Keeping our feet firmly on the ground

[loonee]

Fair enough, don't disagree that we need someone to improve our strikers, whether there is anything that can be done for Dykes who knows. Unfortunately as you say, we don't have the money for Charlie to stay as coach or player anyway.

[Devonranger]

I think we should bear in mind where the current financial climate and restrictions allows us to spend/buy. Allied to that we won't be having a free run at players with other clubs circling if they are on the radar.

We need to be a bit more patient with signings and understand that players develop at different speeds - Mark Warburton has already alluded to Dykes not having an academy background, and there will be certain things that will need working on.

Bonne is probably not alone with having a stronger playing side but might query the criticism on positional sense- got himself into three good positions on Saturday and just failed to apply the position. He has found the net on his limited full appearances so something to work with but he needs time too.

Hopefully the current form of the team and impact of Charlie and Johansen with Field will help with an environment which can help these lads develop.

Bottom line is we signed both for transfer fees which we need to recoup and hopefully make a profit on - this is what football should be about developing players and watching them improve given time and opportunity.

Sadly I see it from grassroots youth football upwards - cut corners at every opportunity for perceived success and glory.

[UxbridgeR]

We have to balance developing players with continuing to compete at this level though. Spending £250-500k on 18 / 19 year olds like Walsh and Kelman is an investment in the future. There's no expectation that they'll contribute at first team level for a while yet, and if they do, it's an unexpected bonus.

Spending around £2M apiece on the likes of Bonne and Dykes is different. It's relatively big money for us these days, and while I'm sure they can improve as players over time, they also have to contribute in the here and now. They're both 25 years old, which is not particularly young in footballing terms. Poor service has been a mitigating factor to some extent, but four goals between them from open play is not good enough however you look at it. I'm not saying we should write them off, not least because we can't afford to, but I don't think criticism of them (and whoever is responsible for signing them) is unfair at this point.

[Lee Gib]

Bonne - poor 1st touch, no left foot, poor positioning acumen

I always thought his positioning was pretty good, just his finishing was a bit cack.

[dm]

Warburton has given a vote of confidence to Dykes and Bonne. He's said he's not worried by their lack of goals and that they'll learn from Austin.

I continue to hold out hope that Dykes will improve, particularly if we play more to the strengths he shows for Scotland.

For Bonne, I'm afraid I'm struggling to find anything much to be optimistic about. I hope I'm wrong.

[jimjams]

Bonne is probably not alone with having a stronger playing side but might query the criticism on positional sense- got himself into three good positions on Saturday and just failed to apply the position. He has found the net on his limited full appearances so something to work with but he needs time too.

Yeah, he reminds me of Hugill in some ways. One of them is that he spanners quite a few easy chances, but also that he gets them in the first place.
Also need to factor in minutes on the pitch. I think if Bonne scores another league goal he would be on par with Hugill in terms of minutes per goal. People are demanding a lot and part of the problem is not many goals are coming from elsewhere on the pitch compared to last year.

[ZENITH R]

Bonne is probably not alone with having a stronger playing side but might query the criticism on positional sense- got himself into three good positions on Saturday and just failed to apply the position. He has found the net on his limited full appearances so something to work with but he needs time too.

Yeah, he reminds me of Hugill in some ways. One of them is that he spanners quite a few easy chances, but also that he gets them in the first place.
Also need to factor in minutes on the pitch. I think if Bonne scores another league goal he would be on par with Hugill in terms of minutes per goal. People are demanding a lot and part of the problem is not many goals are coming from elsewhere on the pitch compared to last year.

That's not strictly true. Last season we had 16 different goal scorers, including one og. This year we have also had 16 different goal scorers including 1 og. So, exactly the same. The issue is that 63 goals were scored last season by players who are no longer here. Plus Amos contributed 2 and he's out for the season. At this stage last season (after 29 games) we had: W 11 D 5 L 13 F 47 A 53 Pts: 38 GD - 6. This season we have W 10 D 9 L 10 F 30 A 34 Pts: 39 GD - 4. So marginally (very marginally) better. We haven't scored as many (17 less) but we haven't let as many in (9 less). If you love the goals, then last season was better, but if you prefer to see a more solid defence then this one rules.

We are currently one place higher than where we were this time last season too.

[carrotstick]

Bonne is probably not alone with having a stronger playing side but might query the criticism on positional sense- got himself into three good positions on Saturday and just failed to apply the position. He has found the net on his limited full appearances so something to work with but he needs time too.

Yeah, he reminds me of Hugill in some ways. One of them is that he spanners quite a few easy chances, but also that he gets them in the first place.
Also need to factor in minutes on the pitch. I think if Bonne scores another league goal he would be on par with Hugill in terms of minutes per goal. People are demanding a lot and part of the problem is not many goals are coming from elsewhere on the pitch compared to last year.

That's not strictly true. Last season we had 16 different goal scorers, including one og. This year we have also had 16 different goal scorers including 1 og. So, exactly the same. The issue is that 63 goals were scored last season by players who are no longer here. Plus Amos contributed 2 and he's out for the season. At this stage last season (after 29 games) we had: W 11 D 5 L 13 F 47 A 53 Pts: 38 GD - 6. This season we have W 10 D 9 L 10 F 30 A 34 Pts: 39 GD - 4. So marginally (very marginally) better. We haven't scored as many (17 less) but we haven't let as many in (9 less). If you love the goals, then last season was better, but if you prefer to see a more solid defence then this one rules.

We are currently one place higher than where we were this time last season too.

Praise the Lord that we have won 6 of the last 7 league games, what a difference the catalyst (CA) has made, not only in goals scored, but in confidence given to the rest of the squad. Whoever brought him in deserves a medal .

[dm]

Praise the Lord that we have won 6 of the last 7 league games, what a difference the catalyst (CA) has made, not only in goals scored, but in confidence given to the rest of the squad. Whoever brought him in deserves a medal.

The interweb says it was Tony Fernades who brought him back to QPR.

[Systemsguy]

Praise the Lord that we have won 6 of the last 7 league games, what a difference the catalyst (CA) has made, not only in goals scored, but in confidence given to the rest of the squad. Whoever brought him in deserves a medal.

The interweb says it was Tony Fernades who brought him back to QPR.

Yes I've read and shall we just keep it a secret?

[loonee]

Irrespective of who bought him in, the results have ensured Albert has mysteriously disappeared from here for some time, so that's a bonus!!

[Esox Lucius]

Irrespective of who bought him in, the results have ensured Albert has mysteriously disappeared from here for some time, so that's a bonus!!

He'll be back as soon as we lose, don't worry.

[jimjams]

That's not strictly true. Last season we had 16 different goal scorers, including one og. This year we have also had 16 different goal scorers including 1 og. So, exactly the same. The issue is that 63 goals were scored last season by players who are no longer here. Plus Amos contributed 2 and he's out for the season. At this stage last season (after 29 games) we had: W 11 D 5 L 13 F 47 A 53 Pts: 38 GD - 6. This season we have W 10 D 9 L 10 F 30 A 34 Pts: 39 GD - 4. So marginally (very marginally) better. We haven't scored as many (17 less) but we haven't let as many in (9 less). If you love the goals, then last season was better, but if you prefer to see a more solid defence then this one rules.

We are currently one place higher than where we were this time last season too.

Yeah, you're right. I was thinking we had more goals coming from midfield and defence last year, which we did, but proportionately it's about the same. I'm quite positive on this season, but last year really showed me the value of scoring a lot. As soon as you go one down the psychology is different. If you're only scoring one a game (or less) the chances of a win evaporate and the best you're likely to get is a draw, but last year it always felt like we could turn it around, so it was more enjoyable, even though the results weren't any better.

[Stans left foot]

Yep, as mentioned the plaudits go to Tony F for luring him back and maybe even financing the deal, who knows.

What strikes me is the often fickle short sightedness of some on here, happy to dish out all kinds of vitriol re Fernandes and his errors but turn a blind eye to recognizing the role in CA's return.

Ditto, Warburton and Sir Les, in the final summation, we're all 100% behind the club.