The absolute genius of Marti, 'balls of steel', Cifuentes to keep Dykes on so he could make amends. All of us would have taken him off at HT! At 70 mins, I messaged my lads to say we had 20 mins to save our season and we did. A loss tonight against 10 men might have proved terminal!
I don't care who takes them, but Chair and Paal have to be taken off corners, they were ****ing disgraceful again. Chair was pretty dire all night but set pieces were beyond shocking. Its almost like they don't even practise them !
A potentially season-changing win, but we were still **** for most of it. Great for Dykes to atone for an awful first half miss and great for Willock to show that maybe he might still have something about him. Much better with Cannon and Clarke-Salter on the pitch and we must persist with Dixon-Bonner. Great win, but a long way to go.
A truly dreadful 80 minutes, as poor as I've seen us play. But maybe, maybe this is the confidence boost we so desperately need. The sight of the entire bench running down the touchline to join the celebrations for 3-2 says it all about the relief in something finally going our way. That plus the Willock goal that may finally lift his negative mental block give us cause for hope. Mind you, if I ever see Chair or Paal take a corner again it will be too soon.
Wowsa.... The bracelet...Will only be worn for matches ... Well to be honest when we went 2 -1 against, Stoke, against 10 men against a Neill team. I had given up. I really had. But Marti did it...kept Dykes on, we pushed ...put on Larcheche who battled and battled and thumped it across the goal for the o.g. Then Kelman battled for the ball before Willock put it in ( Kelman looked disgruntled...) We really fought for that win...I hope it gives the team the impetus to climb out of this mess. If we fight like that every match we can do it. Btw...what was that tune they played at the end of the match, I am sure I have heard it before...many moons ago. Anyway I joined in at the top of my voice...it is sort of catchy I hope they play it again soon
Brilliant work by Larkeche down the left to set up the winner. Simply refused to give it up. Just the sort of commitment we need from every single one of them.
I agree with Larkeche, what really pleased me was the sense to apply pressure without giving away a stupid free kicks. How many times in that position have we just charged into their back and let them fall over.
Ok it was a bit chillier, and whiskey gives me hang overs and who need Ms Robbie when we have Beth’s lucky bracelet. I’ll take one from four
Exhausting match to watch but great to be there for the win. Have to say Reggie looks good and hopefully that’s the corner turned.
A difficult watch at times, we were fortunate with the penalty, it was very soft and just seen the Sky highlights which confirms that. Very pleased for Dykes & Willock, hopefully they will kick on with consistent performances. Credit to Marti for the substitutions they made the difference. Willock and Larkeche were inspired substitutions, but thought Cannon was the biggest influence. Well done to Beth for finding a lucky charm. For a change looking forward to Friday's game, although it was blooming freezing tonight, could take me another four hours to thaw out! Singing and celebrating all the way home Urrrs.
So who starts on Friday Clark-Salter and Cannon ( for Dunne and Kakay). But I think he will stick with everyone else. But can see Willock, Larkeche and Kelman playing bigger and bigger parts
Definitely think Cannon should start on Friday, we know Dunne is a capable defender, just not quite up to speed since his return from injury. Would love for Willock to get back to performing at his best, showed glimpses tonight. Amazing to have talent like Larkeche and Kelman starting to show promise too. Who would've thought it a few weeks ago, although still lots of areas for improvement as was evident for a large part of the game tonight. But we scored three goals at the Loft end Marti certainly has his work cut out, but he's definitely bringing something a bit special to Loftus Road.
Nosebleed just about stopped now. Too cold to tap on the phone in the ground, and then parked on the Western Avenue for an age on the way back. Comfortably our worst performance under El Cif but equally comfortably our best result. ****ing football. Dykes was truly awful apart from his penalty and his goal. Colback doesn’t get the mantra, needs an extra touch and is always an inch from breaking someone’s legs. I lost count of the times Stoke got behind our defence in the first half, thankfully they made little of it. Likewise lost count of the corners we wasted. But the last 15 minutes was great fun. Cannon is a cut above but he is clearly not fully fit, he was put on in desperation and might not be up for Friday. Willock got a tap on the ankle and looked to be about to ask to come off when it might have dawned on him that he wouldn’t get another chance. Then he got a goal which might just turn things round for him I like Dixon Bonner and Kelman put himself about well. But the best thing was the collective joy - players, subs, coaches and fans - at the winning goals and the final whistle. This win is a massive weight off their backs and hopefully at least will provide a bit of muscle memory for how to win at home. Halle-****ing-lujah about bloody time too.
Good pen and a great goal from Dykes, og very well won by Larkeshe, good strike from Willock first in months. Need Dozzel back in to take the corners and get better control of the midfield.
