TOPIC: Player ratings and view of thegame anyone?

for the exiles

10 for everyone.

When was the last time we beat a side two divisions above us?

"When was the last time we beat a side two divisions above us?"

Off the top of my head I think it was Tranmere in 97 - pretty sure they were still second tier back then.

The strange thing is that we beat a Championship level side - a side that were Premiership last season - and it's almost getting no mention on here , taking the back seat to endless "will I get a ticket for Anfield?" threads!

Thought we did very well (obvs), although QPR's reserve team was bobbins with the exception perhaps of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas. Our passing and movement was fantastic at times, particularly second half, although I still worry about some of the 'moves' in and around our own box.
Standout players for me were Miller, Brough and Asamoah. Thought McQueen had a good game too.

Champions95 wrote:
I don't want to piss on your fire too much, but the side that QPR put out last night was no where near what they fielded in the Premiership. Only a few are even in their Championship starting XI. Still an outstanding result mind, but I'm not going to get carried away with all the 'beat a Premiership side malarky'.

BlueBag wrote:
No, fair enough - but that wasn't really my point. Regardless of the side QPR put out it was still a fantastic result - as you say - and I'm just pointing out that we seem to be struggling to live in the moment and enjoy what could still turn out to be the high point of the season instead of getting totally carried away with the next round draw.

Don't get to as many games as I'd like living away, but last night was so much better than my last game at Stevenage. We actually passed the ball, although perhaps a bit much at the back. We have to be pleased with the way we're trying to play and, despite what Ramsay said, I thought we were good value for the win. Impressed by McQueen who caused all sorts of problems down that flank, and we just seemed to step up a gear when Kennedy came on. Almost seemed to have a Kev Gray like presence and impact. Finally, we shouldn't overlook a stunning ground level save from Gillespie that kept us in it. Perhaps this is the result that some missing belief?

Gillespie - 8 - Two very good saves
Miller - 8 Played very well, won his headers and tackled
Raynes - 7 Backs off too much. Nice pass to Balanta for our first goal
Grainger - 8 Unlucky with a free-kick. Dealt with tricky attacker well.
McQueen - 9 Up and down all night and a real attacking threat. Must start on Saturday
Brough - 7 Much better. Did well for the second goal.
Dicker - 8 The guy is technically brilliant. If he was quicker he'd be still playing Championship
Joyce - 8 Numerous blocks and kept chasing
Sweeney - 8 For someone who hasn't played a minute this season he was excellent. Calm on the ball and didn't stop working
Balanta - 8 Clever player. Attacking midfield role suited him and the team
Asamoah - 9 Unplayable at times. Led the line brilliantly. Goal was great and assist was even better

Troy - 7 Header cleared off the line
Kennedy - 8 Great sub by Curle. Got forward and got the crucial goal
Ibehre - 7 Worked hard

Kennedy's a really good player when he's not playing left wing back..

Gillespie - 8 -Looked confident. Two great saves. Not at fault for goal
Miller - 6.5 Defended better second half. Is not a wing back as he can't/won't take a player on. Is better playing as one of the 3 at the back without forward responsibilities.
Raynes - 6.5 He works hard. Never stops trying and encouraging. Looks better along side Troy than Danny.
Grainger - 7 Was much better than at Plymouth. Never can doubt his commitment but in his absence, with Troy on, we looked stronger.
McQueen - 8 Worked tirelessly. got passed his man on a couple of occasions and gives us pace and an outlet on the wing.
Brough - 6 Better performance. Worked hard to get past his man. Should take example from Asamoah and work to get crosses from the by line or near abouts.
Dicker - 8 Thought he and Joyce were the key. Giving bodies to the defence. Breaking up play in the middle and bringing the ball forward.
Joyce - 8 Excellent performance. Solid defensively and lays off the ball to advance the play.
Sweeney - 6 Worked hard. Worth another run out at Hartlepool if Curle persists with his 'Box' shape.
Balanta - 7 Another player who battled to provide support to Asamoah.
Asamoah - 8.5 Deserved of MoM as he led the line, scored and made the winner. Classy performance.

Subs
Troy - 7 He helped strengthen the defence and is positive going forward. A starter at Hartlepool - please.
Kennedy - 7 Always works hard and kept QPR defenders on their toes. Took the goal well.
Ibehre - 6.5 Did what he had to ie. give QPR something fresh to worry about.

All in all an excellent performance. However, I still am not sold on the 3 at the back and all this passing around the back. Carragher described a similar Liverpool tactic last season as 'kamikaze football' as it allows the opposition to press you on the edge of your own box. Once Hoilett went off for them they lost their main threat. Troy's introduction for the injured Grainger strengthened our back 3 and gave us a stronger platform. If TAH is fit for Sat he would be my choice alongside Raynes and Miller.

"Kennedy - took the goal well."

Priceless.

jelly wrote:

Well....he got on the end of it ie he was up with play, reading what was going on and muscled ahead of the defender.

Gillespie 7 - Feel that he should've done better with their goal, but made a couple of cracking saves to make up for it
Miller 7.5 - Was good defensively and was a good start for some of our passing from the back
Raynes 7.5 - Couple of times he was a bit nervous with the ball, but defended well considering the amount of space he had to cover
Grainger 7 - Couple of decent balls when we needed to be a bit more direct, but felt we were a little bit better when he went off
McQueen 8.5 - Up and down all night, and provided a bit of quality
Brough 8 - New contract seems to have given him a confidence boost, but there were 1 or 2 dodgy crosses still
Joyce 9 - My MotM, covered Raynes well, was very organised and good at finding an open man first time when he was under pressure
Dicker 7 - Standard Dicker performance, good passing
Sweeney 7 - Did well for the 1st goal, didn't see him do much else
Balanta 7.5 - Good attacking play, cut in well a couple of times
Asamoah 9 - Ran all game, had a bit of quality, and took his goal well and his assist for the 2nd was superb. Would've ran away with MotM for me if Joyce hadn't been so good

SUBS;
Archibald-Henville 7- Solid, had one cleared off the line by Hill
Kennedy 7.5 - Extra legs when needed and was in right place at right time
Ibhere 6.5 - Held ball up well a couple of times when we needed it

The QPR team we played were utter garbage (Except for Emmanuel-Thomas) but can only beat what's in front of you. We've signed some good players and played some lovely neat football. Once Curle settles on a formation and line-up, we'll soon pick up some wins in the league.

"Brough - couple of dodgy crosses" some thought Matty Robson was a top league one winger, i never seen him put a good ball in ever

Not surprised to hear Gillespie did well. I do wonder if a bit of wider attention on him will now end up leading to a bid or two coming in. Not that CUFC would bite the hand off the first club to slap in a derisory offer for one of our young stars, of course.

Oh, hang on a minute...