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.
jordanjamesfoster 