Match Day Thread QPR v Burton

It finishes 2-1 to the Brewers with Rangers looking flat for rearranged Championship fixture
By Paul Warburton
QPR lost for the first time in five games - and in truth they deserved it.

This wasn't a Rangers performance to right home about. Conor Washington scored just past the hour to make it into a contest - but two Burton strikes before it boosted a side in Championship trouble.

Albion were augmented by the loan signings of Cauley Woodrow and Lasse Vigen Christensen from Fulham, but there seemed nothing on when the ball was pulled back to Lee Murphy 25 yards out.

But with time and space the Albion midfielder drove right-footed and into the corner beyond an unsighted Alex Smithies for a debut goal.

Apart from a very early enforced substitution for the visitors when injured John Brayford gave way to John Mousinho - this was a tedious half as the final QPR ball either got picked off or blocked, and not always by a Burton player.

please log in to view this image

Chase: Pawel Wzsolek (L) against Burton

And then Albion doubled their advantage when Rs failed to clear their lines.

The final QPR ball either got picked off or blocked, and not always by a Burton player as Rs got in each other's way.

Eight minutes into the second period, Hoops failed to clear their lines. Christensen took advantage and slipped inside on the left for Lloyd Dyer to fire low across Smithies and in.

Darnell Furlong's shot from the angle was the first in anger from Rs - and it took 54 minutes.

But when Washington got the rebound from his own effort he made no mistake the second time to crash the ball into the roof of the net off a deflection.

please log in to view this image

Taking aim: Michael Doughty

Smithies brought off a great stop from the unmarked Dyer, but at the other end there was little to trouble the away keeper as his side picked up the points.

And here's three things learned from the game.

More attackers needed
There's nothing wrong with Rs approach play. But they either need someone who can hold the ball up and wait for the cavalry or the player who takes on and beats defenders.

Neither Sylla nor Washington quite fit the bill at the moment.

Kazenga LuaLua was on top of his game
The winger got a first start for Rangers and he was a menace to Burton from the off. Far too fast and far too tricky, his driven crosses slashed across the defence but the final touch eluded a Rangers head.

The lowest Saturday league attendance - 12,116 (and 252 from Burton ) attendance and it sounded it
Rangers had a lot less for EFL League Cup games but that was midweek and this was Saturday.

Loftus Road when it's rocking is a cauldron - this was like the embers being raked over until Washington scored.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/qpr-picked-burton-fulham-helping-12521159#rlabs=1 rt$sitewide p$7