Ok, I have to confess. I am not a big away day man. I've been to Chelsea a couple of times for FA cup games one of which (or maybe both) were when we were in a lower league. The last proper away game was Southampton when Ray Jones (RIP) got that fantastic winner. A long time ago. Due to various commitments preventing me from attending a home game or two, I decided to make the trip to Hull with the QPR faithful - in particular a mate and his two sons. The 10:30 from King's Cross left with old fashioned British Rail punctuality and after a change at Doncaster and with many other QPR fans, we pulled into Hull. A quick drink was bought in a small pub showing the scintillating game between Nuneaton and KIdderminster being played on what appeared to a ploughed field. The walk to the station was pleasant in the sunshine and facilitated by friendly local fans guiding us to a stadium that was not very well sign posted. It was great to get to The KC early enough to watch The Hoops warming up and, being lucky with my seat, quite close to the pitch with a great view and good atmosphere. I had been quite pleased when I found out that Anthony Taylor was ref. for the day since I had come to believe that he was an astute and even handed ref. from my observation of his officiating in other games. That view was to change! Like most QPR fans I was thrilled to see Furlong starting at right back. Yet also with a slight anxiety about whether he would be up to the standard required. From watching the warm up, I felt he might need some gym time to bulk up somewhat. On reflection, after the game, I think that is wrong. His skill will be in guile and speed but he does need more experience, not surprisingly. I felt the start was tentative with each team trying to see where they might be able gain an advantage. We appeared to be holding our own reasonably well and making the odd foray into their half. And then disaster struck. A flighted ball found Caulker backing towards the goal line defensively. However, instead of heading the ball to the side line or even out for a corner, something possessed him to head straight towards the sweet spot where a hungry Jelavic was waiting to strike home. The thus far quiet home fans suddenly burst into enthusiastic chants which spurred the home team on. At 31:59 the apparently reformed character that is Joey Barton, rushing to the aid of Darnell Furlong who was the focus of Hull players attempts to get him red-carded. In the hustle, JB lost control and half punched Huddlestone in the lower abdomen or groin. The red card was justified but it was on the back drop of what was to become FOUR yellow cards for infringements by QPR players that were more than matched by similar fouls by Hull players who escaped with no cautions. Frustrating and certainly not Taylor's best day imo. I sat listening to the barracking of the Hull fans wondering if we were heading for a proper pasting. Matt Phillips, re-born under Chris Ramsey, allayed our fears with a wonderful cross from the right to find Charlie Austin's head with an equaliser on 39 mins. Cue huge celebrations from the QPR faithful and, more importantly, to instill small doubt in the minds of the opposition that this just might not be their day. If you've not seen Charlie's goal celebration, do so. Absolute classic! For the sake of brevity, I will skip to the last 5 mins of the game apart from commenting on the ridiculous booking for Zarate before he had even touched the ball for failing to meet Taylor's high standard imposed on QPR players. I genuinely believed we would get at least one more chance to steal the points. Once again, Phillips worked hard down the right and lobbed in a gentle teasing cross over McGregor but, alas, Zarate was too central to stroke home. There was another goal mouth scramble during which there was a hand ball that many refs might have given a penalty for. Taylor was never going to do that today, though in fairness to Taylor (not something I am inclined to be from here onwards), the player probably had his back to the ref and, as we all know to our cost, they can only give what they see. Rob Green's last save of the game was superb and should indeed have been just that -the last save he should have made. Instead, due to Rangers' inability to hold fast and take the ball out of danger, well, you all know what happened next. Not being a very experienced away fan, I was surprised at how quiet the KC was. We certainly won the singing contest without any dispute possible - just listen to MOTD. As good football should demonstrate, the walk back to the station was fine with QPR and Hull fans mixing and chatting with no trouble. One leery drunk did chant 'Is this a Fire drill?' but he certainly only sings when they're winning! The journey back was largely uneventful with entertainment from a few drunk QPR fans making merry. Glad to get back for a meal 13 hours after setting off from home. The high- light of the journey was discovering that we were still 17th by goal difference! So what did I learn from my day out? 1) I like travelling by train but I knew that anyway! 2) Anthony Taylor is not as good as I thought he was.In fact he was poor and biased. 3) Joey Barton is not as reformed as he and us would like 4) We have some promising players for the future and that bodes well whichever league we end up in. 5) This team can play some good football that entertains and shows threat. 6) I saw enough to make me still have hope that, dependant upon the return of injured players, 17th spot might just be attainable. 7) Why did we never play like this when Harry was in charge?!
Nice one RTID, a shame we threw it away at the end, must have been gutting to witness that but it's all par for the course as a Rangers awayday this season...
Huge respect to the travelling away faithful. The time, cost and energy expended by QPR fans is just incredible. Well done lads and lasses. Massive, massive respect.
Thank you RTID...lovely and a fair comment all round I too think we have enough for 17th NOW! We would not have been in this position if CR had been there from the start or from Christmas (but I know if Arry had gone earlier...we would not have even heard of Chris Ramsey)
Nice one RTID. Sorry the result spoilt things. Have to say that I've only seen brief highlights but Barton reverting to type at the worst possible time does seem to have probably cost us a decent result.
Yes Col, worse timing is hard to imagine. After his return from France, I really thought he was doing well. Does this one slip negate all his good work of the last 7 months? I suspect the answer to that depends on whether we survive or not.
A great review of your day out - too bad we couldn't have been rewarded with at least a point for your efforts.
Barton may have hit the stupid button in his head again, however Matt Phillips has been given a new lease of life under Ramsay. Just wonder whether HR was premature in getting rid of Jordan Mutch
Palarse fans will tell us whether Mutch was a good buy. Early days for him but doesn't seem to have done anything to prove anybody wrong so far.
Thanks to RTID for a great report. My highlight, watching on a speckly feed was young Furlong. Thought he had masses of confidence and a good deal of skill. He has learned a lot from this game, one of which is that professional footballers will stoop to very low levels. They will even try to get a young player sent off in his first full game! A lesson he will remember perhaps for the rest of his footballing career. Long may it be with us at the R's.
