Faurlin, Hall, Hoilett and the new manager bounce - Knee jerks Sunday, 8th Nov 2015 15:58 by Antti Heinola Antti Heinola wonders whether there’s a conspiracy around QPR at the moment to deliberately create matches where it’s difficult to raise six talking points. The BounceLess a basketball, more a shuttlecock. Last time Neil Warnock took over we were on a truly dreadful run (although it's often forgotten how unbelievable we looked for a few games early that season before Magilton went batshit mental), and his debut as boss came against a Premier League-bound West Brom. They were dispatched 3-1 in a thrilling game that no one could have predicted. This time, however, the opponents looked perfect. A not-great side in the lower part of the league, the kind of side we have beaten, generally, with relative ease at home this season. With Austin, Fer and Sandro on from the start for I think the first time this season, it looked like a very kind day for Neil. 2-0, maybe 3-0 with some luck. The fly in the ointment was Preston's rear-guard, with eight clean sheets this season, and five shut outs in the last five games. But, we had The Bounce, so surely we'd end that run. And early on, we were bright and inventive. Hoilett (more of whom in a moment) looked threatening and enthusiastic and Preston offered almost nothing going forward. But as time ticked by and, for all our possession, no chances were created, that initial zip soon faded and no matter what subs Warnock made, it made no difference. Preston saw the game out with ease to make it six nils in six. Fair play to them. In the end what we had was a performance really not much different to most under Ramsey in the last few weeks. The difference in the MK Dons game was that their defence was not great and a moment of genius from JET was enough to open the game up. Preston were too canny for that, though, and this was certainly a result and performance that would have been given a terrible shellacking had the old boss been in charge. Not that I'm complaining - the positive atmosphere made a nice change, and there were elements of our play first half that looked more joined-up and the system looked clear and solid. But we failed miserably to test the Preston keeper. Dull as they were, negative as they were, Preston fully deserved the point.
HoilettRarely has there been a more frustrating footballer. He has a trick, he has (when confident) a good first touch, he has pace, and he can strike a football hard... But yesterday was a microcosm of why his career has stalled at QPR. For half an hour he was the danger Preston must've been most concerned about. His movement was refreshingly good - making angles for passes from Faurlin and Konchesky with intelligence - sticking wide, but also darting inside when necessary. He continually beat his man, or at least caused him problems. But you know what's coming. Despite all his possession, despite all his tricks and skill, despite all the chances he had to shoot or cross, only once did his final ball truly threaten a goal. And then only barely. Not once did he find Austin and with Austin you only have to put it vaguely in his area and he'll make something of it. Austin's reactions to this failure began with clapping and encouragement but soon he was routinely looking at his toes, wondering if he'd ever get a decent cross. In the end, just before half time, he jogged to the corner of the box, demanded a pass, and promptly spanked it just over the bar. It was a shot of frustration at a chronic lack of service (from either side). Hoilett then faded and faded until he was barely there. Preston closed him out the game, and then he was subbed. FaurlinHoilett and Faurlin were probably the pick of the team in the first half, but, like the rest of the front six, their influence was negated after the break. Preston squeezed the space between defence and midfield and the freedom Faurlin had to dictate play before the break disappeared. Faurlin was bound to start this game for a whole heap of reasons. He was the only fit player still at the club who was here when Warnock left. He's a fan favourite and it would make sense for any new manager to pick him. And also the opposition were unlikely to put him under too much pressure, meaning he should be able to do what he's best at - pass the ball and showcase that characteristic golf chip with his left peg. And it certainly worked first half. I've always thought that had Faurlin not got injured then he would have become QPR captain. He's well respected, a great pro, he's in the centre of the park, he's an intelligent player. There's everything there, really. Some might say he's too nice or too quiet - but someone doesn't move from Argentina to England to a second division team, become player of the season immediately and recover from three ACLs (hopefully) without being made of some kind of steel. And he showed it yesterday. He was the fulcrum, passing with assurance, always available for the ball but also acting as Warnock's lieutenant on the pitch, constantly instructing those around him (particularly Hoilett). Most pleasing of all was a crunching 50/50 right on the edge of the touchline a few minutes before half time. Faurlin didn't flinch and while I held my breath, half-expecting to see his knee buckle, he won the ball cleanly and played a pass. It was a big challenge, and he won out. But, as I say, after the break his influence receded greatly and, really, he should have been replaced by the energetic Luongo for the last 15 mins or so.
Karl HenryWell, maybe we've found his position. Let's not go overboard, though - Preston barely bothered to attack, although it's also true to say that their most potent danger did seem to come from their left winger. Henry dealt with him admirably. Most impressively, he did what our full backs, particularly Perch, have been failing to do, not just this season, but all last season too - he stopped the crosses. He also looked comfortable in possession - maybe being at right back, where the pressure of delivering some kind of clever pass is virtually nil, he felt more at ease. When it has been suggested he could play right back before, I've been sceptical. But Saturday suggested that maybe he could find a place there. He was certainly more effective than Perch, but tougher tests await than Preston. Grant HallAmidst all the analysis of Ramsey and Ferdinand's transfer business in the summer, Grant Hall, one of the most unheralded of the lot, has pushed his way into the side, been unfairly dropped, pushed his way back and now seems to be a fixture. And perhaps we genuinely have one for the future here. He is 24, young for a centre half, and he's growing with each game. What was good yesterday was his heading - he barely lost one all day and looked very settled at the back there next to Onuoha. Again, you can point to the poverty of Preston's attack, but we've played plenty of sides this season with virtually no attack and still managed to gift them two goals, so another clean sheet was welcome - as was the almost total lack of silly mistakes. It'll be interesting to see how he develops, but in a dull game with little get excited about, Hall was probably man of the match - and not for the first time this season. StuffHonestly, no. I can't think of any. Here's a list of things I could've done, but none of them felt like they deserved a paragraph: - The referee not spotting a two-footed, over the top challenge on Onuoha that would have broken both his knees had Onuoha not been a high-class hurdler. - Didn't the sky look lovely? - Konchesky was all right wasn't he? - Preston were a bit boring weren't they? - Nice of the fans to sing the manager's name. Photo: Action Images Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.
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