What's holding Marti back?

[FurtiveFox]

Assuming we now get through rest of season ok difficult to judge progress due to said peaks and troughs. Yes next season should be better able to gauge.

The injuries, particularly with strikers, have been pretty dire but are only part of the story. We just don't have the players to effectively play the way we seem set up for. However maybe we are partway into a longer term process. Last summer was big upheaval and it took a number of players a while to settle in and a couple not worked out (which would happen with any club ). If we recruit well this summer could start next season in stronger position. That said do need a virtual new defence unless any of Cook and Fox are retained and perhaps Paal. Dunne would be extremely surprised if he isn't gone.

Signs are we are getting more trusted with loan players and Edwards being such a success will help and whilst Yang has been bit hot and cold due to age and inexperience it shows young loan players will get opportunities and ones which could be important to their development. Don't think we have been trusted with talented loanees for some time.

Would love to sign Saito permanently. We have some good young and youngish players who should continue to improve and we have not had that for some years with the odd exception.

Like many clubs we are trying to punch above our weight. At the moment we are roughly where we should be which is lower end just above relegation dogfight. Wouldn't take too much change to get us nearer proper mid-table or bit higher.

[Shania]

When they didnt replace the one who kept all our injury prone players in check last season how can people critise Marti for not being successful? If any; Nourry is the one who should walk imo...

[Abseits]

When they didnt replace the one who kept all our injury prone players in check last season how can people critise Marti for not being successful? If any; Nourry is the one who should walk imo...

Given our two big money marquee signings have been a total washout this season I agree that Nourry has a lot to answer for. I'm unclear who is responsible for implementing the timid style of play we adhere to as our "club template" but mostly Marti has to be on the hook for it I reckon.

As an aside.... I understand the ethos of all our teams from U7s to 1st XI playing the same style in order to facilitate their transition through the ranks but has anyone actually watched any kids games? Would be interesting to know if they all play timid walking sideways attack-averse football or its just a load of Nourry soundbite crud.

[SheepRanger]

As you can read.....we've nearly done it....avoided relegation! This seasons objective!!!

https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/cifuentes-lays-down-a-formula-for-progress-as-he-casts-ahead-to-qpr-future

Personally, I think the seaaon has been a complete let down and theres nothing to celebrate!

He should be saying we aimed to be much higher up the league and set a higher bar!

[DJ Hooper W12]

As you can read.....we've nearly done it....avoided relegation! This seasons objective!!!

https://www.capitalfootball.co.uk/single-post/cifuentes-lays-down-a-formula-for-progress-as-he-casts-ahead-to-qpr-future

Personally, I think the seaaon has been a complete let down and theres nothing to celebrate!

He should be saying we aimed to be much higher up the league and set a higher bar!

Agree. I don’t think avoiding relegation is a major achievement Just a safe mid table position would have sufficed l believe we could have achieved more even taking our injuries and lack of certain players

[Abseits]

What's he talking about "far more comfortable showing than last year"???

Despite all the nonsense about playoffs that bubbled up over December to January I don't think we ever actually reached the top half of table. We spent most of opening few months in the relegation zone and our 2-month spurt of form petered out at start of February in match 30 with Millwall. Over the next 10 games we took EIGHT points and slid alarmingly down the table. Meanwhile Wall chugged along steadily but unspectacularly and today find themselves 2pts off the playoffs. Basically in the 12 games since we lost at their gaff they've taken 20pts, we've taken 12. Completely illustrates how we royally ballsed things up from somehow clawing our way off the bottom.

On a more simple level we are currently 6pts shy of last year's 56pt tally so Marti can't really be claiming this season's better unless he bags 7pts or more from remaining 4 games. Maybe he will, maybe he wont but either way this season has been more or less same old same old.

[SheepRanger]

What's he talking about "far more comfortable showing than last year"???

Despite all the nonsense about playoffs that bubbled up over December to January I don't think we ever actually reached the top half of table. We spent most of opening few months in the relegation zone and our 2-month spurt of form petered out at start of February in match 30 with Millwall. Over the next 10 games we took EIGHT points and slid alarmingly down the table. Meanwhile Wall chugged along steadily but unspectacularly and today find themselves 2pts off the playoffs. Basically in the 12 games since we lost at their gaff they've taken 20pts, we've taken 12. Completely illustrates how we royally ballsed things up from somehow clawing our way off the bottom.

On a more simple level we are currently 6pts shy of last year's 56pt tally so Marti can't really be claiming this season's better unless he bags 7pts or more from remaining 4 games. Maybe he will, maybe he wont but either way this season has been more or less same old same old.

I seem to remember that we got to 8th and that Wall win would have put us 6th. Same old, got within spiting distance and faded away. But can you blame the players if the manager merely wants to avoid relegation?

Marti needs to chat with the likes of Fergie who knows how to sets a higher bar and motivate players. But CR's big money signings have let Marti down, so the failure has to be spread around.

Beating 56pts is going to be a hard ask with Burnley and Sunderland in the last two games.

[LordLoftus]

When you take into account that we spend 18-20th most of budget, depending on who you read and believe, if we finish above 18th it's a successful season.

That has to be the bench mark right? Did we finish higher than we spent compared to other teams?

[topperharley]

When you take into account that we spend 18-20th most of budget, depending on who you read and believe, if we finish above 18th it's a successful season.

That has to be the bench mark right? Did we finish higher than we spent compared to other teams?

The bench mark has to be an improvement on the previous year, even if only in performance or overall objective progression, ie we are building a squad and that takes a year to develop.

It's a very tough season to be overly positive about. Avoid relegation, tick. A good run of form, tick. Saito, Nardi, Varane, Morrison, Morgan and that's about it player wise? That really saw an improvement (and will be staying on for next year).

Other than that we started awfully, we were nailed on relegation contenders. A good run thankfully saw us safe but we couldn't continue anywhere close to that mid season form, which if we look back was a product of hard work and luck, with a sprinkling of very good performances.

In the public eye you have to try and draw on the positives, i hope that introspectively Marti and the club are really putting the screws on each other to ensure the start to next season is not as poor as the last, and looking at why we dropped off so much this year. Even if we win every remaining game, it all starts again next summer and we just can't be this inconsistent.

[LordLoftus]

I disagree that the benchmark is better than last year.
Id like it to be that, but if we have a slightly worse season than the previous year but our spending goes from 18th to 20th I'd say we still had a successful season on paper if we finish above 20th.

Developing sellable assets doesn't make a successful season. That's a successful strategy being deployed by the club.
Same with developing youngsters or whatever else we might be deploying as an ethos these days. Successful season no. Successful club strategy? You could argue that maybe?

I hope that now that we are safe we give some run outs to the youthful options in our squad to give them some experience, but if we do that or not doesn't make it a successful season.

[Stanfan]

For years we have had no young players coming through. We now have several names we are hearing of who seem close to or are in the match day squad. To do that whilst staying up I see as success for the club. We’ve had many great matches to watch as well. The Championship is just getting harder as more foreign players come in.

[Abseits]

I seem to remember that we got to 8th and that Wall win would have put us 6th. Same old, got within spiting distance and faded away. But can you blame the players if the manager merely wants to avoid relegation?

Marti needs to chat with the likes of Fergie who knows how to sets a higher bar and motivate players. But CR's big money signings have let Marti down, so the failure has to be spread around.

Beating 56pts is going to be a hard ask with Burnley and Sunderland in the last two games.

I don't think we were ever legitimately in top half once all weekend's fixtures were completed though. Aside from top 3, the table was always very compressed with a handful of points covering a dozen teams. It's all moot... the bottom line is he cannot be claiming this season is better than last season, that's just cobblers.

It is weird how both seasons have been compromised by a disastrous opening few months. That wasnt his fault last season, it was down to Wild Thing. But... Marti bizarrely copied Ainsworth's record over first 16 games.

Maybe if we can just have an average start next season we'll be better set for the run-in. We deffo need to be out of the traps in August.

[Abseits]

I seem to remember that we got to 8th and that Wall win would have put us 6th. Same old, got within spiting distance and faded away. But can you blame the players if the manager merely wants to avoid relegation?

Marti needs to chat with the likes of Fergie who knows how to sets a higher bar and motivate players. But CR's big money signings have let Marti down, so the failure has to be spread around.

Beating 56pts is going to be a hard ask with Burnley and Sunderland in the last two games.

I don't think we were ever legitimately in top half once all weekend's fixtures were completed though. Aside from top 3, the table was always very compressed with a handful of points covering a dozen teams. It's all moot... the bottom line is he cannot be claiming this season is better than last season, that's just cobblers.

It is weird how both seasons have been compromised by a disastrous opening few months. That wasnt his fault last season, it was down to Wild Thing. But... Marti bizarrely copied Ainsworth's record over first 16 games this season

Maybe if we can just have an average start next season we'll be better set for the run-in. We deffo need to be out of the traps in August.

[3London]

We have played a lot of the season with our better players unavailable to us - that has to be a contributing factor. We are what we are at the moment a lower to mid table championship side. There are so many contributing factors and football has changed for the worst. Money talks

The top 3 last season will come down from the prem and then probably be the top 3 next season unless southampton do a luton. and the to 3 promoted will struggle unless Birmingham go crazy (but again MONEY) - so there are effectively 18 teams who are competing to finish between 4th and 20th - as this season shows there is no-one who has stood out and its about gaining a rhythm and most importantly keeping as injury free as possible - 2 things we have been unable to do.

Norwich , Blackburn, West brom, Watford, middlesboro, etc etc have all had a stint in the playoff places - and at the moment it is Coventry and Bristol city turn - both of which are completely unequipped to be in the premier league.

the problem with us is its feast or famine - long winless or long unbeaten runs.

I really don't think its Marti's fault. Given a better situation on the injury front i think we would have been in a more comfortable situation than we are now.

on are day we are as good as most of the teams in this division certainly those in positions 4 to 15!

[SheepRanger]

I don't think we were ever legitimately in top half once all weekend's fixtures were completed though. Aside from top 3, the table was always very compressed with a handful of points covering a dozen teams. It's all moot... the bottom line is he cannot be claiming this season is better than last season, that's just cobblers.

It is weird how both seasons have been compromised by a disastrous opening few months. That wasnt his fault last season, it was down to Wild Thing. But... Marti bizarrely copied Ainsworth's record over first 16 games this season

Maybe if we can just have an average start next season we'll be better set for the run-in. We deffo need to be out of the traps in August.

But will it be any different next seaaon as there'll be a big turnover of players again. The back line in particular. We need to get our business done early and hopefully this time next year we dont have so many players running down their contracts.

Modern footballers and injuries is a complete head scratcher for me. A full physio room must have an element of unmotivated players.