Today we will start with the 3rd episode of season 3 in the NTM's video story:

Now let's get back to the Rangers story.

Q.P.R. matches

The Rangers started the 2nd season poorly having 3 draws and 4 losses in 8 Premier League matches.

6 of 12 goals were conceded in 2 games versus Man City and Tottenham. Our defence is fairly well at the start. I cannot say the same about attacking force of the Rangers.

First of all, I have already written two special posts about the starting match against Liverpool and League Cup fight with Bolton on my addition blog. Read them if you missed them:

- Season 2: The first match

- League Cup thriller against Bolton

And now some statistics from failed games. There was only one match when Q.P.R. was helpless against opponent - away loss to Manchester City leading in the league now. In other matches we had to take much more points! Just look at the stats below.
Q.P.R. - Chelsea 0:1
     Q.P.R. - Portsmouth 1:1
 

Q.P.R - Wolves 0:1                                                            Q.P.R - Tottenham 1:3

 
Chelsea was playing a bit better but we could make a draw in the rivalry (it first we had chances to do that!). Portsmouth, the weakest PL team, was simply very lucky holding 1:1 score. Wolves won because of penalty caused by my defender Bjelland.
Tottenham beat us due 2 red cards given to Kaboul and Hall (who appeared at position of Kaboul). What I like is passion of my players after the first red card. They managed to create several clear cut and half chances but didn't seize on…

Poor start reasons

I expected a better starting period with less complications. But currently I have what I have. The team performs decently but it can play football much better, I feel that potential. The reasons of bad results are:

1. Team blending after huge squad revolution in summer.
2. Low efficiency of attackers (Paloschi, Rodriguez, Popov, Oscar, Wright-Phillips).
3. Five weeks injury of Ospina (my goalie) and bad fortune in some matches.
4. Tough calendar. 4 out of 8 Premier League matches were against Man City, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea.

Q.P.R. players

So you see the failure reasons are almost all about the players. Let's look at the traditional player list sorted by average ratings:

The worst QPR players were:

New strikers: Paloschi and Rodriguez

First of all I want to lash Alberto Paloschi and Jay Rodriguez. Both strikes failed many goal chances and proved that half-season adaptation period exists in FM 2012 as well as in previous version. I have even started to thinking about Sanogo playing as a main squad forward.
Paloschi stats

Rodriguez stats

Now compare my guys with Gary Hooper performing for Wolves excellently at the season start:

I hope you understand what I mean…

Q.P.R. newbies

Good matches were played by new left back and goalkeeper only. Midfielders and attackers started the season weakly. I can group the players into 4 categories:

Good start: Petar Zanev, David Ospina
Decent start: Sulley Muntari
Bad start: Ivelin Popov, Oscar, Alberto Paloschi, Jay Rodriguez
Played few matches only: Korey Smith, Jordan Spence, Scott Brown

"Bad start" category is the largest one now… The situation should change after November and December matches I believe.

Free transfers - new QPR goalie

Due to the loss of Ospina, I had to sign for free additional goalkeeper. Experienced Jeremie Janot came to the Rangers as a result.

Upcoming matches

The next matches should be easier because I have already played versus Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea. In January I hope to see the Rangers at the 10th position in the table or something like that.
I can't wait also till League Cup encounter with my favourite (in the real life) Arsenal. It's the case when I would be happy to make a draw and go to the next round by penalties Just because the Gunners is a very strong team.