QPR 2 – 3 Man City – MY THOUGHTS
6 Nov
Not a vintage performance, but three valuable points. As David Platt stated after the game, we can’t expect the players to be at their exhilarating best every game throughout the season and after a midweek Champions League tie, an away victory in the Premier League will always be accepted. QPR posed a tough challenge and could feasibly argue that they deserve a share of the spoils, but we had just about enough quality to return to Manchester with our five point lead at the top of the table still intact.
The cliché that a side who can win when not at their best is all set for a successful season is an oft-used one, but it rings true and by achieving the victory at Loftus Road despite being second best for large parts of the game, we showed great belief and the winning mentality that is so craved. Goals from Edin Dzeko, David Silva and Yaya Touré continued our superb scoring form, but we looked vulnerable at the back and credit must be given to QPR for the way in which they took the game to us and posed numerous problems.
The aerial ability of Jay Bothroyd and Heidur Helguson meant that our centre backs, Joleon Lescott and Stefan Savic had a challenging afternoon. The young Montenegrin in particular struggled and his inability to cope with the strength of QPR’s forward duo, coupled with his tendency to rush into tackles, highlighted the need for better quality defensive cover. Captain Vincent Kompany was suspended and we missed his commanding nature. Joleon Lescott, whose form has been consistently excellent this season, looked lost without his regular partner and the sense of vulnerability in our backline was worrying.
They weren’t helped by the lack of cover in front of them. Nigel De Jong wasn’t even on the bench and we certainly missed his bite in midfield. The inability of Gareth Barry and Yaya Touré to block off the space between midfield and defence meant that the home side controlled great chunks of the play in the first half and this is something that needs to be worked on. Yaya in particular, for all his virtues going forward, is a liability when played deeper in a two, such is his tendency to lope around without a care in the world, allowing opposition midfield to ghost past him and outnumber our defence.
However, focusing on the positives, and what we most definitely have is a squad full of players who can change the game in an instant. I’ve said it before this season and no doubt I’ll repeat it a fair few times, but when we’ve looked insipid and unthreatening, we have the quality of individuals to make a sudden impact. Having been on the periphery for 40 minutes, Edin Dzeko then went on one mazy run past a few defenders and finished clinically into the corner to equaliser. David Silva then produced a sublime first touch and then a thumping second one to give us the lead and both moments were a perfect illustration of why we’ll always get chances in games.
Opposition View: I was hugely impressed with QPR and they probably deserved a point from the match. Their forward duo caused us numerous problems and should they retain the same fight and determination, they will be a handful for any defence. In Joey Barton, SWP and Alejandro Faurlin, they possess some superbly talented individuals, but my only concern is their defence and how easily we breached it. A couple of additions in January and they’ll be fine.
It’s now time for another international break and the opportunity for the players (and me) to have some rest! We return in a couple of weeks with a tricky fixture against Newcastle but we head into that full of confidence as we stand, proud, at the top of the Premier League table.
Fair play to them but i doubt the scoreline would have been so flattering for them if De Jong was involved. is it wrong to love Mario even when he is not playing that well just cause he’s hilarious?
I strongly believe Mancini should not play Yaya as a holding midfielder. I do not expect Yaya to have the work-rate of Milner nor the trickery of David Silve nor the tenacity of Carlos Tevez nor the ball winning knack of DeJong, but when he is played in the advanced role, he is an absolute menace to any defense and can change a game at anytime. And most often than not, it is those game-changing moments that separates a title winner from the rest. Mancini should leverage him as an advanced mid-fielder ,which he has done to a certain extend.
Yes. Completely agree. Not only is Yaya wasted there, he’s not even particularly effective. But he’s deadly in the advanced role. I’d like to see Milner and De Jong play regularly together. Milner adds a different dynamic to the team. He also has fantastic vertical passing ability plus the ability to get forward himself and add tremendous menace to defences.
As a QPR supporter it was great to see City at Loftus Road. Very impressed with the way your team dug in and it was great to give you a real test. We appreciated the comments from the players after the game, as well as the City fans. This is the start of our adventure and yours is very firmly underway. I think you’ll walk the league but think you have a team of class players and class ambassadors for the game – even if a few don’t know where to let off fireworks. Best for the season. City was my dad’s family’s team before I ruined it and converted us all to QPR, so there is a soft spot for City. keep the moon rising and thanks for the game. Bosh at QPR!
It is never late to be a City believer!
The QPR game showed our frailties. Nonetheless we escaped an ambarrasment by sheer class in the team. Workrate and gameplay goes to QPR. Brilliant strategy to out-manouver our midfield. No other team has done that yet and there’s work to be done if we ever want to win the title. Sooner or later, some lower team will beat us the same way QPR almost did. Great game tho’ it was edgy from start till finish.
It was Manchester City made me subscribe sports channel, but then came in Tony Fernandez with ‘Malaysia’ imprint on it, so QPR as of currently. My wish list: City with silverware also QPR mid table at season end.
Cheers all.
I jst love City nd the quality that is shown. QPR had us for a minute there but we showed our quality nd composure nd got the result we needed. PLS PLS BRING TEVEZ BACK!!!
Fantastic game and well done to both teams as game was played in an excellent spirit. If only Jay could have put that header away for 2-0 who knows we may well have beaten them, then Heidur hitting bar at end with Hart beaten!! But quality in finishing was ultimately the difference between the sides on the night, thanks to the City players, coaches and fans for your nice comments about us, BEST OF LUCK FOR REST OF SEASON, THE TITLE SHOULD BE YOURS!!
You don’t always get what you deserve in football, but Man City are a class act…. David Silva, now he’s possibly the best player I’ve seen for many a year… yeah, real quality! As for my Rangers they made City work hard, I’d say Joey has his best game to date in a Hooped shirt, but for me Ale Faurlin was outstanding and I gave him the MOTM – I’ve never seen so many happy Rangers fans after a defeat since the days of Marsh and the Morgan twins. Well done QPR, I really hope Man City win the league… that is unless QPR have a late surge haha! It will be good for football to see someone other than that lot from SW6 and the red side of Manchester to win the title…. Best of luck City…… go easy on my Rangers on 13th May 2012, you should defo be Champions by then, and we may need those 3 points for our dream to continue!