The QPR Monday Verdict: Warnockâs positive spin fails to hide his regret - QPR - London 24 Neil Warnock watched his side throw away a lead again at Loftus Road on Saturday The QPR Monday Verdict: Warnockâs positive spin fails to hide his regret Ian Cooper Monday, December 5, 2011 11:55 AM Rangers boss defiant as West Brom become the sixth side this season to avoid defeat at Loftus Road Even before Shane Long poached a goal that West Bromwich Albion scarcely deserved to deny QPR victory on Saturday, the script already seemed to be written. It has become a familiar tale for Neil Warnock at Loftus Road this season: QPR take the lead, create a host of chances, miss them all, and leave the back door ajar for hitherto mediocre opponents to sneak an equaliser. The same wasteful finishing that cost Rangers two points against Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and even Manchester City reared its head again against Roy Hodgsonâs side, who became the sixth visiting team to escape west London with at least a point. True, West Bromâs late strike, taken superbly on the counter-attack, may have been rendered irrelevant had Shaun Wright-Phillipsâ splendid first-half volley not been incorrectly ruled out by an offside flag, and true also that QPR probably merited all three points. But as significant a moment as Wright-Phillipsâ disallowed effort might have been, that one decision did not cost Warnockâs side maximum points, rather it was careless finishing by the winger and the likes of skipper Joey Barton that proved all too costly. At his post-match press conference Warnockâs stance was one of defiance and optimism in equal measure, the manager suggesting that his side were robbed by the officials. âI just donât know how heâs not seen that itâs onside,â said Warnock as he pointed the finger of blame squarely at the direction of the linesman. âYouâre relying on the officials getting the major decisions right and unfortunately heâs not got it right, and a cracking goal has been wiped out. âThat was probably as good as weâve played this season; we played some cracking stuff, created some great chances, you almost feel like youâve lost the game. âBut I thought Joey Barton and [Alejandro] Faurlin were magnificent today. I thought the back lads did their job, we looked to create, Heidar [Helguson] did well and so did the wide lads. I canât complain because I didnât see a weakness other than giving a silly goal and not taking our chances.â Warnock was eager to cast this result in the best possible light, and to a degree, he was probably right to do so, after a game in which his side did everything but score a second goal after Heidar Helguson had rewarded their early dominance with a fine headed opener. And his assessment of Bartonâs performance was an accurate one. Barton has settled into the QPR midfield after an unspectacular beginning, and enjoyed arguably his most impressive display in a Hoops shirt to date as his partnership with Alejandro Faurlin in front of the defence continues to develop. One way or another, Bartonâs move to Rangers from Newcastle has not quite turned out as many predicted. On the field at least, and with the exception of his clash with Wolvesâ Karl Henry earlier in the season, the midfielder has avoided serious controversy, and is relishing his role as captain. Many suggested that Bartonâs previous indiscipline rendered his move to Loftus Road a gamble for Warnock, yet as his assists for Helgusonâs first-half goal indicated, his displays continue to improve. Faurlin appeared to take the brunt of Warnockâs displeasure at the final whistle, largely because of the ease of which he allowed James Morrison to motor away from him in the build-up to the equaliser. âWeâve all got things to learn about the game, and what I said to him [Faurlin] stays between me and him,â insisted Warnock. âBut I thought he and Joey were fabulous, they bossed the midfield.â Had Barton taken a huge chance early in the second half, when he was clear on goal with just Ben Foster to beat only to drift his shot wide, this result would probably have been completely different. In reality, that moment was probably the turning point. Taken in the context of a season which continues to see QPR sit comfortably clear of the dreaded relegation zone, another step towards the 40-point barrier is not a result to be sniffed at. However, there also lurks the uncomfortable knowledge that if QPR had turned their territorial dominance into wins at home to sides which were often there for the taking, Warnockâs team could now be approaching a difficult festive period with the European spots in their sights and the drop zone far behind them. âWeâve come so far. If you look back 12 months ago, I think weâve moved on more than anybody else in the country really,â said Warnock, before he declared: âOne of these days we will score four or five. But that day is unlikely to come in Saturdayâs trip to Liverpool, or for that matter at home to champions Manchester United the next week, or even in the following two games, difficult journeys to a resurgent, free-scoring Arsenal and fellow newcomers Swansea City. Should QPR emerge empty-handed from those games, missed opportunities such as Saturdayâs will appear ever more costly, and no amount of positive spin from the manager will change that. Follow me on Twitter @QPRTimes iReader http://www.london24.com/sport/champ...itive_spin_fails_to_hide_his_regret_1_1145343
Harsh to give Faurlin stick for the equalizer. More accurate to point the finger at Buzz for losing the ball in the first place. I thought Faurlin had another impressive game against Albion, as did Barton. Should have had the game buried way before they got back into it, SWP's goal was fantastic, only watching the replays can you really get the hump regarding the offside decision. This may be karma for the Chelskum game where we got the rub of the green. I lost count of the missed chances but those around me at the game all reckoned we could have been at least 5 nil up by the time WBA nicked the draw. If anything they looked more likely to poach a winner. Buzz had a mare for the short time he featured, I would rather have given Adel a run out but as he seems to be out of favour then Tommy Smith should have been put on in an attempt to kill the game off. One more goal would have buried Albion and we could have given them a spanking. Would Warnock use the Liverpool and Man Utd games to showcase Adel? It is a bit of a gamble but he could show off and increase the asking price.
Faulin's only mistake was not draggin Morrison to the floor, agreed he was not helped by Buzz's rash pass,taking a yellow for the team would have been the thing to do.
Aye. When he says guys have a lot to learn about the game I think I know what side of the game he means! He said it when Mackie didn't go down v City and now when Faurlin didn't take that lad out. Perhaps its naivety but they're a very honest bunch of lads.
Honest & Naive is not something you usually associate with professional footballers,but you can bet your bollocks if it was against us the results would have been very different.
