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Thread | Julien Stephan is the Key - He has to Stay
at 11:22 15 Oct 2026
If JS was to leave, I think it could massively impact on our consistently improving form. You get the impression, that he is here to stay, to build up his and our reputations. Obviously, when any manager starts to show successes, they attract teams higher up the food chain.
One thing would say about JS. He does appear to be an honourable man. You would not see him whoring himself out to others unashamedly, like a couple of our most recent incumbents.
Think he knows a couple of seasons here, he could dramatically improve his and our profiles and think with the failures that Beale and Cifuentes have had since leaving our club too early, has set them back. JS knows he needs to stay here for a while - before the next move is secured for his own career.
On a night time, lets lock him up in cubicle number six of the Lower Loft Enclosure Gentleman's public conveniences.
He cannot be allowed to escape ever !!!
[Post edited 15 Oct 11:26]
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Reply | 10 Games in
at 11:03 15 Oct 2026
We have had periods of dominance in every single game of the campaign so far and this is despite shedloads of injuries, once more.
To have been competitive in all our games, and sitting in a deserved fifth place after ten games, is a more than decent performance.
Very happy. with all that.  [Post edited 15 Oct 11:05]
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Reply | Getting Fleeced Down The Bush Match Fred
at 08:35 15 Oct 2026
"Shit faced"
Strange English phrase - is that one Boston..
How to explain this to a non national trying to learn our language.
Any ideas anyone ?? [Post edited 15 Oct 8:35]
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Reply | K&L
at 01:02 15 Oct 2026
Can't see why they wouldn't both play. |
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Reply | K&L
at 00:00 15 Oct 2026
Yes Connell was intrigued myself to see how they both would match up with each other.
Alfie has definitely gone up a couple of notches this season, still all hustle and bustle but he is much more effective than previous seasons, and it was certainly a tidy finish. Kolli definitely today was more about giving the defence something to deal with but the shot from outside the box just tipped over the bar was superb. We have all seen his long range worldies for the development squad - nearly similar today.
But as a pair today i enjoyed them.
Although, when Derby's defender went off midway through the first half, that meant they had nine defensive first team squad members out injured, and it showed. Lets see when the two of them are up against more impressive championship opponents.
But today - well done to both lads. [Post edited 15 Oct 0:05]
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Reply | dont know if i loved being 4-0 up....
at 22:44 14 Oct 2026
Well in the LFW prediction league, I forecast a result of 4 - 0 QPR.
I left the stadium with one minute of injury time left and almost as soon as I had reached the gents urinal, I heard a small little cheer.
Apparently, it was because Derby scored, and not myself being within reach of relieving myself !!!!!
[Post edited 14 Oct 22:45]
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Reply | Injuries
at 18:09 14 Oct 2026
Tbf, everyone has had diaorrhea at some point in their life but thats probably going to cause players discomfort too, but does it cause all sorts of other issues, more than likely.
Covid - the word of the day, I would rather not focus on anymore, but thats a new one on me. So its the after effects of Covid that prevent us from seeing our favourite players.
Oh bugger...
Swiftly changing the subject...
 [Post edited 14 Oct 18:20]
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Reply | Radio 4
at 23:17 13 Oct 2026
Radio 4 has a new star.
So are we expecting a role in "The Archers" and an appearance for an episode of "Desert Island Discs" |
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Reply | Injuries
at 22:06 13 Oct 2026
Yes, no worries Stainrod.
I probably too wordy always and dont explain myself clearly about what I mean Not definite about my ideas either. None of us can be. Its just our uneducated guesswork, of course.
Wasnt suggesting at all, we dont rotate players though, but occasionally in games, also allow for using your own intuition at times. Players playing well and looking strong, and extra twenty minutes at the end of one game. Is that going to make much difference. Could still be rotated, in the next two games of the week.
That was the main point was meant to be suggesting.
But sometimes we do the opposite of this, anyhow still.
For instance, wasnt sure why Dunne was played against Preston. That was rotation, but seemed to be against medical advice. Easy to say after he had a bad game then got little to zero game time for his country recently afterwards. Was he still deemed unfit and yes I know he was put some games on bench as third keeper, which meams they effectively rested him.
I appreciate the advice from performance team, but even ten more minutes on than previously agreed. Is it that much of an exact science. I think the manager should be allowed more of a judgement call at times. Talking about Kemper from that game. Possibly Smith but some said he picked up an injury niggle, so agree with that sub. Kemper didnt seem to be struggling and am not aware he was an injury prone player ever before.
Its a balancing act though, no doubt. [Post edited 13 Oct 22:43]
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Reply | Is it time ?
at 22:56 12 Oct 2026
Anyhow, am glad Stephan is finally getting some respect and gratitude sent his way, as many of our fanbase have been strangely negative or very laissez faire about the guy.
He absolutely deserves credit. Unfortunately, if he keeps improving, he will be off to pastures new, higher up the daisy chain, soon enough. Hope he thinks this is the place I can really push on here and have a big impact.
He is giving off the vibes that he is very invested in all things Rangers.
Fatal error Julien !!! [Post edited 12 Oct 23:04]
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Reply | Is it time ?
at 22:49 12 Oct 2026
To the tune of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
Oh, Julien Stéphan,
You are the pride of our life,
Oh, Julien Stéphan,
I’d let you kiss my own wife,
Oh, Julien Stéphan,
Believe in the Blue and White! |
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Reply | Is it time ?
at 22:49 12 Oct 2026
To the tune of "Voulez-Vous" by ABBA
Sté-phan!
A-ha!
Crossed the Channel, took the reins,
Got the Hoops in winning veins!
Sté-phan!
A-ha!
Loftus Road is bouncing free,
Taking us to the Premier League!
A-ha!
A-ha!
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Reply | Injuries
at 22:41 12 Oct 2026
The issue being everyone seems to copy everyone else, even if certain practices don't work.
ie When Pep's City players pass around at the back endlessly and possession
football was seen as the only way, everyone copied.
Just because we are doing things the way everyone else does things, it doesn't make it right. |
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Reply | keeper
at 18:10 12 Oct 2026
Hopefully QPR negotiated a no break clause in the loan agreement, so breaking the loan to loan or sell him elsewhere is not permitted, I would hope..
He certainly wont be recalled to replace Donnaruma.
I think a whole season with us, will massively up his value, so I doubt personally we will lose him in January.
[Post edited 12 Oct 18:23]
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Reply | Injuries
at 18:00 12 Oct 2026
We are not overplaying players, they have only played nine games so far and had a three week break.
And whatever the perfomance teams advice, which i personally believe is taking into consideration on not playing players more than the allotted time, prior to the game sometimes, the phrase if aint broke dont fix it.
Its not as if this protecting of players has ever worked.
We consistently have at least double figures in players unavailable or only.possible to achieve a few minutes and we still seem to average around two new players out injured each match, this season.
You massively cherry picked my explanations in my post.
Was basing my theory on three seasons not one game. And my explanation looked at a variety of different depaetments input and effect on this.
But yes if as you say we are not overplaying players to prevent time out injured,as in the case of Burrell or Chair last season.
Not sure what point you are making that we are protecting players from injuries this season, to prove the importance of not causing more injuries.
Ie we have been picking up injuries every game.
Beale didnt ruin Willocks career, he was inconsistent anyhow. He is at Cardiff now, so still in the championship. [Post edited 12 Oct 18:00]
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Reply | That counter attack
at 04:09 12 Oct 2026
Thought Kolli, in the end did well to create a shooting opportunity. No problems with him taking the shot on. Kamara may have been in a slighty better position, but no guarantees and Kolli obviously the better finisher.
i thought he did fine myself. Appeared a lot fitter than previous too. Was an encouraging performance for me. |
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Reply | Injuries
at 03:43 12 Oct 2026
Squad Balance is the key
1. Up and coming players
2. Championship level players
3. Potential stars but injury prone
But the stats guys need to look at the types of injuries these players get, with the likelihood, certain injuries reoccur.
And realistically in a squad of 25, we have to work out the likelihood, that with all potential availabilities, we have at teast 16 of this group available at any given time.
Also, in addition to this, our training routines, our matchday tactics, our schedules all need to be carefully managed.
Players being injured in training such as Saito and Lloyd recently and Vale, injured in a match warm up, that should never ever happen. That means that the way they are in these sessions for those particular players was very wrong.
And also I know Stephan said predecided timings for players coming back are his choices alone. Personally, I trust a managers instinct as opposed to a database run by a performance team that is still failing. And especially bringing on a more injury prone player who normally plays on the other side of the pitch.
i am unconvinced still that the importance of the performance teams recommendations is worth much. And am sure also training methods, warming up techniques, to me there has been some shockingly poor advice.
Ultimately we have a far better squad on paper so we can cope with injuries which are inevitable but within our squad we need to have on average at any one time, 16 decent players able to play a part and i would say 9 or 10 minimum of those that could be playing 90 minutes.
This bringing on players to prevent injuries, we are getting this wrong consistently. Personally i think its highly recommended to Stephan, so am sure that would have been the advice.
Yes some of the recruitment has been highly risky, but the balance is still not correct.
Easy to say, but i feel personally our performance team has too much clout and wrong decisions are being made by this team consistently in the advice they give about training, in game management and recruitment.
I think most aspects of our club are perforning admirably, but the guys in the treatment rooms looking at the stats around this are failing. i hope this improves but i have little confidence in them. They have too much clout for me. And its been consistently poor for three seasons.
Appreciate we always have to take some calculated risks with our squad, and yes the schedules are tough but I think we are failing badly with availability and for me those problems mean we need change, aa i have seen no signs of this team learning. [Post edited 12 Oct 3:59]
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