Hello my dear readers,

If you are wondered by the post title, scroll down to its last part explaining why I am naming Q.P.R. as Latin American. Now, traditionally I am starting with the latest results.

12 matches: 7 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses.

As you see my team played better than at the start. Nevertheless, in the middle of December Q.P.R. got into poor row of matches consisting of 3 losses and 1 draw.

 

Premier League: Incredible Arsenal

3 Premier League defeats determined our position in the league. Just the 5th line in the table with 15 points distance from leading Arsenal. The Gunners have been grabbing wins one by one and seem impossible to beat in their current amazing form.

My series of losses started with another poor game against Blackburn. Once again my attackers were not efficient enough at the last stage of their attacks despite the advantage we had.

 

The same but even more irritating problem happened in home match against Tottenham. The Hotspurs had 1 serious goal chance only and seized on. While my strikers didn't show their best football this time.

 

The 3rd defeat was the only fair one. Chelsea beat us making more shots and playing more accurately. However it's always sad if you loose to arch-rivals.

 

After these 3 defeats Queens Park Rangers managed to cope with lowered morale and returned onto way of successful results. The most significant of them for me is away draw against defending PL champions - Manchester City.

Optimistic away match against Man City

Totally equal game with team having better squad improved my mood, and I still hope Q.P.R. can even struggle for the title with Arsenal if they start loosing points.

 

Champions League

It was difficult but we made it. Away 1:0 victory over Rubin was a key result for us. Thanks to John Fleck who scored a long-shot in that game!

In the end the target is achieved: Q.P.R. qualified into the knockout round from the 1st position. I am glad to realize that Benfica is my next opponent. Lucky draw for a while!

Marvellous long shot by Fleck

 

Q.P.R. squad

The exceedingly attentive of you have already noticed squad changes. Yes, I made some great transfers during opened winter transfer window. But let me tell about them in the end. Now my current squad impressions.

Daniel Bazan forgot how to score goals making assists only. I got angry of his performances and put him on a substitution bench. Instead I tried other forwards and found out Pachequinho is really great at the moment. You see he has the best average rating in the team after 6 played matches.

Unfortunately, Hummels started to make mistakes bringing two penalties in the last matches. This is why I decided to sign another defender to increase squad competition for 3 centre back positions.

The most sad story is about goalie ter Stegen. He irritated me at all. 6.78 average rating, several mistakes in important matches (Blackburn, Tottenham, Twente)… I decided to get rid of him. Moreover, I managed to get a deal regarding Jader.

 

Transfers

3 excellent Brazilians signed to Q.P.R. making the squad almost completely Latin-American. Now I have only Fleck, Holt, and Toure who represent players from other continents :-)

Jader (GK)

Goalkeeper of Brazil with Reflexes equal to 20. Simply one of the best goalies in the world!

Frankly speaking, I have tried to buy him in summer. But Vasco asked for $38M for him. I wasn't ready to pay the money at that moment.

 

Hermes (DC)

Giant centre back with height of 200 cm, Strength=20, Jumping=20, Heading=18. Hermes will boss the air together with Holt and Ezquerra.

Hermes is another guy who is long-timer on my short list. Tried to buy him twice: at first he didn't want to move to Q.P.R., then Corinthians were ready to sell Hermes for $40M only. And now, what a luck, I signed the Brazilian for free!!!

Corinthians didn't manage to agree on contract details with him.

 

Romulo (DMC)

Very good player. Though I have Zargo Toure at DMC position and expect he will compete with the newcomer for it.

 

Team report

 

Whom should I sell?

I am going to sell ter Stegen and McCafferty only. Geis is needed at WBR position as a substitution for Coleman when we play our second 5-1-1-3 tactics. I would like to have some additional squad depth.

Do you agree with me about that?

 

Schedule

I hope to chase Arsenal in the Premier League. One of the most important matches in this sense is the away game versus them. Wolves as usually will try to cause problems, hope Q.P.R. will manage to overcome them this time.

Can't wait till Champions League knockout rounds. I feel The Rangers have serious chances to win the trophy. Though it depends on our newcomers, on their abilities to blend into our team and tactical approach.

 

Excited to blog for you,

Vitaliy Mokosiy