Match Thread: Boventry City v Queens Park Rangers FC

[Systemsguy]

Dykes looked very isolated today and by the time we looked to get another couple of players up top with him Coventry had their two lines of four in place.

Like Huddersfield on Tuesday they crowded our 10s out of the box....

We also didn't change our tactics when Tim and Ken were taken ill on the day...

We put JCS on the left and Richards in the middle...

Neither covered themselves with glory in their makeshift roles...

Why not Nico and a back three, JCS at least covering him?

Richards kept losing the ball in midfield in the first half and another fast counter attack took place... three in the middle didn't work

We were lucky to only be one down at half time

I don't think we can play all three and maybe putting either Chris or illias or even both on the bench to play two up top would have given us some fresh legs in the second half

When Armstrong started against Wigan? with Dykes. You could see they were surprised as us fans as they didn't plan for two up top but two 10s and a lone striker.... its predictable

Thank goodness for the international break which will hopefully give Mick some real options again when we restart the season...

It really will be a big January as it looks like we'll need to sell to finance more depth in the squad...

[ZENITH R]

My two pennyworth ...

Our two best/ most dangerous players are Chris Willock and Illias Chair. No surprise that when preparing to play QPR opposing managers plan to double up or even triple up when these guys have the ball. It happened on Tuesday and it happened again yesterday. Unfortunately, our two (and particularly) Chair seem to think the responsibility to win the game rests with them. So, instead of looking to pass they run into a defensive brick wall, and we lose the ball. I counted three times yesterday when Chair did that when he had a simple ball to his left to an unmarked QPR player. In time and space our wide player could have maybe put in a decent cross for Dykes to attack. However, once again Lyndon got zero service, and despite working hard had another frustrating match. We are a team, that's eleven players, not just the two glory boys.

I think there is a lot of work for Mick Beale to do in the next month, and he needs to show us when we come back that our faith in him is not misplaced. As for performances and results. There's very little to choose between Beale and Warburton. One other thought ... we were told Warburton was let go because he didn't share the vision of developing younger players and bringing them into the first team squad. This season there has only been Sinclair Armstrong who fits that bill.

Finally, Mark Warburton's substitutions used to frustrate the life out of me. Bang on 60 minutes and always the same like for like changes, with no attempt to change the tactics or approach. With Mick Beale his substitutions are way to late. He made five yesterday, the first on 80 minutes. How on earth are players introduced so late expected to affect the game? It was clear by at least the 60th minute that our tactics/ approach wasn't working. So why leave it so late? That first substitution came 12 minutes after we went 2-0 down. So, what was the thinking? Lets give as many of the squad a run out as possible before the World Cup break? After our current run, we needed a morale boosting performance. We didn't get one.

[UxbridgeR]

The lack of qualify on the bench is surely a factor here. When the options are Kakay, Thomas, Hamaleinen, Shodipo and the very raw Armstrong, I can see why the manager might choose to persevere with what's already out there.

[Rbee]

I really don't have a problem with Kakay, I would even go as far to say that he is the best crosser in the squad.

If things don't improve after our quarter final World Cup exit I would leave Chair on the bench in an effort to speed up our attacking play.

[Systemsguy]

If things don't improve after our quarter final World Cup exit I would leave Chair on the bench in an effort to speed up our attacking play.

Quarter final? You really are optimistic Rbee....

I reckon we will struggle to leave the group stages and if we do we could well be facing Seny and co in the last 16....

I doubt our participation will be longer than the 3rd/4th December....

[UxbridgeR]

I really don't have a problem with Kakay, I would even go as far to say that he is the best crosser in the squad.

If things don't improve after our quarter final World Cup exit I would leave Chair on the bench in an effort to speed up our attacking play.

The problem is he’s pretty poor defensively. Who should replace Chair in the team ?

[Systemsguy]

Who should replace Chair in the team ?

Richards?

Or Armstrong playing 2 up top instead?

[ZENITH R]

Mick Beale should definitely spend time in the next month finding someone who can take a corner. Chair’s have been shocking lately.

[UxbridgeR]

Who should replace Chair in the team ?

Richards?

Or Armstrong playing 2 up top instead?

Two players with next to no experience at this level. It feels like a fanciful solution to a non-existent problem.

[Rbee]

Two players with next to no experience at this level. It feels like a fanciful solution to a non-existent problem.

All about opinions and at times I do consider Chair to be a problem. He slows down our attacks in my opinion and although improved his shoot or pass selection still isn't great. I would be surprised if a Premier League club came in for him as he lacks that extra yard of pace. Willock will be snapped up unless his fitness is considered an issue.

As Zenith says Chair isn't great at set pieces but to be honest that is a problem running through football these days, it's not just a QPR problem. I think our passing has been abysmal of late and has contributed to our downturn in form. How many crosses were overhit on Saturday?

[UxbridgeR]

Two players with next to no experience at this level. It feels like a fanciful solution to a non-existent problem.

All about opinions and at times I do consider Chair to be a problem. He slows down our attacks in my opinion and although improved his shoot or pass selection still isn't great. I would be surprised if a Premier League club came in for him as he lacks that extra yard of pace. Willock will be snapped up unless his fitness is considered an issue.

As Zenith says Chair isn't great at set pieces but to be honest that is a problem running through football these days, it's not just a QPR problem. I think our passing has been abysmal of late and has contributed to our downturn in form. How many crosses were overhit on Saturday?

I do agree with this and think he is often over-rated by QPR fans. However, he is pretty undeniably one of our best players, and dropping him only really makes sense if you've got good options to replace him. I don't think we do.

We probably need to sell a player for a decent fee, and give Beale some of that money to try and strengthen the squad overall.

[BiscuitRanger]

Talking of WC, are we in a position to take a look at some of the other squads with a view to poach a diamond in the rough type player. I'm not sure about the visa requirements but thought I'd a player had represented their country a number of times this was one of the requirements