Right so here's my ratings for the match: Ruddy: 8 (great save from the penalty, unlucky to concede and otherwise very solid R Martin: 8 (had a great match, very busy, unlucky not to score with a couple of chances and his crossing was excellent) Bassong: 7 (very solid, what a relief to see him in the side, unlucky to give away a penalty) Barnett: 7 (a reassuringly reliable performance from him, completely dominant in the air) Garrido: 7 (solid, didn't have a lot to do, but was generally very reliable and looks like he will do well) Johnson: 8 (had a stellar first half, quietened a little in the second, the only problem was his decision making in the final third could have been better) Pilkington: 6 (started very brightly with a wonderful assist, but faded considerably and his shooting was terrible- we know he is better than this) Howson: 7 (ever reliable, battling and never seems to give the ball away. Didn't offer enough of a threat going forward considering what he can do) Snodgrass: 7 (had a very good home debut and the only reason I didn't give him an 8 was because of that missed header- could have done much better with a couple of other chances Holt: 6 (did reasonably well, as usual battling and ran rings around Hill, but the service given wasn't particularly great and what he did get I felt he could have done better) Jackson: 7 (very lively and stretched the defence fantastically- had moments of class to beat his man, but there were a few shots which were wayward and, as a striker, that's not acceptable) Subs: Morison and Martin- both 5s- were not long enough to really assess As for Hughton: Did fantastically well to galvanise the squad after last week's horror show. I thought he should have made changes earlier- possibly bringing on Morison earlier when it was clear we were winning a lot of corners/free kicks. However, he will be content with the performance, if not the result, because if we play like that week in, week out we will be in mid table (assuming someone actually scores a bit) Referees: Had a bit of a horror show. I shall give them the benefit of the doubt on the penalty award and I accept that most players step a bit early on penalties, but for Zamora to be fully two yards in right in front of the referee before scoring is completely unacceptable. To make matters worse, they completely missed the obvious hand ball by Green outside the box, despite the assistant having a clear view. Not that they did QPR many favours either- I thought they were a little trigger happy with some of the free kicks given, even though frustrated QPR players clearly began to lash out. Overall the ref stopped us winning this match and prevented Ruddy from getting a deserved clean sheet. Overall, a very strong performance from us and a lot to be happy with. With hindsight, we deserved the win but I would have taken a draw at the beginning of the match. When you combine that with the performance, I feel it was very encouraging. Our defence finally looked reliable (although admittedly QPR didn't offer much...) and our midfield was in control. We just need to work on creating clear cut chances and a little bit more deadliness in the final third. It just goes to show that there was no need to panic; especially given that we're no longer in the relegation zone (though might just avoid alphabetically if Liverpool pick up a point...)
I personally think Hill should have been given a red. would have liked to seen wes added as well as super Chris an Morrison and sooner. i felt qpr were tiring.
No problem! Feedback welcome on where people disagree. Another couple of things I noticed/thought about over this match: - I agree that Hill was very lucky not to get a red card, though I can't help feeling that the ref was giving him a little leeway because he could sense Holt was toying there... - I'm giving Bradley Johnson MOTM and I was thinking- when he has his best games, we play well- I'm thinking about Arsenal/Tottenham away last season where he bossed the midfield. He is rapidly becoming one of the first names on my team sheet because I thought (terrible passing aside) he was quite possibly our best player against Fulham. This makes me wonder how Tettey will fit in. - On the subject of Tettey- did anyone notice the absolutely stunning blonde sat next to him?!?!! She was incredible! Norwegian do you think?? - I've noticed that QPR fans have been saying how pleased they were they didn't sign Bassong. Yes, he gave away a (dubious) penalty and really should have scored with that free header (though his view was probably blocked by Holt), but all round I thought he was great and I'm delighted we signed him.
Though Howson was good for an 8 as he rarely gave it away and looked very assured in possession. ok he didnt go forward much but I thought he was v.good. Johnson for me didnt fade at all, he always wanted the ball and played it around nicely 9+MOTM for me. Pilks was a 5 at best for me as other than the assist he was dire. Jackson was also an 8 for me. He ran his socks off, held it well, and scored with the only real good bit of service he got. Id still love to see biliga come in but after today I wouldnt want to drop Johnson or Howson. Nor would I want to revert to 4-5-1 (unless we get a forward who can play up alone. Then it would be: Ruddy Martin Bassong/barnett/turner/bennett Garrido Biliga Johnson Snoddy Howson Pilks A.Striker Lovely looking side
Though Howson was good for an 8 as he rarely gave it away and looked very assured in possession. ok he didnt go forward much but I thought he was v.good. Johnson for me didnt fade at all, he always wanted the ball and played it around nicely 9+MOTM for me. Pilks was a 5 at best for me as other than the assist he was dire. Jackson was also an 8 for me. He ran his socks off, held it well, and scored with the only real good bit of service he got. Id still love to see biliga come in but after today I wouldnt want to drop Johnson or Howson. Nor would I want to revert to 4-5-1 (unless we get a forward who can play up alone. Then it would be: Ruddy Martin Bassong/barnett/turner/bennett Garrido Biliga Johnson Snoddy Howson Pilks A.Striker Lovely looking side
And, slightly delayed, FWIW here are my QPR ratings: Green: 7 (looked shaky early on, but not his fault for the goal and made a very good save from Snodgrass. Would have been a lower rating if the refs had spotted his handball) Fabio: 6 (got taken apart by Pilkington early on, but grew into the match) Ferdinand: 7 (A strong performance from him in the air, looked like he might get caught out every now and again, but the mistakes he did make didn't come to anything. Along with Green, probably the reason QPR got a point) Hill: 4 (Poor. Got caught hook, line and sinker by Holt, could have been given a red) Traore: 5 (Looked half asleep, especially in the second half, though unfortunate to be up against Snodgrass at his best and received no help in defence from Hoilett) Diakite: 6 (Unspectacular, but not awful- worked hard) Park Ji Sung: 7 ( QPR's best player- worked hard and what they did create usually originated from him) Hoilett: 5 (had moments cutting in where he looked dangerous, but ultimately shackled by Martin and gave the ball away far too often matched by poor delivery and a bad free kick) Mackie: 6 (worked very hard and was strong defensively, but otherwise didn't offer much going forward) Cisse: 5 (spent more time offside than on. Looked dangerous occasionally, but was generally given nothing to work with) Subs: Onuoha: 6 (A huge improvement on Hill and quick enough to shackle Jackson- did seem to be out of position/not communicating too often though) Bosingwa: 5 (Slightly better than Traore, but otherwise no time to have an effect) Derry: not on the pitch long enough
I know not many on hear listen too it, but some old idiots rang in and said that snodgrass was hopeless and one even said send him back to leeds Very good assesment of the team. It will be interesting to see where Tettey fits into this cause on face value he would slot in next too Howson in place of Johnson, but as you stated he had a very good game today. I'm just glad we had a very decent all round team performance, a reaction and we didn't lose
Good old Canary call callers Snodgrass was great on the right wing. Having seen the highlights on the ESPN app it was definetly not a penalty it looked like Bassong took the ball not the man.
Snoddy looked good with the ball but seemed a little (and I stress a little) lazy in the 2nd half when they had the ball. Poor decision to outside of the boot it to Jackson rather than pull back to Holt who was free in 2nd half (when 3v2 at the back). Other than that I thought he was lively first half and did pretty well.
I agree. That's one of the instances I meant when I said he could have done a little better. Re. his second half performances- there was some discussion as to whether he had taken a knock- he certainly looked uncomfortable between about 55-70 mins.
Was impressed enjoyed it should have had 3 points ref was a joke Snoddy has won me over think he is great, liked Garrido and Bassong Hill did 3 bookable fouls on Holt and should have been sent off and I saw Green come out of his area his body language said he had screwed up how the Lino and ref did not see it makes the game a joke
The comments on Canary call regarding Snoddy were pathetic I viewed him with an open mind and was impressed
