Originally Posted by
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