This article is part of Football FanCast’s In Numbers series, which takes a statistical look at performances, season-long form and reported transfer targets…
Ryan Manning has been in great form for the most part this season, but the worrying aspects of his game were evident against Middlesbrough, and tell him where he must improve.
Mark Warburton has shown he likes to operate with 3-5-2, and it could be his desired formation moving forward despite not winning when it was deployed in the last two games.
The style is useful as it allows Lee Wallace to support Manning in defending the wide areas, but a lack of communication between the pair against Boro allowed Jonny Howson to take up possession – with the latter in no man’s land – and Britt Assombalonga was able to head in from the cross.
That goal, along with the Nahki Wells’ backpass which played through Assomabalonga to score his second, is evidence that it is often individual mistakes letting down this QPR team, and until they rid that their defensive record will continue to paint a poor picture – having now conceded 30 goals in 16 league games.
Manning has recently enjoyed a call-up to the Republic of Ireland national team for the first time, as well as reported interest from Newcastle and West Ham, but to continue making strides he has to improve.
He can’t afford to let complacency or a lack of concentration affect him when defending, and while he continues to contribute going forward, it is of little use if he gives goals away.
Watch Queens Park Rangers Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below
As per WhoScored, he made three key passes for his side, including one which led to Wells’ goal, but he was too often a hindrance in defence, and his performance should tell him that he must constantly be trying to better himself.
Being dribbled past can happen as a full-back, but more concerning is the fact he made zero tackles and just one interception.
That indicates that his mind is focused more on attacking, and whether that is by his manager’s instruction or his own decision, it is making QPR more vulnerable at the back, which means they are likely to concede even playing five defenders.
As a result, their current style is unsustainable if they want to place anywhere higher than mid-table, so Warburton must instruct Manning to improve his awareness, even if it stifles him a little going forward at first.