QPR boss explains Bonne’s omission
QPR boss Mick Beale says Macauley Bonne was left out of the squad to face Blackpool because he felt that youngster Sinclair Armstrong was more deserving of a place.
Beale opted not to include Bonne on the bench for the 1-0 defeat, instead naming three defenders in Osman Kakay, Niko Hamalainen and Conor Masterson, as well as Olamide Shodipo, Albert Adomah and Armstrong as his attacking options, along with goalkeeper Joe Walsh.
Bonne spent last season on loan at his boyhood club Ipswich Town and has been vocal about his desire to return there.
Rangers are open to offloading him if an offer comes in and would like to bring in another striker before the transfer window closes.
And Beale says Armstrong’s performances have placed him above Bonne in the pecking order.
“Macauley was just not selected,” Beale said.
“I think the impact of Sinclair means when you’re looking at your bench, obviously you’re allowed seven and one’s a goalkeeper, maybe two to cover defensive positions, two for midfield and two up the park.
“I chose to go with young Sinclair over him. Macauley’s had a really good pre-season, we have a really good relationship, everything’s clear and out in the open with Macauley and where he stands in the squad.
“I just feel at the moment that Sinclair earnt the right, and certainly with his impact at the weekend. I thought it was the right decision and I think we saw that with his performance.”
Bonne joined QPR in 2020 but struggled in his debut season with the club, scoring just four times in all competitions.
The striker scored 11 times on loan at Ipswich last season, and subsequently told the East Anglian Daily Times that he would like to return to the club because he felt he had “unfinished business”.
Asked about the possibility of the 26-year-old leaving the club this summer, Beale said: “I think if the right offer comes along for any of our players in this window they could move. That’s the situation we’re in as a club.
“It comes down to whether Macauley is going to be happy. In a few weeks everybody is going to be fit, hopefully, and there’s going to be a lot of competition for places.
“I think in the next two weeks there might be one or two players knocking on the door.”
17/08/2022 @ 9:20 pm
It’s an interesting conundrum. Dykes since joining us has struggled to adapt to the pace of the championship, and is not a gambler, doesn’t anticipate and appears very flat footed as a result. However his fitness this season has improved and he is a good target man for a release up field but a finisher he ain’t at this level. Whether he justifies a place in the team or on the bench is the current debate. Sometimes a target man offers a useful outlet, however without Chris Willock we look quite goal shy. I think young Sinclair deserves a start, with perhaps Bonne or Dykes as a sub. Whether Bonne is willing to accept third fiddle is a different question. If we can get Chair, Roberts and Willock all playing together (which is my hope) there’s only one slot available, which young Sinclair deserves on enthusiasm, pace and aggression
17/08/2022 @ 3:31 pm
I would rate SA & Bonne above Dykes. its all down to personal preference really. Once Dykes starts banging them in, changes everything.
17/08/2022 @ 2:32 pm
I have never understood why Dykes was given so many chances to show if he was able to step up to Championship level which sadly looks doubtful. Bonne never given a fair run but always seems to offer more pace and energy. Unless we have someone lined up would prefer to see Bonne with Armstrong.