 | Forum
Reply | Slowly improving.
at 22:07 13 Dec 2025
I'm notoriously cautious when things are going well, and notoriously optimistic when they aren't. I think it's important to look for balance.
I see potential and talent in many players, but that has to translate into performances for many of those players to be considered good players ("If he's a good hitter, why doesn't he hit good?").
Stéphan seems to me to be a good leader (I'm obviously guessing on that) and I really like him but he has good days and bad days like all managers.
It's been very interesting, but it's so, so early.
We've spent a lot of money, and the contracts may be loaded, but we don't know the details on that yet either.
In short, it's only December. |
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Reply | Middlesbrough F.C V Queens Park Rangers Match Thread.
at 21:21 13 Dec 2025
I think that's fair too.
This performance was, imo, streets ahead of the Norwich no-show, but we have lots to learn about aggression, hunting in packs, support play and controlling the pace of the game where at all possible. |
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Reply | Middlesbrough F.C V Queens Park Rangers Match Thread.
at 21:08 13 Dec 2025
Ya, I think that's balanced, but always great to hear just-backs as well.
Thanks folks.
Main thoughts:
They were good.
Not sure we've yet learned how to beat the better teams while playing 442.
I liked our fight-back. [Post edited 13 Dec 21:17]
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Reply | Middlesbrough F.C V Queens Park Rangers Match Thread.
at 17:56 13 Dec 2025
I think that's fair.
I don't think we changed much that I could see, either by condensing play, width, lines etc or by any other new idea or tactic.
Whether that's on Stéphan, or on the players for not executing, I'm not really sure.
I'm just not sure what our plan was. |
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Reply | Middlesbrough F.C V Queens Park Rangers Match Thread.
at 14:52 13 Dec 2025
Happy with that starting eleven.
I know we were crap at Norwich when we made no change after a midweek game, but:
We haven't played since Tuesday.
We haven't travelled in a fortnight, and
In the Norwich game, we were crap and half-assed from the off, not a case of fatigue kicking in over the course of the match.
Besides, I think the tactics might be more important here than the starting eleven:
1) Where will we pitch our defensive line?
2) How will we protect our midfield two?
3) Will we push numbers into central midfield, or drop deep and abandon it? |
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Thread | Alan Barnes in Hospital
at 15:18 12 Dec 2025
From the offish FB:
"The club is saddened to learn much-loved QPR supporter Alan Barnes is currently in hospital on a ventilator following a cardiac arrest.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Alan 💙🤍"
Get well soon, Big Man. |
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Reply | 1966 and all that
at 23:00 11 Dec 2025
True too.
"Guardiola's football" can be traced back to the 1950's, at least. That's 75 years.
Others trace it back to Queen's Park in the 1870's.
It's not just modern football, played on modern pitches, with modern boots and a modern ball.
It's existed in many different countries, in many different climates, in many different conditions, and with many different budgets.
Our club have dipped into that philosophy to varying degrees under Jago, Sexton, Venables, Warburton, Cifuentes and many more. And we've done it again in the last two games by finally committing to the Ajax 'Hunt' (or press as it's called now).
There's no backwards or forwards here.
There's only history reinventing itself. |
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