First of all, congratulations to QPR on their win. Now that that's out of the way. Deep breath.... We started the game very well, had a stone wall penalty early on when Pennant was tripped but we scored minutes later so didn't cost us. We put Kenny under pressure and could've had a 2-0 with that Crouch chance. Then several baffling decisions from the ref and the players let it get to them. They were clearly agitated by the poor refereeing and the QPR players clearly sensed this and moved in for the kill. A superb cross from Traore for the goal and a great header from Helguson but what Wilkinson was doing I have no idea, you shouldn't assume the ball will go out and it wasn't great marking by either Huth or Shawcross, not sure who. We could've had another penalty through a handball but the referee decided he didn't see that one. The players heads dropped and started sitting deep, QPR broke down the right, Higgy got done and it was a reasonably simple finish for Young. We started the 2nd half poorly, QPR came out of the traps and got a goal which Sorensen should've prevented. Poor keeping. We then had a real go, got the balls into the box, but QPR either got the rub of the green when it fell loose in the area or they were quicker to the 2nd ball. 2 big chances at the end for Whelan, should've at least hit the target with the 2nd one. Onto the Mr Pennant. Just how ****e has he been lately? At least when Matty was playing poor, he was showing an ounce of effort. This guy clearly doesn't give a **** as he knows he won't be replaced as he's one of only 3 wingers at the club, the other being out on loan. One last thing about the referee. He was abysmal today. Probably the worst I've ever seen at the Britannia and that is saying something. I'm not using it as an excuse. We should've tried to shrug the decisions off instead of letting it get to us and affecting our play.
The ref was very poor, but I've seen us play a lot worse than we did today. Some positives I suppose, Shawcross didn't play badly, Matty was far from awful as well, and Jones looked a little willing when he came on (which shows at least that we always have a decent alternative for the next time Crouch is as godawful as he was today). Hmm... It's not ideal, but I don't agree with the last part of that. Pulis has shown he's perfectly happy to play Delap, Whitehead, or Salif fecking Diao on the right wing. I'd be worried if I was Jermane Pennant. Not seen too much of him in the last month or two because of work, but if he's playing that badly every week...
He needs replacing in the window but he won't be. Coates won't let Pulis spend another penny. There were positives today. I don't think we deserved to lose. Going forward we looked good, it was just at the back that we looked useless.
I think Pulis has realised that. Our back four have suddenly become very sloppy. Huth, Shawcross and Wilko at least are very good players, even if I still don't rate Sheriff Higgy. Pulis has to find some way of reminding them of that, or else bring in a Premier League equivalent of Gerry Taggart to steady the ship at the back.
Sgt The ONLY postitive I've taken from todays game is.. 1. Ric Fuller is back 2. Ether's looked "Better than of late" Otherwise the ONLY other positive for me right now is that it is pissing down outside and I'm by the fire with a whisky and neat one.
I envy you Potts. I've got a headache and crawled up in bed. Wish I could be having a drink like yourself.
