll.
Despite scoring six goals in nine games, Vargas’ opportunities remained limited in Naples and loans to Brazil with Gremio and Spain with Valencia followed. Upon returning from Spain, where he scored three times in 17 games, Rafa Benitez had replaced Walter Mazzarri and made it clear he would not be in his plans for the following season.
A promising World Cup under Sampoli again led to reported interest from Arsenal, but Tony Fernandes made it his mission to get the striker. A night of WhatsApping between Fernandes and the players representatives enabled the airline tycoon to thrash out an unlikely deal for a player that was wanted by some of Europe’s elite not to long ago.
After the performance against Liverpool, QPR seemed to have turned a corner and Vargas’ goals will give the striker a welcome confidence boost coming into a tough run for the R’s.
Perhaps the Loftus Road faithful have found a new favourite?
Pre-Liverpool – Time to cut some slack…
It’s been a busy few weeks for QPR since the dismal showing at West Ham, Super Les has come in to do a ‘stupidly named’ role, whilst Nick Daws has left for Scunthorpe. When I put my fans hat on, I’m rapidly following out of love with the club – but instead of going on about why that is now, you could read Jawad Laouira brilliant blog post on it by clicking here.
Yet at the same time, from an aspiring journalists’ point of view it can be brilliant to be so close to the club when clearly things are not going too well.
In recent weeks I’ve been so out-of-the-loop and really not bothered talking much about QPR hence me not updating this blog as much as I would have liked. This has been for a number of reasons really; the standard of ‘local’ journalists covering QPR is really good and I mean really good. David Mcintyre has been there, got the t-shirt and done it for years, whilst Rob Brennan has revitalised the QPR coverage on the Brent and Kilburn Times so it’s good to learn from these guys.
But I often think, with these big boys giving their views, mine are somewhat irrelevant. I’ve started covering boxing too and it’s certainly different to dealing with footballers and I’m enjoying it. Added to that, I’m back at Uni and training for my fight in December – so it’s very busy time.
After saying all that I’m back at Loftus Road for the game against Liverpool and having attended Harry Redknapp’s press conference this week, I’m even more sure he is the right man for the job.
Some of what Redknapp said I didn’t fully believe. Like that they only decided late that they needed to go and get some deals done in the window. I don’t believe that for a minute. I don’t believe that he didn’t think Loic Remy would leave. I don’t believe he isn’t feeling the pressure either, I think he is and I think he is doing his upmost to try and turn the club around.
I also found myself agreeing with him about the injuries not helping the team settle and how really, QPR were always going to be near the bottom if not bottom.
Last year I was one of Redknapp’s harshest critics with regards to how the team were playing and how they should have been walking that league. I still believe they should have, but at the end of the day he got them up. Yes it was lucky, but he managed it.
Harry ‘the top, top lad’ ‘triffic bloke’ ‘got a lot of time for him’ ‘ not been a minute’s bovver’ Redknapp . The cockney who’s a ducker and diver, the media darling. We all know what he’s like, but he’s also a very good manager, his record says so. So good in fact, he was the people’s choice for the England job. He’s also the best man for the job at Rangers at the minute.
He’s a far better option that Tony Puis who is a classic ‘trendy’ at the minute manager. Pulis did very well at Stoke, but the ‘incapable’ Mark Hughes went in there and improved them in every aspect so he obviously can’t be too grand. Of course, he went into Palace and kept them up, although Palace had a team full of players that would buy into the managers ethics and ideas. I wouldn’t be so sure that would happen at Rangers.
Tim Sherwood would be the same, I’m adamant that it doesn’t matter who you bring in, the problems will always be the same. Tactics become somewhat irrelevant when the large majority of the players have a mentality towards the club that is so poor.
Redknapp it seems has a good relationship with Fernandes, that’s not to say he won’t sack him but I get the impression they get on well. He also seems to have a good relationship with his ex-players, it could be just a PR line but they all seem to want to work with him again.
To think you can just sack the manager and the results completely turnaround is just too one-dimensional, especially when you look at the managers in the past that have come and gone. It’s time to start looking deeper than who is in the hot seat and instead more at why the the good managers and good players suddenly look so lost when they come to W12.
The players themselves should be looking to shoulder a large portion of the blame for the poor start this year and I’m not talking about Rio Ferdinand who seems to be the annual boo-boy. He ticks all the boxes: ex-Man Utd, best days are behind him, high-earner, poor performances, off pitch commitments. He’s been poor, but he’s been hung out to dry a little.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that he’s lost his pace and can be exposed, but he hasn’t been helped but the systems or his team-mates. The midfield have been non-existent and his full-backs have been Mauricio Isla and Armand Traore. Bobby Moore would look exposed playing with those two. Ferdinand was made for the sweeper role in the 3-5-2, as was Isla, but the Chilean and the formation have both been bombed in favour for 4-5-1 after poor results.
Ferdinand got dogs abuse on Twitter for letting James Tomkins get a cross in against West Ham, but Nedum Onouha was the one caught ball watching, resulting in him losing Sakho for one of the easiest goals he is likely to score and he seemed to bypass any criticism.
He looks like a sitting duck sometimes with no protection from his midfield, so until that changes don’t expect his performances to either.
That’s where the problem lies for me – in the midfield. They seem totally inept, it doesn’t matter what midfielders you play if they have no structure or effort, it’s all rather wasted. They don’t create enough, they don’t to look stretch the opposition with powerful runs to create space – they just sit in the middle playing very one paced, passing left to right.
There never seems to be any game play or style of play. But I don’t think that is down to the manager, I don’t think he is sitting there before the games not giving instructions. Perhaps the players just aren’t good enough to carry out the instructions.
Redknapp had mentioned this week that he wanted more energy and to get at Liverpool from the off, so it will be interesting to see if the players do that.
I like Leroy Fer, especially at home where I think he prefers playing but I don’t think you can start him and Adel Taarabt in the same team at the minute. I’d rather play Taarabt. Despite all the money spent and all the comments made about him; he still cares, he still demands the ball and is probably still our best player. He doesn’t care who he is playing, he pays the same way. He cares not for reputations of the opposition, he will still try and run at them and create something. The only one that gets people off their seats and is worth the entrance fee alone.
If it was me choosing the side, Edu Vargas would be starting as well, his work rate is immense and he can play too. He also gives you pace on the counter and the ability to defend from the front – both things Rangers have lacked in recent weeks.
I’d love for them to give it a real go against Liverpool, countless times I’ve watched them play the bigger teams and just crumble. Spend all game with men behind the ball before losing 2-0 without having a shot.
For the sake of the fans first and foremost, the board, Redknapp and Ferdinand, I hope we get a result today.
Feel free to leave a comment, I’ll make sure I respond to them all whether you agree or disagree. I’m on twitter here too.
Bravo Harry Redknapp – Thoughts on Sunderland game
Another Rangers game and another blog. I think the old saying goes “you’re only as good as the last blog you write”, well at least I hope it does and I’m fairly grateful as my last one was s***. A much better performance by Harry Redknapp’s men today.
For a man, QPR were far better than last week at White Hart Lane. 3-5-2 was binned for a more conventional 4-3-3 and everyone knew their roles. Instead of Mauricio Isla being left with two men he now had a central midfielder (Mutch) coming over to protect him and press the man on the ball and a winger (Phillips) tracking the run of Van Aarnholt from full-back. Obviously there were times when Van Aarnholt got away and flew forward but he was more often than not matched by Phillips or stopped by Isla. With the protection he needs, the Chilean defender looked like a completely different player.
On the other side, veteran Clint Hill came into the side and didn’t let Adam Johnson settle all afternoon. To be fair to Hill, I was slightly worried when I saw he would be playing where he was up against Sunderland’s impressive wingers but he nailed it and Johnson in one swift movement. Within the first few minutes he clattered into the ex-Manchester City winger, the textbook ‘let him know you’re there’ challenge. From then on, try as he might Johnson had very little influence on the game and this was down to Hill. Balls into Johnson’s feet, which would have been an obvious outlet for the visitors, were met with the left-back being touch tight on Johnson every time not allowing him to turn, open up the pitch but more importantly run at the 35-year-old.
As he couldn’t turn and get wide, he was forced to go inside where he was met by a sea of blue and white shirts and was quickly dispossessed.
The Rangers defence remained tight and disciplined throughout. Whenever Vito Mannone had a goal kick, they narrowed the lines and remained compact. Mutch covered Isla and Barton did the same for Hill, meaning any balls fired towards Wickham or Fletcher were either won by Rangers heads first time round or were perfectly placed for winning the second ball. Often the next phase of play would be to look for Fer who was the free man and slightly more advanced than the other two. . The former Norwich man drives at defences and is so comfortable on the ball, he can quickly make yards up and he did all day long (until he tired around the 60th minute).
Whilst Johnson came further and further inside, Vergini was left isolated time and time again, Hoilett had the beating of him. Catching him square and going down the line or going inside onto his favoured right foot. The Italian also stood off the winger far too much, after it was clear 24-year-old had the beating of him for pace, he could have done more to get tighter – like Hill had done for Rangers. But his and Sunderland’s loss was the home sides gain.
Like most modern full-backs, Van Aarnholt is better going forward than he is defensively and had very little help from Connor Wickham and was constantly over-run by Phillips and the pacey Isla. The winger looks a little off the pace but still showed his quality with some brilliant crosses, it would be a real shame if he were to move on this week.
Against Hull, you could argue that Rangers rushed the build-up play through Ale Faurlin, who looked to take the ball off the t centre backs very quickly and play direct looking for Austin or Remy down the channels. Today, Rangers oozed class popping the ball nicely around the midfield three before spraying it wide and over loading the box with runners.
Charlie Austin’s and QPR’s first goal of the season was a cracker. I hope Match of the Day dedicate a little bit time to rip Wes Brown’s defending as they did for Rio Ferdinand on the opening day of the season. Joey Barton produced a fine performance dictating the play from deep and acting as a shield in the middle. His set-pieces improved too, a deep inswinging corner was met by the head of Leroy Fer who had managed to lose Scott Parker and Joey Essex’s lovechild; Lee Cattermole. But Austin’s movement was the real gem. A little dart towards the front post before pulling back onto the penalty spot allow Fer to nod down and the rest was history.
Wes Brown and John O’Shea won a lot in the air against Austin, but you would expect that two veteran defenders, what Austin did offer is endless running and pressing. Rangers played traps all day long and Sunderland played into them. Unlike Tottenham, when Remy let Spurs’ defenders do what they like with the ball, Austin hounded. The midfield and defence moved up as one and the players went in packs to shut the space forcing the long ball. Think of when Larsson was dispossed by Austin and Barton and Rangers broke at tremendous pace.
As the game wore on and when Sunderland threw more forward, Rangers dropped deeper. Phillips and Hoilett, who had a brilliant game by all accounts both attacking and defensively, were moved into ‘full-back’ positions to cope with the wingbacks and provide adequate protection and they did it very well, it was only when Traore came on and he was laboured in doing so Rangers got caught out. But thankfully Hill cleared off the line to save his team-mates blushes.
So bravo to Harry Redknapp and his coaching staff, a good performance and the first win out of the way.
A busy week for all at the club, no doubt plenty leaving and I’m sure fans will see more than enough players come in. A note too for Tony Fernandes, stood proud and joined in with the Faurlin chant in the 18th minute. Gutted for the Argentine, life can be a bastard sometimes.
Some thoughts on Spurs away and 3-5-2…
It’s hard to know where to start with QPR’s performance at White Hart Lane on Sunday afternoon, so much went wrong all over the pitch it was reminiscent of some of the performances from Rangers when they were last in the top-flight.
The 3-5-2 system was picked apart by Spurs, every time they came forward they looked like scoring. I mentioned in my last blog (if anyone read it) that Richard Dunne wasn’t someone I wouldn’t fancy having on the left-side of the three and he proved it again today.
Clint Hill would be my choice – far better on the ball than he is given credit for, naturally left footed and comfortable being dragged out wide. Because, as is inevitable with wing-backs, you will get caught on the break. He’s far more mobile than Dunne and a much better communicator.
You also need to know whether you are going zonal or man for man, as Spurs played with the lone striker it pmade sense to go zonal as their movement would be all across the three depending on where the ball was. Unfortunately, it just created havoc.
If you’re playing next to Armand Traore, you need to be talking and as was proved from Tottenham’s first, a lack of communication was a clear problem down Rangers’ left-hand side.
The wing-backs arguably make or break this formation and Mauricio Isla is a very good signing, once fit I have no doubt that he is more than good enough to make the wing-backs position his own. Traore on the other hand looks very suspect playing in the role.
The obvious reason for needing to good wing-backs is that when in possession you can stretch the opposition across midfield turning your three into a five with the front two still being able to feed off of an attacking central midfielder and wing play being provided by the two wing-backs.
It’s therefore critical that the wing-backs know when to go and when not to. It’s physically demanding position so you need to have great athletes that are very comfortable on the ball but more importantly understand the system they are being asked to play and I’m not sure Traore does.
He’s definitely not a full-back, he gets beaten far too easily for that.
He’s not a left winger either, he looks much better if he can come onto the ball and deliver rather than having it at his feet in the first place and as a wing-back he’s starting position is a good 10 yards behind what it would be for a left winger so he’s unlikely to have that luxury. Something needs to change there.
Chelsea managed to protect the limitations of John Terry in recent years by having a mobile midfield in front of him. Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien have all had a role in making the former England captain look far more assured.
Despite Rangers having slow centre-halves, they’ve got slow midfielders in front of them and at times no-one protecting them. This leaves them wide open at times and it did against Tottenham meaning the likes of Lamela were having a free run at Ferdinand and Dunne.
Of the three central midfielders you need one to hold, one to be busting a gut to get into the box and finally one to sit just outside the box for any balls that come loose. They also need to be able to shift over and maintain shape whilst supporting both wing-backs – Isla was isolated so much today it was frightening.
It didn’t help having new-signing Leroy Fer thrown in despite being unfit, but the general basis of Barton being the one that holds, Fer being the box-to-box and Jordon Mutch being the more advanced of the three is fairly promising.
Although I think a lot could depend on Joey Barton.
I’m a fan of Barton, I thought he did very well last year and could do very well this year if he limits himself. He could do very well if he plays as a holding midfielder and looks to give the ball, plays the pivot and acts a shield to the back 3. If he plays how he did a White Hart Lane then Rangers may as well give up now, he was everywhere and not in a good sense. His set-pieces were dire too.
If he’s going to be the one that holds, then he needs to hold – he can’t then look to get in the box when his two other team-mates have gone leaving Traore open to a counter which happened more than once.
He does have ability though, that’s pretty clear. He constantly looked to get on the ball and spread it wide, identifying that the strengths of the system are through the wing-backs, won the ball back for Rangers more than any other player and picked up more loose balls than anyone on the pitch. His ball to Matt Phillips points to his range of passing. He could play in the pivot, I really think that. But could Joey Barton limit himself?
Whoever plays in the future, they need to get tighter to the opposition far quicker. One of the reasons Spurs looked so sharp was because they never let QPR settle, for the first goal Loic Remy had 3 men round him hounding him out of possession. I don’t remember QPR having 3 men around any of Tottenham’s players at any point of the game.
Remy was starved of service far large periods of the game, but even when he got the ball, he looked to be playing for himself to much and often doing far to much and losing the ball instead of keeping it simple.
Matty Phillips who played alongside him had a fantastic opportunity at 1-0, after last week’s 19 shots Redknapp would have mentioned about how important it is about taking your chances so I was astounded that he went for an exotic chip instead of just putting his foot through it.
Rangers tried to play off of Phillips and Remy’s main strength of pace but they didn’t get the service, once this was obvious they needed to revert and play one up and one off. They needed the ball to stick. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen partly because of poor service and partly because of the fact Matt Phillips isn’t an out and out striker.
For the second week on the trot there’s no guile or flair when Rangers are going forward. Against Hull, QPR looked defensively assured. They lost that today but still gained nothing going forward. No-one is looking for a killer pass or looking to drive at the defence. To be honest, they look clueless at times. Once the ball is passed from right to left and no obvious gap has appeared we look totally void of ideas. Someone needs to get their foot on the ball and begin to dictate the play and create something out of nothing.
Roll on Burton..
jordanjamesfoster 