Conor Masterson D QPR (loaned to Gillingham) b.1998

[tetsujin1979]

Interviewed on off the ball last night, Shane Duffy also interviewed
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[Razors left peg]

Interviewed on off the ball last night, Shane Duffy also interviewed
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Thought Nathan Murphy kept going on too much about how amazing it must have been to be at Liverpool and how hard it must have been to leave, it got a bit annoying. Masterson handled it pretty well to be fair

[Razors left peg]

Not even on bench today. He needs to be making a pretty average QPR team

[tommy_c12000]

Not even on bench today. He needs to be making a pretty average QPR team

Makes bench today for first time in league. By God, is there life in Conor’s career yet? Also, QPR playing with 3 centre backs i think so increases his chances. Molumby retains his position for second consecutive league start for Millwall

[tommy_c12000]

On at half time for Ball to shore up QPRs leaky defence that has shipped 3 goals vs Brentford. The only man for the job, working so far, still 3-0. First senior league appearance

[Eirambler]

Hopefully a chance for him to get a run of games after that QPR first half defensive effort.

[tommy_c12000]

Starts today ahead of Ball, with Hall in a 4 man defense. Solid first half, some good distribution, cool on the ball, and made some clearances. Got caught out on wrong side of Bamford from a long ball and got away with it. Other than that really solid. Qpr do have a mini centre back injury crisis, hence this op, he’s doing well so far. 1-0 qpr half time

[Olé Olé]

Cheers Tommy. Might stuff.

[tommy_c12000]

1-0 victory for qpr. 3rd clean sheet of season coinciding with Masterson’s first league start. He really was good considering the circumstances against high-flying (albeit stuttering) Leeds. One lapse of concentration in 2nd half when he forgot about Bamford behind him who won a penalty, but could argue it was Halls duty to cover across. But other than that he was very good

[liamoo11]

Yeah excellent today. Pity he has had so much lost time to injury this season. Irish centre half who genuinely comfortable on the ball and wants to pass into midfield and get it back to play not hit constant 60yard diagonals. He forces midfielder s to get on the ball and not hide

[youngirish]

QPR fans are impressed with him:

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/members/queensparkrangers/forum/253060/masterson/#18

[Deckydee]

QPR fans are impressed with him:

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/members/queensparkrangers/forum/253060/masterson/#18

Indeed! > From the same site in the match report:

QPR Star Man – Conor Masterson 8 A mature performance from the youngster who capped his display by staying to clap all sides of the ground and even joining in a ‘You R’ss!’, which of course went down a treat for the many home fans still in attendance. If and it’s a big if, he can stay fit and maintain these performances then we may well have a big asset on our hands. He will face tougher battles than that of Patrick Bamford and as he grows will fill out his frame. But at just 21, to play like that in the Championship live on Sky against one of the best teams in the league, well done young man.

[youngirish]

The manager was impressed by his display also:
https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-boss-ready-to-scrap-transfer-plans-after-mastersons-debut-display

[Stuttgart88]

I only saw the last 15 mins and he had one very good carry well into the Leeds half but what stood out was his maturity / confidence. At no point did he look like he felt he was a kid in a man's game.

[tommy_c12000]

Very solid first half again from Conor, vs Sheff Wed in FA cup. On the ball a lot, keeping things simple, with one nice cross field ball. Dominating in the air for the most part. One excellent piece of defending when isolated on a 1 to 1, ensured Jacob Murphy had to go wide before he made a classy interception to a raucous applause from the QPR faithful. QPR conceded just before half time when their right back was asleep from a quick throw in, nothing Conor could do about it

[tommy_c12000]

Solid second half as well. Did have a mixup with his keeper Lumley, from which Conor recovered well and saved a goal. 100% lumleys fault who should have stayed in his box to enable Conor to head the ball back to him. Overall, good performance from Conor. Hopefully he’s done enough to start again Tuesday night. I think he offers more than Leistner going forward, so perhaps Hall as his partner. The other qpr centre back Barbet also fit again I believe so hopefully Conor can keep his place.

On a side note, Manning was very poor defensively again. The second time I’ve seen him play. He certainly appears to have gone off the boil. If I was him, I would snap up any long term contract qpr are offering and stay another season in championship. He is nowhere near premiership standard at the current time, he has a lot of work to do

[tommy_c12000]

Leistner off to Koln in Germany, a huge vote of confidence in Conor. The path is clearer for him now to get a solid run of games

[liamoo11]

Got in today as late replacement done well it seems . Seemed to be unlucky to be droped a few weeks ago. Nice to see him getting a break

[tommy_c12000]

Did well and all according to their fans forum and twitter. Including an excellent sliding block on Hogan in injury time who was going for his hat trick. QPR will be “safe” with one more win or so, really hope Conor will get a firm run of games as they develop him for next season

[tommy_c12000]

Club captain Grant Hall has left the club after rejecting contract offer with immediate effect. Great news for Conor who should get an uninterrupted run of games now to close the season

[Deckydee]

Starting his second game in a row for QPR this afternoon. Fingers crossed he can progress!

[tetsujin1979]

interviewed this week on QPR's podcast: https://soundcloud.com/theloftcast/the-loftcast-lockdown-lifted

[tommy_c12000]

Subbed after 33 minutes, after starting in 5 man back line. Really not looking good for him at this stage to make an impact at a high level. Can’t say he hasn’t had chances this season. A number of QPR fans were questioning his legs prior to him being frozen out for the past few games. Dara O’Shea is going from strength to strength, albeit at right back. Nathan Collins has had a very frustrating season, banished to right back for 2 recent games, then whipped off at half time for the terrible James Chester in the most recent game having started centre back. Michael O’Neill really knows how to build a youngsters confidence. Fans haven’t been overly impressed by Collins in any case, has allowed opponents easily skip pass him too many times. Ryan Nolan is a forgotten man, played in relegation playoffs in Serie C for his loan club, and was dropped (perhaps injured) for return leg. He’s unlikely to make it at this stage, and hasn’t impressed me when I’ve seen him, again doesn’t look to have the legs and mobility.

At this stage, looks like Egan and Duffy going forward. Long playing solid for Burnley having had an unexpected run in the team. O’Shea, and possibly Collins if he can mature and get a run of games. There’s obviously a few younger hot prospects, but will have to see how they develop in coming years

[Olé Olé]

I see Masterson was subbed off for a striker. So, clearly there must have been a tactical decision made. Also, I would have little worry for Nathan Collins.

I don't think either need writing off just yet.

[tommy_c12000]

I see Masterson was subbed off for a striker. So, clearly there must have been a tactical decision made. Also, I would have little worry for Nathan Collins.

I don't think either need writing off just yet.

Of course it was tactical, hence I stated 5 man defense. Masterson had a clear run at centre back once Hall moved on, but QPR felt the need to move Cameron back to centre back, and play an unknown 22 year old defender from Sierra Leone ahead of him in recent games. And he is the first to make way in a tactical decision. QPR will bring in at least 2 centre backs over the summer, and Masterson clearly has failed his “test.” I’m not definitely writing him off, just presenting objective data as to why he is unlikely to make it at a high level (a top division and regular international football)

[Olé Olé]

QPR fans are impressed with him:

https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/members/queensparkrangers/forum/253060/masterson/#18

"Unlikely to make it at a high level"- I think your post is riddled with confirmation bias. He has played a decent number of games for QPR. It is his first season at the club. It is his first season of senior football. He is 21. Geoff Cameron has played a lot of football centre half and is more experienced. The Sierra Leonian (Kakay) you refer to is 22 and has had loan spells so is far more experienced at senior level. I would say he is "unknown" because you are neither a Sierra Leonian or QPR supporter (correct me if I'm wrong). Is Kakay not a full back?

"Presenting objective data"- Anyone can espouse objective data. Being objective when selecting the objective data to espouse is a little different.

I think you are unnecessarily leaning towards writing Masterson off.

[tommy_c12000]

"Unlikely to make it at a high level"- I think your post is riddled with confirmation bias. He has played a decent number of games for QPR. It is his first season at the club. It is his first season of senior football. He is 21. Geoff Cameron has played a lot of football centre half and is more experienced. The Sierra Leonian (Kakay) you refer to is 22 and has had loan spells so is far more experienced at senior level. I would say he is "unknown" because you are neither a Sierra Leonian or QPR supporter (correct me if I'm wrong). Is Kakay not a full back?

"Presenting objective data"- Anyone can espouse objective data. Being objective when selecting the objective data to espouse is a little different.

I think you are unnecessarily leaning towards writing Masterson off.

Yes I believe he’s a full back. But there was talk of Masterson getting a run there a la O’Shea. Cameron was playing defensive midfield for the QPR games I’ve seen this year, but he was pushed back to cover Masterson. All I’m saying is Masterson has not established himself as a centre half at a club currently at league one standard skinned down to its bare bones, with only 2 fit centre halves, with Cameron playing as defensive midfielder mostly this season (granted he’s also a centre half). They will buy at least 2 new centre halves over the summer. At this stage, it is unlikely that Masterson who will be 22 when the new season starts will be a top player.

Im basing this on seeing him in 20 or so matches, and I do agree he looked promising in the first few games with QPR, but this was allowing for the leeway given to a youngster in his initial breakthrough (for example he was clearly shaky against Leeds and Bamford showed him up a couple of times). I haven’t seen him this side of lockdown but have read the two QPR forums and other reports and he clearly hasn’t pushed on. Perhaps my memory is foggy, so perhaps you can add recall bias to my confirmation bias as flaws in my argument.

I wrote Idah off early, and he’s proving me wrong thus far. Let’s hope I’m wrong about Masterson, but the signs are pointing in the wrong direction

[Eirambler]

If there's one part of the team we shouldn't need to worry about its the defence. O'Shea is developing incredibly well, Collins is doing very well for his age and Masterson is getting first team games as well. Ebosele looks like he might be the next young defender to break through.

Today was just a tactical thing, I'd expect him to outlast Warburton at QPR to be honest so I wouldn't draw too many conclusions based on Warburton's ineptness.

That said he does seem to be a bit behind Collins and O'Shea despite being the oldest of the three. But he's playing a good amount of Championship football at 21 so he's doing fine for now.

[liamoo11]

If there's one part of the team we shouldn't need to worry about its the defence. O'Shea is developing incredibly well, Collins is doing very well for his age and Masterson is getting first team games as well. Ebosele looks like he might be the next young defender to break through.

Today was just a tactical thing, I'd expect him to outlast Warburton at QPR to be honest so I wouldn't draw too many conclusions based on Warburton's ineptness.

That said he does seem to be a bit behind Collins and O'Shea despite being the oldest of the three. But he's playing a good amount of Championship football at 21 so he's doing fine for now.

Masterson definitely needed to get league football earlier and liverpool held him back and he was also unlucky to be injured in his last preseason there when he likely would have gone on loan. He is such a lovely footballer and so comfortable on the ball I think he has a real chance given how most top flight teams now play and relatively speaking how few centre halves have that footballing ability. Physically he is not where he should be though and he really needs to put serious muscle on that lanky frame and he is the only one who can knuckle down and push himself to do that. No harm remembering where John Egan was at Masterson s age. To be fair QPR forums seem to think he shouldn't have been.pulled off today similar to stokes forums reactions to Collins been withdrawn against Leeds.

Ebosele has only been converted to fullback this season so i wonder how he will manage defensively in league football cause certainly underage he was an out and out winger and even emergency striker . He seems to have put on serious muscle though so he must be a committed lad .

[Eirambler]

I'd agree with pretty much all of that. Similar to Masterson John Egan had played less than 20 games of league football at this stage of his career and almost all of those were in League 2. Obviously not every player kicks on the way Egan did but it's far to early to write Masterson off. The time to judge him will be in 12 or 24 months time. Hopefully he'll be an established Championship player by then, if he is he will again be ahead of Egan at the same age.

[Olé Olé]

Someone got into a panic over in YBIG because Jayson Molumby has been on the bench for a couple of games and subbed early for Millwall. You see some really over-dramatized conclusions being drawn and somebody made this post which I think sums it up well:

Young player dropped for a couple of matches = panic stations.
Young player gets back into the starting 11 after a couple of weeks = all is well again.

Rinse and repeat....

[samhaydenjr]

I'd agree with pretty much all of that. Similar to Masterson John Egan had played less than 20 games of league football at this stage of his career and almost all of those were in League 2. Obviously not every player kicks on the way Egan did but it's far to early to write Masterson off. The time to judge him will be in 12 or 24 months time. Hopefully he'll be an established Championship player by then, if he is he will again be ahead of Egan at the same age.

Yeah, he was nearly 24 before he started getting regular football in The Championship. Even Duffy didn't get regular football at Championship level until he was 21, and that was on loan at Yeovil. So still time for Masterson to develop and hopefully achieve his potential.

[Charlie Darwin]

I wrote Idah off early, and he’s proving me wrong thus far. Let’s hope I’m wrong about Masterson, but the signs are pointing in the wrong direction
Do you think the problem, rather than being the players' problem, is maybe actually the fact you rush to judge players without allowing time to see how their development continues?

[DeLorean]

Too many fence sitters on here as it is CD, we should welcome a maverick like Tommy. Let him live and die by the sword, what harm? :)

[zero]

I don't think there's any harm in someone getting interested by a new player, be it positive or otherwise. That's why we're here right? Otherwise there'd be no threads on up and coming players other than bare facts, and where's the fun in that...

[youngirish]

Masterson came of the bench after 11 minutes yesterday due to an injury and by all accounts put in a decent shift. Hopefully he plays the last few games and progresses further in his development.

On the plus side according to the QPR fan forums they have hardly any money to spend on transfers in the summer break so now that they are safe and providing Masterson doesn't have a nightmare in any of the final 2 games then he should be in or about the first team again next season.

I do think this guy can be good but he does need a decent run in a team that is not leaking goals with some good, experienced defenders he can learn from. QPR have neither of those requirements at the moment.

[Eirambler]

I think a full season in the Championship playing regularly would/will be huge for Masterson. Going to Liverpool has cost him a year or two of development really, while Dara O'Shea was slumming it down in League 2 Masterson was coasting (i.e. wasting his time) playing under 23s. Injuries didn't help as well to be fair.

Basically I think his potential could be huge and his skillset is ideal for a modern day Premier League defence. But he needs to learn his trade like O'shea has done and a good run of games now will help to make up for lost time.

[Diggs246]

Totally. If my son can play he is going nowhere near a big club to learn his trade.... so straight to Manchester United!

[gally]

Scores today.

[youngirish]

Scored after starting today against Millwall. Hopefully doing enough to keep him in the frame for next season.

[tommy_c12000]

By God, Masterson popped up with a goal! Only 6 subs on QPR bench. Let’s hope he can push on. Keep the humble pie in the freezer for another couple of years, but hopefully I’ll be eating it alongsides Idah’s pie!

[Olé Olé]

Manning makes it 2-1. Great day at the office.

[tommy_c12000]

And Molumby with the final goal

[tetsujin1979]

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[ColourfulPeanut]

Any word on how Shodipo is doing? I noticed he's reappeared in the first team after lockdown.

[Eirambler]

Shodipo kept his fitness up during the lockdown and came back in good form. The feeling is that he was basically playing for his career at QPR and needed a good spell. Hopefully he has done enough to stay involved.

[Olé Olé]

Pre-lockdown, there was a tweet from the club owner, Tony Fernandes, referring to Shodipo as his favourite player. Obviously doesn't count for much if he isn't doing the business on the park but there must be a will for him to do well.

[Olé Olé]

Reading a few different forums to try and see the impressions on Masterson. Some QPR fans have him in the starting line up for next season. Others have him out on loan.

I think it's very clear he has a lot of work to do. But it is also clear that he is a good reader of the game and very comfortable on the ball. Strength, power and aggression are probably the missing pieces and Eirambler set out the excellent point above that he missed that season in League Two that Dara O'Shea got.

He is a very driven and determined young lad. Further, he comes from a solid background as his father is a football man but also has a successful professional career (Director at Irish Rail). They will have learned so much about his game this season that they wouldn't have playing under 23 football at Liverpool. I'm sure that the weaknesses identified will be easily turned into opportunities by them.

He is no Ryan Burke. Not yet anyway.

[tommy_c12000]

For anyone interested in his performance today, I’ve provided some specific examples should you want to watch a replay.

Good things: As always he’s comfortable on the ball with pretty good distribution. Made some vital interceptions/clearances, and had a reasonable second half. And wasn’t at fault for any of the 2 goals.

10, 87, 89 minutes: dominating headers won from goal kicks
47 minutes: good tracking and headed clearance
60 minutes: firm challenge at edge of box
82 minutes: excellent clearing header from cross

Bad things: as mentioned by others, some issues with concentration/ball watching, and nearly cost QPR 2 early goals today.

2 minutes: gets turned easily and gives cheap free kick away
4 minutes: misjudges a header from long WB clearance, results in west brom one-on-one which should have been a goal
6 minutes: let’s Robinson to come across him allowing a free header in 6 yard box which should have been another goal
13 minutes: allowed Robinson cross in front of him again and would have been a tap in bar a deflection on cross
16 minutes: simple through ball from O’Shea got caught between his legs flicking it on to left winger resulting in dangerous chance
83 minutes: more of a collective defensive issue, terrible defending from free kick with multiple WB players having a potential free header, Bartley messed it up. Masterson was at the right edge of box; not the place for a centre back. Defending from set pieces has been an Achilles heal of QPR all season, so partly related to coaching as well.

Many weaknesses that I see (concentration, strength, agility) are imminently addressable to some extent and certainly experience will improve him. He does have an excellent attitude by all accounts and he will hopefully work hard to address these in off season and beyond. His first half performance is why I feel the way I do about him longer term, but I’ll be happy to be proved wrong. Hindsight is 20/20, but he stayed with the Liverpool reserves too long.

His approach to next season is crucial. Personally, I think he should work as hard as he can from tomorrow, see how preseason goes and see how many centre backs QPR bring in. I just can’t see him being fully backed for next season going on recent performances and QPR’s aspirations. He should then clarify with Warburton early if he’s first choice or now. If he’s not, then he should go to league one on loan until Christmas ASAP. He should not stay if squad player. He needs as many first team games as possible next season

[youngirish]

For anyone interested in his performance today, I’ve provided some specific examples should you want to watch a replay.

Good things: As always he’s comfortable on the ball with pretty good distribution. Made some vital interceptions/clearances, and had a reasonable second half. And wasn’t at fault for any of the 2 goals.

10, 87, 89 minutes: dominating headers won from goal kicks
47 minutes: good tracking and headed clearance
60 minutes: firm challenge at edge of box
82 minutes: excellent clearing header from cross

Bad things: as mentioned by others, some issues with concentration/ball watching, and nearly cost QPR 2 early goals today.

2 minutes: gets turned easily and gives cheap free kick away
4 minutes: misjudges a header from long WB clearance, results in west brom one-on-one which should have been a goal
6 minutes: let’s Robinson to come across him allowing a free header in 6 yard box which should have been another goal
13 minutes: allowed Robinson cross in front of him again and would have been a tap in bar a deflection on cross
16 minutes: simple through ball from O’Shea got caught between his legs flicking it on to left winger resulting in dangerous chance
83 minutes: more of a collective defensive issue, terrible defending from free kick with multiple WB players having a potential free header, Bartley messed it up. Masterson was at the right edge of box; not the place for a centre back. Defending from set pieces has been an Achilles heal of QPR all season, so partly related to coaching as well.

Many weaknesses that I see (concentration, strength, agility) are imminently addressable to some extent and certainly experience will improve him. He does have an excellent attitude by all accounts and he will hopefully work hard to address these in off season and beyond. His first half performance is why I feel the way I do about him longer term, but I’ll be happy to be proved wrong. Hindsight is 20/20, but he stayed with the Liverpool reserves too long.

His approach to next season is crucial. Personally, I think he should work as hard as he can from tomorrow, see how preseason goes and see how many centre backs QPR bring in. I just can’t see him being fully backed for next season going on recent performances and QPR’s aspirations. He should then clarify with Warburton early if he’s first choice or now. If he’s not, then he should go to league one on loan until Christmas ASAP. He should not stay if squad player. He needs as many first team games as possible next season

He needs a decent centre back to learn his trade from and he certainly won't find that at QPR. They have been shocking defensively since the restart.