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False Nine
at 12:01 4 Feb 2013

With conjecture circulating that Remy might be out for the season, and Zamora seemingly decrepit these days, it might be time to think about a tactical shift.

In my opinion, we struggled to get going on Saturday mainly because of hit and hope long ball tactics (I lost count of the number of times Samba hoofed it long whilst Adel watched a Norwich player head clear completely unchallenged), and as Taarabt was unable to get close enough to Mackie to put together any threatening exchanges. At times Taarabt seemed to have to do it all by himself, and Mackie seemed to lack the movement of a Remy-type up front.

The solution, in my book, is to play Taarabt up-front in that 'false-nine' position he played in against Chelsea and Spurs. I know it was previously used as a defensive measure, but it would mean Adel will get plenty of the ball in dangerous areas rather than dropping deep looking for it and leaving our centre-forward isolated, and with the likes of Townsend, Mackie and a hopefully fit-and-firing Hoilett playing off him then it should give us a bit more attacking impetus.

We then also have the option of Zamora from the bench for the last 30 minutes if required, along with alternative defensive options if we managed to edge our noses in front.

Team for me would be:

Cesar
Fabio, Samba, Hill, Traore
Derry, Jenas
Mackie, Hoilett, Townsend
Taarabt

Subs: Green, Onuoha, Mbia, Granero, Park, SWP, Zamora

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Jonas Olsson
at 11:26 10 Jan 2013

Not meaning to duplicate other threads, but after hearing that we have had a £5 million bid rejected, I'm scratching my head a bit.

Olsson is an international defender, currently playing at a well-run club who have over-achieved this season, and has previously been linked with other Premiership clubs not currently in the relegation mire.

My question is, why would QPR have ever made this move in the first place?

Is it arrogance/stupidity, that TF et al believe all the global brand hype and think we're bigger than West Brom?

Or is it that possibly the club have chatted to the player's agent, flashed £ signs in his eyes, and been told that he would be receptive to the move, perhaps enough to try to force through the transfer himself?

Although the initial bid has been rejected, I really think that if we're placing bids for these sort of players then there must be a real possibility that the move may happen. Like many others, I'm a bit hesitant to want the sort of player who will move for the money, but he is a quality centre-half and would go some way to replacing Ryan Nelsen.

Am I naive in thinking that the club wouldn't make the bid if Olsson's agent hadn't flashed his knickers at them? Or are the QPR board just that arrogant/stupid? Or simply just trying their luck on the off-chance?

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Danny Welbeck
at 11:47 9 Jan 2013

According to the papers, so taken with a pinch of salt obviously, Reading have approached Man United about taking Welbeck on loan for the season and have been encouraged by the response.

If this happens, and we haven't tried to hijack the deal at some point, then that's a huge miss

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Defensive Injuries
at 10:23 5 Oct 2012

Morning all,

Didn't catch the press conference this morning, seen the club tweets based on what Mark Hughes said. Saw that Bosingwa and Ferdinand are doubtful, Fabio out and Traore hadn't trained.

Any mention of Dyer? Or does it go without saying that he won't be available?!

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Team for Monday
at 11:18 27 Sep 2012

Cesar
Dyer, Nelsen, Hill, Onouha
Park, Granero, Faurlin, Hoilett
Cisse, Zamora

Subs: Green, M'Bia, Ehmer, Diakite, SWP, Mackie, Taarabt

Long-term I would bring in M'Bia and Bosingwa for Hill and Onouha. Possibly Taarabt for Cisse depending on form, same for Fabio to come in if Dyer can't stay injury free

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Substitutes Bench
at 14:02 30 Aug 2012

Based on the old saying (that I possibly just made up) that a football team is only as good as it's bench:

Wigan vs. QPR, August 27th 2011

Murphy, Harriman, Ephraim, Andrade, Bothroyd, Helguson, Hewitt

Man City vs. QPR, September 1st 2012

Green, Traore, Onuoha, Faurlin, SWP, Taarabt, Johnson?

Madness!

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Sweepstake
at 08:24 20 Aug 2012

On which day this week do we expect the club to wheel out Shaun Derry to say that the players are hurting, and that they are determined to put things right and turn things around on Saturday? Plus, when do we expect an official website article inviting the fans to be the 12th fan on the weekend?

I'm going for Thursday.

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25 Man Squad
at 14:58 18 Jun 2012

With a few new signings announced today, and a few tentatively linked (it's not official until it's on the website folks), I wondered how the Premier League squad was taking shape. I have listed this on the proviso of two per position with an extra GK, midfielder and striker thrown in too:

GK: Green?, Cerny, Murphy (is he still with us?)
RB: Onuoha, Young
LB: Fabio? Traore
CB: Nelsen, Ferdinand, Hill, Connolly/AN Other
RM: Mackie, SWP
LM: Taarabt, Ephraim/AN Other
CM: Faurlin, Diakite?, Derry, Buszaky, Barton
CF: Cisse, Zamora, Johnson, Helguson, Bothroyd/Campbell

This to me suggests we still need a centre-back, left-winger and a defensive midfielder, in addition to the long mooted signings of Fabio, Green and Diakite. I'd be surprised if Connolly, Ephraim or Buszaky make our 25. Signings like Simon Kjaer, Nigel de Jong and Matt Jarvis would be nice

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Suspensions
at 13:14 24 May 2012

Afternoon all,

Apologies for retreading any old ground with reference to Joey Barton, and I don't know if this has been covered elsewhere before now.

Has anyone got any idea as to how many games, in total, will eventually have been missed due to suspensions from cards picked up by QPR players this season?

In basic guesswork calculations, from the reds picked up and Joey's further ban, I have estimated something like 29. Plus I know Joey received 10 yellows, Samba 5 etc.

Can anyone offer a definitive answer? Quite possibly a quiz question in the offing!

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Team for Swansea
at 11:46 11 Apr 2012

Morning all, another Jonny-come-lately, long time bystander, first time poster here.

For the record, 28, South Wales valleys.....and brie.

Any thoughts for tonights starting XI? Any news on when Traore is available?

I'd like to see:

Kenny
Young, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo
SWP, Diakite, Barton, Smith
Taarabt
Zamora

Subs: Cerny, Onouha, Gabbidon, Buszaky, Mackie, Bothroyd, Campbell

I think Mackie can do a job from the bench if needed, Smith provides a balance and goalscoring threat, SWP has had time to stew on the bench and has shown matchwinning quality in the past we need him to reproduce. I'd give Taarabt the free-role he had last year as they can't have forgotten how he tore them apart at Loftus Road...plus we can use the new and improved Adel to track back and mark Leon Britton when not in possession.

That's what I think is best so it obviously won't happen. I think MH will go with:

Kenny
Onouha, Ferdinand, Hill, Taiwo
Mackie, Barton, Diakite, Buszaky, Taarabt
Zamora

Subs: Cerny, Young, Gabbidon, Mackie, SWP, Bothroyd, Campbell

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