HarryFromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Wednesday’s Boxing Day game at Loftus Road by delving into their forums.
"Can you believe it? A bloody Rangers win at Nottingham Forest!”, "QPR had never won away at Forest in all competitions (drew 14, lost 20), the most a team has played away at another without ever winning in all competitions in English football”, "A 1-0 win, the world has been upside down.”
"Giddy times.” Rangers head into Wednesday’s game with their tails up after recording a historic win at the City Ground on Saturday. This victory followed on from the previous weekend’s 2-1 win over promotion-chasing Middlesbrough and propelled the West Londoners up to 10th place in the table.
"Get in Rangers! We made history!” These two wins summed up the progress the Hoops have made this season after a dismal start which saw them lose their first four games including a 7-1 drubbing at West Brom. Expectations have been curtailed due to a transfer embargo and fans are broadly happy.
"I'm happy that we will finish higher than last year”, "We won't be looking over our shoulder at the bottom just like we won't be worried about what the top six are doing. We’re a mid-table side which considering the experts had us nailed on as whipping boys back in August should indicate progress.”
"There’s a consistency coming. The gap between the best and worst performances is narrowing and you basically know what you’re going to get from QPR from one week to the next”, "We must avoid complacency this week as Ipswich and Reading, with a new manager, come next to Loftus Road.”
"Steve McClaren has clearly not read the requirements of being a QPR boss. Winning away is one thing, but winning away at Forest? Such a time to be alive”, "Big credit goes to him for this season. It’s great having decent manager at long last”, "He has made a rather ordinary squad fun to watch.”
The 57-year-old one-time England boss replaced Ian Holloway in May. He has won fans over with the manner in which he turned around their faltering start to the season, concentrating initially on stabilising the team’s defence and slowly introducing more attacking threat without disrupting the side’s balance.
"I thought Holloway did a good job here under difficult circumstances. I never rated McClaren much and didn't want him here, however the players he has brought in - Leistner, Rangel, Cameron, Wells and Hemed — all have a fantastic attitude to playing for us and they have all been decent signings.”
"I honestly have only ever trusted Neil Warnock, but Steve is on level par for me”, "Three out of our back four were missing at Forest, yet he drilled the positioning of that defence”, "Last season this squad underperformed but we’re now seeing it as very well organised, drilled and playing to a plan.”
"McClaren was a divisive appointment, but he has not only pulled the team together but the fans too”, "Every player to a man has improved under him. They are all playing for the shirt which is all most of us want”, "It has been an absolutely magnificent turnaround so let’s be glad we have him.”
"It’s great that little old Rangers are giving all the high-spending teams a bloody nose at the minute just like the old days”, "Playing as a team is the most significant change. Too often, and for too many years, I have regarded the side as ‘QPR all-stars’”, "This team has a real battling spirit about them.”
"There is a really good team spirit with everyone pulling together.” One can draw parallels between the work McClaren did earlier in the season with a struggling team and the approach Paul Lambert is taking here. Hoops constantly refer to an identity which has emerged as the season has progressed.
"We are a joy to watch”, "Lost in all the player improvements is this one remarkable development that explains it all. We are finally playing as a team, with a formation and style of play that has been consistent week in and week out. Holloway was entertaining but also totally random on this front.”
"After an awful first four games, we have shown that we can compete with anyone in this division. Our players have a great attitude and you can see that we will have no problem holding our own in this league”, "We can soak up pressure without giving away chances and always have a goal in us.”
McClaren had to contend with injuries to a number of regular first-teamers when picking his starting XI (above) for the Forest game. Injuries to defenders Joel Lynch (dead leg) and Angel Rangel (thigh), midfielder Geoff Cameron (ankle) and striker Tomer Hemed (groin) forced a series of alterations.
The players and the management were praised for coping well with the changes. "The reshuffle saw Darnell Furlong moving to centre-back from the start, Jordan Cousins filling in at right-back and a previously out-of-form Josh Scowen starting in midfield. All three, as it turned out, were brilliant.”
Keeper Joe Lumley has grown in consistency and confidence in his first full playing season, while Toni Leistner has similarly blossomed as the campaign has progressed. Leistner’s goal and Lumley’s great late save at the City Ground summed up the way in which both have progressed this season.
Jake Bidwell is seen as a solid if unadventurous full-back. Centre-half Joel Lynch’s passing from the back will be missed if he’s unavailable, but Darnell Furlong and Jordan Cousins have both been more than decent stand-ins for Lynch and the injured Rangel, adding mobility and tenacity to the backline.
Dropping deep has been a worry. "You can’t defend as deep as we are doing and expect to catch anybody offside. We’ve now been caught out trying to do so for the second goal at Stoke, the third against Hull and the first at Leeds. We have got to find a way to get 10 yards further up the pitch.”
The deeper midfield has been given balance through Josh Scowen’s terrier-like work and Massimo Luongo’s ability both to intercept the ball and link with the more advanced creative players. Cousins is seen as a more technically adept player than Scowen covering for the injured Geoff Cameron.
Pawel Wszolek’s combative play on the right wing is seen as a good foil for Luke Freemen’s technical ability on the opposite flank. Both have been hit and miss with their end product but have assisted a number of important goals in recent games, not least Freeman’s freekick for the winner at Forest.
Playmaker Eberechi Eze has been criticised for drifting through games although opponents may have worked out how to stifle his clever technique and movement. Nahki Wells is a good finisher and also a relentless harrier of defences, while target man Matt Smith has regularly appeared off the bench,
"Oh, my Santa we won!”, "At club level it has been like England’s penalty shoot-out misery”, "That’s for every single Rangers fan who has travelled to Forest for decades and seen us get spanked”, "We broke the hoodoo and it is fantastic. Thank you, Steve and Merry Christmas to every R's fan there.”
"Great time to score, that's when we usually concede!” Rangers secured their famous victory when Leistner headed in Freeman's freekick on 45 minutes. It was their first chance in the game and they frustrated Forest through the second half. "I love this team and I don't care who knows it.”
"Forest had the ball a lot but they did little with it”, "I expected us to concede three or four with our patched up back-four but was I wrong. They played brilliantly, staying well organised and positioned all match”, "What a fantastic win. I am just on train home now and I could float back to London.”
"A victory not just for us but for football as a game today”. "The first half was poor, but we played really well after their equaliser. That was a great win”, "It was a well-deserved win and it was great to see how well we coped after Middlesbrough equalised. We didn’t fold like I had expected us to.”
Wszolek put Rangers ahead from close range on four minutes. The hosts dominated the first half, but Boro levelled from George Saville’s volley on 51 when Rangers were down to 10 men with defender Lynch injured. Wells won the game for Rangers on 60 tucking in Wszolek's cross.
"That was an excellent performance against the meanest defence in the league. We played so well in horrific conditions”, "I have seen some filthy teams this season in the Championship but this lot take the biscuit”, "They looked huge compared to us. I would get neck ache watching them every week.”
"Massimo Luongo is in Geoff Cameron's role and we have no defenders on bench.” The starting XI (above) highlighted McClaren’s limited room for manoeuvre with the club’s financial constraints this season. Cousins, Furlong and Leistner had to switch positions when Lynch went off injured on 52.
"A top vs mid-table game”, "Leeds were very good but on the whole, we looked very nervous”, "a deer in the headlights comes to mind”, "Queens Park Strangers”, "Still, losing to the champions of Europe and the greatest team in the whole galaxy, that's ordained by God himself, isn’t too shabby.”
Wells put Rangers ahead on 26 when he finished with a left-foot shot Kemar Roofe turned in from close range to equalise on the stroke of half-time, and completed the turnaround for the hosts from the penalty spot eight minutes after the restart after Leistner was penalised for handball.
"Leeds pressed us effectively and we needed to close the space between our midfield and Wells”, "It was not a good day for us. Not only did we lose, it looks like we have lost Geoff Cameron and Angel Rangel with Boro up next”, "When Cameron went off we clearly lost our shape and our balance.”
Midfielder Cameron went off injured midway through this game and right-back Rangel withdrew in second-half stoppage time. The subsequent absence of these two veterans has forced McClaren to reorganise his midfield and defence with Jordan Cousins and Darnell Furlong featuring.
"Joe Lumley is a first-class keeper.” The 23-year-old Spurs and QPR youth product "made a killer save late on at Forest”, "He has been vital in our great improvement in form. His distribution, command of the area and confidence are remarkable for one so young. He will grow into a truly great keeper.”
"Lumley seems to have all the attributes. He can definitely be erratic and overconfident sometimes, but I'm sure this side of his game will improve with more games under his belt”, "His positioning is good and his handling is better. He cleanly collects crosses and firmly punches others out of danger.”
"We lose Rangel, but have a great replacement in Darnell Furlong.” The 23-year-old youth product "was key at Forest. He controlled the line and ran the back four. Considering a season ago positional play was weak, today he looked the senior player in our defence. He was superb alongside Leitner.”
"Centre-back may be Furlong’s best position by the looks of things. He's fast and really good in the air. He makes crucial defensive interventions and his long throws are a bonus”, "He reads the game brilliantly and wins so many headers. I’m not sure about his pace, but he’s a really solid defender.”
"I like Jake Bidwell, he’s a solid reliable player.” The 25-year-old former Brentford left-back "is a solid defender first and foremost, which is more important than having a silky touch further up the pitch”, "Defensively he is top notch and he can also attack quite successfully from what I have seen of him.”
"Bidwell does exactly what it says on the tin. He’s a wholehearted defender but he is lightly skilled and slowly-paced, so he’s less of an attacking outlet”, "He makes me nervous at times and struggles without support ”, "He really needs to work on his delivery and he'll be much more effective player.”
"Why no Grant Hall at Forest?” The 27-year-old ex-Brighton man "is a good player when fit but if his contract is up in the summer then a it’s a cheerio from me”. "There was rumour about a hamstring injury that he was struggling with again, but it’s very slight hip flexor niggle that will clear up soon.”
"I wish Joel Lynch well in his recovery, but the cynic in me can’t help thinking that he always seems to have Christmas off.” The 31-year-old ex-Huddersfield man "has been playing well this season and helping ensure we play it out from the back better. McClaren has really improved him this season”.
"Toni must be one of the best value signings in our league this year, especially when you consider how much we needed a new centre-back.” The 28-year-old arrived from Union Berlin in July and "has exceeded all expectations after a shaky start. He has been a tower of defensive strength”.
"Leitner brings such power and stability in the middle of defence”, "He’s so reliable, a proper leader who talks all the time and leads by example.”, "His positioning and determination are superb. It is years since I saw a player win literally every aerial contest that he went for across a full 90 minutes.”
"Jordan Cousins was very busy in midfield against Boro, but he was also super at right-back against Forest, keeping their kept left winger under lock and key.” The 24-year-old ex-Charlton man "brings energy and a bit of height to the side. He can mix it as well as Scowen but can also hold his position.”
"Cousins is very good in central midfield. He more of a ‘disruptor’ in midfield than someone who has out-and-out aggression. He has looked the part and also slotted in well at right-back”, "He is my first choice to deputise in the middle when Geoff Cameron is out. He’s busy and effective in the centre.”
"I’m happy that Josh Scowen has got his mojo back just when needed.” The 25-year-old ex-Barnsley man "was the embodiment of Holloway, a battling player, but capable of rash decisions with little end product”, "He was busy and a right pain in the backside at Forest, the Scowen of last season.”
"Scowen having one of his better ratty games on Saturday”, "He clearly puts in a shift and can mix it, but he’s often caught out of position which leads to him getting carded or giving silly freekick”, "I’m glad the Goblin Boy finding some form again and he will hopefully get more games going forward.”
"Is Eberechi Eze the new Adel Taarabt? I am often frustrated and only occasionally impressed with a flash of great play by him.” The 20-year-old one-time Arsenal youth product "loses the ball much too easily for my liking at times. He really needs to improve his end product and has not been involved.”
"I can't help feeling that too often Eze is not aggressive enough to live up to the potential”. "He is a clever player who can trick his way clear of opponents, but he slows down the play doubling back or inexplicably falling over”, "His performances have been good, but he’s far from the finished article.”
"Massimo Luongo battled effectively at Forest and broke everything up.” The 26-year-old Australian international, one-time Town loanee and former Swindon man "has been a roving ball-winner who complements the side well under McClaren, who has put some sort of purpose into his game over the last few months”.
"Luongo is a box-to-box type of player. He may not provide the final assist and his shooting is poor, but he's the one breaking up and starting play, or giving the ball the player who will make the assist”, "He could miss up to seven games with the Asian Cup in January, and this could also affect his form.”
"Bright Osayi-Samuel should be on before Matt Smith. I can't understand why managers will throw on all the strikers and not actually think about the supply line.” The 20-year-old ex-Blackpool man has made a few cameo appearances lately. "I like him, he has the pace and we lack a bit at times.”
"It's high time to unleash the kraken and give Osayi-Samuel a run in the first XI”, "I would like find a way of getting him into the team or at least more game time as there is a player in there”. "He has looked lively and dangerous in his all too short cameos. We should give him a few more chances.”
"Luke Freeman has been in his best ever form for the past two months.” The 26-year-old ex-Bristol City man "was a show pony last season with la weak end product. This year he is a defensive terrier whilst providing much better distribution”, "He whipped in a great freekick for Leistner to head in.”
"Freeman is transformed player. He has now stepped up by two or three notches from last season’s performances”, "He had his time as chief playmaker and captain and he seemed to try too hard and overdo things but his role this season stationed on the left flank seems to suit him much better.”
"Our best performances over the last couple of years usually involved Wszolek.” The 26-year-old Poland international and one-time Sampdoria right winger "is a natural wide player who puts in a tireless shift and he shows dogged determination in developing possession down the right wing”.
"Pawel’s work rate and defensive commitment is second to none”, "He was unplayable against Boro with a goal and an assist. Forget this ‘mediocre output’ nonsense. The bloke knows his role and does it well. He can be guilty of clumsy challenges but he’s a great outlet and really works his socks off.”
"Pump it up to Matt Smith it is then.” With Tomer Hemed injured, the 29-year-old former Leeds and Fulham target man has been a frequent substitute lately. "He is often brought on as a defensive move whilst still able to operate up top”, "His height is useful defending corners during a late onslaught.”
"Smith offered nothing going forward. He lacks pace and mobility, and whenever we get the ball into their box, he gave away a foul. He needs putting out to graze”, "He’s a useful option, offering a focal point for our wide players. He holds the line and offers something different to the side if we need it.”
"Nahki Wells is the most exciting striker QPR has had in a long time.” The 28-year-old loanee from Burnley "gives his all. He has pace and touch, and he seems to have the kind of character that makes fans and fellow players proud to support him”, "He has become a really important player for us.”
"Wells has been superb for us since coming here. You defend from the front and his defensive effort has been commendable, a refreshing change in this day and age”, "He does well as a lone striker not giving defences a minute on the ball”, "He’s a light-footed clinical striker who chases players down.”
"Wow, Ipswich have scored against Wigan”, "How the **** did Ipswich beat Swansea?”, "They have been a bit of a bogey team in the past”, "Their fans in October were very much like us at the start of the season. They were very down, despondent and couldn't see where the next win is coming from.”
With the combined distractions of a famous win at Forest and Christmas to think about, QPR fans have had little to say ahead Wednesday’s game, but their perceptions have been coloured by their comfortable win in October. With us and Reading visiting this week, six points are seen as a must.
If there is any additional comment ahead of the game, I will put this up on the forum and link it via my Twitter feed.
The busiest QPR forum is our sister site, the brilliant Loft For Words. The message board has some well-informed and knowledgeable posters, while Clive Whittingham’s previews and match reports are required reading. QPR highlights are available on the Multimedia menu as well as Ipswich Town and for the whole of the Championship and other EFL leagues.
This is just to wish everyone the happiest of Christmases and all the best for the New Year! A huge thank you to Phil and Gav for their hard work in carefully going through and editing the Notes and setting them up so brilliantly on the website and thank you so much for your insightful comments!
While it has not been an ideal first half of the season (to say the least), there has been good reason to be optimistic both from Paul Lambert’s utterly positive approach since arriving and the fact that a group of six or so teams in the division have tailed off badly. A great escape is definitely achievable!
Have a brilliant Christmas everyone!