Player ratings from The Mail Rob Green 6 – England’s goalkeeper at the start of the World Cup four years ago still has a lot to offer and made a crucial save from Jordi Gomez Danny Simpson 6 – Nearly got caught out by Gomez just before half-time but a top defender with great experience Nedum Onuoha 7.5 – Former Manchester City defender was outstanding and would definitely not be out of place back in the Premier League Richard Dunne 6.5 – Poor challenge on McManaman highlighted his lack of pace and the fact that his best days are certainly behind him. Clint Hill 5.5 – Lucky not to be sent off for an elbow on Kiernan. Looked a little out of his depth in the Premier League last time and would do again Armand Traore 5 – Former Arsenal man twice went close to scoring. Would be a real asset if Redknapp’s side win promotion. Joey Barton 6.5 – Remarkably reserved display in niggly game. But could he keep his cool under the Premier League spotlight? History suggests not. Gary O’Neil 6 – Had a couple of half chances but failed to take them. At 30, you wonder if has a Premier League future Junior Hoilett 7 – QPR’s most creative player down the left. Has shone in the Premier League before and no doubt can do again Ravel Morrison 4.5 – Did very little apart from sulk when taken off. A sublime talent, we keep being told, but just seems to be a liability Charlie Austin 5.5 – Scored 18 goals after a £4m move from Burnley last summer but , on this evidence, no guarantee he would do it at the highest level Subs: Murphy, Carroll, Suk-Young (for Hoilett 88), Doyle (for Traore 70), Hughes, Kranjcar (for Morrison 78), Henry. Booked: Dunne
Its not Eng/Ire Roller. Its local/overseas. I've banged on about it too much now but there's a clear divide. For overseas fans, being in the PL is all that counts because the FL doesn't exist outside England. You never hear mention of it. Whereas the season ticket holders are less likely to care which division they're in as long as they're entertained on a match-day. In short its results vs style that it boils down to within those two groups.
Here's a frightening thought. If you play defensively now whilst you're one of the top 4 sides in the division and shouldn't be worried about most teams, just how are you going to be set up next season if you get promoted and are one of the 4 worst sides in the division? (Newly promoted clubs happy with 17th in first season, rather than just saying you're going to be ****)
That's the usual non-thinking argument you get leveled at every promoted side since the dawn of time Ric - with respect. Every side that wins promotion are told they're not good enough, including may I add, Hull City who finished with less points than QPR last season. The remedy? The same thing all promoted sides do. Invest in new players in the Summer.
Redknapp wont be here and hes the one holding us back. Mind you, playing defensive isnt a bad idea when you are expected to go down, at least weve had a lot of practice.
