Five conclusions about QPR after Reading draw written by Sue Denim Profile Pic written by Sue Denim 22 hours ago Joey Barton, Charlie Austin and Junior Hoilett all shone at the Madejski Team spirit: Rangers produced an admirable response to falling behind at the Madejski Stadium. In previous seasons, Garath McClearyâs opener would almost certainly have led to a familiar collapse, but this squad is made of sterner stuff. Joey Bartonâs equaliser was deserved and his celebration, racing to the touchline to hold aloft a shirt belonging to injured team-mate Alejandro Faurlin, was testament to the spirit in the QPR camp. Austin needs chances: Charlie Austin is becoming something of an enigmatic figure at QPR. The striker, who signed from Burnley during the summer, has already scored seven goals in 17 appearances. Austin is the classic âfox in the boxâ forward who thrives on service from midfield â but he does tend to miss those chances. Against Reading, Austin might have had a hat-trick or more, forcing Alex McCarthy into a string of saves. McCarthy won the man-of-the-match award, and rightly so, but Austin should really have buried at least one of his many chances. In a QPR side which generally does not score too many goals, they cannot afford a profligate striker. Phillips and Hoilett can tear up the Championship: This performance gave a tantalising glimpse of the potential of QPRâs two wingers, Junior Hoilett and Matt Phillips. The wide men tormented Reading throughout the afternoon, but particularly in the first 30 minutes. Both players like to take on their marker before cutting inside, and both do it to good effect. Hoilett hit the bar, and Phillips spent all day scurrying up and down the touchline, creating chances for Austin. If the duo can add goals to their game â even five or six a season â QPR will easily have the best attack in the Championship. Green for England? Rob Green has not put a foot wrong for QPR this season, and the âkeeper deserves credit. Green kept a club-record breaking eight consecutive clean sheets earlier in the campaign, and even though he was beaten by McClearyâs long-range strike here, he was otherwise faultless, making one blinding first-half save. With question-marks surrounding Englandâs No.1 Joe Hart, who was dropped by Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini, Greenâs international might not be over yet, if Roy Hodgson can give him a chance. Inspired Barton: Barton stole the headlines again â but this time, for all the right reasons. Barton has been a revelation this season, accepting his failure to get his move to Marseille with good grace, and setting about playing arguably the best football of his career. Against Reading, he again came to the fore, scoring the equaliser with a quality free-kick and dictating play in midfield. His nightmare at the Etihad 18 months ago is receding into distant memory, and Barton is gradually rebuilding his reputation as a strong all-round midfielder.
Cheers Kiwi, All good positive points, as I posted on another thread, if we can get Barton, Kranjcar, Phillips & Hoilett all fit and firing at the same time, we will be in for some attractive football.
Good read! Is that my QPR referred to in the article? The same QPR that caused me so much gloom over the last season?! Wonderful stuff. Bring it on. Two weeks rest and time for injuries to heal. Maybe Charlton will get that spanking that many of us have been predicting for....about 5 years!!!
On another day we would have won by a hatful. Hoilette was twice unlucky, hitting the bar and a finger tip save by the keeper. Austin could have had a couple too if it weren't for good saves. With Barton's goal, which was execllent, it is interesting to watch all the pushing and barging that was going on. You will often see attackers pushing a defender out of the way to create a hole for the free kick taker to exploit, something obviously preplanned on the training pitch. Barton's shot somehow squeezed between the gap between two defenders but one of them was being pushed towards the gap and if he had not resisted so much, he would have been pushed into the path of the ball!
A little bit harsh on Austin, but I can't argue with any of the rest of that. A good read, and all pretty positive.
I agree it is very harsh on Austin. He has his faults but I am really pleased with him so far. 7 goals so far isn't too bad.
great thread and spot on. I have 2 points to add. 1. great away support again and I feel its the first time since we were promoted that the fans and team are connected. 2. My only concern in Kranjcar. He looked slow compared to the game against Middlesborough. Just feel he probably needs to play every week as his fitness does seem to fall off quite quickly.
