A huge outlay but still nil return

Match Review: QPR 0-0 Norwich

After another Transfer Deadline Day with no shortage of drama at Loftus Road and more silly prices and wages being dished out to more 'has been' players or players way out of our league if it wasn't for the money, there is still no change in luck on the pitch for the hopeless Hoops, as they squandered another opportunity for three points that, looking at the fixture list ahead, they really needed to take.

Deadline day signings Andros Townsend (who I personally have never rated having seen him go on loan to almost every Championship club and look every bit an average Championship player) replaced the completely off the boil Granero, whilst Christopher Samba replaced Toronto bound Ryan Nelsen. The other changes were forced by injuries to Nedum Onuoha, who has produced his best displays in a blue and white hooped shirt since returning from compassionate leave, and Loïc Rémy, the striker whose goals we have pinned all of our survival hopes on. In came SWP whilst Fabio was switched to right back. 

Both sides came into the game short of goals and with Rémy injured, Rangers started with Jamie Mackie as their lone striker which looked toothless and a negative set up even before it began. Norwich had their signing Becchio on the bench with part-time traffic island Grant Holt starting up top for them.

The first half was instantly forgettable. A low quality affair served up by two nervous teams. Amongst the yawns, the few moments of quality came through Taarabt for Rangers and Snodgrass for the Canaries, who looked a real quality player, but then again so do most wingers when they face Armand Traore! Neither keeper made any saves of note with off target long range efforts, scuffed shots and weak headers the order of the day. Mbia was booked on a totting up basis for a number of silly tugs to further break up any vaguely coherent moves. Free kicks were conceded in non-threatening positions and the quality of delivery from all set pieces was poor. Despite the low key proceedings and lack of any controversy whatsoever, motor-mouth Holt still found it necessary to confront headmaster referee Jon Moss as they walked off at half time.

The second half just had to be an improvement and it was. Rangers were much more positive and on 46 minutes Garrido conceded a cheap free kick to SWP. Taarabt's delivery was much improved but, not for the last time, the lack of determination to get on the end of it meant that it sailed through the six yard box without anyone getting a vital touch. But it wasn't all at one end and QPR's fragile defence needed Julio Cesar to make a fabulous one-handed reaction save to keep out Wes Hoolahan's close-range flicked effort. Cesar also made a decent stop from Bradley Johnson. Norwich were committed and niggly but gradually QPR began to get on top. The game's pivotal moment arrived in the 55th minute. Jamie Mackie, isolated and muted all game, found himself chasing a poor backpass by Garrido and was fouled by keeper Mark Bunn for a penalty. Ironically, Rangers' only other penalty this season was at Norwich away, where Cisse's effort was saved before Zamora scored the rebound. Sadly, Taarabt's shot was too close to the diving Bunn and this time the effort was turned round the post. Taarabt held his head in his hands, knowing the golden chance had gone, and as often happens when something doesn't go right for him in a game, he lost his way a little. He did still manage another couple of efforts, a free kick and a driven shot but as he faded from the game, so did QPR. Townsend showed some good energy down the left and with Zamora introduced for SWP had a different kind of target to aim for. Admittedly, Zamora actually looked more of a handful than the disinterested man who said he plays football 'because it is my job' before his injury, and his introduction did seem to cause Norwich to become very physical and pick up bookings for rash challenges. Jermaine Jenas and Tal Ben Haim came on for Mbia and Fabio as Harry tried his utmost to give Norwich different questions to answer but Rangers offered nothing in the way of a killer pass and were always short of bodies in the box. 

And so it ended 0-0, an improved second half offering some entertainment, but not disguising two teams low on confidence and out of form. The new boys did well but the lack of attacking threat and Norwich's lack of ambition meant that a stalemate was always likely. It's not quite all over yet for Rangers,  but games are running out and the gap is not narrowing. The immediate worry has to be just how long Rémy and Onuoha will be out of action. 

Man of the match: I still can't look beyond Julio Cesar as his exceptional shot stopping continues to ensure the clean sheets on which the unbeaten league run this year is founded. "Triffic" stuff from QPR's first ever Brazilian international.

46 across, 1 down?

Match Report: West Ham 1-1 QPR

Rangers fans will be very satisfied to have come away with a point from the Boleyn Ground, after the Hammers banged at the door relentlessly throughout this ding dong derby.

QPR headed to West Ham for their third league derby game in a row with Loïc Rémy making his debut with a midfielder (Ji-Sung Park) sacrificed to accommodate him. West Ham started brightly mixing attacks through Cole (of the Joe variety) and Jarvis down the wings with direct balls into central areas for their debutante Chamakh to compete against Hill and Nelsen. After just 6 minutes one such attack down the right saw Diame get to the bye-line and play a low dangerous ball all the way across the goal line and out the other side. Cesar saved with his legs, as often appears the case.

Bubbles and snowflakes everywhere

Rangers were meanwhile growing into the game and on two occasions Rémy was flagged offside when running onto through balls from Taarabt. On 14 minutes this combination worked again to deadly effect with Rémy timing his run perfectly and crisply driving past Jaaskelainen for one nil from the edge of the area. A very confident finish which had the Rangers fans instantly singing his name and echoed of Djibril Cisse's debut goals away at Aston Villa last season where investment in a new striker paid immediate dividends. 

I would go as far as saying that Rangers continued to be the marginally better side for the next fifteen minutes following the goal with Taarabt strutting well creating half chances for SWP and Mackie and drawing a booking for a foul by Tomkins. On half an hour Chamakh decided he would audition for Splash but as with each of the previous two derbies, where Bertrand (Chelsea) and Lennon (Spuds) attempted laughable theatrics, the referee failed to punish with a booking.

West Ham were now on the charge and getting plenty of men in the box with Nolan heading over and Mbia appearing from nowhere behind Diame and clearing before he was able to shoot home. Nevertheless, QPR held out and went in at the break one up.

The second half can be summed up in almost a single word: onslaught. At times the Rangers goal led a charmed life with blocks, ricochets and Cesar's legs (again) all keeping the Iron out. Mbia managed to fit in his traditional 'lie in agony on the floor' time after another six yard box scramble. Only when the home fans had been wound up to a frenzy did the Cameroonian get up and walk round to rejoin play at the first opportunity, completely unimpaired. Cesar was busy, occasionally unconventionally (for him) using his hands to save. He also stood up well to the bombardment of crosses into the box from Matt Jarvis, as did Nelsen and Hill. It was extremely disappointing from a Rangers perspective that Redknapp didn't want to cut off the supply by closing down the Irons' wingers. Jarvis in particular was having far too much joy against Nedum Onuoha.

Substitutions aplenty followed as SWP and Mackie were replaced by Traore and Bothroyd for Rangers while Carlton Cole came on for Spam to replace the ineffective Chamakh, who they might as well send back to Arsenal on today's evidence. This seemed to be a game-changer as there was now much more aerial menace and there was a sense of inevitability when the equaliser finally arrived on 68 minutes. Jarvis dinked one up from the left which Carlton Cole headed goalwards. Cesar's diving save left Joe Cole with a tap in and his first West Ham goal for 10 years. Sam Allardyce reckoned West Ham had 46 crosses in the game, so based on the law of probability alone it was always likely that one would result in a goal.

Rangers continued to offer nothing up front with Rémy now anonymous and Taarabt withdrawn for Park as Redknapp demonstrated that leaving with a point was now the aim. Every time they were able to break out of their half (can't have been more than twice in the second half) Rangers looked lost and unsure whether to hold on to the ball or try to set up an attack and go for the win, which often lead to through balls being played with nobody on the end of them or cheap surrendering of possession. West Ham meanwhile continued to chuck it in the mixer but the only real concern was when Cesar was tempted to go walkies from his box but Fabio cleared up behind. Final score 1-1.

So as it turned out, this fixture was very similar to the Cisse debut of around a year ago - the new striker scored with a great goal in the first half and had the fans instantly singing with new found optimism in their voices, only to fade in the second half along with the rest of his team mates and allow the opposition to fight their way back into the game and have the away fans feel lucky to go home with anything. Under normal circumstances 5 points from 3 derby games, two of which were away, would represent a decent return. However, games are fast running out and, despite the positive of being unbeaten in 5 games in 2013 (including the FA Cup sponsored by HMV), Rangers remain 5 points from safety. Next for the Rs are three consecutive home games; FC Franchise (FA Cup (sponsored by Jessops), then Citeh and the Canaries in the EPL.

Man of the Match: One man who continues to shine is goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who showed his best form again here in East London with several 'worldies' to allow the Hoops to come away with a point they didn't deserve. His wobbly days under Hughes seem to be behind him now, fingers crossed his form continues.

C

You had to be there...

Match Review: Chelsea 0-1 QPR

Most Rangers fans made the journey to Stamford Bridge fearing the worst, but it’s a funny old game football. At a scandalous £55 per ticket (plus booking fee) and with a shocking run of form, the fact that the Shed was filled with 3,000 away fans spoke volumes for blind optimism and loyalty over level-headed analysis. But against all the odds (there were shorter odds for Chelsea to win 6-0 than QPR to win 1-0), they were rewarded.

Rangers opened with a 4-1-4-1 formation with Derry recalled to play just in front of the back four and, interestingly, Taarabt was pushed furthest up front. Armand Traore was out of the picture after his inept defensive performance against Liverpool on Sunday and the back four read Fabio, Hill, Nelsen, Onuoha. In midfield Esteban Granero was preferred to Samba Diakite who was another really off the ball against Liverpool whilst the woeful Shaun Wright Phillips was dropped at the expense of Junior Hoilett. Meanwhile Rafa made several changes for Chelsea, although with FA and Capital One Cup games coming up before their next EPL fixture it looked more like a case of over confident complacency rather than a genuine need for resting through rotation.

The teams emerge

Four minutes into his full league debut the Bosnian-come-German Marin (how many 'dual nationality' players have they claimed to be theirs now?!) should have been sent off for a two footed, off the floor and out of control scythe through M’Bia. Stunningly, referee Mason (who you will remember sent off Derry for not touching Ashley Young at Old Trafford last year) only produced a yellow. Equally stunningly M’Bia was not badly hurt. Retribution on Marin was later quietly dished out by both Derry and Hill.

QPR defended with determination and the few chances that came Chelsea’s way were as a result of mistakes. On 15 minutes Hoilett pulled up and was replaced by Wright-Phillips and a minute later Chelski did their emotionally disturbed ‘clap for Di Matteo’ thing.

Chelsea continued to huff and puff with a few long range efforts, particularly from a frustrated Branislav Ivanovic, but Hill and Nelsen snuffed out anything closer in. On 34 minutes there was an embarrassing dive in the box by Bertrand when he was several yards away from the nearest opponent. Boltonian whistleblower Mason was again deficient and no booking resulted.

Towards the end of the first half SWP had a run and shot and twice didn’t run and didn’t shoot when Taarabt threaded him decent passes to move on to. David Luiz (hereafter Sideshow Bob) had a pot shot that Cesar had to save with his legs after it deflected off Frank (‘one more to overtake Kerry Dixon’) Lampard.

Special abuse was saved for the warming up Ashley Cole and the half time appearance of ‘Suave Marv’ aka 60’s and 70’s centre back Marvin Hinton. I don’t think anyone had anything in particular against 72 year old Marv, it was more a case of his chaperon for the obligatory walk round the pitch being the personification of a smugly irritating annoying Johnny-come-lately, glory hunting tit.

The second half was more of the same, only better. Chelsea had a flurry of corners which Cesar dealt with positively, Ivanovic heading one excellent chance over. On 53 minutes Cesar saved well from the otherwise anonymous Torres. Moses should have got a touch to Marin's cross but this was to be the debutante's last involvement as he was then swapped for Hazard as Rafa began to realise more guile was needed. QPR for the first time began to string some coherent attacking moves together. Granero hit a curler to give Turnbull some catching practice. Shortly afterwards, Mackie was played through by Taarabt and he looked odds-on to score before Gary Cahill stretched out and conceded a corner. From said corner, Derry had a free header which should have troubled Turnbull more.

Home frustration grew as Lampard put the ball in from an offside position (still one more needed eh, Frank!) All the Rangers back four were now playing like men possessed with blocks and deflections keeping Chelsea out. To the delight of the Chelsea fans, their talisman Juan Mata was introduced by Rafa for Moses with sixteen minutes to play. But then, against all hopes and expectations, one of those ‘I was there’ moments happened. A partially cleared Rangers corner fell to Taarabt just outside the box. He made the sweetest lay-off into the path of SWP that since the match we have watched again and again. Time stood still as SWP hit a low 20 yard drive that arrowed into the corner of the goal. Delirium and confusion broke out in the away end, bodies everywhere. Stop the clocks at 21:20 02/01/13. Had he really done that? 969 days since his last EPL goal, you diminutive beauty, you. All is forgiven! You still owe the outstanding Fabio a beer for covering your defensive duties, though.

Ramires came on for Lampard (who, Chelsea fans, I believe still requires one more goal to overhaul Kerry Dixon). The game was now frantic. You could see the vein in Clint Hill’s neck bulging with effort. Admirable Nelsen screamed for more concentration and effort. Derry was everywhere putting out fires and Mbia and Sideshow Bob enjoyed a tussle that, although rarely legal, was sufficiently good natured that you could still see them sharing hair conditioner in the showers afterwards. Even Granero put a shift in - I noticed he went over to Joe Jordan for a word in his ear during the first half and from that moment he returned a more determined man who got stuck in, something he hasn't done since the very start of his QPR career.

On 86 minutes I called it as a pen from where I was sitting but thankfully it was a free kick that was given instead, dead centre in the D, 2 yards outside the box. D wanted Sideshow Bob to take it and blast, C wanted Mata to chip straight into Cesar's arms. Thankfully D got his wish as Wrecking Ball Luiz simply smashed it into the 9 man wall.

Supporting their local team: Bristol and Bath blues, Norwegian blues, etc. Many already gone home early in a huff

Two time wasting R's substitutions later and it was all over. Man hugs all round. Everything that QPR hadn't been 3 days earlier against Liverpool, they were today. Solid, committed, intelligent and playing like a team. The questions remain whether they can repeat this level of intensity and dream of survival but, for the moment, who cares? Chelsea 0 QPR 1. Two clean sheets against Chelsea. A first away win since November 2011. A first win away at Chelsea in my lifetime. Simply unbelievable.



Man of the Match: Playing in an unfamiliar striker's position, Taarabt's ability to keep the ball and hold the ball up was played upon by Harry Redknapp and it proved to be an incredibly inspired move. He showed his quality in his passing and the lay-off for the goal and gave QPR an outlet all game. His patience and perseverance with the inept Shaun Wright-Phillips also deserves some serious credit. Well done that man, we'll need more of this if we are to pick up more points this year away from home.

Off the bottom

Match Review: QPR 2-1 Fulham

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees! That is all.

Such is the relief that there isn't a zero next to our name in the Premier League table any more that I can't conjure up a witty title or subheading for this blog post. The mighty Superhoops have won a league game for the first time since May 6th. But this wasn't just any old victory: they beat West London rivals Fulham, who they hadn't even scored against since last beating them in the league in 1983. And best of all, they thoroughly deserved it!

Harry Redknapp appears to have finally realised that Bosingwa and Granero are not good enough and don't have enough stomach for the relegation battle ahead and has brought back forgotten men Nedum Onuoha and Alejandro Faurlin from the cold. He also decided to be positive enough to play Mackie and Djibril Cisse up top with Taarabt in his favourite attacking central midfield playmaker role in front of Derry and Faurlin, the classic Championship-winning combination. 

The proactiveness and positive mindset of Redknapp clearly had a galvanising effect on the side, and QPR started the game with a real purpose, freshness and tempo about their play. There was an energy in the passing and closing down that we haven't seen all season and this immediately got the home fans engaged and supportive. Fulham, on the other hand, didn't appear to be expecting any sort of tempo from the home side at all and appeared to have turned up expecting to play a side emotionally drained and bereft of confidence. Jamie Mackie nearly made them pay for their sluggishness when John Arne Riise's casual backpass to Schwarzer was intercepted by some quick thinking by the Scotland striker, but he put the ball agonisingly wide when it seemed easier to score. What was hugely frustrating about this chance was that if the mistake was made by us, you could put your mortgage on every other team in the Premier League clinically punishing us for it. 

QPR were the better side throughout the first half but suffered the same old familiar problem of not finding enough ways to test Schwarzer, who was even brought out early during half time to warm up (I think Jol was taking the piss!). At least in this match we weren't treated to the sideways football of Hughes! Adel Taarabt was looking determined and in the groove, Faurlin was spraying passes around like he always has done when in QPR colours, the play was not so skewed to the right hand side as it has been in recent weeks and Traore was bombing forward which was encouraging to see - the over-reliance on Bosingwa and SWP down the right this year has been completely unnecessary and reaped no rewards. Mbia was finding plenty of room to operate in the middle, Nedum Onuoha looked solid and able to support in attacks where required and, for a change, even the 'mature' central defensive partnership of Hill and Nelsen were not having any problems. Fulham's best chance came from Armand Traore inexplicably letting a pass from Taarabt through his legs to roll all the way back to Green when there were Fulham players in the vicinity. Luckily the goalkeeper was alert but it is this kind of lapse that has changed some of the games we have been involved in this season in the blink of an eye. Apart from this, Green only had one awkward cross to deal with, which he caught rather than flapped at as Cesar would have done in the same situation. Dimitar Berbatov did show glimpses of the class player he is but wasn't given much room to manouevre. A neat flick had the tourists in the away end "whoo"-ing with ecstasy but it didn't lead to anything, and overall his impact on the game was minimal. 

The second half began much as the first had ended, with QPR once again in the ascendancy. Adel Taarabt was being given plenty of room to stretch his legs in his attacking central midfield role even with Steve Sidwell chipping away at his ankles (and those of other QPR players). On one of these occasions, he made a straight run forward at the Fulham defence who parted like the red sea. Taarabt found himself with just Brede Hangeland and Mark Schwarzer in front of him and, in true Taarabt style, shot from way out with what appeared at first to be a fairly poor effort, but had sufficient pace behind it to ricochet off the backtracking Hangeland and completely fool Schwarzer. This was exactly the sort of luck we need and resembled the lucky break we got at Wigan the previous weekend, only this time, we were the side in control and had not looked anywhere near as frail as we did at the back that day. The moment was soured a little by referee Martin Atkinson, who has a long history of poor refereeing decisions when it comes to QPR and football in general (Clint Hill v Bolton away anyone). This time he was determined to make the headlines by booking Taarabt for over celebrating. What really grated me about this was that Taarabt didn't even remove his shirt and if you're a struggling team at the bottom there is bound to be an outpouring of emotion in moments like this. There was absolutely no need for it; yet more rubbish from one of the league's worst officials.

Moments after going into the lead it really really really should have been 2-0. Chris Baird was put under pressure by Ryan Nelsen (caught in the opposition penalty area for the 2nd match in a row!) and the ball fell to the feet of Djibril Cisse, who, instead of providing the simple finish, decided he would try to beat Schwarzer with a curling effort off the ground but it went inches wide. Cisse has got it in him to be an excellent and lethal finisher but for some reason this campaign he has tried to score with the spectacular more often than the simple finishes. Luckily for him though it soon did become 2-0. Taarabt marauded his way through that central midfield area once again and this time, with no defender in front of him and time to think about how he would finish the chance, he produced an astonishing curling effort with the outside of his boot which took the daisies on the ground with it beyond Mark Schwarzer and precisely into the bottom corner. A beautiful finish! 

The 2-0 lead relaxed QPR a bit and whilst the home fans rejoiced, the players took their foot of the gas and stuck to possession football. As he always is against QPR, Steve Sidwell was an annoyance throughout the match. I'm not often ginger-ist and I have many orange headed friends, but he plays football exactly how I'd imagine an annoying strawberry blonde to play - kicking seven shades out of people and getting away with it! In the 76th minute, Martin Atkinson, with extreme pressure from the crowd, finally booked him for what I'd guess was his seventh foul of the match. In case you hadn't noticed, I'm not too keen on him...

The last ten minutes was just a little bit too relaxed and QPR became happy to let Fulham have the ball. With three minutes to go, it was the heart-in-mouth time that we have grown so accustomed to over the years as Rangers fans. Mladen Petric, fresh off the tourists' bench, got a run at the QPR defence and a sight at goal and... well, wouldn't you just know it. The shot took a wicked deflection to carry it past Rob Green who was at full stretch. It was a real shame that this had to become such a nervous end to a game we had controlled and Green had been so quiet, but it wouldn't be QPR if it wasn't this way.  The goal seemed to breathe life into both sides, with Fulham suddenly sensing an unlikely shot at an equaliser, but the R's were disturbed from their slumber. In fact, the game's final chance fell to the Hoops, where Armand Traore produced the kind of wonder cross we all know he has in his locker but hardly ever see, Djibril Cisse got excellent contact but it was well anticipated and very well stopped by the Aussie custodian. Fulham regained possession after QPR gave away free kicks in stoppage time but were unable to cause any further damage to the scoreline and the R's held on for a much needed victory that maybe, just maybe, makes things a little bit more interesting down the bottom.

In summary then, this was the best R's performance since at least Tottenham away. A clean sheet would have been nice but this will do. QPR were by and large dominant, determined, fluid and excellent and not the side Fulham were expecting to play.

So, for now at least: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M

Man of the match: When he's interested, engaged, in the groove and that first trick of the game comes off for him, he can be unplayable. Adel Taarabt was terrific in this match and Fulham just could not live with him. 

Another fruitless away trip

 Match Review: West Bromwich Albion 3-2 QPR

QPR (without a win) went to The Hawthorns this weekend to face West Brom (with a 100% home record and having not conceded a goal there). The omens were not good, but yet again they showed they can compete at this level... in some areas anyway.

The Superhoops were forced into one change but Hughes elected to make several others. Anton Ferdinand and Jose Bosingwa returned to the starting eleven after a few weeks off each with leg related injuries. Nedum Onuoha was dropped to the bench after a horror show against West Ham on Monday night and so the back line from left to right read Hill, Nelsen, Ferdinand, Bosingwa. Armand Traore made a welcome return to the bench but with the Senegalese man you just never know if he really is fit or not. The decision to start Hill at left back suggested not. Even so, Hill at left back was a crazy decision from Hughes. This is the Premier League. A league well renowned for pacey counter attacking teams that will punish any defensive mistake. And Clint Hill is 33 and desperately short of both pace and confidence. Surely the versatility of even an out of form Onuoha would have been a better choice for the position? West Brom's right winger must have been licking his lips at the prospect of facing Hill... With Samba Diakite suspended, QPR had a ready made loony as a replacement in Stephane Mbia, who was shifted from central defence into the position of 'tough tackling' defensive midfielder. Taarabt was rewarded for his display against the Hammers on Monday with a start and he was preferred to the also out of form Cisse, leaving Zamora playing the role as lone striker.

Standard player warm up drill photo - I never find time to take pictures during the game itself!

And from early on, the travelling R's faithful's worst fears were realised. Hill was being absolutely roasted by Shane Long who was getting in behind him every time the ball was played forward. Sure enough, on five minutes, it was 1-0 for that very reason. Oh, and crap marking by Ferdinand which left Morrison a free header. Oh, and Cesar was also poorly positioned. Far too many individuals making errors and yet another early goal conceded. Absolutely infuriating stuff because yet again it was so avoidable. 

QPR responded in kind by stringing some passes together and weathered the early storm. But the R's are their own worst enemies at the moment, and after over-committing men for a short corner routine (why do we bother with those?!), the ball was given away and there were not enough people back who could catch up with Odemwingie. He played a great ball across to Shane Long who somehow managed to sky a chance from four yards when the goal was at his mercy. 

The defensive shambles continued and at times there were two and sometimes even three going for the same ball. Park and Bosingwa were particularly guilty of overlapping each others' defensive duties, whilst I can recall one occasion where Gareth McAuley had three men marking him on a set piece who ended up just falling over one and other. The lack of communication at the back was alarming and it was only a matter of time before the 2nd goal would go in. It arrived courtesy of some comedy defending that simply isn't good enough for a Premier League team. Morrison's misplaced cross was not dealt with by Ferdinand who had nobody around him and time to calmly clear but instead he elected to try to rush his clearance, slipped and inadvertently gave the ball to Zoltan Gera. With Ferdinand arsing around on the floor, nobody was within a mile of Gera who had time to set himself, look at Cesar's position and slot in to the gaping goal. 

The R's fans' frustrations were pouring out now, and sections of the away support joined in with the home fans as they told Hughes he would be 'sacked in the morning'. The frustrations were beginning to show from the players, too. Adel Taarabt managed to catch a ball from the air before it went out for a throw and then complain at the referee for giving a free kick as a result (he was lucky not to go in the book for that) whilst Mbia was looking increasingly like he could get sent off, flying into challenges Diakite-esque. This prompted the beleaguered Clint Hill to expend some more of his limited energy and run over to try to calm Mbia down, which to his credit he did to great effect. 

But then, out of nothing, QPR were back in the game. A superbly weighted pass forward (or possibly long hopeful punt) by Granero had Adel Taarabt latch on the end of it. The man who found his mojo again on Monday night then produced a superb chest and volley combination to beat Ben Foster all ends up. "Taarabt's too good for you" sang the travelling support, but in reality he is too good for us. The only reason he is with us is because he isn't one bit a team player. And I feel the same can be said for a number of our players. West Brom, on the other hand, have no real big names but work effectively as a team, and look where they are compared with us! 

For the rest of the half, QPR, who should have taken inspiration from Taarabt's moment of brilliance, continued to look shaky. Clint Hill was clearly being targeted and forced into errors, Park continued to show he is off the boil right now and SWP and Bosingwa were just god damn awful! The rest of the midfield and attack (i.e. Granero, Taarabt and Zamora) looked OK but were very shot shy. West Brom created one further clear cut chance before the half time whistle but were thwarted thanks to some Julio Cesar heroics, as he saved when one on one with Gera. These openings were arising where the West Brom attack was getting in behind the static R's back line all half and the lack of movement was unbelievable. 

Sparky had to change it at half time and so he did, replacing the 'out of his league' Clint Hill with Armand Traore. QPR dominated possession from this point but failed to test Foster at all, their best chance being ballooned over by Granero, who again seemed to take an age to work the perfect position before trying to shoot. Whatever happened to shooting on sight? Surely Mark Hughes, as a former striker, should be preaching that in the Premier League defenders won't give you time to score the perfect goal (QPR defenders aside, that is). SWP was the only player ever in space for QPR, but perhaps WBA knew he presented no danger - he can't cross, is woeful at taking on players and is generally a waste of space. Fans have even taken to sighing when he gets on the ball! Finally he got the hook midway through the second half but in spite of cries for Junior Hoilett, it was another out of form player, Jamie Mackie, who Hughes introduced. As a consequence, QPR continued to boss proceedings but still not testing keeper. And yet again I find myself referring to the moral of my previous match reports - it is essential to score when you are on top!! No surprise then when QPR were made to pay by the Albion, who, after getting a free kick which took the sting out of the R's passing game, afforded Gonzalo Jara Reyes time to plant an accurate pass into the area which was swept home by Youssouf Mulumbu (who incidentally is better than Kaka, I'm led to believe!). 

It occured to me at this point that the lack of pace in the side is the root of our problems. Granero has skill but no pace, Park has tenacity and determination but no pace, a snail would give Zamora a decent race and Mackie and Taarabt are not desperately quick either. Our only hope for pace on the field, substitute Armand Traore, was clearly not fit enough to play here, stopping his running about five minutes after coming on. Junior Hoilett was introduced when it was late enough that Hughes recognised this but had no effect because like Granero, he waits for the most perfect of openings and consequently allows defenders time to recover. Shoot on sight for god's sake!! As the board went up for five minutes of injury time, QPR found themselves in the West Brom half and at long last, the defence were caught out and Granero had enough time to look up and produce an excellent effort to beat Foster from the edge of the area. 3-2 and with two minutes of injury time to go, the Hoops sensed an unlikely equaliser and suddenly, in the last minute of added time, they had a corner. Rangers piled men forward and when the ball was partially cleared, it bounced back into the area to an unmarked Jose Bosingwa at the back post, who summed up his and QPR's performance when he blazed over with so much time and space to do so much better. 

If ever there was a game that summed up QPR's season to date, this was it. Not enough chances created, suicidal defending, but other than that, we've actually been alright (so in conclusion, not very good then!). We've played some pretty football at times and I still have faith yet, but these individual errors and our shot-shyness are costing us dear. 

The only way is up!

Man of the match: It's only fair that I reward Adel Taarabt for a couple of good performances. He goes missing at times and did so here but so do all good attacking players, and then pop up with the goods. When he was in the game, he was QPR's shining light. I just hope he finally has found his Championship form in the Premier League, particularly since Cisse has looked so poor of late. 

C