QPR’s attempts to further establish themselves in the Premier League this season have failed dramatically, especially when one considers the investment that owner Tony Fernandes has made in the squad. While fans and pundits alike will contest QPR’s demise being down to a range of factors (wage inferiority complex, hostile squad harmony/ stability) the most alarming stat that has emerged is their inability to score goals.
This season, QPR have scored a mere 29 goals in 36 matches, an abysmal return. Only Stoke and Norwich have scored between 30-40 goals, with every other team scoring at least 40 times this campaign.
The Hoops’ last 5 match results are typical of the club’s season long problems. A 0-1 defeat against Arsenal, a 0-0 draw at Reading, a 0-2 defeat to a seriously blunt Stoke side, a 0-2 defeat at Everton, and a 1-1 draw at home to Wigan. It took Theo Walcott just 22 seconds to condemn QPR to another defeat last weekend, and Redknapp must take the blame for consistently sending out teams incapable of putting the ball in the back of the net.
Redknapp’s flat 4-4-2 in 0-1 defeat against Arsenal last weekend |
While a number of teams also conform to playing a defensive-minded central midfield partnership, usually they have alternative attacking outlets, particularly out wide. Ji-Sung Park has long been heralded as a workhorse- a defensive winger, but he too is again uninspiring going forward. Andros Townsend is creative, and has been excellent since joining, but by placing the static Tel Ben-Hiam behind him nullifies any complete threat from that flank. Why Redknapp chooses to arm his midfield with just one direct attacking outlet is baffling.
This situation is worsened by Zamora and Remy, who are both inept ‘link up’ players. Remy is an archetypal poacher, someone who prefers to battle against the offside trap as opposed to dropping deep, while Zamora is physical presence up front. Both can score goals (provided someone assists them), but neither of them are creative in the slightest. Against Arsenal, Redknapp essentially sent out 7 defensive players and 3 sporadic attacking outlets, with no link in between.
Mbia made his name as a powerful defender in Ligue 1. |
Greater attention should be placed on Mbia’s place in the team. Under Mark Hughes’ tenure he only made four appearances, while Redknapp has chosen to use the Cameroonian 22 times in the last 23 matches. As previously stated, Mbia is not a central midfielder- he made his name successfully by playing as a central defender in Marseille’s Ligue 1 winning 2009/10 season.
The acquisition of Chris Samba combined with Redknapp’s desire to retain Clint Hill’s place in the team (he is captain since Ryan Nelson’s departure) perhaps means Mbia isn’t needed in defence.
QPR’s 4-3-1-2 used in the 0-0 draw at Reading. NB: Mbia still given a support role while Granero holds. |
Yet throughout this season Mbia has proven his ineptitude when the ball is at his feet, a critical factor in his ability to adequately fulfill a central midfield support role. He averages a mediocre 0.7 key passes per game (12 best in the squad), and he also loses possession 10.1 times per game (a shocking figure for a ‘midfielder’). His inability to retain possession in midfield is a key reason why QPR only average 45% of per match possession this season.
Even when Redknapp has mixed up his tactics (which has happened on several occasions this season) Mbia still maintains an overly advanced role in Rangers’ midfield, despite his offensive weaknesses. In their 0-0 draw at Reading recently (left), Redknapp went for a diamond in midfield, but kept Mbia in a supportive role, with Esteban Granero holding (a greater technical player) and Taarabt playing as a number 10.
With Taarabt as a number 10 QPR have their creative link man, but Redknapp still maintained playing 3 defensive players behind him, with little attacking support going out wide. Again, while a 4-3-1-2 with Taarabt in the team is an attacking improvement, a 4-2-3-1 with Townsend right would have been far more potent.
Taarabt deployed as a false 9 in 0-0 with Spurs. NB: Mbia still most advanced midfielder to exploit space made by Taarabt’s movement. |
Likewise, in Redknapp’s false 9 formation used against Spurs earlier on in the season (right) Mbia still occupied the most advanced role in Redknapp’s midfield.
Taarabt was excellent in this game, and it is a shame that Redknapp did not persist with the formation, as Spurs were subdued and QPR were lively, and might have won.
FRANCE WIN 14-0 🤯Les Bleus score 14 (FOURTEEN) times vs. Gibraltar for their biggest-ever win.…
Aston Villa are having a very fine season so far in the Premier League. The…
The Premier League run-in, the backend of the title race for Manchester City sees them…
Everton is having a bad season so far, from their poor form in the league…
Communication is the heartbeat of any successful soccer team. On the field, amidst the flurry…
In the annals of football history, few names evoke as much reverence and admiration as…