Lallana's Left Peg

I am not so sure that Pelle is isolated. We've got so much possession that I think there are plenty of players around him but there is no pattern of play. It looks like we're just making it up as we go. There is definitely no penetration as you say though. If there is no space behind then I really wish Pelle would just sit on the two central defenders and stay in the box - not bothering to link up or show any interest in the ball until it is in the box. That said, our crossing is so poor at the moment he is probably wondering what on earth is going on. I agree Long needs to come on - just not sure who for. Maybe Elia, he has properly gone off the boil here.

Need a lucky bounce or moment of luck in the box as goodness knows the team have zero confidence in their own ability here. I'd suggest bringing on a striker but we've only got one and he's being psychologically broken down by our Manager in front of 32k people

Zero confidence in the final third. Great up to that point.

I don't think they can after I read this: http://www.financialfairplay.co.uk/latest-news/qpr-figures-not-all-they-seem

Me neither, and nor should anyone really expect it. I wouldn't mind betting the total investment wiped off by the family is nearer 9 figures than 8, and we've been brought back into the Premier League better than we ever had before we left it. Their only last responsibility (or rather, my wish) is that when they choose to move on that they sell to decent new owners.

It's hardly like Dubai in Switzerland this time of year. I suspect if anything it will only be a few degrees warmer and certainly nowhere near warm enough to make it seem cold when they touch back down in England.

I've got an idea for them:

Yeah of course but I believe the law doesn't take into account how old someone looks, it's how old they are. And I am pretty sure 'she looks older than 15' doesn't stand up in a court of law - I don't think it is any defence whatsoever.

I'm saying that I am pretty sure I can tell the difference between a 14/15 year old and an 18 year old and the law asks you to as well. And if you are in any doubt you should ask and even then use your judgement to see if she is 16 or not. Otherwise you've broke the law and it's not worth it, is it?

I find those sort of excuses very tenuous. It's a bit like saying 'But she was drinking alcohol, so she must be 18'. He has a responsibility to uphold the law regardless of how he met her. I don't think any aspect of that responsibility can be transferred to anyone else in a situation like this. That is, of course, assuming he has broke the law.

£1.85m mansion? That's any club South of the midlands out of the equation then.

Did Koeman confirm whether or not the team were off for some warm-weather training this weekend (FA Cup Quarter-Final weekend)? He mentioned it likely happening a few weeks back.

You can't look at the attack in isolation. We have the best defence in the league which means a) that will come at some sacrifice to our attacking, and b) you don't need to score as many goals to win games. It doesn't mean we need an attacking coach, but it does place more pressure on our strikers to convert chances. If you don't, runs like our last month happen. It is also why it is a little risky to only have a few strikers in your squad as you can't carry a striker out of form if he isn't taking chances.

Good talent playing in the wrong league. I think he'd do well in Spain or Italy, but it will difficult to sell him properly in the summer (even with a year left on his deal) given what he earns.

Nothing like the two signings we've already made in January then? Neither of which could get a game for their parent club. Or in the case of one of the players, a club he was loaned to in order to get some games.

1. Shane Long got injured during the January transfer window. And he doesn't play up front on his own either. 2. The club would be the most people aware out there regarding Jay Rod's window to return. I think it's quite clear to all that if he got ANY first team football this season it would be a surprise. 3. Of course there are other reasons the team is struggling. But despite all that we've also created lots of chances for Pelle who has missed them all. 4. Mane was signed last August so I've no idea why you've referenced him being a January signing. Elia I like but Djuricic I don't see the point of signing yet. 5. I have no idea why the only line of defence for those who won't accept that not signing a striker is a mistake is 'name someone' but seeing as people are adamant about it what about Nils Petersen: Signed for Frieburg on loan from Werder Bremen. 26 years old, 6'2", can play up top on his own and knows where the net is. Scored a perfect hat-trick on his debut this January as well. Now I don't know what he earns or what the loan fee is but I wouldn't mind betting he was attainable given we spent up to £10m+ on a full-back in January, Djuricic won't be earning peanuts, and Cork was sold.

If you'd bothered to read any of my other posts you'd see that I am still delighted with the season but just disappointed to the degree to which only have one senior striker may cost us. I've travelled the length of breadth of this country support far worse teams that than the one we currently have. But the great season we've had does not make the current team immune from criticism. We have an issue with taking chances and when I look at it, it comes down to Pelle being out of form. That may be because he is tired. That may be because he suffers from a lack of confidence. It may be because he is just not good enough. We can speculate as to why it is, but what is a fact is that we have no alternative. I'm not looking for Top 6 quality whatsoever - I don't think the chances he's missed in February would only be finished by a £30m striker and / or a Top 6 striker. Some of them would be finished by a half competent striker - certainly one attainable for a club like us. And even if said striker didn't finish them, then Pelle would be on the bench and refreshed instead of being shattered (in my opinion) and not sharp enough to put his best foot forward. If you want to talk about the bigger picture then we're in fantastic shape. But 1 league goal in what feels like a long time...not good enough no matter where we are in the table. And we did nothing in January to help ourselves either. I don't think that was particularly clever whatsoever.

How do you know there weren't?

Absolutely. Are there any other teams who have no single alternative though? Numbers do not equate goals of course, but if you have a striker struggling, out of form, and even worst who's confidence is shot...isn't it a good idea to have an alternative? EDIT: Didn't we do the same with Tadic? Why couldn't we have taken the same approach with Pelle?

Splash out? No. Sign a striker on loan as Jay Rod is clearly not ready and Gallagher is struggling? Yes. Why should me naming names mean it is any more or less possible!?!

I don't think as many other clubs had as many first team players new to the league. I appreciate this circumstance was brought upon us via the actions of existing players at the start of last summer. But after massively exceeding expectations in the first half of the season, we signed two players on loan in January and both of them didn't start today whilst Pelle, who is struggling, completed 90mins. When you are talking about balance in the squad and a need to use the squad over the course of a season, we've been a bit silly in thinking we could ride Pelle for 9 months. I hope Pelle regains some form, but I feel sorry for him - he needs a rest and yet we must be the only squad in the league that has one senior striker who can play up top on his own. Crazy! Still an outstanding season of course, but a little disappointing that it may be the smallest of things that costs us significantly. I still am delighted with the season though.

Is there another team in the top half who went into the second half of the season with a single senior striker fit though?

Did you choose to ignore the rest of my message? I said that even if Pelle's replacement was not as good as Pelle, the benefit is that Pelle would get a rest etc. This is not about Top 6 quality or anything like that. This is about a player who's confidence is completely gone, and yet there is NO single alternative in our squad to him. It's a single point of failure, and we're paying the price. Can't you see that?

I'm dealing with the inevitable dip in form as players deal with the harsh reality of a long Premier League season - for many of them their first season in this league. I'm fine with chasing cup success - absolutely fine with that. But why are people moaning with the downturn in league form? Players are only human - they only have so much physical capability. I am fine and understand why our season is panning out as it is. But many people are moaning. The only thing I don't understand is our lack of striker cover. It's stupid.

Don't be so pathetic. In your opinion is it viable / sensible / achievable for a team to finish in the Top 7 with ONE senior striker all season long? Yes or no? Even if Pelle's replacement was not as good, it would give Pelle a chance to replenish energy levels and / or some competition. He has nothing. No backup, no chance for a rest, no competition. He's being flogged like a donkey and whilst clearly out of form, shot for confidence, and knackered, he is being played. That is wrong. We signed two players on loan in January. I would argue Djuricic wasn't needed. Why wasn't a striker signed?