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Sunderland v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 21:52:45
Definitely could have won this against a weak Sunderland team who offered little threat. Dykes was especially ineffective and after his recent outings as a midfielder seems to have completely forgotten that he's meant to score goals. But although we did create chances apart from Willock's near the end they weren't gilt edged.
We gave the ball away far too often when under little pressure and at times we looked over confident. I hope no one is thinking we're doing enough to be safe. Although our form under Marti is solidly mid-table it wouldn't take much for it all to go pear shaped.
No one deserved a MotM award but JCS was impressive at the back although he didn't have a lot to deal with. Armstrong good when he came on and got behind the defence on 4 (I think) occasions. For a couple of chances he ended up too wide to really threaten the keeper but his square ball for Willock should have been buried.
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Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough Your Report added at 11:07:38
On the way to the game I said to my wife if Rs win today we can really feel a corner has been turned and we're almost certainly safe, but if we lose it'll be nail biting to the end of the season. Knowing QPR many of us will have suspected the likely outcome.
A decent if uninspiring first half where we seemed to have a couple of decent chances (can't see clearly from the upper Loft) was followed by a transformed Middlesbrough who dominated the second 45. They were more aggressive, closed us down, tackled hard, may have got away with some borderline decisions and stopped us from playing as we visibly tired.
Andersen had a good first half, but was targeted in the second and didn't stand up too well to the physical challenges. He needs to get used to this physicality. Willock also looked tired and I was surprised he was left on, but Chair taken off. Smyth came on and provided energy down the right, but was well contained by the Boro defence. Somehow the substitutions didn't seem quite right. Sinclair could have come on earlier ahead of Dykes and although this wasn't his best game Chair was more of a threat than Willock. Cook had a poorer game than we've become used to, but may struggle to play 3 games in a week.
Hard to pick a QPR MotM. No one was dreadful, but no one was great either. Pretty well straight sixes in the ratings. Think it's between Andersen for his first half class or Dunne for his energy coming forward.
Back to the nail biting now.
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Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion Your Report added at 11:35:44
I agree CateLeBonR. I scribbled my review and then did the ratings and had only 3 at 7/10 and Sam at 8. I was going to give a couple who shall remain nameless - ok, Smyth and Paal - a 5 but then thought that was unfair. Smyth's pace always keeps the full back honest even though he doesn't deliver enough end product and Paal is having a dip in form. A good all round performance, but a terrific atmosphere added to by the memories of Stan.
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Queens Park Rangers v West Bromwich Albion Your Report added at 10:23:07
Fabulous night at Lotus Road and possibly the best performance from the Rs for at least this season. Just disappointing that we didn't get the third goal. At half time I thought we were the better team even though behind, but we totally dominated the second 45 such that the Baggies hardly got out of their half for long periods.

Several of our managers have tried to play Sam Field further forward but his passing hasn't been good enough and he's looked like a fish out of water. But with Hayden the first choice for the deep lying role Marti seems to be helping Sam to learn this new role and he should have had a hat trick. It may be a question of confidence and also realising there is now competition for a midfield starting spot. For most of his time with us he's been the only option.

I didn't see the hand ball and it wasn't obvious so maybe difficult for the officials. The earlier penalty looked soft.

Frey impressed. He's much more mobile than I imagined and put in a real shift. Cook was excellent but it has to be Sam for MotM.
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Queens Park Rangers v Rotherham United Your Report added at 11:09:04
Above the dotted line, how good does that feel? Well pretty good, but with all those others picking up points - except Stoke, thank you Stoke - Rs position is still precarious.

After an awful opening 10 minutes - Marti hasn't worked out how to get them up to play from the first minute - we played ok and deserved the win. Their keeper made important saves to keep Frey and others out.

After Smyth came on Willock played more centrally, which may be a better position for him. He's probably out best crosser, but doesn't have the pace to beat the defender. Thinking about it at his best he often operated more centrally. And he got a cracking goal.

Cook and JCS not at their best for once, an aggressive press always exposes us. Playing out from the back is obviously what Marti wants. It is a bit better with our new look midfield making more angles, but watching it's best to have tranquillisers to hand.

Hard to pick a man of the match. Frey was busier and more impressive than I expected. Colback had a good second half without Hayden so shades MotM ahead of Willock for me.
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Bristol City v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 10:48:45
First half not bad; second half pretty good. We could and should have scored a second, at least, though we also had some scary moments in defence. One brilliant saving header on the goal line from Field.

Willock's best game for probably a year or more and should have scored a couple of goals. There's a lot of people calling for Smyth to start, but I think he's a bit one dimensional - terrific pace, but erratic delivery. Neither are particularly good supporting the full back but Willock has a better all round game and can deliver a cross. If he is getting closer to his best he will be important in the remaining games. Smyth will always be an alternative weapon when needed.

And well done to Jimmy Dunne who was better than I'd feared at full back and managed to get forward well on a number of occasions.

MotM Clarke-Salter who must be on the longest run of games we've seen from him. Is he learning to play through the niggles or have the back room team made him fitter and stronger?
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Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 11:28:28
In the first half I thought we were just about ok until our perennial problem defending corners led to the goal, helped by Colback's dopey reaction at the far post. Has Cannon now failed to challenge the attacker at a corner which has led to a goal in this and the last game?

In the second half we were poor. I thought Cook was ok and maybe Hayden but otherwise no one emerged with any credit. We need a proper center forward and now we have one Armstrong needs to be rested. He's done well but defenders have worked out how to play him. This is normal for young players after bursting onto the scene.

Smyth was also disappointing after the early chance. And why did Paal take that late corner when Andersen was on the pitch? And of course endless shithousery.

So are Frey and Anderson ready to start a game? And can Hayden play 3 games in a week?

Not feeling optimistic after that but we do have a habit of following poor games with better performances.
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Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City Your Report added at 10:26:26
I agree with Royboy but think this charge was in response to conceding too often from corners. I assume the more bodies in the box, even if they are opposition bodies the more likely a shot gets blocked.
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Queens Park Rangers v Norwich City Your Report added at 19:26:53
Rangers just about deserved the point, but there were passages of play
where Norwich moved the ball better than us and after they took the lead I didn't see us getting back into it.

It's the new boys what won it! Anderson looks as though he can add crossing and passing to the team, Frey got at least one good flick on although I thought there might have been a touch of good fortune about the finish. Hayden was strong and effective throughout, Hodge lively early on. Hayden's performance raises questions about whether Field will get back in the team. A midfield of Hayden, Hodge and Colback looks our best option.

At the back JCS was superb again, although I haven't seen replays of the goals we conceded. Sloppy for the first and I think Cannon should have done better for the second, although the wide player had acres of space for the cross.

And eventually Southampton did what we required. Still nail bitingly tight at the bottom, but we're good enough to escape.
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Queens Park Rangers v Huddersfield Town Your Report added at 22:29:39
Bad, that was seriously bad. Rs were never really at the races as Huddersfield were more competitive in midfield, won most of the 50:50s, were quicker to the loose ball, passed more accurately and deserved all three points. All I can say in our favour is that had one of the moments when Armstrong ran at the defence or Willock delivered a decent cross led to a goal perhaps we'd have gained confidence and got our passing game going.

The Terriers looked like they'd prepared well. They pressed when we tried to play out from the back so effectively that I can't remember a single passing move resulting. Sensibly we settled for long goal kicks in the second half but Begovic's distribution was poor. He tried a couple of quick long throws - an excellent weapon to have - which didn't come off, but on other occasions when the throw to the half way line looked on he held on to the ball too long.

Moore's team also stifled Armstrong and Chair well, restricting them to few chances, although they did look our most dangerous players. Huddersfield also fell over with great tactical efficiency, often simulating head injuries and disrupting any positive moves we put together. Dykes and Willock were ineffective and should have been subbed sooner.

I don't want to turn against Marti, but I did wonder if he'd failed to prepare the team well and last week we were poor in the opening 20 minutes until we realised Millwall were even worse. More likely too many players get too nervous too easily, but is he putting too much pressure on a mentally fragile bunch? Mentioning cup ties is the equivalent of lining them up for a firing squad.

And of course the ref was rubbish, but that's not why we were so poor.
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Queens Park Rangers v Millwall Your Report added at 19:01:36
Two goals from a combined distance of 6 inches was more than enough for a good win. We were good today and we were good last week, even though we lost. Millwall were poor today (after the first 15 minutes) but we out-manoeuvred them in all areas of the pitch. Rs weren't brilliant but at least better than Watford and Millwall. Some online commentators have been critical but Watford and Millwall are probably mid-table teams so being at least as good as them is positive. And we should have had a hand ball penalty.

Hard to criticise any of the team today. Paal perhaps not at his best, but made a brilliant falling defensive header in the build up to Cannon's (also not at his best) off the line clearance.

Cook adds enormous experience and grit at the back and complements JCS well. I thought this was Colback's best game for us.

Chair always involved. It looked like he'd held on to the ball too long for the second goal, but it drew a second defender to cover and made the space for Colback's shot.

And a stroke of genius by Marti to realise Dykes can play as a withdrawn No 9, or maybe a No 10 (according to Marti). He's strong, has a bit more time to play the ball and his distribution is not bad. His contribution to the first goal was excellent.

Colback my MotM.

I might just be starting to believe. But as they say it's the hope that gets you.
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Queens Park Rangers v Millwall Your Report added at 10:02:40
Two goals from a combined distance of 6 inches was more than enough for a good win. We were good today and we were good last week, even though we lost. Millwall were poor today (after the first 15 minutes) but we out-manoeuvred them in all areas of the pitch. Rs weren't brilliant but at least better than Watford and Millwall. Some online commentators have been critical but Watford and Millwall are probably mid-table teams so being at least as good as them is positive. And we should have had a hand ball penalty.

Hard to criticise any of the team today. Paal perhaps not at his best, but made a brilliant falling defensive header in the build up to Cannon's (also not at his best) off the line clearance.

Cook adds enormous experience and grit at the back and complements JCS well. I thought this was Colback's best game for us.

Chair always involved. It looked like he'd held on to the ball too long for the second goal, but it drew a second defender to cover and made the space for Colback's shot.

And a stroke of genius by Marti to realise Dykes can play as a withdrawn No 9, or maybe a No 10 (according to Marti). He's strong, has a bit more time to play the ball and his distribution is not bad. His contribution to the first goal was excellent.

Colback my MotM.

I might just be starting to believe. But as they say it's the hope that gets you.
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Queens Park Rangers v Watford Your Report added at 10:18:26
It seems clear we can't really expect to stay up now, but there were some promising signs in today's performance. Apart from the 2 great strikes from Watford we made them look pretty ordinary. They're xG was low and we mostly defended well. But we did fail to convincingly close down the 2 goals, Dykes and Colback making half hearted efforts to block the shots. Begovic has had some criticism but I don't think he could have done anything for the first goal.

Of course we don't capitalise on our chances. We had 16 shots, 7 on target some of which really should have found the back of the net. Two thoughts on this. Firstly we don't often give the ball a real welly which gives the keeper a chance. The one player with a really powerful shot is Dykes, but his couple of longer range efforts were poor. Secondly, Dykes in particular, but most of our players when they get in the box are often caught flat footed. They don't anticipate and are on their heels. Dykes goal was the exception. I know you can't manufacture a Lineker or Haaland, but surely you can coach forwards to be more alert and find the right position.

I think it's interesting that Marti took off Chair and Field although the latter very near the end. He's not afraid of subbing our better players if he thinks it's the right thing to do. I think he may also be aware that Field's limitations going forward are becoming more apparent.

Armstrong undoubtedly our MotM and Smyth was a breath of fresh air and should have come on earlier. His crossing was good today. I think it was a mistake by Marti not to freshen things up sooner.
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Queens Park Rangers v AFC Bournemouth Your Report added at 10:00:38
Nothing to be ashamed of, but still so disappointing. We rode our luck in the first half with the Cherries missing 2 or 3 decent chances, but Armstrong and Smyth were always dangerous running into the space behind the defence.

If only we could have defended better for 15 minutes after half time Bournemouth would have got nervy, but even in the first couple of minutes it looked as though we'd lost our focus. The Bournemouth press functioned very well at times and caused us problems as Dunne is not a ball player and all the defenders were vulnerable. Begovic is very slow to play the ball out and rarely looks further than the CBs. I assume this is what he's told to do by Marti, but it's one dimensional and against decent opposition doesn't get us down the pitch. Surely they can work on more dynamic restarts? The same is true when we have throws or free kicks. Too often the instinct is to go back, so much so that players don't even look for other options.

Having said all this the players who came in did pretty well. Even Dykes on the left of midfield wasn't bad. The first half was great, the second inevitable. Armstrong man of the match. Now to concentrate on the league!
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Queens Park Rangers v AFC Bournemouth Your Report added at 19:36:45
Nothing to be ashamed of, but still so disappointing. We rode our luck in the first half with the Cherries missing 2 or 3 decent chances, but Armstrong and Smyth were always dangerous running into the space behind the defence.

If only we could have defended better for 15 minutes after half time Bournemouth would have got nervy, but even in the first couple of minutes it looked as though we'd lost our focus. The Bournemouth press functioned very well at times and caused us problems as Dunne is not a ball player and all the defenders were vulnerable. Begovic is very slow to play the ball out and rarely looks further than the CBs. I assume this is what he's told to do by Marti, but it's one dimensional and against decent opposition doesn't get us down the pitch. Surely they can work on more dynamic restarts? The same is true when we have throws or free kicks. Too often the instinct is to go back, so much so that players don't even look for other options.

Having said all this the players who came in did pretty well. Even Dykes on the left of midfield wasn't bad. The first half was great, the second inevitable. Armstrong man of the match. Now to concentrate on the league!
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Queens Park Rangers v Cardiff City Your Report added at 19:16:25
Dreadful in the first half, perked up after half time, but so did Cardiff. I'd thought in Marti's first few games he'd made the defence tighter but today we seemed to give Cardiff two free headers from corners. Definitely missing Cook and going forward Chair. Our best tactic was often for Smyth to fall over and win a free kick.

The lack of confidence was especially obvious in the first half where we were back to endless passing between Dunne and JCS. No one had the courage to try a forward pass or break beyond the well organised midfield press or just show a bit of dynamism.

Without significant reinforcements in the transfer window we're going down.
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Queens Park Rangers v Southampton Your Report added at 12:35:37
Am I on the wrong site? Thought this was In the Loft? Anyway.

Rs played well and could possibly have got an equaliser. But although the gap wasn't massive Southampton were a class above us. Although their Russball passing game can seem slow and unexciting they made twice as many progressive passes as we did (44 to 22) and 29 progressive carries to Rs 17. Interestingly Field made the most progressive passes for us, 6, as well as the most tackles (unsurprising) and he didn't pick up his usual yellow.

Stats don't tell everything but in truth we hardly threatened their keeper. Dykes didn't have one shot.

Larkeche must be getting nearer a start with the experiment of Paal in midfield looking worth a try. Larkeche in less than 30 minutes on the field made 3 progressive passes, 2 progressive carries and 2 successful take ons. What's better is he looks keen to attack the opposition. Not sure his defensive work is as good. Cannon still looks good but his early gloss is fading a little as he learns to cope with the demands of the Championship.

Aribo was outstanding for Saints. Chair, as usual, probably our best player, but perhaps it's time to bench him again which last time cut down his tendency to overelaborate or always cut back onto his right foot.

PS must stop reading all these stats.
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Sheffield Wednesday v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 22:52:22
Another reality check we really didn't need. In the first half I thought we were well organised and comfortable, but apart from the chance to Field and maybe Kakay's we weren't at the races in the second half.

Our midfield were over-powered and although the defence worked hard -JCS good again - they didn't get the protection they needed.

Marti's selection and subs interesting as we've come to expect. Dunne and Dozzel seem to be getting a lot of starts. Dykes for Armstrong seemed right, but if he wanted to take Cannon off surely Kakay should have come on? In a match like this having Willock and Smyth on left us too vulnerable. Maybe there could have been an option with Duke-Mckenna who may not be our best option but does harass and put in challenges in the absence of Colback.

The new manager bounce is over. It's going to be tough from here and in some games we need more physicality.
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Sheffield Wednesday v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 18:18:50
Another reality check we really didn't need. In the first half I thought we were well organised and comfortable, but apart from the chance to Field and maybe Kakay's we weren't at the races in the second half.

Our midfield were over-powered and although the defence worked hard -JCS good again - they didn't get the protection they needed.

Marti's selection and subs interesting as we've come to expect. Dunne and Dozzel seem to be getting a lot of starts. Dykes for Armstrong seemed right, but if he wanted to take Cannon off surely Kakay should have come on? In a match like this having Willock and Smyth on left us too vulnerable. Maybe there could have been an option with Duke-Mckenna who may not be our best option but does harass and put in challenges in the absence of Colback.

The new manager bounce is over. It's going to be tough from here and in some games we need more physicality.
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Preston North End v Queens Park Rangers Your Report added at 19:34:20
Dire first half, boring although Rs defence was mostly well organised. Second half we dominated with Illy the star man. It seems to have done him good to rest him for 45 minutes. JCS outstanding at the back and Dunne was more reliable than recent games. All the substitutions worked well as they had done on Tuesday, but Marti's luck with subs may run out sometime.

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