QPR V Leeds United Match Thread

[Jammy 07]

There used to be a saying about strikers in football that you have to ' get in where out hurts '.

Well we currently now seem to rely on Bogle and Firpo doing that whilst our main striker hovers around the edge of the box waiting for the ball to fall kindly to him.

[Cjay]

I would be guessing that he was suggesting that previously Gnonto hadn't been convincing him in the 10 role rather than today's match. But that because he is learnign more to create situations is why he decided to give him the 45 minute run out today and had been thinking about starting him there.

Might be right.

I didn't see the press conference so maybe it came across wrong.

Will soon know if BA is back in after the international break because that certainly won't be on merit.

[Cjay]

Tricky though cos as we saw with the cup performances we were disjointed with change. So if we'd made changes for the league matches and then maybe lost a few more matches then we might be in a better shape physically etc but looking up at our challengers and not down.

I'm not against rotation and there is certainly an argument for getting the balance right and probably Farke has gone too far one way but equally too far the other way might not be any better.

I just think rotation is important for keeping everyone sharp and motivated.

Pep and Ferguson used to do it all the time.

Alvarez spoke about how it kept everyone on their toes and match ready because they knew a start could come out of the blue.

Or even just because a player was a better fit for a certain opponent, Ramazani and his tight control and tricks better vs a low block than James kick and rush, that sort of thing.

Is certainly a time and case for a settled 11 as well of course.

But a balance between that and keeping players fresh and sharp.

And also keeping people like James, Solomon, Aaronson on notice, you aren't guaranteed to start sort of thing.

But in fairness players aren't the only ones who feel pressure, Farke may as well, he may try to come across as Mr Cool but every decision is scrutinised and maybe he feels safer with a better the devil you know situation.

[weasel]

And that's why they are just 1 win from pole position. Although their defence is conceding the odd goal they are still very difficult to beat and it wouldn't be surprising to see them at the top, should Leeds' form continue to dip.

With 8 games remaining we need to see Gnonto more involved.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Burnley now they are almost caught up. Southampton last year went on an amazing run (think it was something like 23 unbeaten) but then when they got into the promoton mix properly they then fell away. Same with us we had that great winning run and think we went top (albeit having played a game more) and then fell away. Burnley have been on a great run but in some ways the pressure of chasing isn't the same as then actually being in a position to lose the race that you have now seemingly won.

[weasel]

I just think rotation is important for keeping everyone sharp and motivated.

Pep and Ferguson used to do it all the time.

Alvarez spoke about how it kept everyone on their toes and match ready because they knew a start could come out of the blue.

Or even just because a player was a better fit for a certain opponent, Ramazani and his tight control and tricks better vs a low block than James kick and rush, that sort of thing.

Is certainly a time and case for a settled 11 as well of course.

But a balance between that and keeping players fresh and sharp.

And also keeping people like James, Solomon, Aaronson on notice, you aren't guaranteed to start sort of thing.

But in fairness players aren't the only ones who feel pressure, Farke may as well, he may try to come across as Mr Cool but every decision is scrutinised and maybe he feels safer with a better the devil you know situation.

It is a tricky one because we have been on a good run and I think stability often brings that out. You then need to show the trust in the players so they know that one bad performance doesn't mean they are then out.

With Man U as an example for all Ferguson rotated he'd keep core players in. It would be 3 core midfielders and 1 squaddie.

I think it is almost a case of no matter what route is taken unless the team wins every match there will be criticism. Perhaps rightly so as we are the best team in the league but equally it isn't like all our players play at level 10 each week and the opposition are all level 5.

[Orange Box]

How dd that work out when we played Barnsley at home?

Asking for a friend

I have no idea. If your friend ever finds out please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

[John in Louisiana]

That was pleasant surprise

But then he said he didn't think Willy did that well.

"Didn't convince too much in 10" he said.

Fully expect Aaronson back in

Makes me wonder about Farke. Willy was clearly better than Aaronson today, by a wide margin.

[whiteswan]

We've got 10 first team players going out on Internationals. How can that be a good thing?

Its NOT!!
How can all our players disappearing to goodness knows where, being (so called) coached by goodness knows who and coming back to ER goodness knows when.
I hate internationals

[Sean_Nile]

Leeds fans watch Burnley and the Blunts and curse when they scrape a draw or a close win. It is so galling when they just won't lie down and take a beating.

Leeds go 2 down against QPR and the opposing fans are gleafully rubbing their hands... imaging their disappointment when we get a draw... its just insufferable.

[Irish Ian]

I have no idea. If your friend ever finds out please let me know. Many thanks in advance.

I checked back with him, he tends to feel you ducked the question, I agree.

Care to explain how Leeds performance at home to Barnsley fits into your overall theory.

He did suggest that once they saw my ugly face on one of the seats caused the problem, but I assured him he was mistaken.

[Ellandback1]

Leeds fans watch Burnley and the Blunts and curse when they scrape a draw or a close win. It is so galling when they just won't lie down and take a beating.

Leeds go 2 down against QPR and the opposing fans are gleafully rubbing their hands... imaging their disappointment when we get a draw... its just insufferable.

Getting that goal back before half-time was massive - I honestly thought we were going to do em

[1964white]

There's no doubt many people revel in our defeats more than many other teams.

I just believe that if we're best squad in the division then we must have more talent - if you match the effort of your opponents then the cream will usually rise. Sometimes you can try as hard as you want but, when someone is better than you at this moment in time then even your best efforts often come up short.

I'm not saying we don't put in the effort but, at times, the "Cup Final" stuff seems like an excuse. For example, before they scored, there was nothing about that game that made you think they were going to run all over us. It was a run-of-the-mill start to a game, if you tuned-in you wouldn't be saying QPR were playing levels above what they've done all season.

The three points were there to be taking, yesterday.

[1964white]

Hopefully we have Ampadu back for The Oxford, Luton & Plymouth away games

It's a completely different team playing away from home with him on the pitch, it's weird, I just can't explain why, but it has an impact when Ampadu is playing.

[1964white]

I'm generally positive about most things Leeds, but yesterday's draw was a lost opportunity.

Why do we make things so hard for ourselves against poor opposition?

[Sean_Nile]

Killer willy pass

[Orange Box]

I checked back with him, he tends to feel you ducked the question, I agree.

Care to explain how Leeds performance at home to Barnsley fits into your overall theory.

He did suggest that once they saw my ugly face on one of the seats caused the problem, but I assured him he was mistaken.

I checked the history books. We won. 1-0.

[Irish Ian]

I checked the history books. We won. 1-0.

Yes, did you watch the game?

[Jammy 07]

If Ampedu is fit to return after the international break and Gnonto doesn't pick up an injury playing for Italy U21's then we'll have 2 new players for the run in who definitely haven't been over utilised this season. Also we have Byram, Gruev, Joseph & Ramazani as able deputies if needed who again haven't been over played.

Add to that the possibility of Bamford returning and we should be fine.

Hey maybe Farke is now about to unleash the fresher players just at the right moment.

[Finnatic]

Yes, did you watch the game?

It was awful, every Leeds player had the jitters and couldn’t control the ball, it might as well been a live hand grenade.

[Orange Box]

Yes, did you watch the game?

Clearly not. Sounds like I missed a cracker.