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QPR head coach Mick Beale spoke to the media today (Thursday) ahead of his first competitive game in charge of the R’s.
Rangers’ new Sky Bet Championship campaign begins at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Watch our interview with Mick or read highlights from today’s media activity below…
Shooting things off
“The pre-season flew by! The games, signing players and everything that goes into it.
“I’m looking forward to it. Going into the job, I wanted to be prepared and I think we’re in a good place.
“We’ve done some good recruiting and we should all be excited for the next 12 months.”
Realizing his own identity
“We’re very absorbed in trying to implement the playstyle and identity that we want.
“We are trying to integrate the new players into our way of playing. That’s at the forefront of our focus and I’m sure it’s the same for Jon Dahl Thomasson (Blackburn head coach) and the other new managers in the division.
“The time you have in pre-season is not really time to fully implement a style and identity – especially if you’re bringing in new players and putting your own stamp on the squad. It will take time.
“Good results go a long way to people’s faith and confidence.
“What we’ve seen in pre-season is that the players are really engaged and trying the ideas I want. Things aren’t perfect right now, but we’re moving toward a situation where I think we’re going to be a very competitive team.”
Blackburn
“I think they are very good going forward. Their captain, Lewis Travis, was in my Liverpool under-16 team before and it’s a proud moment for him to lead them into a new season. He is an extremely competitive young man.
“It’s a club I have a lot of respect for. I lived in the North West for six years and a relative of mine, Raymond Harford, was assistant to Kenny Dalglish when they won the Premier League. This is a club with a rich history.
“It’s a really open and intriguing game. Both teams are very good in the final third so it may come down to who settles early and which team’s attacking players are more ruthless on the day.
I expect both teams to have good seasons.
Team selection
“I told the players in a meeting on Tuesday that of the 22 outfield players sitting in front of me, six of them would not make it to the bus. I asked them to think about it and improve things in training.
“That’s why pre-season is such a personal thing. It’s about preparing yourself, being clear about your role in the lineup and the team.
“Everyone gave me everything they had, staff and players, from day one. That’s all I can ask for.
“In games, things can go against you, but it’s important to stick together. This is what we’ve been working on.
“Do I want the perfect performance on Saturday? I’d like one, but I think that’s something we’ll be working on in the coming weeks. I’d like to think we’re going to get stronger every game.”
Injury news
“The only player in doubt is Tyler Roberts.
“The rest of the squad have had different types of pre-season – the likes of Luke Amos, Taylor Richards and Chris Wheelock have had reduced pre-season but they are available for selection.
“I will make my decisions on Friday. All the players trained well today, but I have to be careful with some of them.
“To be able to make five substitutes is fantastic for managers now because you have two more. You lose nothing by subbing at half time and it allows you to be creative.
“If I feel the boys are ready, I’ll certainly put them on the bus – ready to go.”
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