Michael O’Neill

In the first of two exclusive Masterclasses with The Coaches’ Voice, Michael O’Neill relives his Stoke side’s away victory over a QPR team then managed by Mark Warburton in December 2021.

QPR went into the match challenging for third position and having scored at least one goal in each of their previous 31 Championship fixtures, while O’Neill’s team had succumbed to successive defeats in their last two matches. The then Stoke boss reveals how he adapted his tactics for a game in which he knew his side would have less possession.

He explains his plan to stifle the threat posed for the hosts by creative outlets Ilias Chair and Chris Willock, and outlines how he used advanced midfielders Mario Vrancic and Romaine Sawyers to unlock his own team’s attacking potential – and the pace of Tyrese Campbell (above) – in transition.

Ultimately, O’Neill’s team won 2-0 despite having less than 35 per cent possession. As such, this Masterclass gives a fascinating insight into employing a counter-attacking game plan against strong and dangerous opposition.

Starting line-ups

QPRStoke City

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QPR3-4-3

Stoke City3-5-2

1Seny Dieng

1Adam Davies

6Yoann Barbet

16Ben Wilmot

20Jimmy Dunne

6Danny Batth

4Rob Dickie

3Morgan Fox

15Sam Field

2Tommy Smith

17Andre Dozzell

28Romaine Sawyers

7Stefan Johansen

4Joe Allen

2Osman Kakay

8Mario Vrancic

10Ilias Chair

14Josh Tymon

21Chris Willock

10Tyrese Campbell

11Charlie Austin

9Steven Fletcher

Author: Tony Hodson