Just settling down in deepest Oxfordshire, with heavy snow falling outside and the smell of the Sunday roast wafting in from the kitchen. So, we stop the rot. Hard to stop thinking that we should have had all 3 points (not for the first time at home this season), but we have at least stopped the rot and not lost. Sometimes, when you're on a losing streak it's very hard to get out of it! To the game and we made our customary slow start, even though this had apparently been discussed within the squad this week. Everton started brightly and went close when Cahill thundered one against the bar. I thought we gradually started to play better and it was slightly against the run of play when Everton took the lead. Taarabt was short of options on the half way line and lost possession, allowing Everton to break. However, having seen the goal on replay a few times, I can't fault Kenny as Drenthe unleashed a great shot into the corner of the net from 25yrds or so. To his credit, Adel held his hands up and then rolled his sleeves up to try and help us get back into the game. 5 mins later he did just that, producing a fabulous piece of skill right in front of Tony Fernandes, watching from the lower loft. Drenthe brought Taarabt down as he headed towards the penalty area, receiving a deserved yellow card. From the resulting free kick, fizzed in superbly by Buzz, Zamora got in a downward near-post header....1-1. Rangers were well on top now and should have taken the lead just before half-time. Another piece of Adel magic saw a curling low shot strike the inside of the post (yet again!!) with Howard beaten. The ball went out to Zamora, who squared the ball to Buzz who was in front of the goal, 4yrds out, with Howard glued to his line. Inexplicably Buzz snatched a shot against the post and our best chance of winning was gone. An unbelievable howler of a miss!! The 2nd half began in a very scrappy fashion with both sides giving the ball away cheaply. But then Rangers got right on top for 20mins and looked like the side who would take all 3 points, without really creating any clear-cut chances. That Buzz miss really was expensive!! The last 10mins were a very nervy affair, with the Rangers players acutely aware that they couldn't afford to lose again. The crowd, who were great throughout got nervous to and it was a relief to hear the final whistle after some late pressure from Everton. All in all, a much better performance with the defence and Hill in particular outstanding. Barton had a better game and things seem to be gelling at last. With Cisse and Diakite to return, there is reason for optimism imo. Player ratings and comments: Kenny - 7 Did nothing wrong Onouha - 8 Very assured defending, although it's a shame he's not better at getting forward Hill - 9 Absolutely outstanding and has proved he is good enough for the prem at CB Ferdinand - 7 Better than of late Traoe- 8 So good going forward and on the ball. Perhaps should play further forward? SWP - 6 Faded in the 2nd half and still delivering very little Derry - 7 Very solid and dependable Barton - 7 A better game from Joey, giving the ball away less, but still struggling with set pieces Buzz - 6 He would have got an 8 or 9 as he played very well, but that shocking miss makes me mark him down Taarabt - 7 At fault for their goal, but won the free kick for the equaliser and his fantastic effort against the post should have seen Buzz put us into the lead. Worked hard, even putting in a defensive header back to Paddy!! Zamora - 8 Very good indeed. Held the ball up really well, worked hard and scored the goal. Superb display and only just pipped by Hill for our M.O.T.M. imo Sub: Mackie - No impact. Brought on to match them as they switched to 4-4-2. Mark Hughes - 9 Got the tactics spot on imo and the players seemed to understand where they were supposed to be playing in the 4-2-3-1 formation, which I think he chose as Everton were set up the same. The only surprise for me was that Buzz seemed to be the 2nd holding midfielder instead of Barton. Although they did seem to take it in turns to partner Derry. SWP at lease kept our shape by filling in on the right when needed. Just a comment on the referee, who was simply clueless. What is it with referees and Loftus Road? Your thoughts?
Good report again rangercol. You see the match very much like i did. I believe Kenny is our weakest link right now ,then again that Drenthe goal yeasterday was one perfect shoot and it did bounce from the ground just before it hits back of our net. Kenny again did not even move his eyebrows before that Cahilll shot hits the bar. I know it was a hard shot and from inside of the penalty area but still have his reactions gone dramatically slow?
Great report as ever col. That's pretty much as I saw it. As regards Onouha going forward, I think Hughes has supressed that somewhat. Hughes is adamant that he wants us to keep our shape. Until we regain our confidence and understand what Hughes expects, the team will remain fairly rigid.
Your thoughts, you ask us. My thoughts are very much the same as yours this week Col. Think you've summarised perfectly - albeit my vision was slightly impaired by the fact I left my football specs at home so the far end (Loft) was a bit of a blur! As for the ratings. Me and me mate reckoned all sixes or sevens and on reflection, Hill a knock above. Even my dim eyes couldn't miss his focus and commitment. Solid as a rock. Agree with NUTS' comment yesterday re. his qualities as a leader - although still reckon Nedum as the younger man will be the one for the skipper job when the time comes. All in all a good cohesive effort and very much a performance to build upon for the run in. If that happens, we could end up taking a couple of major scalps before judgement day. Of the bottom five, we may have the heaviest finale but also the best potential to peak at the right time. Seems only Blackburn saying anything to the contrary atm. Nice piece though Col. Thanks again.
Good one Col, been a while since your last match report or have I just missed them? Bit generous on the ratings though, agree with Brix about sixes and sevens apart from Hill and Zamora (who's my MOTM). Personally I feel everyone are going a bit overboard re Hill. Yes he played his best game yesterday and maybe performed better than we expect from him, but that's it and why I believe he's getting so many plaudits from us. 7 or maybe 8 if very generous. Zamora was at the heart of all our attacks and his performance was of a higher standard, simples. The ref, don't know what to say really?! The amount of situations he guessed at yesterday was scary if you ask me.
Cheers Col, top draw as we expect these days. From where I was sat in the lower tier of the school end (which is clearly not the best position to try to gauge the teamâs formation) it looked more like a 4 â 1 â 4 â 1 formation with Derry doing a sterling job in protecting the back 4 and Zamora performing a very impressive role up front on his own. Double teamed for set plays, Zamora held the ball up well, skilfully brought other players into the game and thoroughly deserved his goal. There were obvious signs that he is forming a good understanding with Taarabt, the pair linking up very well of several occasions. Aside from the odd flash of brilliance, Adel himself showed more evidence of his improved team play, generally working hard for the team and covering for Traore when the fullback went beyond him. Unfortunately errors will always be part of his game and must be accepted, Iâm not sure that he should have been taken off. The defence looked pretty solid. Kenny didnât seem as bad as some have suggested in previous weeks. The shot that beat him was fierce, well placed and bending away from him. He comfortable handled everything else and was always looking to launch quick attacks. His kicking to Zamora was also very accurate. Traoreâs attacking down the wing was very refreshing. So many wide men want to keep cutting in, but he was determined to reach the by-line and cross. We need at least one more midfield player to drive into the box when Traore is racing down the left, Zamora canât be expected to get on the end of every cross. Clint Hill must be an inspiration to every seasoned old pro in the Championship. He looked completely at home and produced the tackle of the day to disposes Jelovic when he looked like getting through. It would be easy to slag off Buzsaky for his miss and one appalling free kick, but he did play reasonable well, force a good save from Howard from a free kick and delivered a perfect one for Zamora to score. Whatever everyone thinks about SWP he does keep trying. I think he needs to be looking to get down the outside and cross more often, rather than cutting inside, but his reluctance to do this may be because we donât get too many players into the area. At least he was facing the right way more often than not yesterday. I was expecting another hissy fit from Col when he was pulled into a more central role after Mackie came on! I donât think there is anything new to be said about Barton. He worked hard, his tackling was decent but his still hit too many wayward passes. His dead ball delivery is inexplicable, this is what he is supposed to be good at. One observation that I was discussing with my mate was us not leaving anyone up field when Everton had a corner. Why not? It forces them to leave at least two players back and does give us a chance of gathering in the ball when it is cleared. Taarabt would be the obvious candidate. Hughes has some tough decisions to make next weekend with Cisse and Diakite returning from suspension and Young and HH (I think) back from injury. My final impression of the match was that I clearly donât understand the rules as I had no idea which way the referee was going to give each decision. What did Fellaini need to do to actually get booked?
Could not be there. Did I see correctly that we must have lost the toss and started the 'wrong' way round - again?!
View from the Upper Loft was good and marginally better leg room.......good game, we probably could have sneaked it, but no luck as is usual with us. Allowed myself a small cheer at 35 minutes with no one sent off. Put some thoughts on individuals on the MOTM thread.Think your scores a little generous Col. Zamora really outstanding yesterday, Derry my weak spot, but seem to be the only one who thinks this. Overall much better but a couple of Keystone Cops moments with players running into each other, still need to learn each others games. Ref just bizarre, Hughes was doing his nut. 4 points off Everton, happy with that. Moyes for Chelsea or Spurs would put them in relegation zone next season for me, glad we did not get Pienaar on yesterday's showing.
Ah yeah, I forgot to mention that. I think we must have won the toss, as they kicked off. Joey must have wanted Howard to have the low, bright sun in his eyes! Don't like it that way round though, do you?
A few people are saying that they feel my ratings are a little high. Well, I think the back 4 were superb yesterday, hence their scores. Does anyone really think Hill, Traore or Onouha should be scored less than at least a 7 or 8? Zamora was given an 8, justifiably imo and the rest 6 or 7. Too high? Don't think so!
Yesterday's performance was solid but not spectacular IMO. However, if we performed at that level consistently we would not be in danger of going down. Definitely a more committed display.
Col, great match report as usual. For the last few weeks i have stayed away from the site for 24hrs after our match as i expected the usual over-reaction from some. A lot of positives from yesterday. Next week our team and bench will be the strongest this year and our bench will be capable of influencing the match when called upon. I can't wait to see how MH will set up the team considering that he should now have options in several positions. Frustrated as hell that i am over here unable to support my beloved team. Already looking forward to next year and meeting some of you guys and girls on match day for a beer. Keep up the great posts, it's all some of us have from afar.
Kenny should haver saved the shot, took an age getting down to it, Cerny saved an identical shot against Liverpool from about 7 yards closer. Buz was MOTM for me and you have him as our worst player. Kenny would have been a 5 again letting in the only shot not right at him, was nowhere near the shot that hit the bar right in the middle of the goal. All other players would have been a 6 or 7. It was solid, nothing more. I agree the ref was shocking, he got well over a dozen decisions wrong and just seemed to be guessing.
Agree with Col's match report and ratings except maybe Kenny who never moved on that crossbar (and he couldn't have known that would happen) and should have made the save. 6 maybe? And I too was wondering what Fellaini would have to do to be carded. I started counting his "yellows" in about the 40th minute and had 3 by the half time whistle. And one more in the second half.
I wondered about the choice of takiing Adel off - his giveaway led to their goal but he made amends 5 minutes on
As for the formation, it wasnt a 4231, it was more of a 451 for me, Adel on the left, SWP on the right and Buz, Derry and Barton in the middle. Adel would have had to play central for it to be a 4231 or 4141. I agreed with taking Adel off, he was only 1 pass away from costing us another goal so Hughes was making sure we got the point.
