The match against Charlton marks the half way point of the 2019/20 season and we have dropped one place to 14th.
We have a very mid table record of 9 wins and 9 defeats with 5 draws.
Had we not conceded in the last 10 seconds we would have been within 3 points of 5th place but instead we are 5 points off the top 6, which is effectively 6 points given our poor goal difference.
Last season we were 10th at Christmas, 2 points better off on 34 points, so not too much difference. Let's not forget we had a very good Christmas last year but then tailed off incredibly in the second half of the season.
Our 37 goals scored is only bettered by league leaders West Brom
Conversely our 44 goals conceded is the 3rd worst record in the league, only behind the 46 of Barnsley and and 47 of Luton.
If you like to remain glass half full we have only lost 1 of the last 5 games
If your glass is half empty we only have 2 wins in the last 11 games.
Ebere Eze and Ryan Manning both started all 23 games in the opening half of the season
It is 10 games out in a row for key defender Yoann Barbet
We haven't won in the last 8 games in which Ilias Chair has appeared.
Marc Pugh scored his first QPR goal. We have only lost 1 of the last 8 games in which Pugh has played so the stats suggest he is becoming a key man.
It is a combined 13 appearances now for Hugill and Wells without a goal. (Wells 7 blanks, Hugill 6)
You will not be surprised to read that I have viewed the full 90 minutes, or that I have a few comments:
The Rs dominated the first 35 minutes, with only 2 proper attacks on goal by Charlton, and should have been at least two up at half-time. (Wells interception of the back-pass and susequent 1-on-1 with their goalie showed his skill in reading the situation but also his lack of finishing at the moment...)
Other than Wells' miss, the team effort and skill was there for all to see against a side unworried at how they stopped QPR players. This is the best half I have seen Kane play, and Pugh & Amos were relentless in midfield and attack.
With the intensity of that first 35 minutes it is not too surprising that the Rs started to look tired in the last 10 minutes, allowing Charlton to use possession better, but it does show a worrying trend of not being able to maintain the intensity for a full half that we have seen in recent matches. Mistakes are being made and the team being punished as a result I would suggest...
The second half saw Charlton reinvigorated, with more attacks as a result (especially Doughty down their left wing against Kane). We talk about Warburton only having a 'Plan A' but I saw Amos partnering Leistner at the back as Hall surged forward...?
Their first goal was the result of a poor defensive mistake in defending the corner, but it was not a recognised defender's mistake - it was a poor clearance by Wells. We probably should not berate anyone for that - it was surprising to see Wells that far back defending (and now we know why he rarely is that far back)!
The threat from Charlton needed a change from the bench it felt and, on 61 minutes Wells was taken off for BOS to have a go at their backs. You could criticise Warburton for not keeping Wells on, but I felt he had no choice with Charton's threat in midfield and down the wings. The next substitution would matter more I felt...
BOS' second attack, on a long ball, showed all his tenacity and skill as he finished off with a great pass along the ground into the penalty area for Pugh to pounce upon and score!
Then at 77 minutes we had a double substitution: Scowen & Chair on for Amos & Pugh. This was a very odd change to make in my opinion. Why Scowen rather than Ball? Why not replace Cameron with Wallace, move Hall into DM; Ball become the other DM to add solidity; and take off Eze & Amos if you must? For me, both Amos & Pugh were playing well, with no signs of injury, and should have stayed on anyway!
Whereas Charlon's first goal was just 'one of those things' you could not say that about their second. The Rs had been defending long, probing balls like this all afternoon but, for some reason, Cameron misjudged his header and it carried on past him to allow an easy goal....
So it was a draw, one that Charlton's players and supporters celebrated and the Rs moaned, which tells you all you need to know about the points awarded..
Overall a far better display and team effort than against Bansley!
