Really encouraging performance - Cousins & Lynch look like great acquisitions - Luongo worked his socks off. Really liking the pressing game - it's only a friendly and, win or lose, certainly nothing to get carried away over, but some of the passing and possession play was pretty impressive. With the apparent 2/3 signings that SLF hinted at, it's all looking much brighter.
Just got in and what a nice surprise, maybe all the shyte performances previously were just to dampen expectations!...
Only saw the 2nd half but encouraged by our passing, played quite a bit of one & 2 touch football looked fit & organized both Bidwell & Poulter seem to pick up knocks, hope they will be OK for next week.
MATCH REPORT: QPR 2, WATFORD 0 please log in to view this image PUBLISHED 16:45 30th July 2016 by @QPRFC QPR end pre-season with a win against Watford ... QPR sign-off their pre-season campaign with 2-0 win against Watford Sebastian Polter and Conor Washington on target for the R's at Loftus Road Rangers kick-off their season on Sunday, 7th August against Leeds United QPR ended their pre-season campaign on a high at Loftus Road following a 2-0 win against Premier League outfit Watford. Goals from Sebastian Polter and a maiden Rangers strike for Conor Washington handed the R’s victory ahead of their season opener against Leeds United in eight days time. Pressing high has been the buzzword of pre-season for QPR and the new Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink mantra should have paid dividends inside the opening three minutes. Ben Gladwin was quick out of the traps to close down Miguel Britos - who was left of his backside - but the winger blazed over the crossbar just inside the box. Stunned by Rangers quick start Watford were caught out for a second time seconds later but this time had the woodwork to thank for keeping the score 0-0. Academy product Olamide Shodipo, starting on the left wing, crossed perfectly into the Hornets box to pick out striker Sebastian Polter who could only watch on as his header crashed against Heurelho Gomes’ crossbar before being cleared from danger. QPR continued to enjoy the better chances but failed to punish their opponents once more when Polter broke down the right, in the 17th minute, before playing in Tjaronn Chery who side footed wide form 10-yards with the goal gaping. However, QPR’s dominance eventually paid off three minutes later when Sebastian Polter fired the R’s in front. The big German shifted the ball from his left to right foot - leaving Allan Nyom and Ikechi Anya rooted to the spot - before lashing the ball past Gomes just inside the area to make it 1-0. Having gone in front Hasselbaink’s team went looking for a second. Shodipo poked the ball towards Chery - who in turn slid in Gladwin - but the ex-Swindon midfielder saw his shot from distance whistle inches wide of the far post. The visitors best chance fell to last seasons top scorer Odion Ighalo on the stroke of half-time but fortunately a stunning close range reflex save from QPR keeper Alex Smithies prevented the Hornets from levelling as QPR finished the opening half 1-0 up, A plethora of changes after the break for both sides took some of the energy out of the second half and it was one of those subs for QPR - Nasser El Khayati - who registered the R’s first chance on goal. 12 minutes from time the Dutch winger did well inside the Watford box, before forcing a save from substitute goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon. Sebastian Polter worked tirelessly in attack for the R’s and he was replaced by Conor Washington for the final eight minutes. Following a frustrating time in front of goal for the Northern Ireland international he finally got off the mark for QPR with his first touch when Nasser El Khayati’s corner picked out the 24-year-old in the six-yard box and he made no mistake with the header to make it 2-0. Two minutes from time Alex Smithies made a good double save from Adlene Guedioura’s 18-yard strike before gathering Troy Deeney’s follow-up header shortly before the full-time whistle sounded. QPR kick-off their Sky Bet Championship campaign at Loftus Road on Sunday, 7th August (12pm kick-off) against Leeds United. QPR: Smithies, Bidwell (Petrasso 82), Hall (Lynch 73), Onuoha, Cousins (Henry 67), Chery, Gladwin (Perch 69), Polter (Washington 82), Shodipo (El Khayati 62), Luongo, Caulker. Subs not used: Ingram, Kpekawa, Doughty. Watford: Gomes (Pantilimon 62), Nyom (Kabasele 46), Britos (Prodl 62), Suarez (Watson 62), Deeney, Cathcart, Doucoure (Zuniga 46), Anya (Amrabat 46), Ighalo, Holebas (Success 75), Capoue (Guedioura 75). Subs not used: Arlauskis, Mason, Vydra, Hoban. Read more at http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/2...oad-friendly-3215678.aspx#6qWbEzK3LpvppyQX.99
So we beat the Champions of Holland and a Premier League team and struggle to impress against the rest. Shame the Championship is stuffed with the mediocre. Looking forward to next Sunday though.
Something I mentioned on the complaints thread Nines. I was supposed to be in Dublin this weekend to watch the Barca v Celtic match, but have been laid low with a virus and had to pull out.
That result and performance should help, hope you feel better Stroller. The lads looked drilled in the formation which I really didn't expect to see, and the first touch looks like it has returned at last. BFG's goal was very well taken, nice that Conner is off the mark.
Great to have a win, Great to have a clean sheet, Great to beat a PL team, Great to have a good a week before the start of season, Great to see Conner score finally .......... should do him the world of good. Great to be a QPR fan today! I'm feeling GREAT!
JFH - Post Match Interview http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/2...-hasselbaink-watford-loftus-road-3216392.aspx
