Really good analysis. Surprised Morley was the one usual starter not really mentioned specifically as I think he really makes us tick in terms of demanding the ball and playing through the thirds. Also Grimmer has got forwards quite a lot recently.
That was a really interesting watch. I totally agree with what they picked up about how high Harvie pushes up the pitch to give that slightly lop-sided feel when we have the ball. It was really noticeable on Saturday that his starting position was regualrly 15/20 yards further forward that Grimmer, and then Skura.
I also think that's the reason we have conceded a few goals. Taylor, especially, and Low remain very central when we're defending, and that means that Harvie is more easily exposed to defend on his own. He gets beaten for the goal Peterborough score a couple of weeks ago, and it's the same position that the first cross comes in from for Burton's first goal the other night. In my opinion that's the big trade off with having Morely as the deeper lying midfielder instead of Scowen. Scowen's ability to cover a full-back and the area in front of the centre backs is unbelievably good. It's not a huge problem, and obviously having Morely there means we keep the ball a lot betterand a have a better passer starting attacks from deep. And we're 2nd, so it's worked out pretty well!
It's also worth realizing we conceded 6 in the first two games, when we had Hartridge starting instead of Taylor and Harvie still finding his feet, so since then we are at 10 goals conceded in 10 games. Not world beating, but respectable.
For how big our squad is, there's a very definite shape emerging to the line-up isn't there?
Arguably there's a first choice 10, with centre forward being rotated.
Having said that, we're all going to be bored every single week by the "look at the names not even in the squad / on the pitch" posts, there's so much shock that we have an 11 not playing that would have been as strong as last year's first team.
I should preface this with the fact I hate betting, but here are recent odds for the next QPR manager if Cifuentes gets the heave-ho. Notice anything?
Reputations can change quickly, and betting markets don't mean anything as to what a club would actually do, but it is still nice to see how far Blooms' reputation has come that he would even be on a list like this!
Thankfully I can't see Blooms leaving a promotion battle with the club he is nicknamed after for a relegation fight with that lot. If in doubt, he would ask GA how the club is anyway! 😂
Mind you, if Ipswich comes back down (and we don't go up) and McKenna goes on to better things, I expect a long 'Bloomfield to Ipswich?' thread where we can all stress out.
That’s an excellent explanation of the intention behind your original post. I was wrong to think you might have been seeking to belittle Matt Bloomfield’s achievements during the second half of last season and to use (of all clubs!) Peterborough’s performance at Wembley as an example of how readily those achievements could be undermined.
Crazy that McCleary and Leahy are the only two in that XI who might have a shout of starting our next league game - and then it is still probably only GMac of the two.
Comments
That was a really good watch. Everything about our play spot on. Interesting that he thinks we won’t be able to invest as well as others in January 👀
My bet would be that ML opens a couple of pages of his chequebook if we are still in this position
Really good analysis. Surprised Morley was the one usual starter not really mentioned specifically as I think he really makes us tick in terms of demanding the ball and playing through the thirds. Also Grimmer has got forwards quite a lot recently.
That was a really interesting watch. I totally agree with what they picked up about how high Harvie pushes up the pitch to give that slightly lop-sided feel when we have the ball. It was really noticeable on Saturday that his starting position was regualrly 15/20 yards further forward that Grimmer, and then Skura.
I also think that's the reason we have conceded a few goals. Taylor, especially, and Low remain very central when we're defending, and that means that Harvie is more easily exposed to defend on his own. He gets beaten for the goal Peterborough score a couple of weeks ago, and it's the same position that the first cross comes in from for Burton's first goal the other night. In my opinion that's the big trade off with having Morely as the deeper lying midfielder instead of Scowen. Scowen's ability to cover a full-back and the area in front of the centre backs is unbelievably good. It's not a huge problem, and obviously having Morely there means we keep the ball a lot betterand a have a better passer starting attacks from deep. And we're 2nd, so it's worked out pretty well!
It's also worth realizing we conceded 6 in the first two games, when we had Hartridge starting instead of Taylor and Harvie still finding his feet, so since then we are at 10 goals conceded in 10 games. Not world beating, but respectable.
For how big our squad is, there's a very definite shape emerging to the line-up isn't there?
Arguably there's a first choice 10, with centre forward being rotated.
Having said that, we're all going to be bored every single week by the "look at the names not even in the squad / on the pitch" posts, there's so much shock that we have an 11 not playing that would have been as strong as last year's first team.
I should preface this with the fact I hate betting, but here are recent odds for the next QPR manager if Cifuentes gets the heave-ho. Notice anything?
Reputations can change quickly, and betting markets don't mean anything as to what a club would actually do, but it is still nice to see how far Blooms' reputation has come that he would even be on a list like this!
The fury towards that horrible little club if they took another manager from us just on the verge of something special
Would be unreal gnashings on here.
I shall set fire to my own bedsheets if this happens
Thankfully I can't see Blooms leaving a promotion battle with the club he is nicknamed after for a relegation fight with that lot. If in doubt, he would ask GA how the club is anyway! 😂
Mind you, if Ipswich comes back down (and we don't go up) and McKenna goes on to better things, I expect a long 'Bloomfield to Ipswich?' thread where we can all stress out.
I love betting, in moderation of course. I would lay 4/1 Blooms to QPR all day long.
That’s an excellent explanation of the intention behind your original post. I was wrong to think you might have been seeking to belittle Matt Bloomfield’s achievements during the second half of last season and to use (of all clubs!) Peterborough’s performance at Wembley as an example of how readily those achievements could be undermined.
I really want Ipswich to stay up and Bolton to do well this season
On this date last year, this was our starting XI....
Several names in there I’ve done my best to forget about.
Crazy that McCleary and Leahy are the only two in that XI who might have a shout of starting our next league game - and then it is still probably only GMac of the two.
Bloomfield 2025.
Fa Cup winners.