PNE v QPR 1 - 3 FT 7MAR20 (Now 12th/50pts/-4GD)
Mar 10, 2020 0:33:42 GMT
Post by kingfisher on Mar 10, 2020 0:33:42 GMT
Quick analysis of a momentous victory for the Rs:
Finally, congrats to the QPR Ladies for making it through to the League Cup final in a spectacular 6-1 win against Whyteleafe! If you have not been to one of their games yet - try and make the LEAGUE CUP FINAL.
- A shaky start that allowed the home side to demonstrate why they were in the Playoff and, after a dreadful pass and falling over when in a desperate pursuit, a particularly shaky start for Ryan Manning! /li]
[li]The strong winds cross-field did nothing to help make this game entertaining, and this is now weeks since we have had stable weather at the weekend... - In my opinion, no matter how accidental it was, there is no question that on 17 mins Marc Pugh did foul Fisher, so a penalty was rightly awarded. Credit to Kelly for nearly saving it - especially after Johnson's blatant theatrics!
- PNE focused their attack on our left side. Whether they also perceive Manning as a weak link or not, that was their tactic. The commentators were adding Pugh's slowness as another reason to do this, but I have never felt he is that slow - rather that he tires in the last 20 mins or so.
- Preston showed why they are doing particularly well this season: well organised; calm when needed; inventive; able to break effectively; and still masters of the dark arts (delaying free kicks being taken), a constant trickle of niggley fouls (that the ref let go)and we would have probably seen their famous time-wasting if we were not ahead later...
- We often mentioning the quality of refereeing we see in the Championship. Sometimes it is the poor decisions made, and sometimes it is the inconsistency of decisions. This game was more about the inconsistencies, as Eze/Ball/Hugill/Pugh are failed with impunity; whilst PNE got far too many fouls awarded for less, and I must make a special mention for the hand-ball in the penalty area as Manning shot at goal [54 mins]...
- So HT came with the score 1-0. Neither side had made much of chances created in the goal area and there were pretty few anyway. Manning was not having a great game (perhaps he did not like being targeted); but there were odd flashes from Eze/BOS, and strong performances from Rangel (experience shows), Barbet (great awareness and attack-mindedness for a CB), and Cameron (crucial interceptions and great attacking moves). What difference would the team talk make and playing the other way in the wind? Well Warburton thought either a change of playing style was needed or that some players were having a bad day (not sure which); either way, Pugh & Ball did not come back, and Chair & Amos replaced them. Suddenly it seems, we are making longer strings of passes and better forays upfield. You have to credit Mr Warburton for what he said and what he did at Half Time...
- Cameron's first yellow was given by the referee without hesitation after he went for the ball as Preston's Gallagher did. I almost wondered if the card was given for his dissent at the decision, because it was clumsy but not intentional. Either way, the referee had set in motion the Canadian's demise...
- Well it seems that a week off is good for Hall's scoring prowess as on 61 mins he arrives late and scores from a Eze free kick. That was a worthy equaliser.
- Then immediately after the equaliser we see the Rs defence collapsing as they 'deal' with a long-range free kick. Credit to Preston for the idea, but surely our defenders should be defending - not bl**dy applauding their efforts!
- So, on 67 mins, it came to pass. Cameron's trailing boot catches Fisher (who has been hacking anyone in fluorescent blue), and rather than issue a final warning to Geoffers the ref hands him a red card. Unfair but there it is, and I remember posting at that point that this was so typical of QPR - use two of the substitutions to get back on equal status with Preston and then go down to 10 men! It dd not bode well...
- manning's long, curving ball into the far corner of their goal was superb on 78 mins to make it 1-2! It was also no more than the Rs deserved, and you had to keep reminding yourself that we only had 10 men out there - but men with heart!! Six minutes later, following a breakaway by BOS he finds Eze in the same area Manning was for his goal. Eze then replicates that curving cross-post goal to beat the keeper once again and we are 1-3 - heigh ho Super-Rangers!!!
- MotM? Could have been Barbet or even Rangel (despite an extra time push on Stockley in the penalty area) or Hall (great goal) at the back; or a combination of Cameron/Amos in DM; or Eze for, well, just being Eze...
Finally, congrats to the QPR Ladies for making it through to the League Cup final in a spectacular 6-1 win against Whyteleafe! If you have not been to one of their games yet - try and make the LEAGUE CUP FINAL.
