Come on you R's...
Last updated : 14 February 2002 By
That win was our sixth in ten games, with our only defeat in this period coming at Reading. Since then, it has all gone horribly wrong.
With just three points from a possible fifteen, we have slipped from fifth in the league to tenth. We're currently six points off the top six, with most teams above us having a game in hand. None of these teams are encountering the poor run of form we're currently having either, so everything is pointing to another season in Division 2 for QPR.
Despite all our ongoing problems, that fact is hard to accept. I'm still convinced that man-for-man, we have the best team in this division — if we play to our strengths, which would be through the middle in a 3-5-2 system.
Ian Holloway has not recognised this though and in persisting with a dysfunctional 4-4-2 system, we have been deprived of the opportunity to see the true potential of this QPR side, and perhaps more importantly, a realistic chance to get out of this division at the first attempt.
Last season, we persisted with 3-5-2 when we were crying out for 4-4-2 — what's the point of playing a 6'7” centre forward without a constant supply of crosses from out wide? Holloway changed it when he came in, but by then the damage had already been done.
The situation is now reversed. Without an abundance of height up front, but with more naturally gifted players to keep the ball on the deck, 3-5-2 is the only system to go with.
I'm fully aware that the most successful sides play 4-4-2. Well they wouldn't be if they had players of the ability of Bignot and Griffiths in wide positions. This isn't being scathing for the sake of it, more to the point it is a criticism of Ian Holloway for persisting with the wrong type of player in the wrong type of position in the wrong type of formation.
To make the play-offs now looks a tall order. We need a minimum of eight wins to stand a chance, but that may not be enough. It hurts to say that. Considering the position we were in just a month ago, we have well and truly thrown it away, when we should have continued to build on our performances and results. We can't blame injuries or suspensions — all teams get them. It's simply a case of putting out your best team with the right formation, which is something we haven't done lately.
The omission of certain players also wrangles. Richard Langley spent far too long on the bench before finally starting a game — if he's short of match practice, what is the obvious answer?
Then there's Karl Connolly. He's not had a great season, but was starting to play very well before picking up a slight injury at Reading. After missing the Bury game, he was back on the bench for the Stoke game, where he stayed for a further five matches. Why? Who exactly was keeping him out of the team on merit? After being recalled for the Northampton game, we started to play like a team again. It wasn't all down to Connolly of course — it was the first time this season Peacock and Langley started a match together, and these three players should now form our midfield in a 3-5-2 system with Connolly behind the front two.
It's all about picking the right system around your best players, and it's about time Holloway started....
