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Thread | Why is pressing so crucial in the modern game?
at 05:23 12 Dec 2011
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The Question: Why is pressing so crucial in the modern game?
Barcelona and Bayern Munich both demonstrated the value of pressing the opposition to regain Cesc Fabregas is tackled by Sergio Busquets: Barcelona's pressing game caused problems for Arsenal in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.
After Valeriy Lobanovskyi's Dynamo Kyiv had beaten Zenit Leningrad 3-0 in October 1981 to seal their 10th Soviet title, the report in Sportyvna Hazeta lamented that Viktor Maslov was not alive to see his conception of the game taken to such heights. It's a shame both weren't still with us to have seen those ideas taken to another level again by Barcelona against Arsenal last Wednesday.
As many have noted over the past week, Barcelona's rapid interchange of passes, the relentless attacking and the marauding full-backs perhaps recall one of the great Brazil sides, but the underlying process by which they play comes through the line of Maslov, Rinus Michels and Lobanovskyi.
"Without the ball," Pep Guardiola said after last season's Champions League final, "we are a disastrous team, a horrible team, so we need the ball." It is a sentence that could equally be used of Arsenal: of course they are much better in possession than out of it. The difference is that Barcelona are much better at regaining possession than Arsenal.
After 20 minutes last Wednesday, Barcelona had had 72% of the possession, a barely fathomable figure against anybody, never mind against a side so noted for their passing ability as Arsenal. Their domination in that area came not so much because they are better technically — although they probably are — but because they are better at pressing. In that opening spell, Barça snapped into tackles, swirled around Arsenal, pressured them even deep in their own half. It was a remorseless, bewildering assault; there was no respite anywhere on the pitch, not even when the ball was rolled by the goalkeeper to a full-back just outside the box.
Arsenal buckled. Again and again, even players for whom composure in possession is usually a default gave the ball away. It's hard to believe Cesc Fábregas, who was admittedly possibly hampered by injury, has ever passed the ball as poorly as he did in the first half. Andrey Arshavin was so discombobulated he did a mini-Gazza and crocked his knee lunging at Sergio Busquets.
The psychological factor
This is the unspoken strength of Barcelona: they aren't just majestic in possession themselves; they also make other sides tentative in possession. Think not just of Arsenal, but of Michael Carrick and Anderson haplessly misplacing passes in Rome last May. Partly that is because Barça are so quick to close space; but it is also psychological. Barça are so good in possession, so unlikely to give the ball back, that every moment when their opponents have the ball becomes unbearably precious; even simple passes become loaded with pressure because the consequences of misplacing them are so great.
Although less spectacular in possession, Dunga's Brazil do something similar, aided, as Rob Smyth noted, by having conned the world into believing they still play in a way that they haven't since 1982. That's why so many pundits seem baffled by Brazil's recent successes in the Confederations Cup and the Copa America. John Terry, having watched from the stands as they beat England 1-0 in Doha last year, was still talking about them having "individuals who can frighten anyone one-on-on" while insisting "I don't think Brazil are anything really to worry about".
Their individuals probably aren't, but individuality is no longer their strength; their strength is their cohesion, and the discipline of their pressing which, allied to their technique when in possession, means their opponents almost never have the ball, something Wayne Rooney pointed out in a post-match interview in which his bright red face paid eloquent testament to just how much fruitless chasing he had done.
Notably, Brazil's worst recent performance came in their 1-1 draw in World Cup qualifying away to Ecuador, when only a string of saves from Julio Cesar preserved them from heavy defeat; in Quito, of course, the altitude makes the physical effort required for hard pressing far more difficult.
Shock and awe
Even in the context of their own excellence, though, Barça were exceptional in that opening 20 minutes. Which raises the question of why then, why not every game, and why not in the final 70 minutes. Perhaps an element of complacency crept in, perhaps Arsenal slowly shook themselves out of their daze and began to play, perhaps the replacement of Arshavin with Emmanuel Eboué gave them a greater defensive presence on the right; certainly those seemed to be the commonest explanations.
It is, anyway, a historical truth that when sides strike a period when everything clicks perfectly as it did for Barça in that early period, it rarely lasts more than a few minutes, even in performances held up as the greatest of all time. West Germany, for instance, only really played brilliantly for the first 35 minutes of their 3-1 win over England at Wembley in 1972. Even Hungary, in their 6-3 demolition of England in 1953, were done after 65 minutes, and had dipped towards the end of the first half. Transcendence is, by definition, very difficult to achieve and even harder to maintain.
But it may also be that Barcelona's early surge was part of a calculated plan, and that is why the comparison with Lobanovskyi seems apt, even though the more direct line of influence is through Michels and Johan Cruyff. Pressing with the intensity Barcelona achieved on Wednesday is exhausting, and cannot be kept up for long periods.
In The Methodological Basis of the Development of Training Models, the book he co-wrote with Anatoliy Zelentsov, Lobanovskyi lays out three different kinds of pressing. There is full-pressing, when opponents are hounded deep in their own half; half-pressing, when opponents are closed down only as they cross halfway; and there is false pressing, when a team pretends to press, but doesn't — that is, one player would close down the man in possession, while the others would sit off.
Particularly against technically gifted opponents, Lobanovskyi would have his sides perform the full-press early to rattle them, after which false pressing would often be enough to induce a mistake — and often, of course, his side would be comfortably ahead after the period of full-pressing.
Whether Guardiola has quite such a structured theory is unlikely, but it does seem probable that there was a conscious effort from Barcelona to impose themselves early. The only problem was that, mainly through excellent goalkeeping, and partly through ill luck and poor finishing, Barça were not ahead after 20 minutes, and Arsenal, this season, as their catalogue of decisive late goals suggests, are rather more resilient than they used to be.
Pressing back
Arsenal's attempts to respond with pressing of their own were, frankly, dismal. Allowance should be made for how shaken they were in the early minutes, but the gulf between the sides was still obvious. For pressing to be effective the team must remain compact, which is why Rafael BenÃtez is so often to be seen on the touchline pushing his hands towards each other as though he were playing an invisible accordion. Arrigo Sacchi said the preferred distance from centre-forward to centre-back when out of possession was 25m, but the liberalisation of the offside trap (of which more next week) has made the calculation rather more complicated.
Again and again, Arsenal's forwards would press, and a huge gap would open up between that line and the line of the midfield. Or the midfield would press, and a gap would open in front of the back four. What that means is that the player in possession can simply step round the challenger into space, or play a simple pass to a player moving into the space; the purpose of the pressing is negated. Or, if you prefer, it was as though Arsenal were false-pressing, without having achieved the first stage of the hustle which is to persuade the opposition you are good at pressing.
Even worse followed after Arsène Wenger apparently attempted to address the issue at half-time, and encouraged his back four to push up. The problem, though, is that if the timing and organisation of the step-up are amiss, a side becomes vulnerable to simple balls over the top such as led to the first goal, or through-balls such as led to the second. This has been a recurring problem for Arsenal over the past couple of years, Gabriel Agbonlahor's goal for Aston Villa at the Emirates last season being a classic example.
The Walcott protocol
What turned the game towards Arsenal — although even in the final 25 minutes when they scored twice, it would be a stretch to say they took control — was the introduction of Theo Walcott. When England beat Croatia 4-1 in Zagreb 18 months ago, he was a key player not just because he scored a hat-trick, but because his pace hit at Croatia's attacking system on their left. At Euro 2008, they had got used to Ivan Rakitic cutting in on to his right foot, with the full-back Danijel Pranjic overlapping, but Pranjic, aware of the danger of allowing Walcott to get behind him, became inhibited. He was neutralised as an attacking threat, while Rakitic became predictable, always turning infield without anybody outside him to draw the full-back — which is the downside of the inside-out winger.
By the nature of how they play, Barcelona, similarly, are vulnerable in the full-back areas. Dani Alves, in particular, is a sham of a defender — which is why Dunga prefers Maicon — but so long as Barcelona control possession it doesn't matter because his job is to be an extra man in midfield and to overlap for Messi (it may have been fear he would not be able to get forward as usual that led Guardiola to use Messi not on the right but as a false nine).
That is one of the reasons Barça's pressing is so awesome; with the full-backs pushed on, their system often appears as, effectively, a 2-5-3. To press with so many so high is a gamble, but one that has tended to be effective. Florent Malouda's performance against Alves in the second leg of the semi-final last year is an indication of what happens when the gamble fails and Barça do not control possession.
The arrival of Walcott disrupted Barça's pressing because Maxwell, like Pranjic, suddenly began looking over his shoulder (in a similar way, Charlie Davies's diagonal runs behind the full-back were a key to USA's victory over Spain at the Confederations Cup because they prevented Sergio Ramos pushing forward and so made Spain very narrow in midfield).
Samir Nasri had earlier had some success against Alves — almost all Arsenal's attacks in the first hour came through him, or through space he had created — and once Arsenal had weathered Barça's initial surge and begun to have some possession, it may be that Arshavin could have done something similar against Maxwell. Real pace, though, adds another dimension, because it means the full-back knows that as soon as the wide-man has got behind him, he has no chance of catching up. Perhaps that is an argument for Walcott starting, but then again, without Eboué last week, maybe they wouldn't have got any grip on possession.
And that, really, is the dilemma for Arsenal: attack Barcelona where they are vulnerable, by playing two out and out attacking wide-men, and the danger is you never have enough possession to make the most of that potential advantage. Concentrate on winning possession by playing more cautiously, and you may have no damaging way in which to use it.
The bigger problem, though, is the issue of pressing. Even if all else is equal, the fact remains that Barça are far, far more adept at winning the ball back than Arsenal, and that makes it all but certain they will dominate possession, and thus the game. Maslov and Lobanovskyi would have approved.
[END]
Link: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/apr/06/question-pressing-crucial-moder
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Notable notes:
"Without the ball," Pep Guardiola said after last season's Champions League final, "we are a disastrous team, a horrible team, so we need the ball."
"Particularly against technically gifted opponents, Lobanovskyi would have his sides perform the full-press early to rattle them, after which false pressing would often be enough to induce a mistake — and often, of course, his side would be comfortably ahead after the period of full-pressing."
"Concentrate on winning possession by playing more cautiously, and you may have no damaging way in which to use it."
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Points to ponder:
1.High level of Cardiovascular in fitness to ascertain stamina intensively.
2.High Agility to overcome the brute physics in football. Art of distribution/ deflection of force.
3.Depth of squad to rotate players, avoid backlash if injury occured.
4.High accuracy and consistent running pass.
5.Individual skill i.e. Zidane, never letting the ball go easily in any challenge given.
6.Tempo in Full/Half/False implementation of pressing Game based on strength and weakness by both teams.
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Thread | I even forgot my password
at 04:50 11 Dec 2011
digged up scrap paper around hitherto looking for it, i'm beginning to realized why i don't have favourite football club eversince france 98, i simply dont have the required fortitude in weathering spikes of performances. i'm not cut for this.
good bye all. sniff  [Post edited 1 Jan 1970 1:00]
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Thread | What? Why? Huh? Any?
at 04:29 11 Dec 2011
Really that simple actually, take the last match with Manchester City play style then re apply last night game. Toned down intervally to muster up defense. Workrate as in high, intercept downtime as in 6 seconds, flanking onwards, aerial passing (QPR good in this), Faurlin middle, constant vying for spot kicks (due to Barton excellent delivery and team follow through) etc as we all have seen. There's no excuse in B/EPL, so what is it? Why such inconsistency? Is it really injury or simply a debonking like 'Huh?' Anything else that make us look doodle? Debonking means, "bollocks out frustration minute with incendiary effect." -- yep a moment ago. “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” ~Plato. And cheers.
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Thread | Players Sell by Date and Top 10 Bargain
at 04:52 8 Dec 2011
[START]
ALL PLAYERS HAVE THEIR SELL-BY DATE
Time moves on and Frank Lampard found himself on the Chelsea bench on Tuesday
by Graham Taylor
Thursday December 8,2011
WHEN I was a young Âmanager, my idol was Bob Paisley of Liverpool. And he gave me the best bit of advice I ever received in the job.
We were talking after Watford played Liverpool who had won the League and we had finished runners-up to them in 1983.
I had been manager of Watford for six years by then and had got them into the UEFA Cup. But Bob, in that quiet Durham accent he had, said to me: “Always make sure your players’ legs go on another manager’s pitch.”
In other words, move your players on at the right time.
Liverpool and Bob were past masters at that. A player would be sold or moved on and people would wonder why. But very few players left Anfield and moved on to better things.
They left and joined other clubs and were very often disappointing, because Liverpool had spotted the right moment when they should be moved on.
It was a piece of advice that came back to me as I watched Chelsea and Andre Villas-Boas the other night because he too is in the middle of a rebuilding job.
"I’m the manager, I will listen — but this is the way I want to do it" -- Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas
Only a manager who is with the players in training every day knows them well. Only he can judge his players. We, as fans and commentators, only see them in matches.
I’m not talking about specific players here like Frank Lampard or Didier Drogba. It is just something a manager has to do — and only he knows when the time is right.
Villas-Boas may now have that situation at Chelsea. To the fans, a player may be playing well and they cannot understand why you let him go. But you, as the manager, know that his time is up.
So, as Bob said, you move him on before his legs go.
You might get criticised at the time, but a year later, when the player has done next to nothing at his new club, you will know you made the right decision.
It is not easy. Sometimes you get it wrong and they go on to have another few good seasons. That is your judgment.
At Watford, I could move players on relatively quietly. But Bob at Liverpool could not do it quite so simply because, at a massive club, you are under such scrutiny. It is the same for Villas-Boas at Chelsea. Every move he makes is watched.
Look at Drogba. He was magnificent the other night, playing in that lone role he loves. But does Drogba, at 33, need a rest? Can he do it again next week against Manchester City? Only the manager knows that.
Villas-Boas is new to the club. He has only been there five months. He has to find out what his players are like as people as well.
There has been a lot of player power in the past at Stamford Bridge. But AVB has gone in there and said: “I’m the manager, I will listen — but this is the way I want to do it.” Lampard is an exceptional player. You will never hear a word of criticism from me about Frank. His goalscoring record as a midfielder is fantastic and he will play a part in Chelsea’s season. He is the ultimate professional and a great ambassador for football.
But with every great player, time moves on. Can he handle two fierce games a week now? Only the manager knows that. I was delighted for Villas-Boas that he got that win because, at a top clu, you have to keep winning.
That is how you establish your authority as a manager. Defeat on Tuesday would have diminished that authority.
But what concerned me was how he reacted, when he accused people of attacking his club. That showed how important that win was for him, but I don’t think he helped himself.He has only been here five months, he has hardly had any criticism. If he thinks the English press have started on him, he hasn’t seen anything yet!
One other old truism is maybe one he should listen to. ‘You have never played as well as you think you have — and you have never played as badly as your critics say you have’.
He needs to learn that, because he is at a big club an, if results don’t go well, you are going to get criticism.
[END]
Link: http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/288635/All-players-have-their-sell-by-date-
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Does this mean QPR last transfer signing were in vain? Maybe a couple of them perhaps?
Secondly, Helguson stirring comebacks despite his age. What about the rest of above 29 years old players? Are they truly "out of date?"
Third is the conclusion. A fine line to be drawn upon based on topic, determining factor? If there's any at all or one must do some sort of mix match to get nearest result?
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The following link will bring us to similar condition:
Link: http://www.footballfancast.com/2011/12/football-blogs/the-ten-premier-league-tra
As a start, are they "Sell By Date" truly? Or maybe a new manager is enough to reignite their potency like what Warnock did with Helguson.
And lastly, there's no mention of Taarabt here (from 15 to 20mil pounds price tag, today around 4 to 3mil only just to let him go). Double standard or simply out of radar by English media?
Cheers.
[Post edited 1 Jan 1970 1:00]
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Thread | SAFA & Blatter: Starbucks Coffee gone Mad.
at 08:35 22 Nov 2011
SAFA: Blatter is not a racist
SAFA have come to the defence of FIFA president Sepp Blatter regarding his controversial comments on racism in football.
The 75-year-old came under fire last week after saying incidents of racial discrimination between players on the pitch could be settled with a handshake at the end of the match.
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was just one of many high-profile names to take offence at Blatter's comments.
Blatter insists he was misunderstood but later apologised "to everyone who was offended" by his comments.
SAFA issued a statement at the weekend in support of the Swiss.
It reads:
'The remarks by FIFA President, Mr. Joseph 'Sepp' Blatter regarding racism in football has received extensive publicity.
As the South African Football Association (SAFA), we would like to indicate that Mr. Blatter's initial comments were unfortunate in the sense that it sent a wrong signal about the international controlling soccer body's intention to wipe out racism from football and the face of the earth.
Our history with Mr. Blatter as SAFA goes a very long way. We know him as a person who has always been upfront on confronting and condemning any form of racism and discrimination. His statement in Palestine recently clearly demonstrated his commitment to this cause.
It is unfortunate that this matter was blown out of proportion as FIFA statutes are very clear on this matter of zero tolerance to any form of racism and discrimination. His lone voice insisting on South Africa hosting the first ever World Cup in 100 years on African soil, is further testimony of Mr. Blatter being a champion of anti-racism and discrimination.
Mr. Blatter has traversed the globe preaching and discouraging any form of racism.
Back home, we all know Mr. Blatter's stance on racism as articulated by the honourable Minister of Housing and Human Settlements, Mr. Tokyo Sexwale. We at no time doubted Mr. Blatter stance on this issue, hence we view the latest statements as being unfortunate, regrettable and out of sync with what he stood for all his life as a servant of this beautiful game.
From our past experience, in which an individual was discriminated on the colour of his skin, racism is a very sensitive issue and we view any form of racial discrimination with utter disdain. Racism has no place in modern society. Racism is a social ill which must be fought by forward thinking society.
To his credit, Mr. Blatter issued a statement apologising unreservedly on this unfortunate statement. We as SAFA have accepted his apology.
However, having apologised for his proclamation, we hope the world will move on and forgive him. He has indeed owned up and retracted his statement and this to us shows great humility on his part as a leader of the number one sport in the universe.'
Link: http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,14340_7322265,00.html
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SAFA (South Africa Football Association) defended Blatter recent unbecoming remarks over racism. I remember watching movie 'Invictus' where Springbok won Rugby World Cup years back after Apartheid. If not mistaken there were only one black player and rest consisted of European's white. There were understanding amongst Mandela administration to proceed without having enough black players representing South Africa, but recent Football World Cup where South Africa became as host took a u-turn where whites seemingly not welcomed in their first squad. Such frailty in Blatter's circle of symphatizers.
If memory serves me only. No research has been done here, maybe you guys have better input or you may choose to ignore these, stop stalking me with your stupid portraying and get on with your own life.
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Thread | Fifa World Cup: England plots 2014 route
at 07:22 22 Nov 2011
Fifa World Cup: England plots 2014 route
While Capello plots a Euro 2012 campaign that will bring an end to his time in charge, it will be left to other senior FA figures to try to thrash out a route to the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Club England managing director Adrian Bevington will head an FA delegation also including director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking for a meeting in Warsaw with their counterparts from Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, Moldova and San Marino.
Their task will be straightforward.
Knowing England's players tend to tire after a long season, June qualifying matches will preferably be avoided and if that is not possible then no long trips - such as the one that took them to Kazakhstan in 2009 - would be ideal.
Key matches against second seeds Ukraine and Montenegro - who England twice drew with in Euro 2012 qualifying - will be pencilled in for September or October, when England tend to be at their best.
However, there are other competing interests, such as a desire to play England early to maximise commercial revenues or to play in the summer when the heat may benefit certain teams, which may mean there is no resolution, as was the case when England tried to put their Euro 2012 programme together.
If that happens again, the matter will be decided in a random draw by FIFA at a later date.
The outcome may only be of passing interest just now, but with only one automatic place for Brazil on offer, the man who eventually replaces Capello - FA chairman David Bernstein insists talks will not start until the Italian's work is done in Poland and Ukraine next summer - will have reason to hope Bevington and Brooking get their way.
Link: http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1082339/England-plots-2014-route
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This article alone will is worth thousands of possibility to come in regards of football related aspect and industry. This is Loft For Words, apart from occasional social adherents we do talk about football seriously. Are we not?
There are a lot of other theme parks out there and you'll be handicapped if football matters isn't your foremost. Here we discuss heavyweights on football, perchance some related posts does irrate you then what f**k you're doing here?
Top executives are straight forward in their task given and we hope for conducive outcome especially knowing our beloved club QPR will probably manifest Champions League in near future, not to mention our depency on 'veterans.'
Cheers all.
Note: Veteran -- 2 or 3 match per week does not bode well for our benevolent Helguson, he will be 35 years old or so when time comes.
Other related: A forummer told me once, this is a good place for QPR's follower. So be it.
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Thread | Neil Warnock it's your turn now.
at 14:19 17 Nov 2011
Neil Warnock it's your turn now.
Next fixture versus Stoke will be a true test for Warnock as Manager of QPR newly found confidence in 4-4-2 formation with current positioning of players. It is not about Barton & compatriot any longer, they have proven their worth with Manchester City fortnight ago.
So Gaffer, what would it be? What will you do now?
Remember last time we played against Fulham, what happened? Where are supposedly momentum after Wolves match? Perchance a repeat of such poor performance, then one must say, your performance as Manager will definitely come into question. Taarabt was proven unworthy for Premiership level, now how about you?
Oh Warnock, hear ye, hear ye...
As stated Stoke 1 - 3 QPR but it is not based on Bink's Almanac, result will go either way still.
I'm not sure about this thread, is it a "thread" to be spun at all or simply a glimpse of future. |
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Thread | Site Attendance Dwindling
at 03:51 14 Nov 2011
Is it because Skyrim out, international break or what?
Are you guys happy now?
Cheers all and all. |
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Thread | Ooopps
at 08:41 31 Oct 2011
Opppss, I get yer point. Sorry.
Ah well what can I say, oh QPR what is going on?
P/s: well at least there's one reply here.
U R'ssssssss [Post edited 1 Jan 1970 1:00]
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Thread | MB New Ergonomics?
at 02:58 30 Oct 2011
Dear Mr.Levy
I could have been a contender (though of the week) : Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 11:51PM
"White Hart Lane, newly promoted team, expected victory. The traditional ingredients for us to fall flat on our faces. Alas no, I'm not going to delve into the past and I'm neither going to bore you with proposed team formations and questions over player selections.
There is no easy game in the Premier League. You need to turn up and turn on to be in with a chance to plough through opposition. We're a better team to the one we had when we qualified for 4th in what was a far tighter season thanks to the lack of courage shared by so many of the challengers. I look around and all I see are teams in transition. Some have improved others have stagnated. That's not to say the quality has dropped substitutional but there's a healthy argument to be had that all of the supposed top tier sides are beatable and all susceptible. Their weaknesses evident. Including us.
We've had freak score-lines with punishing finishes and shady defending. It's almost like the Prem is a TV struggling with reception, being smacked on its side in vein for the picture to return whilst the reception flickers. You catch a moment of something colourful then it returns to frenzied interference. Normal service will be resumed soon, right? Perhaps expect a new channel or two to replace the old.
Talk of stature and expectancy is not that relevant. It's nobody's God given right to finish in the top four. You earn the right with results so regardless of how we shape up on paper and all the positives and superlatives we like to sound-bite - we still have to improve. We still need that cutting edge. We still need forceful authority to kill a game off. A point dropped here, a point dropped there...they add up if it turns into a habit.
There's not that much in it up top. Sounds like a cliché but it's a statement of fact. This state of flux, it's real and it remains an opportunity. Others might still believe in the strength of the old monopoly and that they will always persevere because that's just how things are. Maybe five years ago. Maybe even three years ago. Not now. Don't believe in it, do believe in us.
We've still got that marker in our back pocket we didn't use from last season. Prove a point. Convincingly, emphatically. This isn't about our opponent on Sunday. This is about getting the bread and butter eaten before we move onto the main course. This week, next week, any week.
There's a particular trait in our personality that we all still need to see.
Show me Tottenham. Let's see how big your balls are."
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Message Boards are going some sort of transition too. We have loads of talk about score sheets, probable team line-ups and manager’s outlook to name a few along with loads of fun related-bollocking. Now we cannot simply rant and follow usual ways of so called ‘it has been, for so long, be it as it may’ kind of laziness via comment or reply while getting on with life disregard consequences. It is good news that BPL becoming more unpredictable these days where point of discussion or avenue increased greatly. Now we can talk about new comers such as QPR getting hands on more established premiership clubs with great fortitude. This will not be easy, an in depth knowledge backed with ample reasoning in football is a must cheese.
“We live once, we live fully, we outlive ourselves, we outdone bogeyman” by Marcus Aurelius clone 2201 AD
“I never brag or overly being obnoxious, it just that English language made it look so” by Joseph Barton clone 2207 AD
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Thread | Pressing Game: QPR Chelsea Barca traits.
at 09:58 26 Oct 2011
Great stuff.
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2011/10/26/chelsea-villas-boas-pressing/?
QPR erratic performance? One of important aspect in 'Pressing Game' style is to have a Gabiddon like defender at center back and someone like Helguson to punch through and we don't have both stature until lately. Well that's my opinion only but what you guys think?
Warnock seems intent in attacking football style, impact, risk, probability etc this coming match with Tottenham?
[Post edited 1 Jan 1970 1:00]
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Thread | SWP: QPR’s Magneto?
at 18:02 25 Oct 2011
Curiosity over cat here...
He usually got stuck like a magnet in between a giant or two every time he start dribbling and not only that, he tends to wrap one of his arm around guy who felled him for a brief period of time (with his trademark smirk) before going off. Our body contains positive as well as negative charges or ion and amount goes in parallel with mass thus type of discharge being produced. In short, if you are big then more ion and more type of positive will be discharge through sweat gland (being acidic) during workouts. Is it possible SWP generate more negative ion in his body and somehow attracted to a usually six footer football players? If true, how’s that?
Mind boggling isn’t it?
“Truth is out there”
He’s an excellent forward but to be effective he needs to be on his feet at all times, no matter how much negatives he may produce to himself. For once, he did against Bosingwa and nearly went through if not Foy’s whistle.
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Thread | Getting close with Betfair
at 12:23 25 Oct 2011
QPR chance of winning depends highly on current in-form squad of players Morale, Fitness level and Opta stats or similar.
As it is, add Gabbiddon/ back up and rest of 1st choice of players/ with their respective backups Versus any opposition (in respect of player's position) are mostly (~) equal in terms of 'skill' and 'tenacity'.
Counteracting factor as follows:
1. Morale. How to get this aspect into squad? Guilt i.e urge to avenge humiliating lost with Fulham, a draw with minnows Blackburn, Warnock's/ CEO frustration in their face, fans demands 110% performance disregard end result & need of getting better contract value by end of day thus respect.
Have to see also, how long player's gone 'buzzing' with such good result like last Sunday. More longer not good, players went partying for over a week after win with Wolverhampton and failed on next match. Hopefully they're training hard right now prepping up for Totenham after last Monday night binge SWP's 30th birthday.
2. Training ground limited access for input, we will never know what's really going on down there. Therefore it is hard to gauge whether they're in good shape or not. All we can do is to equate Fitness with Morale level (as of above no.1).
Injury case might not be as big factor now compared with few weeks ago, we have Helguson, Hill, Mackie and Hall (getting good each game albeit slowly) as back up. Still doubtful on Orr, he seemed like one of Bolton type, Puncheon and likes.
3. History or Statistic of both teams. For example, Warnock never won match at Craven Cottage which reflects a great probability of low confidence among them on that particular day lost a drubbing 6-0, based on previous match record QPR held advantage over Chelsea in more wins at Loftus Road Stadium thus a win on last Sunday.
Other corresponding aspect:
a. As an Underdog? If Betfair gave us a poor 9/1 it means we are underdog against team like Chelsea, which is conducive in morale and tenacity. Odds are even with Blackburn beforehand, thus giving a signal of "not a big deal" match thus ended a draw.
b. Home or Away match, another affecting factor but not as great as above. QPR is strong club in many ways, their biggest problem are themselves. A kind of Achilles-archythepal own doings.
c. Taarabt factor. Through Warnock's formation of 4-2-3-1, Club accidentally developed a kind of messiah around him also Barton actually depends on him in many aspects but of course he will deny this at first glance. Just make sure he stays in focus. Lesser extent, check on Derry and Faurlin also.
Fans and Related Atmospheric Circumstances have direct influence and considered as 'Automatic' in relative, Is greater at home but as Equal in away matches unless a revamp on visitor seat allocation.
Note: These are probably good around 25% of chances in getting either win or loss only not numerical result also up until January just before next transfer window. Rest of 25% maybe from you guys. ~25 + 25 + 1% of luck = 51% prediction.
Sounds crazy, I guess... |
| Forum
Thread | AVB/ Chelsea Fans Vs FA
at 10:42 25 Oct 2011
FA looks into Villas-Boas comments
25 October 2011-PA Sport
"Investigation ... Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas has courted controversy with post-match comments directed at referee Chris Foy (Getty)
England's Football Association is looking into comments made by Andre Villas-Boas about referee Chris Foy's performance in Chelsea's 1-0 defeat against QPR."
QPR shocks nine-man Chelsea'Aggressive' Villas-Boas unrepentant:
"The Chelsea boss launched a verbal attack on Foy yesterday after seeing his side end the match at Loftus Road with nine men following the dismissals of Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba.
Villas-Boas was unhappy with the sending-off of Bosingwa, who was deemed to be the last man when pulling down Shaun Wright-Phillips despite John Terry claiming he had the Portuguese full-back covered.
The 34-year-old manager admitted he was "very aggressive'' with Foy after accosting him following the west London derby defeat and claimed that the official failed to treat both sides equally, adding: "he (Foy) lost it.. he was card happy towards the (Chelsea) team."
It is understood that the FA is aware of the former Porto manager's comments and will decide whether or not to charge him with improper conduct by Wednesday afternoon (northern).
Should he be charged and found guilty, Villas-Boas could be fined or even suspended.
Villas-Boas, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti as Chelsea manager this northern summer, has complained about the performance of officials in the club's games against Stoke and Manchester United, and said yesterday that he felt his team was not being treated fairly by referees."
Comments:
Stephen 12:46 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
That Ref officiated badly and is a dissappointed for FA.
SoccerMoon 11:42 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
The referee had his own agenda, he severely punish chelsea for mild faults and he had a different criteria when penalizing QRP or QPR what ever, Foy had probably a reward waiting for him. QPR would have never won that match without Foy on their side.
Phil 10:56 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
You know, I really prefer Mourinho to this chap, this guy can't stop complaining. Note to AVB, complaining ain't going to change the score, move on
Joah 13:09 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
Complaining about poor refs does change things - mr Alex has been doing it very successfully for nearly 25 years now! If you actually watched the games you would agree that Chelsea have had some terrible decisions so far this season, most notably the 2 offside goals at old trafford when we played utd off the park for the last hour but came away with nothing!
J 10:29 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
Worst refereeing I have witnessed in the premier league. Someone needs to call him out. He should be reviewed as a referee.
Carlos 09:12 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
I am sure he has already forgotten about his Porto side receiving favours from referees all last season.
Blue blooded 09:09 AEST, Tue 25 Oct 2011
His comments were pretty accurate and he did support Foys decision to send off Drogba... Hopefully the FA looks into the consistency of the refs...
---- ---- ---- ----
Sounds like a mob. It's okay if it just a mob, there's always a solution for that but what if 'mafia mob' now that's telling. Abramovich oil tycoon from Russia, a football anorak much like some of us here, minus those monetary background of course. Supposedly to take over West Ham, opted for Stamford Bridge instead. Simply he loves football and will do anything to win, so far he's invested around STR800,000,000.00 in transfer market alone, such amount of money could buy a nation in some. Now imagine publicity, such scale he can muster, as easy as flick of a finger and all these machinery are used against not only Football Association also on our club. Simply to say, we are deadmeat! QPR is f***ed! There will be fracas along street of London with demands of FA being put into guillotine. Well if not almost.
Fortunately, we're in English soil and here power broking is thin as ice like edge of Antartica during summer. AVB should be charged. |
| Forum
Thread | Mikel: We could have won/ kid us not.
at 09:02 25 Oct 2011
Mikel: We could have won
Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel believes his team could have claimed an unlikely win at QPR
By Mark Bollons October 24, 2011
----
Mikel laments derby defeat. (©GettyImages)
[John Obi-Mikel We gave it a go in the second-half, played very well, created chances and could have won the game]
----
"Chelsea midfielder John Obi-Mikel believes his side could have won the west London derby at Loftus Road.
The Blues went behind to a Heidar Helguson penalty before Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba saw red for Andre Villas-Boas' side, sending the visitors down to nine-men in the first 45 minutes.
However, the better chances were created by last season's Barclays Premier League runners-up, and Mikel believes it was a second-half performance that deserved so much more.
"It's very difficult, I mean we played four at the back, three in the middle and one up-front. It is very difficult, but we gave it a go in the second-half, we came out, played very well, created chances and could have won the game," he told Chelsea TV.
"I think to be fair we didn't come out with them. Once the goal went in and then the red card I think we got demoralised.
"Second-half, we'd gone into the changing room and got together, and then came out and played fantastically well."
The Blues will have to re-group quickly ahead of Wednesday night's League Cup fourth round tie against Everton at Goodison Park, before a top flight clash with resurgent Arsenal on Saturday lunchtime."
---- ---- ---- ----
This kind of statement has been going on all around media, Chelsea being better team in regards of ball possesion and number of shot towards target despite losing out Bosingwa and Drogba, but it was Warnock's decision to go defensive that made it so, isn't it?
QPR already leading by a point, have extra men to cover space, possible first home match win with full 3 points at stake, opposition haemoraging with not enough players thus being defensive while try to counteract an obvious choice instead of usual attacking football, a kind of controlled risk. An easy guess why possesion of ball turned it's weight unto Chelsea.
(Quote on 3rd paragraph) "It's very difficult, I mean we played four at the back, three in the middle and one up-front. It is very difficult, but we gave it a go in the second-half, we came out, played very well, created chances and could have won the game," he told Chelsea TV."
Sounds familiar? Typical QPR firing blanks upon blanks since beginning of time, but it is Chelsea we're talking here. We all knew our fire power is much less than them, rattled to bone I'll say. This so called twelf (12) player as in 'influence of Fans, I think it is true, it exist and it has been there all along this while. And last Sunday, it's was a Warcry!
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| Forum
Thread | Something hit me (besides being redirected as always)
at 07:46 25 Oct 2011
While watching Fanzone program and some articles it struck me, what AVB was thinking prior last Sunday match? It’s a West London derby, he should have prepared counter measures of any possible package that comes with it i.e. raucous fans, smaller pitch, opposition players getting hungrier for home win, refereeing aspect etc.
Does a Rookie always a rookie, until something/ someone *klunk* their head? It’s AVB we’re talking about. Secondly, what if Maurinho was in place instead, will Chelsea have better chances? If we can answer these, maybe we will have at least an idea of who will replace Ferguson in 4 years time.
Another thing, Newcastle ticket price has gone down by 50%. Maybe QPR should follow suit if somehow manage to earn place in European League?
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| Forum
Thread | Taarabt: Will he stay or not?
at 04:01 25 Oct 2011
Loftus Road is such a great place to be with, I doubt he'll leaves us come January window. What you guys think? |
| Forum
Thread | Tinted View
at 14:17 24 Oct 2011
"You just want Chris Foy's address... : P"
by mpbx3003 on Oct 23, 2011 6:17 PM
"Roman probably has people there right now"
by Al Benson on Oct 23, 2011 6:19 PM
"Brilliant!"
by allies8fl on Oct 23, 2011 7:16 PM
"as angry as I am about what he did, I can't throw away everything he's done for the club over this. I’m sure I’ll feel better about him in a few days." (Drogba)
by Cablinasian on Oct 23, 2011 6:31 PM
"I might feel better about him when he puts in a good performance. Not before."
by Al Benson on Oct 23, 2011 6:34 PM
"QPR fans throwing the ball away.
Did anyone see that dude that threw away the ball and then gave a rude gesture to ivanovic??? i wanted to punch his face."
by Blue_Lion on Oct 23, 2011 6:25 PM
--
"My image of Branislav Ivanovic is as a cold bloody assassin who keeps a diary and sheds a single tear before he goes to bed every night"
by Graham MacAree on Oct 23, 2011 6:31 PM
"He sheds tears???"
by allies8fl on Oct 23, 2011 7:19 PM
"I was right there with you until the sheds tears part. You lost me after that."
by Noleforever9399 on Oct 23, 2011 10:40 PM BST up reply
"A single tear, not many tears. Just the one. For the sins he’ll have to commit, deep in the night, to avenge the misdeeds committed against him that he noted in his journal."
by FootieFromAfar on Oct 23, 2011 11:33 PM
"O, now it makes sense."
by allies8fl on Oct 24, 2011 11:44 AM BST up reply
"That sounds quite dirty; Goatse?
Is that the Germanic donkey show?"
by DPeezy on Oct 23, 2011 6:46 PM
"It's almost like, Foy was in the locker room for the QPR pregame talk.
Strategy: 1) kick the ball long 2) fall down 3) try to provoke chelsea players. Right, got it."
by Gautam Cfc on Oct 23, 2011 6:57 PM
"Get over it lads! Arsenal next week!"
by Graeme Harvey on Oct 23, 2011 6:56 PM
"Drogs was absolute rubbish today..
by Garrincha7 on Oct 23, 2011 8:15 PM
"QPR Fan here
Valid complaints from you guys on the Bosingwa red card … hate to see a game come down to a close call like that. But the penalty looked legitimate. An exaggeration, maybe, but Luiz has to know better than to bump a guy in the area. And Drogba’s tackle was inexcusable. Good luck the rest of the season, you guys can get right back on the horse with Everton, Arsenal, and more Champions League play."
by Pierson on Oct 23, 2011 9:59 PM
"This isn't going to be a popular opinion but I’m really getting tired of his stupid, needless, reckless tackles. And he’d good for 1 or 2 every game. And today it cost us dearly. Yeah, the two red cards were very bad, but QPR was already up to a stupid needless penalty at that point. Angry, sexy in the 2nd half was superbly amusing to see, but someone needs to smack him in the head and have him cut that shit out already."
by FootieFromAfar on Oct 24, 2011 12:15 AM
Be invisible
“It’s key to being a good ref. No one pays to watch Chris Foy referee. I want to walk out of the ground at the end and have no one know who I am. The way to do that is to ensure the game runs smoothly. If I had my way I’d blow my whistle four times: start of the game, end of the first half, beginning of the second and end of the game. Unfortunately that doesn’t happen.”
The irony is making me homicidal."
by DPeezy on Oct 24, 2011 7:06 AM
News (other):
FourFourTwo Team
Premier Ratings: City dare to believe as Chelsea & United endure hell
Monday 24 October 2011 08:30
FourFourTwo.com's Christopher Cox runs his eye over the weekend's efforts in the Premier League...
Manchester City — 10
(Man Utd A, W 6—1)
Quite extraordinary, thoroughly deserved and highly entertaining. All hail the Premier League champions elect? This was without question the most momentous result in the Premier League for quite some time and one that was a joy to watch. Silva, Balotelli, Dzeko and Aguero lit up the Manchester derby (no jokes about Balotelli’s bathroom, please) and they’ve put smiles on the face of just about every neutral in the land. City don't have to dare to dream anymore. They can dare to believe.
Queens Park Rangers — 8
(Chelsea H, W 1—0)
Have QPR played a part in the most pivotal weekend of the 2011-12 season to date? Their pressing game prevented Chelsea from playing their usual fluid and flowing football in the first half, the one that ultimately counted. Barton looked every inch the perfect captain, his decision to take the ball off of Taarabt prior to the penalty paid off for a huge three points.
Sunderland — 8
(Bolton A, W 2—0)
This huge win for Sunderland will ease the pressure on Steve Bruce, though realistically it was a game that could have gone either way. The victory was a timely one - being just the fifth the Black Cats have mustered in their last 23 league outings. Eight out of ten for the magnitude of this result and the potential for it to be a turning point. Perhaps we’ll see more of the prodigious Connor Wickham in the coming weeks, too.
Norwich — 7.5
(Liverpool A, D 1—1)
A result Canaries fans will be rightly proud of. They’ve not been overawed by the ‘big teams’ this season and it’s as good a draw as they’ll get all season, especially given how Liverpool rallied late on. This result is another confidence booster and Norwich look almost certain to stay up if performances and results continue in this vein — what a set of saves by keeper John Ruddy, too.
Everton — 7
(Fulham A, W 3—1)
It’s hard to see Everton winning all that many games on the road this season — they only managed four last term — so this will have gone down very well with the club‘s rather concerned fanbase. At times the Everton defence was like the Alamo as Fulham rained in shots and duly got their equaliser. It could have been worse had Zamora not missed a sitter, but Saha and Rodwell’s late late strikes provide a fortunate yet welcome three points.
Arsenal — 7
(Stoke H, W 3—1)
Arsenal’s record against Stoke may be horrible, but Van Persie’s in front of goal is fantastic. A good win for the Gunners, but they need to learn how to score without their captain. Positives? Fourth place is up for grabs again based on this performance, but results like this need to keep coming. As for negatives, look no further than Chamakh — lazy, tepid and just not a very ‘Arsenal’ player.
Tottenham Hotspur — 7
(Blackburn A, W 2—1)
Job done. Van der Vaart was in scintillating form and Spurs have averaged two points per game, a record which, should it continue, will put Harry Redknapp‘s side in a very strong position in the race for a top four spot. They took the opportunities presented to them on the Ewood Park pitch and off it — with Liverpool only drawing, this was a good weekend for the men from White Hart Lane.
West Brom — 7
(Aston Villa A, W 2—1)
The talking points will be Alan Hutton’s tackle and Chris Herd’s red card, not the Baggies’ win, which is unfortunate. Hard-fought wins like this point toward a mid-table finish for Roy Hodgson’s men, and full credit to them for capitalising on the opportunity presented to them. A good win and their first at Villa Park since Art Garfunkel’s ‘Bright Eyes’ was number one in the hit parade…
Newcastle — 7
(Wigan H, W 1-0)
It took 81 minutes to come but their fans won’t mind. Newcastle knocked on the door throughout the game against lowly Wigan and they’ve now cemented their place as a top half team. Measures of a good team include grinding out results, finding that goal from somewhere just as it looks as thought all hope is lost and beating the underdogs when required to do so. Newcastle met all those requirements on Saturday.
Swansea — 6
(Wolves A, D 2—2)
Not a result Swans fans will look back on fondly, but the performance was certainly impressive. It was all going swimmingly, with Vorm playing the game of his life, another goal for ‘Golden’ Graham and a 2-0 lead that looked unassailable - but they then blew it against a side who had looked awful at best for most of the 90 minutes. A worrying sign, not least in a match against a potential relegation rival.
Wolves — 5.5
(Swansea H, D 2—2)
For a long time it looked as though Mick McCarthy’s men were in trouble — as was the man himself, with boos ringing around Molineux owing to some ‘interesting’ substitutions. Wolves were abysmal and yet somehow got the two goals to level it up but this is by no means a bright new dawn for Wolves. It‘s probably fair to say they papered over the cracks with their point rather than building towards anything solid.
Liverpool — 5.5
(Norwich H, D 1—1)
While Liverpool are ambitious, it doesn’t look as though this season will be the one where they get back into the top four. This wasn’t as bad a result as, say, their loss to Wolves last season, but it may have a brought back a few bad memories of the Hodgson era for some Reds fans. You don’t qualify for the Champions League without winning home games against sides outside the elite, so a draw against a newly promoted team is no good to them.
Aston Villa — 5
(West Brom H, L 2—1)
On paper Villa had the better team, but this reign of Alex McLeish seems to be defined by the club’s continuing run of below par performances and underwhelming results. Villa are in a rut and losing to West Brom at home will be seen as unacceptable by the club‘s fans. With five of last season’s top six coming up in the next ten matches, could things be set to get worse before they get better?
Wigan — 5
(Newcastle A, L 1-0)
Only losing 1—0 is almost an achievement for Wigan these days, especially when facing a side in as ruthless form as Newcastle are at present. It seems nothing has changed since that final day relegation decider last season, and it feels like light-years since those euphoric scenes at the Britannia. How they will regret Rodallega’s missed chance in the first half…
Fulham — 5
(Everton H, L 3-1)
A winnable fixture and for most of the game Fulham played as if they would take at least something, with the Cottagers creating several chances to put themselves in front. Bryan Ruiz’s audacious chip will have inspired the Craven Cottage faithful but it was a completely false dawn. Seven points from nine games isn’t good enough, nor were their squandered opportunities. There is a slight bit of hope on the horizon — Wigan away up next...
Stoke - 5
(Arsenal A, L 3—1)
Maybe the good old days of Arsenal being intimidated by Stoke are over, maybe they suffered from hard luck due to an inspired substitution. Either way, Stoke lost 3—1 at the Emirates which in itself is hardly humiliating, though Tony Pulis will be concerned his side once again fell short following a midweek European match. Still, another goal from Crouch proved just how good a signing he is.
Bolton — 4
(Sunderland H, L 2—0)
What is going on at the Reebok? Answers on a postcard please, as it’s baffling stuff. Following last weekend’s success over Wigan, you’d have tipped Bolton to record back-to-back wins due to Sunderland’s equally poor start to the season. Is this a sinking ship? Owen Coyle is constantly praised for having a commendable ‘footballing philosophy‘, but has he met his match? Can he show strength in a relegation battle…?
Blackburn Rovers — 4
(Tottenham H, L 2—1)
How long can Rovers stick with Steve Kean? In truth, it’s surprising he’s lasted this long. The league table tells you all you need to know, five points from nine games, one win and five defeats. The ineptitude of sides around them is the only thing preventing them from being completely cut adrift.
Chelsea — 3
(QPR A, L 1—0)
Horrific. David Luiz, Jose Bosingwa and Dider Drogba let their team down in quite some fashion at Loftus Road. Luiz has looked defensively shaky in recent weeks and giving away the penalty wouldn’t have helped his confidence. Bosingwa showed glimpses of his Ancelotti-era self with a clumsy tug on Shaun Wright-Phillips that drew a red card, while Drogba’s tackle and sending off was a result of his sheer frustration at being isolated up front. Bouncing back from this will be Villas-Boas’ first real test.
Manchester United — 1
(Man City H, L 6—1)
There can’t be many weekends when you see a one out of ten rating for the champions, but this is deserved — it may well have been zero were it not for Darren Fletcher’s goal. A horrendous result for United, who rang the changes - as they had done at Liverpool - and they again paid the price. Evans’ dismissal shouldn’t be an excuse for the margin of defeat - United looked stale with 11 men and those left on the pitch looked largely disinterested.
Sabotage Times
24 October 2011
After an impressive thrashing of QPR, Fulham's season is on the decline. Their defeat to Everton was their third in a row, and showed up some serious gaps in their squad as well as providing Bobby Zamora with nightmares for the rest of his life...
The 6-0 thrashing of QPR has since been undone by three listless displays finishing with a cruel defeat against Everton. The Blues have a poor record at Fulham but took full advantage after Bobby Zamora inexplicably missed a guilt edged chance to win the game on 89 minutes, scorng twice in the dying embers.
In all honesty, Fulham only had themselves to blame and were always chasing the game after Royston Drenthe’s stunning opener. The fact that it was gifted to him when Danny Murphy clumsily lost possession added to the sense that the Whites are their own worst enemy. Everton are consistently strong, defy the fact that they have perhaps less money than ourselves to throw around but were more committed, cohesive and ultimately more ruthless in front of goal. They are also the sort of team we should be beating at home and it’s worrying.
In all honesty, Fulham only had themselves to blame and were always chasing the game after Royston Drenthe’s stunning opener.
Rumours that Zamora and Jol were nose to nose at the training ground recently are indicative of a side that may not be settling to the new regime comfortably and despite Bryan Ruiz’s world class leveller, we fashioned little in front of goal today, in Poland last Thursday and at Stoke last weekend. Was the QPR result a freak? Not sure, but you wonder how this squad can continue to combine European ambitions and a climb up the Premier League table, at least with the Europa League in its current, seemingly endless format!!
Fulham’s midfield seems the problem. Danny Murphy has been a magnificent player, captain and leader for Fulham and still posses the brain but perhaps not the legs, while Moussa Dembele is all too prone to run up his own ar****le when a simple pass wide will do. If Bobby Zamora had chosen to place the ball past Howard inside of an insane swip against the bar Fulham would have won this game and we would be snugly mid table but as it is the clouds of doubt remain over Martin Jol’s Fulham.
QPR playmaker not excited by French league
Tom MooreMonday, October 24, 2011
11:12 AM
“Without being disrespectful, playing at Evian or Dijon would not be very exciting.”
QPR star Adel Taarabt is not excited by the French league, despite being linked with giants Paris Saint Germain.
The 22-year-old was targeted by the Ligue 1 club in the summer only for the move to break down.
While the idea of playing at some of the French clubs appeal to him he is not enthralled by others in the league.
“Paris makes me dream, but there are only four big matches to play against Marseille, Lyon, Lille and maybe Rennes,” he told Canal+.
“Without being disrespectful, playing at Evian or Dijon would not be very exciting.”
The Morocco international believes the French side’s owners still want him, even if PSG sporting director Leonardo, has the final say.
“He (Leonardo) called Flavio Briatore, but the first thing he said was: ‘OK but there is Adel’s temper...’ Taarabt said.
“Flavio just replied: It is up to you to know how to manage it. We could manage it last season he helped us back into the Premier League.
“That is just an excuse from Leonardo not to sign me because he had other priorities. He preferred (Jeremy) Menez, (Javier) Pastore and even wanted Ganso.
“The Qatar officials told me ‘Do another great six months and in January we will be back.’
“However, I am under no illusion. I know I am not Leonardo’s priority.”
QPR 1-0 CHELSEA: Decisions, Decisions!
Posted on October 24th, 2011 by Chelsea D
It’s hard to know where to start with a game like this one. I could maybe say we had a poor first half and fought like lions in the second half but neither of those things truly sum it up. And neither of them sum up the injustice of the scoreline either.
Yes, we had a poor first half, whether the Manchester derby scoreline proved a distraction or whether it was the immediate onslaught of boots to shins that put our players off is hard to say but minds were far from focused out there. Of course things weren’t helped when Helguson went down like a sack of shit in the area after a risky-but-hardly-brutal brush of the shoulder from David Luiz just ten minutes in.
We seemed to spend the next 20 minutes getting our heads around going a goal down and our legs around everything flying at them — something Chris Foy was blissfully unaware of apparently — and then just after the half hour,things went very wrong. With Lionel Messi Shaun Wright-Phillips somewhere close to our area — and I say close because he wasn’t in a goal scoring position at the time (and we know he’d have put the ball in row Z given the opportunity anyway) — him and Jose Bosingwa had a bit of a shirt tugging session and following a SWP slip, he got up, turned round and found Chris Foy frantically waving his red card about at Bosingwa. Stunned much? I should bloody say so.
Didier Drogba was obviously pissed off although clearly forgot we were already down to ten men since he’d paid little attention to anything but his bottom lip all game, because he went in two-footed on Taarabt less than ten minutes later — and I won’t even argue that decision. So, down to nine men before the break — you could say we had a bit of a mountain to climb.
And we tried. If the first half had got me pleading for some pride, the second just had me begging for justice, although with both Lampard and Luiz subjected to no less than Helguson got a penalty for in the first half — and Luiz in fact being bear hugged like a long-lost friend at times, that sense of the world being against us just grew. And our players responded to that with the sort of battling performance we’ll always appreciate.
12 men against 9 was just too big a battle on the day and we have to accept we didn’t capitalise on points dropped earlier in the day. C’est la vie.
The QPR Monday Verdict: Every day must be derby day at Loftus Road
Ian CooperMonday, October 24, 2011
11:50 AM
Rangers’ 1-0 win over fierce rivals Chelsea must be the blueprint for the rest of the seasonQPR’s dramatic victory over Chelsea on Sunday afternoon represented the pinnacle of their season so far, but the challenge now must be to replicate that level of performance on a regular basis if Neil Warnock’s men are to make a realistic challenge for survival.
A display of grit, determination and passion from the Hoops ultimately proved too much for Chelsea who, although a superior footballing side, were simply unable to live with their hosts’ relentlessly high-tempo approach which delivered a deserved first home win of the campaign.
The match was the very epitome of a local derby; a high-octane, bruising encounter which produced 11 bookings — seven of which went to the visitors — and straight reds for Chelsea’s Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa which were to fatally undermine the visitors’ hopes.
Warnock suggested the result could be a landmark moment in the club’s history. Psychologically, certainly, it could represent a pivotal moment in their season; ahead of a testing trip to Tottenham and a home clash with Premier League leaders Manchester City, it has demonstrated that Rangers are capable of taking on and beating the best sides in the top flight. Perhaps most significantly, QPR have proved that fact to themselves.
The matches to come will not match the unique atmosphere, nor place the same demands, as the west London derby, but it is the fundamentals of QPR’s performance on Sunday which they must repeat week in, week out, particularly at home, if they are to avoid the drop-zone.
“We had a plan all week, we worked hard in training on what we were going to do, and we did our best to go forward when we could,” reflected Warnock after the match.
“We had to show a lot of character today, a lot of guts, and I thought we played well eleven against eleven. These top clubs aren’t used to having their feathers ruffled, and that’s what clubs coming up have to do. But I still felt we played some good football as well at times.”
The football, in truth, often took a back seat as QPR ‘ruffled feathers’ all over the pitch, from front to back. The listless Drogba was rendered virtually anonymous even before his sending off by Anton Ferdinand — still suffering the effects of a virus — and Fitz Hall.
The tigerish trio of Shaun Derry, Alejandro Faurlin and Joey Barton hassled and harried Chelsea’s Frank Lampard, Raul Meireles, John Mikel Obi and, later, Florent Malouda, from first minute to last. Even Adel Taarabt, much maligned for his lack of work ethic, put in a shift up front, measuring the usual array of fancy flicks with some disciplined defensive work.
Equally, Heidar Helguson gave John Terry a hugely uncomfortable afternoon, and drew the foul from David Luiz from which led to his successful penalty after only 10 minutes’ play.
It all equated to 90 minutes of blood and thunder during which Chelsea, crucially, were never allowed to gain a foothold. Once Helguson put QPR ahead from the spot, the hosts didn’t create many clear-cut chances, but then, until the final, frantic moments, neither did Chelsea.
Chelsea’s defiant manager Andre Villas-Boas complained at length about the sending off of Bosingwa and referee Chris Foy’s failure to award a penalty for Ferdinand’s innocuous brush with Lampard inside the penalty area, but even he had to recognise that his team struggled to function even with a full complement of eleven players.
So where do QPR go from here? White Hart Lane on Sunday is the simple answer, where Warnock’s side will need to produce the same level of performance against a Tottenham side high on confidence with five Premier League wins from the last six.
It is crucial that they do. With a daunting fixture list to come, it is still all too conceivable that QPR will find themselves drawn into a battle at the foot of the table by Christmas.
Rangers’ form so far this season has been alarmingly patchy, and the lacklustre display in the defeat at Fulham three weeks ago stands in even greater contrast to the result against Chelsea.
They cannot afford too many repeats of that afternoon; a glance at the upcoming games shows the names of Manchester United and Liverpool making trips to Loftus Road: although it is safe to say that neither will be relishing their trip to west London now.
But visits to Norwich and Stoke will, in many ways, be equally testing matches for Rangers, and having struggled to disappointing results against the likes of Fulham, Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers already this season, QPR know they cannot afford to only turn up against the big sides.
Their fate this will not be defined by results against the likes of Chelsea, but their ability to scale the heights of their performance against their fiercest rivals on a weekly basis will have the biggest influence on their final position.
Follow Ian Cooper on Twitter @QPRTimes
Is this what John Terry said? 'Anton, you're blind'
Simon Johnson 24 Oct 2011
Queens Park Rangers will meet with defender Anton Ferdinandtomorrow to discuss the nature of his exchange of words with Chelseacaptain John Terry.
The England captain issued a statement last night denying claims made on the internet that he had racially abused Ferdinand during QPR's 1-0 victory at Loftus Road.
Television footage of the incident appears inconclusive and sources suggest the 30-year-old used the word "blind" rather than "black".
Ferdinand, who was out with QPR team-mates last night celebrating Shaun Wright-Phillips' 30th birthday, has been given today off like the rest of the squad and has yet to talk to any club officials about what took place.
Terry insists the matter was just a misunderstanding and said: "I have known Anton for a long time and spoke to him about it after the game and there was no problem between us. I congratulated him on their win. He has not accused me of any wrongful remark."
Chelsea had two men sent off as they lost a bad-tempered affair thanks to Heidar Helguson's first-half penalty.Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba were both shown straight red cards before half-time as Cheslea's discipline evaporated.
Rangers midfielder Shaun Derry believes Chelsea, who also had seven players booked by referee Chris Foy, were sore losers and lost the plot. Chelsea's indiscipline means they have been handed an automatic £25,000 fine by the Football Association. In contrast, Derry was one of only two QPR players booked as they won their first League match at home.
Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is also expected to be charged by the FA for his comments regarding Foy's performance after claiming the 48-year-old made many bad decisions and insisting he "lost it".
But QPR midfielder Derry, who clashed with Frank Lampard in the second half, said: "It's very easy to come out and say things like that. These top players aren't used to losing, and to teams of our stature. Perhaps it hurts them and it shows even the best players can lose their head.
"What do you do? Do you sit off these players and let them dictate or get among them and mix it with them? I don't think we were vicious in any way or over-aggressive. I thought the ref did superbly. You look at the yellow cards - the majority of them were Chelsea players. I thought our guys kept our heads and that was part of our game-plan, to approach it physically in the right manner.
"From my angle I thought the ref got the big decisions right. Shaun Wright-Phillips was through on goal, Bosingwa was the last man and that's the rules. If it happened to us we would have taken it on the chin. The second red card was a centre- forward's challenge. Perhaps Didier doesn't make too many of them, but it was a straight red."
Asked whether seeing Chelsea players moaning to Foy was a sign they had got to them mentally, he added: "Yes. We knew we were doing our job right. We knew what we were doing was paying off.
"They have a knack, these big players of perhaps persuading the refs to make different decisions, but I thought the ref was very strong."
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Thread | As Predicted Many Lose in Bets!
at 18:54 23 Oct 2011
A margin over Chelsea. We must have faith no matter how, a draw from Blackburn & today, we record a win against an established club that have many years of experience in Premiership's level. It is nice to see how our heroes fought in every corner of fields like before, never wanting to let slip ups and always chasing ball neck to neck from one end to another. Loftus fans are great, our footballer's fought as they supposed to, atmosphere was simply magnificent.
QPR morale and most importantly self belief reignite. Now we know what this team actually capable of, it's gonna be heck of a season that's for sure.
Another note, almost everyone are against us before and during game i.e. pundits, brokers, commentators, exclusive talkshow guest and even some of us here. Do not right us off, QPR set up are strong by default. We are in Premier League, we gonna stay here for very long time because we are... SuperHoops! Hoops! Hoops! Hoops! Hoops! Hoops! Hoops!
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P/s: Surely people will talk about quality of refereing and stuff like, but remember now it is our turn. |
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