The Queens Men
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Enrico Pucci
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Somehow I get the feeling that the ONLY parts of your interview that will get any play whatsoever is:
1. You want away.
2. You have no money to sign anyone.
Either my spidey sense is tingling or I need some ointment ...
1. You want away.
2. You have no money to sign anyone.
Either my spidey sense is tingling or I need some ointment ...
The trip north west to the Britannia Stadium took around 3 hours. Our hosts were 19th, with their only win coming on the second weekend of the season against bottom of the table Sunderland. Their form had taken an upturn, though, as they had drawn 3 of their last 4 games.
The injury Isla had picked up against West Ham ruled him out for today, though he should be back against Arsenal in two days. We shuffle our defence around a little to accommodate for his injury. Onuoha moves to right back with Ferdinand taking his place at the heart of the back four. Traore is fit again and jumps into the starting eleven ahead of Yun Suk-Young. Finally, I decided to drop Vargas to the bench and start with Charlie Austin. Stoke are a physical side and that, as well as his poor performance against West Ham, means my Chilean stalwart starts on the bench.
Queens Park Rangers: Alex McCarthy, Nedum Onuoha, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Caulker, Armand Traore, Alejandro Faurlin, Matt Phillips, Jordon Mutch, Leroy Fer, Junior Hoilett, Charlie Austin.
Substitutes: Robert Green, Richard Dunne, Yun Suk-Young, Sandro, Adel Taarabt, Bobby Zamora, Eduardo Vargas.
***
The beginning of the match is tense as the rain continues to pour, flooding the already soaked pitch. No sooner has the match started than we have our first casualty. Hoilett limps off after stretching for a loose ball. Vargas joins the fray, offering us pace and skill on the left wing.
Just moments after the substitution, we advance down the left channel. Vargas beats two and plays a neat pass into Leroy Fer who, without even looking, slides the ball into the path of Phillips. The right winger has drifted inside, playing as more of a number 10, and slots the ball under the goalkeeper with his left foot shot. The thousand or so of our fans go wild behind the goal as the ball hits the back of the net.
On the half hour mark, our lead is doubled thanks to some quick thinking from Jordon Mutch. A corner from the left is quickly taken, finding Austin on the edge of the area. His shot is parried by Begovic and Vergas turns in the rebound.
Our celebrations are short lived, however, as Stoke quickly half the deficit. Steve Sidwell plays the ball into the space behind our defence and in desperation, Onuoha makes an interception on the slippery surface. Stephen Ireland capitalises on the mistake caused by the conditions and slots home to the delight of the home support.
The roar from the Stoke fans is deafening and perhaps unrivaled since I assumed control at QPR.
At half time, I make two changes. Traore is forced off after an awkward landing on the waterlogged pitch with Yun Suk-Young replacing him at left back. Austin has done very little so far, except from his role in the second goal, and is replaced by the experienced Bobby Zamora. Zamora has been pushing for a chance since I first took over, and now I hope he can secure the three points.
A competitive second half wears down as Stoke push for an equaliser. We, on the other hand, are cautious in attack as I'm fully aware of the pace Stoke possess in the final third.
Peter Crouch comes on in the 80th minute as Stoke make their desperation obvious for all to see.
With seconds left to spare the home crowd jump in celebration, and perhaps relief, as Arnautovic fires them level. A long throw by Andy Wilkinson is nodded on by Crouch into the path of the Austrian giant who toe pokes home to wipe out our lead.
The final whistle blows as I and Ross Eames shake our heads at one another.
Stoke City 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
View attachment 323105
The injury Isla had picked up against West Ham ruled him out for today, though he should be back against Arsenal in two days. We shuffle our defence around a little to accommodate for his injury. Onuoha moves to right back with Ferdinand taking his place at the heart of the back four. Traore is fit again and jumps into the starting eleven ahead of Yun Suk-Young. Finally, I decided to drop Vargas to the bench and start with Charlie Austin. Stoke are a physical side and that, as well as his poor performance against West Ham, means my Chilean stalwart starts on the bench.
Queens Park Rangers: Alex McCarthy, Nedum Onuoha, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Caulker, Armand Traore, Alejandro Faurlin, Matt Phillips, Jordon Mutch, Leroy Fer, Junior Hoilett, Charlie Austin.
Substitutes: Robert Green, Richard Dunne, Yun Suk-Young, Sandro, Adel Taarabt, Bobby Zamora, Eduardo Vargas.
***
The beginning of the match is tense as the rain continues to pour, flooding the already soaked pitch. No sooner has the match started than we have our first casualty. Hoilett limps off after stretching for a loose ball. Vargas joins the fray, offering us pace and skill on the left wing.
Just moments after the substitution, we advance down the left channel. Vargas beats two and plays a neat pass into Leroy Fer who, without even looking, slides the ball into the path of Phillips. The right winger has drifted inside, playing as more of a number 10, and slots the ball under the goalkeeper with his left foot shot. The thousand or so of our fans go wild behind the goal as the ball hits the back of the net.
On the half hour mark, our lead is doubled thanks to some quick thinking from Jordon Mutch. A corner from the left is quickly taken, finding Austin on the edge of the area. His shot is parried by Begovic and Vergas turns in the rebound.
Our celebrations are short lived, however, as Stoke quickly half the deficit. Steve Sidwell plays the ball into the space behind our defence and in desperation, Onuoha makes an interception on the slippery surface. Stephen Ireland capitalises on the mistake caused by the conditions and slots home to the delight of the home support.
The roar from the Stoke fans is deafening and perhaps unrivaled since I assumed control at QPR.
At half time, I make two changes. Traore is forced off after an awkward landing on the waterlogged pitch with Yun Suk-Young replacing him at left back. Austin has done very little so far, except from his role in the second goal, and is replaced by the experienced Bobby Zamora. Zamora has been pushing for a chance since I first took over, and now I hope he can secure the three points.
A competitive second half wears down as Stoke push for an equaliser. We, on the other hand, are cautious in attack as I'm fully aware of the pace Stoke possess in the final third.
Peter Crouch comes on in the 80th minute as Stoke make their desperation obvious for all to see.
With seconds left to spare the home crowd jump in celebration, and perhaps relief, as Arnautovic fires them level. A long throw by Andy Wilkinson is nodded on by Crouch into the path of the Austrian giant who toe pokes home to wipe out our lead.
The final whistle blows as I and Ross Eames shake our heads at one another.
Stoke City 2-2 Queens Park Rangers
View attachment 323105
Thank you!
On a side note, thank you to everyone for helping me reach over 1000 views. I know we're not close to the biggest stories on the site but I'm still remarkably proud that people continue to read what I'm writing!
The players have had just one day rest between the trip to Stoke and todays game against Arsenal. They're understandably tired, meaning we had just a light training session yesterday. To add to the challenge, Wenger's men arrive in fine fettle after winning 7 of their last 8 games.
Loftus Road is bouncing with anticipation - the football we've played since my arrival has certainly wet the fans appetite and now we must stand together in the toughest fixture yet.
I've made small changes for todays game. Isla is fit again after the injury he suffered against West Ham and comes back into the team at right back. Onuoha moves into the centre of defence, pushing Rio onto the bench. Sandro starts for the first time in three games, replacing Faurlin. The Argentine's fitness was a worry, although he may make an appearance from the bench. Vargas starts on the left wing in place of Hoilett whom has a slight knock from the Stoke fixture.
It's the first time this season that Loftus Road has been a sell-out - the 19,200 capacity venue filled to the rafters.
Queens Park Rangers: Alex McCarthy, Mauricio Isla, Nedum Onouha, Steven Caulker, Armand Traore, Sandro, Matt Phillips, Jordon Mutch, Leroy Fer, Eduardo Vargas, Charlie Austin.
Substitutes: Robert Green, Rio Ferdinand, Yun Suk-Young, Alejandro Faurlin, Adel Taarabt, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Zamora.
***
The crowd are in fine voice from the off, and are duly rewarded. Arsenal immediately attempt to quieten the crowd, passing the ball around between goalkeeper, defence and midfield. Alexis Sanchez and Danny Welbeck, the two starting strikers, don't touch the ball.
We gradually push them back until they have little space left to play in. The crowd cheer as Mutch steals the ball from Aaron Ramsey in the centre of the pitch and plays a weighted pass out to Phillips on the right. Phillips glides between Flamini and Wilshere to the delight of the QPR faithful before playing a pass into the path of the Isla whose cross is nodded in with power by Charlie Austin.
After we've taken the lead, Arsenals attackers grow into the match. The game becomes far more open, with Joel Campbell proving to be a real threat down the left. Our build up play is precise, though we keep being fouled on the edge of the area and can't seem to capitalise. I think some of the players' minds are as tired as their bodies.
Five minutes before half time, The Loft (the stand behind one of the goals) explodes into celebration as our lead is doubled, albeit through a scrappy finish. Vargas spreads a corner out to Sandro, whom is waiting in anticipation, on the edge of the area. He strikes the ball cleanly with Szczesny only managing to parry it into the centre of a crowded penalty area. Mutch and Fer both have swings at the ball, yet fail to connect before Onuoha smashes the ball into the back of the net.
As half time comes around, Arsenal fail to respond. I decide to leave the team unchanged for now as we have the fate of the game in our own hands, though fitness levels may become an issue.
Before Arsenal settle into a rhythm in the second half, we put the game beyond them. Vargas receives the ball deep inside our half, yet shows his undoubted class. His penetrating run sees him effortlessly glide between Campbell, Flamini and Debuchy before placing a cross onto the head of Austin with the outside of his right boot. Austin turns to embrace the Chilean star while the backroom staff and I celebrate with the fans behind our dugout.
The rest of the game descends into a waiting game for the final whistle. It sounds after what feels like an eternity, and the roar from the crowd is deafening - I'm certain the fans will go home happy.
Queens Park Rangers 3-0 Arsenal
View attachment 322604
Loftus Road is bouncing with anticipation - the football we've played since my arrival has certainly wet the fans appetite and now we must stand together in the toughest fixture yet.
I've made small changes for todays game. Isla is fit again after the injury he suffered against West Ham and comes back into the team at right back. Onuoha moves into the centre of defence, pushing Rio onto the bench. Sandro starts for the first time in three games, replacing Faurlin. The Argentine's fitness was a worry, although he may make an appearance from the bench. Vargas starts on the left wing in place of Hoilett whom has a slight knock from the Stoke fixture.
It's the first time this season that Loftus Road has been a sell-out - the 19,200 capacity venue filled to the rafters.
Queens Park Rangers: Alex McCarthy, Mauricio Isla, Nedum Onouha, Steven Caulker, Armand Traore, Sandro, Matt Phillips, Jordon Mutch, Leroy Fer, Eduardo Vargas, Charlie Austin.
Substitutes: Robert Green, Rio Ferdinand, Yun Suk-Young, Alejandro Faurlin, Adel Taarabt, Junior Hoilett, Bobby Zamora.
***
We gradually push them back until they have little space left to play in. The crowd cheer as Mutch steals the ball from Aaron Ramsey in the centre of the pitch and plays a weighted pass out to Phillips on the right. Phillips glides between Flamini and Wilshere to the delight of the QPR faithful before playing a pass into the path of the Isla whose cross is nodded in with power by Charlie Austin.
After we've taken the lead, Arsenals attackers grow into the match. The game becomes far more open, with Joel Campbell proving to be a real threat down the left. Our build up play is precise, though we keep being fouled on the edge of the area and can't seem to capitalise. I think some of the players' minds are as tired as their bodies.
Five minutes before half time, The Loft (the stand behind one of the goals) explodes into celebration as our lead is doubled, albeit through a scrappy finish. Vargas spreads a corner out to Sandro, whom is waiting in anticipation, on the edge of the area. He strikes the ball cleanly with Szczesny only managing to parry it into the centre of a crowded penalty area. Mutch and Fer both have swings at the ball, yet fail to connect before Onuoha smashes the ball into the back of the net.
As half time comes around, Arsenal fail to respond. I decide to leave the team unchanged for now as we have the fate of the game in our own hands, though fitness levels may become an issue.
Before Arsenal settle into a rhythm in the second half, we put the game beyond them. Vargas receives the ball deep inside our half, yet shows his undoubted class. His penetrating run sees him effortlessly glide between Campbell, Flamini and Debuchy before placing a cross onto the head of Austin with the outside of his right boot. Austin turns to embrace the Chilean star while the backroom staff and I celebrate with the fans behind our dugout.
The rest of the game descends into a waiting game for the final whistle. It sounds after what feels like an eternity, and the roar from the crowd is deafening - I'm certain the fans will go home happy.
Queens Park Rangers 3-0 Arsenal
View attachment 322604
AndySams10
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Superb result against Arsenal mate. Well done.
Thank you! I certainly wasn't expecting such a result.