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QPR go viral with impressive tiki-taka play in pre-season game against AFC Wimbledon

QPR go viral with some pretty impressive tiki-taka play in their pre-season game against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side took on the Wombles, and it was a superb start for his men as Lyndon Dykes put the R’s ahead after two minutes.

Soon after, Ilias Chair, Chris Willock and Taylor Richards all came together to produced a special moment, passing the ball effortlessly around their opponents.

The ball soon met Willock waiting in the box, before nut-megging an AFC Wimbledon player, with the ball squared, though goalkeeper Alex Bass was on hand to just about keep it from crossing the line.

Johnnie Jackson’s side found a leveller thanks to Josh Neufville in the second half, with the match ending 1-1.

Gareth Ainsworth was pleased with side’s first-half display, saying: “I’m really pleased with what I saw in the first half – we just lacked a killer touch a few times. There was some really good play.

“We created lots of chances – we’ve got some fantastic forward players and when they’re on it, you can see the way we’re going to try to play.

“It was just sticking it in the net today – we created lots of opportunities in the first half, we just didn’t test their ‘keeper enough.”

Ainsworth said on Asmir Begović: “He looked very assured, which is what you’d expect,” our head coach added.

“That’s going to add to us being a solid team and having some exciting players going forward.

“There is some work to do still but I don’t think we’re as open as we were last year.

“I want us to be more solid and we’re probably a little bit thin on the ground defensively – we’re working hard in that respect.

“But I’m pleased that the boys are taking on what we’re telling them. The Championship is going to be especially tough this year and we’ve got to make sure we’re more solid.”

On the subject of Rangers’ inexperienced second-half team, Ainsworth said: “Everyone bar Albert was – he is old enough to be the other boys’ dads!

“The average age was probably 20 or 21 after 60 minutes.

“Seeing those boys come through from the Development Squad, getting minutes in the first team in front of our fans in a serious game can only be a good thing.

“Some of them are ready, others need more work and time. Just as much as I saw a lot of what I liked in the first half, I learned a lot about the boys in the second half as well.

“There are certain things we need to work on, but that’s what pre-season is all about.

“Hopefully we can go into the Reading and Oxford friendlies with no injuries as we look to be ready for Watford on August 5th.”

Johnnie Jackson said: “I’m pleased with the day’s work. It was a really good game that I feel the supporters enjoyed as well. It was a good performance against quality opposition. We came away with a draw and probably could’ve edged it.

“Josh has been excellent. All of the new lads have settled in really well. Their attitude to the work and what we’re asking of them has been excellent. They’ve all got great quality, the goal that we scored was a great goal – Omar (Bugiel) with the switch, Tills (James Tilley) in a one against one, before getting his cross in, and Josh made the box to finish.

“We’ve got two more games to come. We’ll make the changes and look at other permutations. We’re getting closer. In every game and training session that I’m seeing, people are making cases to play.

“That’s what I wanted to say to them at the start of pre-season – they all want to be in the team for Grimsby. This season will be about a lot more than the starting 11.

“He causes the opposition problems there. Aerially he’s a threat. He picks up good positions when the ball goes wide. He can drop in to help with the build up and he can find those 10 pockets. He helps us to go direct if we need to as well.

“The way that the group is gelling is satisfying. We’ve brought in the right types of lads. They’ve fitted in perfectly. Today we looked like we knew what we’re about in possession and out of it.”

QPR: Begovic (Walsh 45); Kakay (Drewe 45), Dunne (Hawkins 74), Gubbins (Woodman 74), Paal (Larkeche 63); Field (Dixon-Bonner 74), Dozzell (Duke-McKenna 74); Chair (Kelman 63), Richards (Pedder 63), Willock (Adomah 63), Dykes (Armstrong 45).

AFC Wimbledon: Alex Bass, Jake Reeves (Alfie Bendle), Ryan Johnson, James Tilley (Ryan McLean), Josh Davison (Paris Lock), Josh Neufville (Aron Sasu), Omar Bugiel (Harry Pell), Jack Currie, Morgan Williams, Joe Lewis, Isaac Ogundere

Attendance: 5,138 (2,000 away)

As mentioned, QPR go viral with their impressive tiki-taka play in their pre-season game against AFC Wimbledon…

@reecesayper: This passing is beautiful

@SAFCTC: This isn’t the Gareth Ainsworth we know and love?

@W12Rory: If this is the kind of football we want to play then I’m all in

@samprior1882: Few expected football like that under ainsworth, let’s hope Richards, Chair and Willock can express themselves like that throughout the season

@KrisLove5: Gazball. #QPR

@DomBriscoe: Has Gareth Ainsworth been sacked or summat this isn’t one of his teams 😅

@JP94_OT: If we can get them three on the ball as much as possible then we might have something to work with. I do fear in the defensive departments & really feel that we are behind the level in that area with Paal & JCS being the only two good enough. Progress though! #QPR

@FanHubHatter: It’s Ainsworth, no way they play like that in the championship they’ll get destroyed.

@marcusmaxey7: But Ainsworth only plays long ball football 😂🤦‍♂️

@Golazzo_: It very much is. Diamond/triangles set up in channels/deep crossing area, with rotations to work crosses and get in down the sides. Saw it a lot at Wycombe, mixed in with some direct play.

@r_insights23: I know it’s just Wimbledon but the principle of the 3 behind Dykes playing in such close proximity is real cause for optimism. On the flip side I’d be surprised if both Willock and Chair are here for the season but still I enjoy passages of play like this.

@Wheddsta: This is Virtual Football on Sky Bet and no one can tell me otherwise.

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