Thursday December 22,2011 By Tony Banks Have your say(0) SLOWLY but surely the Martin O’Neill magic is beginning to work. His teams have always been stubborn and hard to beat – and now Sunderland’s players are starting to get the message. Two goals up and cruising at Loftus Road, O’Neill’s team managed to throw their lead away but regathered and won the game in the final minute thanks to Wes Brown’s glancing header. It was a performance that had O’Neill’s grit and never-say-die attitude written all over it. Now it is two wins out of three for the Ulsterman with the magic touch. Poor old Rangers, in stark contrast, have still won only once all season at home and are now in deep trouble. Those January sales cannot come quickly enough. O’Neill, who had 16 months out of management after leaving Aston Villa, insisted after this heart-stopping encounter that he was enjoying it as much as ever. He said: “I did think we had thrown it away when it got to two each. But points are of paramount importance to us right now and we went for the third goal and got it. To win this match was brilliant. “We lost concentration after the second goal, but we regained it just in time. We have won two out of our three games now and that is encouraging. The players are still coming round to knowing what I demand of them.” O’Neill had, with typical boldness, recalled skipper Lee Cattermole and Nicklas Bendtner, despite the pair being arrested on suspicion of damaging cars last week. It worked a treat, as Danish striker Bendtner was a constant menace to a ragged Rangers defence and scored the opening goal when he lost his marker and powerfully headed a Kieran Richardson corner inside the near post. Rangers were simply dreadful in the opening period, but the introduction of the enigmatic Adel Taarabt at the interval sparked life into them. His constant probing created opportunities and when Armand Traore crossed from the left, Heidar Helguson’s header looked destined for the net until Titus Bramble got back to nod the ball off the line. Within seconds though, Sunderland had seemingly snuffed out any hope. Stephane Sessegnon pounced on Danny Gabbidon’s mistimed header and galloped through, holding off Matthew Connolly expertly and rounding Paddy Kenny to slot the ball home. It looked as if the game was dead for Neil Warnock’s team at that point but, as referee Andre Marriner limped off with a hamstring strain, suddenly Sunderland lost their way. Traore found Alejandro Faurlin, who whipped in an excellent low cross. Helguson darted in between Brown and goalkeeper Keiren Westwood and bundled the ball into the net. Four minutes later, Traore crossed again from the left, once more Helguson beat his man in the air to nod down and there was Jamie Mackie to head in from five yards and complete an astonishing turnaround. Now, with Taarabt spraying the ball around and trying his luck from long range, it seemed Rangers were the team who would go on to win the game. But Sunderland bounced back. Kenny had to pull off a brilliant save from Phil Bardsley and then, from the resulting corner, Richardson floated the ball in and Brown’s header flew in off the bar. Warnock could barely believe it. “I thought Christmas was on Sunday,” he said. “We gave away three terrible goals. It was the worst feeling. “I can’t wait for the January sales to begin. There is not much wrong with us, but I know what I want now and I will go and get them. “We have had some kicks in the teeth but the fans trust me and they know I will sort it out.” QPR (4-3-3): Kenny; Young, Connolly (Bothroyd 90), Gabbidon, Traore (Hall 80); Barton, Derry, Faurlin; Wright-Phillips (Taarabt 45), Helguson, Mackie. Booked: Connolly, Faurlin. Goals: Helguson 63, Mackie 67. Sunderland (4-4-2): Westwood; O’Shea, Bramble, Brown, Bardsley; Larsson (Gardner 75), Vaughan (Colback 71), Cattermole, Richardson; Sessegnon, Bendtner. Booked: Sessegnon, Cattermole. Goals: Bendtner 19, Sessegnon 53, Brown 89. Referee: A Marriner (West Midlands).
Is that QPR's new nickname? Have to admit that I thought Catts was excellent last night - although I have been one of his biggest admirers on here - he may have a lot of work to do to win people around after his misdemeanours but he is getting back to the player he looked a couple of seasons ago. I personally thought Colback needed the time out of the first team - and he looked good when he came on as well - Do we have a manager who knows how to MANAGE?? Bloody hell well I never - the biggest thing for me was the response he got from the players when he made the changes last night - took Larsson off (which I though "WTF") and brought on Gardner who was very very good... Personally I think we've got a decent squad (better if we had a couple of proper goalscoring forwards) but other than that it's a good squad - just needs a bit of "O'Neilling" - I'm actually looking at Christmas with excited Sunderland eyes!!!
Well I just love 3 points. Bendtner of whom lately I have been very critical (and not without reason) had a good game and scored. Sess of whom I thought was a better winger than a in the 'hole' striker played well and scored, perhaps instead of shooting and missing he should always round the keeper and tap it in? Catts also had a good game. I was also wondering about the Larsson sub, he is not quick, even his best friends would acknowledge that, and he was running himself into the ground chasing after their winger 'T' something, so perhaps a fresh pair of quicker legs was brought on to cope better. Vaughan, he did not get into the game so subbing him made sense. So after SB odd subs I could actually see why MoN made the subs that he did. Now dare I mention Everton and Cahill, if we stop him scoring can and will we get a result. TBH I was disappointed in the two goals we gave away. Although are their any statos who can tell me the last time we scored twice directly from corners. O and just a thought is Rico having one of his best spells ever for us?
[ Now dare I mention Everton and Cahill, if we stop him scoring can and will we get a result. Cahill hasn't scored for a year now - couldn't believe it when I heard that last night....and he was on the bench last night v Swansea - Cue 1st Goalscorer on Boxing day?!?!
