Nearly another goal conceded by QPR in an away game (Picture: AP)

After reflecting on a second consecutive away-day thrashing where Manchester United added four goals to the four conceded against Tottenham, I believe there are five issues that QPR need to address to prevent anymore capitulations in the future

The lack of belief

Playing against the better teams in the top flight and winning is always going to take a stroke of luck, an opponent’s off-day and all your plans to come off. But they take also take one thing which has clearly being lacking in these defeats which is belief. It didn’t look for a moment that the players believed they could get a result and that’s partly down to their own methods in preparation, but also the message Harry Redknapp’s tactics conveyed. Both games we were set up to sit back and try soak up the pressure, as if to say it was our only hope.



The poor fitness levels


After both defeats Redknapp has pointed to a lack of fitness and it’s shown in the number of shadows we were chasing, but by pointing this out it merely highlights his own failings as it’s him and his staff’s responsibility to get them up to the necessary level required. The tempo is much quicker than the Championship but this isn’t a surprise to anyone, surely not least to the manager and coaching staff that know this level and used pace to great effect when working at Tottenham.

The unwillingness to press

This has to be because of either the fitness issues which prevent it, or the lack of a well thought game plan from the coaching staff which are both worrying. Particularly the latter when we now have a highly regarded coach in Glenn Hoddle on board. It’s far better to win the ball back higher up the field and start an attack closer to the opposition goal than sit back and hope you deal with the pressure then can build from the back. You don’t need to be Barcelona or Spain to do this as Mauricio Pochettino showed with Southampton.

The absence Nedum Onuoha

The chief as he is affectionately known at QPR has played just 45 minutes this season and his absence is puzzling when the pace he offers has been missing in defence. He seemed ideal for the back-three experiment but didn’t get a chance before it was withdrawn, while the lack of pace between Steven Caulker and Rio Ferdinand means we sit far too deep and invite pressure. Last season Onuoha was there to sweep up if Clint Hill or Richard Dunne were beaten and he’s quick enough to so the same in a higher league where the amount of quick players is higher.

Support for Charlie Austin

We didn’t play to his strengths in the Championship but he still managed 20 goals mainly up front on his own. He must not be expected to do so against much better defenders and needs support either from someone alongside him or our midfield getting closer.

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