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QPR 1-0 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 6th Feb 2016 17:01

Matt Phillips netted in the 88th minute to hand QPR a 1-0 victory over the Blues at Loftus Road. But for an excellent goalkeeping display from Bartosz Bialkowski Town would have been behind at half-time, but the second period was a more even affair in which both teams had chances and Phillips headed home late on to claim the three points.

Mick McCarthy handed Luke Varney his first league start since May alongside Brett Pitman, the duo having combined to created Town’s late winner against Reading on Tuesday.

Daryl Murphy and Ainsley Maitland-Niles dropped to the bench, while Luke Hyam missed out with a calf injury and was replaced in central midfield by Kevin Bru.

For QPR, who included former Blues loanee Massimo Luongo from the start, full debutant Conor Washington came in for the sold Leroy Fer in an otherwise unchanged team.

The game started in a blustery wind and with Town in their Barcelona-style second strip for only the second time.

Blues keeper Bialkowski was forced in a double save inside the first 35 seconds. Phillips escaped down the right and hit a powerful shot from a tight angle which the Polish keeper pushed away from goal. The loose ball fell to Luongo but Bialkowski was there again to deny the Australian.

Bru picked up his third booking of the season for a foul on Alejandro Faurlin in the eighth minute with the early stages of the match having been hampered by the swirling wind and a number of stoppages for injuries.

There was a scare for Town in the 13th minute when Jonas Knudsen allowed himself to be robbed by Phillips, who took the ball into the area on the QPR right before Christophe Berra got across to dispossess him.

Rangers continued to have the better of it and on 16 Washington cut the ball back to Sebastian Polter from the left but Berra got in the way of his effort at goal.

The Blues again had Bialkowski to thank for keeping the scores level in the 19th minute when Phillips sent over a cross from the right which reached an unmarked Junior Hoilett at the far post. The Town keeper came off his line quickly to block and Sears did enough to prevent Polter from getting in a subsequent strike.

On 21 a long wind-assisted Knudsen throw down the left beat Nedim Onuoha and reached Pitman, who slid in to cut the ball across the box but with none of his team-mates there to add the final touch.

Two minutes later, Bialkowski batted away a Hoilett shot from 25 yards, then on 28 the Canadian international cut in from the left and hit a shot to the keeper’s right that he got down to save and then claim at the second attempt.

Faurlin joined Bru in referee Charles Breakspear’s book in the 33rd minute for diving in somewhat recklessly on Sears, angering the Town players who surrounded the official.

Five minutes later, Bru gifted the ball to Hoilett, who just failed to thread Polter in on the right of the area.

As the half moved into its final five minutes the lively former Blackburn Rovers man curled another strike just beyond the top corner of Bialkowski’s goal from the right.


Pitman struck Town’s first shot on goal of the game four minutes before the break from the edge of the box but keeper Alex Smithies was untroubled.

Phillips again got away from Knudsen in the 43rd minute and crossed low to James Perch, who turned it past Bialkowski’s left post.

A minute later, an interchange of passes on the right ended with Hoilett curling a shot past the opposite post.

Town will have been much the happier to have gone in with the scoreline still 0-0 at the break with QPR having been on top throughout and having had all the game’s chances.

But for a number of impressive stops from Bialkowski and some important blocks and interceptions from Berra, the Blues could have found themselves well behind at half-time.

Town had struggled to gain control in midfield and had shown little going forward with the wind perhaps having favoured the home side during the first half, while Murphy’s physical presence had been missed up front.

The Blues remained unchanged after the break and started the second half brightly, Fraser sending over a cross from the left but beyond Varney and Pitman. Town continued to threaten in the opening minutes, Pitman heading to Smithies following a corner on the right.

But the home side began to get back on top and on 52 Faurlin wafted a pass towards Phillips into the area which held up in the wind and Bialkowski claimed.

Three minutes later, Berra did well to get ahead of Polter to nod a cross from the left wide, then soon after Smith cut out a ball in from the right.

Town switched Varney and Cole Skuse - who had appeared to be carrying an injury - for Murphy and Giles Coke, who was a youth player with QPR.

Murphy immediately won a ball in the air which led to a chance, Fraser hitting a low ball across the six-yard box which no one was able to reach.

Soon after, QPR swapped Faurlin for Daniel Tozser, then Onuoha was booked for a foul on Sears.

On 63 Coke played in Fraser on the right of the area but Grant Hall saw the ball out of play, then three minutes later Murphy cushion down to Bru, who fed the Scotland U21 international but his effort failed to test Smithies.

The Blues were in the game more than they were in the first half, however, even if the home side were still having more of the chances.

In the 69th minute Berra did superbly to get across in front of Washington after Paul Konchesky had whipped in a cross from the left. Moments later, the recent signing from Peterborough twisted and turned on the edge of the box before shooting over.

Hoilett was replaced by Jamie Mackie ion 70, having suffered an earlier knock when challenged by Coke.

The Blues midfielder underwent lengthy treatment himself in the 74th minute after going down off the ball but eventually continued.

As the game moved into its final 15 minutes Fraser charged down a Smithies kick but the ball flew out.

Pitman headed weakly past Smithies’s left post, then at the other end Bialkowski saved a low Luongo shot from distance comfortably.

Town twice went close to grabbing the lead with 10 minutes left on the clock. A long Knudsen throw-in from the left was flicked on and eventually found Pitman, who stabbed towards goal. Smithies saved and Sears got to the loose ball but the keeper was able to grab hold of the ball.

With eight minutes remaining Bru sent over a corner from the right and Pitman hit a volley which Tozser blocked.

The Blues had begun to look more threatening in the final minutes but with two minutes remaining the home side grabbed the lead.

Sub Abdenasser El Khayati showed some clever footwork on the right before crossing to the unmarked Phillips, who headed into the roof of the net from eight yards.

The Town players protested about a Polter handball earlier in the move, but to no avail.

Pitman looked to get the Blues back on terms immediately, but shot weakly through to Smithies, then Bialkowski pushed away a powerful Tozser strike.

The Blues continued to press in injury time, Knudsen sending over a low cross which Sears diverted to Smithies, then QPR eventually managed to clear a scramble in the box in which Smith saw an overhead kick blocked and Sears had another shot saved by Smithies.

In the closing moments Fraser pulled up short with a hamstring injury and Larsen Touré briefly took over.

Soon after, referee Breakspear’s final whistle confirmed the Blues’ second last-gasp defeat in their last two visits to Loftus Road.

Having been very much second best in the first half, after the break the game had been more even with both sides having chances, the majority of Town's late on.

But it was QPR - defeated 2-1 in the final minute at Portman Road on Boxing Day - who took one of their chances to claim their first home win since November 28th, their first at Loftus Road under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and only the second victory of the Dutchman's time in charge.

Town, who travel to Bristol City next Saturday, drop to seventh, two points behind Sheffield Wednesday, who came from behind to win 2-1 at Birmingham, who are now eighth.

QPR: Smithies, Perch, Hall, Onouha (c), Konchesky, Faurlin (Tozser 59), Luongo, Hoilett (Mackie 70), Phillips, Washington (El Khayati 81), Polter. Unused: Ingram, Angella, Chery, Petresso.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen, Skuse (Coke 58), Bru, Fraser (Touré 9), Sears, Varney (Murphy 58), Pitman. Unused: Henly, Foley, Digby, Maitland-Niles. Referee: Charles Breakspear (Surrey). Att: 17,044 (Town: 3,188).


Photo: Action Images



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blueboy1981 added 17:08 - Feb 6
Wait for it .... !! - of course, we were playing 'yet another' good team.

The defeat would be nothing to do with our reluctance to attack from the off - now would it ??

Go for the point - and we get nowt.
26

blueboy1981 added 17:08 - Feb 6
Wait for it .... !! - of course, we were playing 'yet another' good team.

The defeat would be nothing to do with our reluctance to attack from the off - now would it ??

Go for the point - and we get nowt.
4

vanmunt added 17:14 - Feb 6
Fraser hamstring, oh dear.. Our wafer thin squad looks bad news with Hyam and now Scuse injury worries. Guess MM's theory there isn't any better players available than Coke or Toure theory will be tested. One bright bit of news that Barts had a good game, be interesting to see what happens when Gerkin is fit.
20

atty added 17:16 - Feb 6
There you go. Stats don't look so bad but headed goal from an unmarked player! Rangers had most of the game/chances. Fraser injured, Skuse injured. Great. Oh but well played Bart. 3188 away fans which is surperb well done all. Shame the team can't perform as well as the fans.
18

BanksterDebtSlave added 17:18 - Feb 6
Wait for it.......here come the merchants of doom!
-12

loyal_Blue added 17:19 - Feb 6
Bart kept us in that the first half, could of quite easily been 3-0 down... Varney and pitman shouldn't be allowed to play up front together they both are exactly the same, it didn't work against Portsmouth and it had no effect today seeing as I think we had one shot in the first half...... Murphy made a huge difference once he came on. Fraser looks like he will be out for a while.... Squad is becoming very small now.........
17

Kesgraveblue57 added 17:21 - Feb 6
It could have been far worse QPR were the best team overall
6

rendoblue added 17:22 - Feb 6
I'm sorry but if Murphys fit, Murphy plays! Best striker at the club and is a hand full for defenders.
17

SW1_Blue added 17:25 - Feb 6
Up and at em lads. Use the channels. Quick pass forward.
1

carlo88 added 17:25 - Feb 6
Yeah but Leicester and Ranieri won today so I'm smiling.
1

warkthelint added 17:26 - Feb 6
MM has invented the principle of trying to win matches without shooting on goal..how on earth will we be promoted playing so defensively when other teams ho for attack.It's. looking grim..like our way of playing. Can't our stubborn manager put pride aside and go all out to win? We all know he is tactically inept but there is a limit to one's patience.Very grim today alas...
18

TractorBoy666 added 17:26 - Feb 6
Sorry but we were totally dominated in that first half by a mid table team and even though the second half we improved, we didn't look like scoring until they did. Let's be honest most of us know the squad hasn't got enough depth, and even if we do reach the top six somehow we'll only go and lose to 3rd/4th who could either be Boro, Hull, Burnley, Derby or Brighton. I wouldn't fancy us to beat either of those teams over 2 legs because of the quality they have. We've had too many of these 'off' days this season and I honestly thought last season was our best shot at promotion if we had spent a bit more in January, but I'm seeking to say that every year now. Don't get me wrong, I think a lot of our players are worthy to be in a promotion winning side, but looking beyond our strongest 11 we haven't got much else for when somebody gets injured. Just look at when Fraser got injured and we had to rely on Bru on the wing or Toure or Sears who for me HAS to play up front.
17

Bluetone added 17:27 - Feb 6
Norwich coming down we'll be playing them in the Championship next season.
5

blueherts added 17:28 - Feb 6
'Our ' best player out injured , our next two best players injured - I will say it again our squad is paper thin and u cannot tell me a bench with Coke Toure and Digby is strength in depth , 'no one out there better' apparently
My point is not about losing this game it is lack of planning for final 3 months
MM and TC got their long term deals sewn up but not enough to reinforce Hmmm
27

sirmichealmills added 17:31 - Feb 6
Oh dear, is MM happy with the squad now....a couple of weeks ago after Portsmouth defeat he said
He'd have to play his first 11 all the time to get results (or words to that effect)
We only need 1 or 2 in (in my opinion), I know it we haven't got big money but....

Can't / couldn't get anyone better that what we've got?

I don't believe you mick, someone's lying here or hiding behind the "no money" card.

15

Pip50 added 17:34 - Feb 6
"Merchants of doom" realists more like. Not strenghening in the window looks a good move. Rangers have only one once in ten. Mid table bekons
MM do the decent thing and go so we can truly build a footballing team.
23

Bluetone added 17:36 - Feb 6
@blueherts. MM and TC have got their long term deals sewn up but it's not them I worry about it's the future of our Club. An owner interested in football in general and Ipswich in particular and a manager who wants to and lets the players play "proper" football the academy players do so why don't the first team? That is what is needed. Where do we get them? In these money driven times the Lord above only knows.
6

TimmyH added 17:38 - Feb 6
Well how ever you want to look at it inconsistency after a quite good November/December period is starting to rear it's head again infact mirroring what happened last season. 8 points from 6 games is distinctly average.

Today sounded like QPR whom previously had only won 1 game in 10 had the lions share of the game and chances but ironically when we had our best spell nearer the end they then went and scored. I mentioned earlier in the week if we kept injury free then the quiet January transfer window might not effect us that badly but with both Fraser and Skuse picking up injuries today (how bad we don't know) then again this might come back to haunt us, having Coke/Toure in the team hardly sets pulses racing.

Great support again from us today (we must have the best travelling support in this league) just a shame not a better performance.
12

Westy added 17:40 - Feb 6
Norwich are in the Relegation Zone. It's not all bad.
4

Juggsy added 17:40 - Feb 6
Went to watch Newcastle v West Brom today via tickets for troops. Impressive passing display, nice to see Andros Townsend for the first time since he was on loan with us.

Back to real life, nothing about our game has changed sadly.
2

Ruddockclyro added 17:41 - Feb 6
Shame we couldn't hold on today but i felt we played decent, problem being you can't play decent and win promotion. We are still around the playoffs places so with the squad with got with a few good players and a mostly average players we're doing quite well, have to go again again Bristol next week.
-6

BanksterDebtSlave added 17:41 - Feb 6
Only put that post there to give you something to vote down as you all need something to feel good about it seems. Do you all live together blueboy1981, bluetone and warktheline and hold hands when you vote and has blue feast just popped to the corner shop as I'm sure his vote can't be far away!
-9

blueboy1981 added 17:45 - Feb 6
BanksterDebtSlave .......... you're far too sad to even see the light. Long since do.
2

Ipswich58 added 17:46 - Feb 6
Park the bus for rest of season and try to eke out a point here or there . FGS can't people see MM is a boring joke now.
17

jas0999 added 17:55 - Feb 6
Nowhere near good enough I'm afraid. It's one thing scraping a home win against a poor side on Tuesday, it's quite another playing a half decent side ( who aren't great) where yet again we have proved not to be good enough. QPR thoroughly deserved their win and if it hadn't been for Bart then it would have been game over at half time. Still, Gerks is back soon so I'm sure he will return in goal.

The lack of January transfer activity now looks even more disastrous. Injuries mounting up. We know MM says he's happy with his squad, but we also know he makes the point he couldn't improve with his BUDGET. The bench today, Murphy aside, shows the level of our budget. Weak bench doesn't even come close, most of those players would struggle to get a game in division one, whilst the complete lack of quality in the starting eleven is glaring.

It's remarkable we are still so high up in the league, credit to MM who in my opinion has been let down by Evans. We seem to be operating at a lower division one side player transfer budget rather than a championship chasing one. Still, I'm sure Evans will have a great excuse for increasing ticket prices. I'm frustrated, because I truly believe that with a modest transfer budget in January we would have pressed on by adding much needed quality to the centre of midfield. However, our actual budget was apparently not enough to improve on Digby, Coke, Toure or a laughable Polish fella. Name me one other promotion chasing team who has a weaker squad after the January window? Four out - fee received. Two very poor players in. Disgraceful.
27


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