Exclusive with QPR midfielder Field: ‘Cifuentes makes me study Man City general Rodri to develop my own game’
Sam Field has been watching clips of Manchester City and Spanish midfield general Rodri in an attempt to develop his own game.
Field was a key figure under the R’s Spanish boss Marti Cifuentes as they went from looking certs for League One football to securing an 18th-placed finish in the second tier.
Former Charlton loanee Field made 31 appearances and seven goal contributions – the most he has recorded for any manager in his senior career.
Cifuentes replaced Gareth Ainsworth in October and he has been showing him footage of Rodri, who won the European Championships this summer.
“Rodri actually scores quite a lot of goals for Man City,” Field told the South London Press. “Despite being a deep-lying midfield player, you can still add to your tally.
“He (Cifuentes) is good with individual clips, and he tries to help. He has a Spanish background – they have a very particular style of playing the game. It’s interesting to cross paths and see how he sees it in his head. I try and take on board what he says.
“I was watching a few clips of Spain during the Euros. It’s about recognising particular patterns and movements he likes to implement. He’s not trying to be our best mate – he’s trying to push us.
“It’s something I want to keep working on. If I do play higher up the pitch, I don’t just want to be known for the off-the-ball stuff, I want to show what I can do on the ball too. If I can get a few assists and a few goals, then I’m happy.”
Field signed a new contract with the R’s in March. He is set to surpass 150 appearances for Rangers this season and has also captained the club on a handful of occasions.
“He (Cifuentes) was an important factor in me signing,” said Field. The club showed a lot of trust and value in me.
“It was a bit squeaky bum at the time [when I signed] but I had to trust the process. I love playing here. It’s something I wouldn’t chuck away in a heartbeat.
“The way we ended the season so well shows he (Cifuentes) is improving us as a team and individuals. I hope that continues.”
The Loftus Road-based side secured their Championship safety after a 4-0 win against Leeds in the penultimate game of the season.
Cifuentes, 41, is now seen as one of the top young coaches in the second tier and is now set to embark on his first full season in English football.
“There are tricky parts in any season,” said Field.
“It doesn’t matter if you win the league or finish second from bottom – they have all got their challenges in their own way.
“It was a rollercoaster – that won’t be the first time I have said that at QPR.
“It was actually one of those where the moment we created at the end of the season was really good and it’s something as a group that we are really proud of.
“We got through a lot of adversity. Everybody had to take responsibility. To end the season so strongly, the group was probably a bit gutted that the season didn’t get going again straight there and then.
“There is a good atmosphere around the place at the minute and we want to build on that.
“We have to be realistic. We were in a very difficult situation last season – we worked very hard to get out of it.
“We have to try and improve on that. We have to be careful not to get ahead of ourselves.
“We have set a foundation and we have to build on that. This league has a way of chewing you up and spitting you out if you’re not careful.”
PICTURE: ROB AVIS