Hello my friends!

Today is a holiday for True Football Manager blog! Just because this post is 500th in the whole blog history!

I am happy to have so many written posts, so many dedicated readers, and own the blog that became a trendsetter in FM blogging. Want to thank everybody reading my articles, following my stories, and commenting here! You are the best blog readers!

Now, being in such a good mood, it's time to move on with another Q.P.R. story report.

Latest Q.P.R. matches

Remember me talking about 7 wins in the last QPR story post? My club was very near to achieve this target making six wins. We could win the home match against Everton or escape sudden FA Cup loss…

As you see my team has been performing confidently in the Premier League. The only big failure was the away match against Tottenham Hotspur. It's interesting to know I was seriously preparing to the match. I analysed Tottenham squad and tried to determine their weakest areas. Additionally, there was a really successful team meeting with my guys. 26 players reacted well on my words and got a morale boost in the end:

Analysis of 0:4 loss to Tottenham

After away wins on the Emirates and the Old Trafford I dreamt to get at least one point against Tottenham, at first in my career. But in fact we lost 0:4 without any chance.

So why did it happen? Merely Tottenham played nearly the same quick football with pressing as we do. Don't forget also they had much better footballers in the squad. Tottenham's formation was a classic 4-4-1-1.

My central defenders Kaboul and Bjelland where sometimes inefficient against single forward Cavani and joining AMC Modric. They gave too much space to Modric and lost vital Cavani's and Corluka's headers that turned into goals.

Unfortunately, my main forward Jay Rodriguez was suspended for this match. Therefore his sub was playing. Alberto Paloschi was merely eaten by Bassong and King. He had the only one-on-one chance and didn't seize on it.

The same can be said by creative Wright-Phillips, Faurlin and Verratti. They all were underwent a closing down by tough Tottenham midfielders. Therefore they didn't manage to create many goal chances.

I can state Q.P.R. was totally outclassed by Tottenham. Again.

Europa League chance

But currently we do have some chances to get into Europe in the next season. The 6th position could allow that. Though it depends much on FA Cup winner because League Cup is already taken by Newcastle going the 12th in the league.

Another serious problem is Arsenal. The Wenger's club is in very good form already, they are ready to decrease 5 points gap and return to the 6th line.

Q.P.R. vs Arsenal

Compare please last fixtures of Q.P.R. and Arsenal below.

Q.P.R matches

Arsenal matches

I hope Champions League will distract The Gunners and take away some power. Currently my chances to take the 6th position (though I need the 5th to guarantee Europa League for Q.P.R.) are not so good as it could be thought at first glance. Look at the last 2 fixtures. My Rangers must play against tough Aston Villa in Birmingham. At the moment I don't know how my guys can stop explosive goal scorers Agbonlachor and Bent…

Surely the last home fixture with Arsenal can be decisive.

Q.P.R. players

Jay Rodriguez has been playing better and better. He scored 4 goals in 6 matches and convinced me completely that he is "number 1" forward of The Rangers. Here are his stats of the reported period:

Ivelin Popov (AML), Lucas Digne (DL), Andreas Hinkel (DR) were perhaps the best footballers together with Jay during the period.

Winter newbie Cole Skuse started decently. I think it's a kind of player who will be useful for any team. Mainly from substitution bench, of course.

I am slightly disappointed with instability of my second striker Alberto Paloschi. Perhaps it's a problem of often injuries during his debut season hindering him to adapt in the squad:

That's all folks! Stay tuned.

Excited to be blogging for you,

Vitaliy Mokosiy

True Football Manager