The first half of the season is passed in Q.P.R. story. I have to confess I was never so inspired playing Football Manager! It's due to the tactics I created. A football style shown by QPR players is attacking, very attractive, and merely awesome! But let's consider everything step by step.

Premier League performance

12th position and 6 points gap from relegation zone. It's a great result for me, especially after decision to change tactics in the middle of the first season's half.

Pay attention also that Manchester United is still unbeatable. I don't believe other clubs will be able to compete with the Red Devils for title.

Now let's take a look at the latest QPR matches:

 

The most complicated match: Manchester United

It was a very tricky and tough game for us due to numerous injuries and one suspension of defensive QPR players:

Additionally, I was very troubled by Manchester United form. They had 0 losses and only 7 goals conceded.

The first half of the match was played under sign of absolute domination of the Red Devils. They made 14 shots and scored twice. During half-time I decided we have nothing to loose and set somewhat crazy in this case Attacking strategy   But this my tactical tuning resulted in our slight advantage in the second half! We scored a goal and had slight chance to wring a draw. All 4 shots were made by QPR players  in the 2nd half.

QPR player ratings look very well after such a tough game underlining good performance of my boys.

 

The easiest game: Norwich

My Rangers could destroy Norwich in home match, but they had a luck conceding only once.

You may also find more game reports on my additional FM Crowd blog if you haven't still read them:

- Second derby with Chelsea (0:2)

- Almost a comeback against Aston Villa (2:2)

 

New tactics

Just some words about the new tactics… I LOVE IT! 

It's one of the most inspiring tactical approaches I ever created! I promise to write a separate post describing the tactics. The post will also include the tactics file for you to download.

And now I can only uncover the most important part of my team instructions:

So you see it's a very quick and wide attacking style. It demands high stamina level from players, good passing and first touch skills.

By means of Very High Workload in match preparation, my players got almost blended into this tactical scheme (screenshot made in the end of December):

 

Q.P.R. Players

I have to confess the new tactics demands many squad changes. Quick enduring players with good ball control are needed. Just because it's difficult to control a ball quickly when your players have average Passing level. Moreover, they should correspond my initial requirements:  high Determination, Teamwork, Work Rate are must due to Rigid philosophy.

So you should wait for something like squad revolution in summer Though several transfers will be during the upcoming winter transfer window as well. It depends on money given by board and successive sells of some current players.

QPR players at the moment

Well, average ratings are not high. But it doesn't matter because I am tuning tactics and planning to change the squad seriously. So now I just want to single out the best player of the first season half… Shaun Wright-Phillips is my MVP! Explosiveness of Shaun and ability to outrun an opponent on speed is a main reason of his 6 assists and 4 goals.

Form of Shaun Wright-Phillips during last matches

 

Shaun Wright-Phillips stats

 

Some words regarding Taarabt and Bothroyd. They both have very poor morale because I decided to put them on transfer list. They both don't fit into the new tactical approach. Taarabt is a bad team worker, Bothroyd is not efficient as poacher striker in attack. I will try to sell him, hope I will succeed.

 

What areas should be strengthened at first?

Here is current QPR team report:

The most problematic area is defence of course. Take a look at team comparison in the Premier League below. QPR defenders have the worst Tackling level and bad in Heading, Marking, Positioning. Certainly I should by at least one good central back in winter!

Other areas should also be strengthened, but at first – defense.

 

Matches ahead

9-12 points taken in all these Premier League matches would be a very good result for me. I can't wait playing against Stoke City because they easily won in our away match in the first half. It was a surprize for me. Also, an interesting challenge is playing at home with Tottenham. Who knows may be The Rangers will take a point here using few new players bought during the winter transfer window…

Stay tuned to Q.P.R. story because I am very excited and inspired managing the club in FM 2012!