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Comment | QPR aggrieved by Norwich’s lesson in dark arts — full match report
at 14:58:52
Some good views here and I’m happy Norwich fans have also chimed in; it sounds odd but I agree with most of the posts on here from Rangers and Norwich alike.
First off I definitely feel some teams will go to, or welcome, QPR with the plan of systematically targeting Joey Barton to get a reaction. As you can see - it works. How he is not ready for that after all these years is beyond me. Look at Taarabt last season. I can't remember a game he didn't get kicked in! Did he get sent off? Never. It's all about attitude (and I'm not saying Taarabt has the best attitude by any stretch!). £80k a week plus the Captain’s armband, and Joey can't just smile back at them and play his game. When he put Joey Barton before QPR he cost us those points on Monday, there is no question.
I do however agree with Barton's comments on Twitter about technology. I am simply falling out of love with the sport slowly but surely. Referees in the 21st century at this level of any sport should not be in a position where a wrong decision can be allowed to stand - the technology is there, other sports use it with huge success. Refs are helpless; it’s not their fault (90% of the time) yet they take all the crap. It helps nobody. Mike Reilly is a poor spokesman for them as a whole and should be demanding we move forward with technology. I'd be leading strike action if I was him! It's ridiculous. Complete farce. People pay what is to most a lot of money for games like that one on Monday and it was ruined. Ok the ref was bad, but in 100% of all the cases I have seen to date video technology would have resolved them all. I won’t go into the ‘what decisions would it or would it not apply to?’ etc but FIFA, the FA, or somebody needs to sort this out. So much for 'fair play'.
As for Warnock and the team, I also fear the worst about his plans, or lack of. I struggle more with each passing game to understand his tactics and particularly substitutions. We had 10 men on Monday and he left the last two subs to the 80th and 85th minute despite Norwich throwing theirs on with half an hour to go. Why? Heider is not young enough to be chasing the ball down (and he was on a yellow) and you have Macheida and Campbell on the bench, both fit and hungry. Sorry, I just don't get it. Whether he is stubborn or I am just missing something I don't know. To me it is common sense to use all the energy you have available to you against a very disciplined and organised Norwich side with an extra man and who bought on 3 subs, playing the perfect tactic of having a man stood on either touchline stretching us a far as they could. Warnock played his part in our defeat too, in my opinion. That said, I was happy with his starting 11 when it was read out BUT agree with an earlier poster that we just don't seem to ever look like scoring or being a threat because of the way we are set up to play.
Kenny looks out of sorts to me. Luke Young is a great buy, as is Traore (agree with Clive that he is naturally a winger) but Clint Hill does a solid job when he is called upon so fair play to him. A big ‘welcome back’ to Anton! Gabbidon is sadly just a bit past it now. He can play a part as cover, but we need a new first choice centre back desperately.
Taarabt was good on Monday in particular, I hope he stays and we play him every game. He's got the quality. Mackie isn't up to it as a first choice Premier League player. Can't fault the attitude but most of the time I don't think even he knows what he is doing with the ball. SWP is so up and down its crazy and his first touch has cost him (and us) probably 4 or 5 goals already this season (and a few points). Not acceptable, especially on the wages I have heard he is picking up. He shows huge potential sometimes though, as he did on Monday. Need more from him. Faurlin on the whole has been his reliable, calm self. All my mates that have seen a bit of him compliment his style. He's another that has the quality for this division. Barton can cut it but Jesus does he need to shut up and knuckle down. A legend in his own underpants. Derry will be useful as cover and against the lower teams particularly but too old for the opposition at the top end of this league. Again agree with Clive that Barton should move out right and we should get another central midfielder in.
Up top Helguson has performed beyond my expectation. Still amazes me with his aerial ability. Surely the best we've had since Sir Les in that department? Sadly though, another who is running out of time and needs replacing. As for Campbell I'm still not sure but he needs to be given more match time. Bothroyd will always play the way he does. I see how he frustrates people and at times I feel for him but I’m not convinced he’s Premiership material. Macheida is a nice signing, and I’m under no illusions about how tough it is to sign a goal-scorer in January but I am praying we get somebody in. I had secretly wished for Defoe but Harry has this knack of playing players at the right time to keep them hungry for the shirt in his squad. Michael Owen? Robbie Keane? Somebody!
Sorry for the incredibly long post – I seem to post once a year (or two) with intentions of a small comment and end up waffling on! Clive, great work – I read them all!
You R’s!
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