Just got back from the game and thought I'd share my views before I forget them! The pre-game will they/won't they was rather tedious as we all knew they wouldn't shake hands, and fair play to Ferdinand. Respect is won, not forced, and if Anton feels JT and Cole have not earned his respect he is well within his rights to not shake their hands. It didn't affect his game - that's for sure. The atmosphere was a cracker, and yet once more I think that helped the team to up their game and really go for the win. I only wish the atmosphere was like that at Loftus Road every week. Don't get me wrong - it's never a library, but just imagine if we could recreate that level of intensity and passion week in week out. A big ask, but it's a healthy aim. On the pitch we looked good, right the way through the team. Cesar was assured, commanding and made some quality saves in the first half. I think he did as much as anyone today to earn us the point. It's no coincidence that with Cesar behind them, Nelson and AF looked solid. Yes, the scum got through once or twice, but they were always going to get a chance or two. AF and Nelson limited them well and Cesar mopped up. The wing-backs were both excellent; I've been critical of Fabio before, but today he looked great going forward (as usual) as well as looking solid at the back. It was a shame he and AJ got injured, not only because out tactical substitutions were limited later, but also because he finally looked like the player we know he can be. Bosingwa was solid in the same way thoughout the game. The jewel in our crown however, was not a solid defence, but the most brilliant, creative and hard-working centre midfield pairing. Granero and Faurlin were outstanding. 10/10 for both of them. The passing was slick, the tackling and tracking back was firm and they kept the ball very very well. They could easily be the best midfield pairing outside the top 6 this year. They are both Men of the Match for me, as I feel it would be unfair to pick a single one out. What a purchase by MH and TF. Top marks. I don't want to dwell on negatives as he always tries hard, but SWP was our main weak spot. A shame, but I'll keep on supporting him as long as he keeps trying his best, which he does week in week out. Park on the other wing was brilliant at winning the ball back - if only he could finish we would have maybe nicked it! The boys up top were up against a well organised back four and had AJ not pulled up, I feel they could have created some good chances. BZ and AJ do seem to have a great understanding. Ultimately they didn't take their chances today, and neither did Cisse at the end, but again, they worked hard and I won't complain. All in all, I was delighted to see such cohesion, desire and commitment. If we can keep it up we will be safe in April, but that is still the word - safety. We have potential to do very well this year, but I'll still take 16th right now, right here. MH got his tactics spot on today (in my opinion) and was hindered annoyingly by the two injuries. It would have been nice to see Cisse come on for AJ and Hoilett for SWP at 70mins but it was not to be. We got lucky with the penalty shouts so can't really complain about the injuries. MH clearly went for hard-workers today (Mackie, Park, AJ) today over the talented yet potentially lazy (Taarabt, Hoilett, Cisse). I liked that choice, but would also like to see him unlock some of the potential on the bench in future games. Onwards and upwards. YYYYYYYYYYYYOU RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR'SSSSSSSSSS.
Pretty much agree with that mate. Faurlin was absolute class!! It's hard to criticise MH when we got a well deserved draw and played well, but, as a season ticket holder, I would like to see more of the flair players at home for my money. Although I take the point that the enforced substitutions did limit our options, though Cisse could have come on for AJ instead of Mackie.
Well played... atmosphere was very very good indeed from both sets of fans. Shame there were no goals but hey ho...
Yeh at the end with Hazard I thought we had done it... You did very well in the second half. I didn't really expect this performance from you guys but fair play. I think they roe to the atmosphere and Loftus Road is an intimidating place to go in a West London Derby so i'm glad to get it out of the way with a point. You'll stay up with ease. Great atmosphere today. Very very loud!
SWP got a standing ovation from some parts of the stadium, he was great! I only remember him making one mistake all game- a missplaced cross
Apart form him completely taking Hazard out in the box.'Shaun Wright Phillips, we've seen you before'... I'm guessing you didn't hear that chant either...
SWP was awful yet again, constantly giving the ball away and should have cost us a penalty. Then again we should have had one after 2 mins. I think the injuries really cost us a chance of a win because Id have bough Hoilett on at HT for the useless SWP. You say he made 1 mistake? How about the pen that should have been given and a high and wide shot when in the area. He did nothing of note. We should have had Park on the right and Hoilett on the left or Park on the left and Mackie on the right. He was the 2nd worst player on the pitch behind Hazard who pulled and Ephraim. The 2 CBs and CMs were immense, as was the goalie.
Hazard was totally anonymous and only came to prominence with the awful miss at the end. He was the free man in the middle as well as we only had 2 men (who did a fantastic job) while they had 3 in the middle.
Sounds like we are gelling then lads ... look forward to watching the highlights ... Time i get back for West Ham we should be aiming for Europe?. Chelsea are no mugs so this has to be a great result IMO. No idea how we played but feel good inside
We matched them in every dept, this was no Norwich type performance where we were incredibly fluky to get anything.
I must bring you back some wild mushrooms Flyer as without seeing the game I am betting you may be incorrect? ... This is costing me £4 a pop but i had to reply
You must have been watching a completely different match flyer, have a browse of all the QPR forums and notice the lack of SWP criticism this week. Phenomenal, i was genuinely going to start a thread talking about how decent SWP. Defensively he was everywhere, and played far beyond his stature. There was some great link up play in the middle of the park too. I'm sorry but this: "SWP was awful yet again", just smacks of someone who made up their mind on SWP a long time ago, without paying attention to how he's playing at the moment
No....I mean what does "He was the 2nd worst player on the pitch behind Hazard who pulled and Ephraim" mean?
Personally I thought Faurlin was the best player on the pitch. I Don't mean any disrespect to QPR when u say this but I've rated him for a while and I reckon he wouldn't look at of place at a Man Utd or Bayern Munich. Very good player
He was totally invisible and never in the game. Fair enough that you expect that from Ephraim who isnt very good but this guy cost tens of millions. Where was mata? I was looking forward to him ****ting it as well.
