EFL Championship 2019/20: Queens Park Rangers vs West Bromwich Albion – tactical analysis

It would be hard not to say that matchday nine of the Championship was one of the most fascinating rounds to watch this season. Among the clashes of the big names, Queens Park Rangers and West Bromwich Albion was also another must-watch clash on Saturday evening. Both teams were close to each other on the league table, with the former stood fifth and the latter fourth. With that in mind, the fans expected to be treated with a thrilling clash at the Loftus Road.

It’s fair to say that QPR have taken the league by storm under Mark Warburton. They secured five wins and a draw after the first eight matches, a record that surprised many people. Furthermore, free-scoring wasn’t something familiar with the team under Steve McClaren. But QPR registered fourteen goals before this match, the second-highest record just below their opponent, West Brom.

Keeping the unbeaten streak from the start of the season is a tough job, but Slaven Bilić’s West Brom have dealt with it perfectly. With four wins and four draws under their belt, the squad was in high confidence when they travelled to London, and they transferred that onto the pitch by securing their fifth win of the season. Two goals from Nathan Ferguson and Matheus Pereira in the second half meant three points were theirs at the end of the day.

This tactical analysis will provide an analysis of West Brom’s 2-0 win over Queens Park Rangers. Meanwhile, using statistics, we will point out why didn’t Warburton’s tactics work out for them against Bilić’s tactics.

Lineups

The home side lined up in a 5-3-2 formation without any significant changes from the side that secured three points against Millwall. Captain Grant Hall remained a doubt for QPR before the game and Warburton didn’t take the risk of playing him in his five-man defence. Meanwhile, QPR’s manager also confirmed that Bright Osayi-Samuel and Lee Wallace were ready for their returns and they both eventually made the bench.

Nahki Wells hoped to continue the form that helped him secured four goals in the last two matches. At the same time, his partner, Jordan Hugill was also expected to add to his tally of five goals. Playing below them was another player who also had a terrific run in Eberechi Eze, who had three goals and two assists to his name.

West Brom, on the other hand, only saw one change to their usual 4-2-3-1 formation from their match against Huddersfield. West Ham loanee Grady Diangana stepped into the side as he occupied the left-winger spot, pushing Pereira into Filip Krovinović’s central attacking midfielder position.

It was thought that Bilić might have welcomed Ahmed Hegazi back into the side after he involved an hour in an under-23 game. But he wasn’t registered for the bench as youngster Dara O’Shea filled in the place. Kieran Gibbs also made the trip after his recovery from an ankle injury while another full-back in Conor Townsend missed out once again.

QPRs style of play

Entering the match with a 5-3-2 formation, some might think QPR would employ a more defensive style of play. More specifically, they would have used more direct passes into West Brom’s defensive third rather than playing out from the back. Well, things happened the opposite way, though.

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