Well that was a cracker! After Leeds nearly scored at 40 seconds, I was worried it was going to be a long and disappointing night. However, as the game settled, we grew in confidence and even had a couple of half chances in the first half while Lumley was not as busy as I thought he was going to be. It felt good going into the break at 0:0, the only question being which QPR team would emerge for the second half. That question was soon answered. It was the battling, grinding, blood, sweat and tears QPR who played with whatever skill they had - considerable in Freeman's case - and an immense determination to get something out of the game. Fantastic to shut the travelling fans up with great work from Mass reminiscent of Hoilett 'battling and scraps and wants it' to put the ball into the danger area for Luke to flick past a defender and the goalie to send the QPR faithful into rapture. Could we hold on? Remarkably, we looked the more dangerous of the two teams in front of goal and both Well and BOS had reasonable chances to put the game to bed. Despite 13 corners (at least) after we scored, Leeds were unable to find a way past the QPR defence and Lumley, both of whom were solid tonight. Special mention for the BFG who adopted the Gandalf on The Bridge of Khazad-dum model of defending - "YOU SHALL NOT PASS"! So we got to the 90 and enter into QPR time. Unlike 'Fergie Team', QPR time is where we implode and throw away valuable points. Not this time!! Hard to single out one player who was over and above but I guess that was Freeman with all contributing magnificently. The Ref did not have a good game and Brown should certainly have been dismissed but the ref did not want the blame for Leeds failing to be in the top two come May 5th. Having said that, he blew for FT about 10 seconds before the 5 mins so some credit to him for that! It was great to be at a deserved win and I hope the lads are fully up for the derby next week when we play for both pride and position in the table. I think we can all stop worrying about relegation too. That is not going to happen. Congrats again to Beth whose joy has been added to by our wonderful team! Come On You Rssss!!!!
Awful player. terrible attitude. Disruptive in the dressing room and has occasional flashes of skill in an otherwise pedestrian performance. Definitely would not buy him if I was a PL manager.
Just read most of the match thread on the Leeds forum. Funny how bias works, isn't it? Apparently we are absolutely sh1te, worse team they've played etc - though good enough to have beaten them of course.
Yoy bluudy beauty! I said all week that l felt we could snag this against a 'massive' team. Great stuff, so happy to smack them twice this season.
Sometimes as a football fan for some inexplicable reason you get that strange feeling that this is going to be your night. It was while driving to the game that this sense of perception invaded my thoughts. It came from nowhere, but as I drove down the Fulham Palace Road it hit me, and I knew we were going to win. I just knew it. Unfortunately it doesn't happen that often. At half time I bumped into Chris Charles (who is part of the QPR Pod) in the Lower Loft and I told him that we were going to win. And we did. Everyone to a man fought like Trojans for everything, QPR were really up for this tonight, a complete contrast to how they performed on Saturday against Boro . A lot of it wasn't pretty on the eye especially first half but in the second half we grew and grew. We created some good chances as did Leeds and fair credit to them this was a good blood and guts battle in which we came out on top. At one point I thought my misplaced confidence in us winning was in jeopardy only for Lumley to somehow achieve a triple save in the 79th minute. Hopefully that will do him the world of good because as a relative youngster ( for a keeper ) the fans need to get behind him. Freeman was the standout player for us, but the whole team did brilliantly including the subs. I heard a few moans and groans about Eze and Furlong but on a night like tonight you shouldn't be looking for negatives. They are young kids trying to make their way in the game under difficult circumstances and we need to get behind them and support them because the way things are we may only have these kids to rely on in the near future. A quick word about the ref Andy Davies. It was like playing against twelve men. Another **** ref who tried to give them absolutely everything and play them back into the game. He bottled it on quite a few occasions regarding decisions against Leeds but couldn't wait to flash a yellow card at one of ours or give them a dubious free-kick. Tosser.
Thanks for a great summary and report. Freeman for me was the MOTM. However Lumley must be a very closer second, as despite some real howlers with his distributon, he made some outstanding saves which really kept us in the match. Luongo was every where and also made some great tackles. The ref was lenient on decisions; no second yellow for Brown and no penalty when BOS was manhandled in the box, but he could have given a penalty for an early handball by Leistener and missed a late handball by Hall which probably was out side of the box. Overall, a great joint effort by the team, the manager and the fans. Time to bring on Brentford this Saturday! .
Firstly, congratulations Beth. What a great night. Leeds support was immense and it was a delight to shut them up with a win. How is it we are so inconsistent?
Meant to mention that in my summary. Leeds were the loudest and most energetic away support at Loftus Road for many a season. Happier with the points though!
THE GOOD... In amongst the Luke Freeman love-in (which was amply justified last night) I just wanted to give Tony Leistner some plaudits for an immense performance. I think our decline has coincided with a drop-off in the very high standards he maintained in the middle part of the season but last night he was back to his very best, dominating the box and giving Leeds nothing from the huge number of set pieces they enjoyed. THE BAD... Contrary to the opinion of many others I'm sure, I thought that Luongo had yet another poor showing. As ever, he was ludicrously negative with the ball and never seems to be available when players are looking for an option. I know we are capable of winning without a lot of possession but that doesn't mean you consciously give up on holding the ball and invite pressure from opponents. With Luongo at the centre of things that is precisely what happens most games and a few strong tackles don't make up for it. AND THE UGLY: the faces of Leeds fans on the tube on the way home. Priceless.
