They say death and taxes are the two certainties of life, but I can guarantee a third: West Ham will have more possession than Queens Park Rangers on Friday night. Whether the Hammers make proper use of it could decide this London derby.
QPR’s last 23 victories have all arrived when they recorded less possession than their opponents. According to Loft For Words, the last time Rangers won while having more of the ball was in February 2025.
That remarkable statistic tells us exactly where Julien Stéphan’s side are most comfortable. QPR have enjoyed an excellent start, climbing to sixth while conceding only seven league goals, but they are at their most dangerous when defending compactly and attacking the space opponents leave behind.
Nuno Must Find A Way Through
Nuno Espírito Santo cannot spend too much time worrying about playing into QPR’s hands. It was always going to be the case this season that West Ham had to transform from a team which parked the bus into one capable of breaking one down.
That is precisely why players such as Manor Solomon, Divine Mukasa and Edvin Austbø were brought to the club during the summer.
West Ham’s Edvin Austbø was purchased to bypass opponents who park the bus
Nils Koppen recently revealed that the Norwegian winger was identified specifically for his ability to create opportunities against deep defences. As we reported following Koppen’s Iron Cast interview, Austbø was recruited to help solve the low-block problem West Ham were always going to encounter in the Championship.
This could be the sort of fixture his recruitment was designed for.
West Ham Have Several Routes To Goal
Fortunately, there is more than one way for West Ham to skin a cat.
The Hammers are the Championship’s leading scorers with 22 goals and have already demonstrated an ability to attack through the middle, down both flanks and from distance. Nuno’s team can score tap-ins, counterattacks and headers, while our set pieces have been particularly lethal.
QPR’s defensive record makes this a fascinating meeting between the division’s most productive attack and one of its strongest defences.
Nuno also possesses numerous midfield options and faces a six-way selection battle for potentially only two starting places. He has the personnel to change West Ham’s approach if the initial plan fails.
West Ham will dominate possession.
The challenge is ensuring that dominance produces chances rather than becoming slow, predictable football played harmlessly in front of QPR’s defence.
You say park the bus but check QPR’s xG this season
My first game was at Upton Park vs QPR.
Ended 0-0 after TC smacked a shot against the crossbar in the first couple of minutes.
That and the plastic pitches in the 80’s that seemed to be our undoing, I’ve always enjoyed winning against them.
It’ll be an early start to my Saturday to watch this one, here’s to Nuno and the fellas notching another win.
COYI!