QPR v Norwich 24APR21 1 - 3 FT 10th/62pts

Post Norwich Stats:

We drop 2 places to 10th after the Norwich defeat

The lowest position we can now finish is 13th but as we play Stoke (12th) and Luton (13th) we only need a draw to confirm a top half finish

No matter what this is still our best season since relegation in 2015 with us on 62 points (previous best was 60 points in 2015/16)

We have only drawn 2 of the last 22 league games

4 of our last 5 defeats have been 3-1

Since our promotion back to the Championship in 2004 we've only finished the season with a positive goal difference twice - in the 2 promotion seasons of 2011 and 2014. We have dropped back to -2 as it stands.

Yoann Barbet is now just 2 games away from playing every minute of every game this season. Ebere Eze started all 46 games last season but didn't play every minute of every game.

Lyndon Dykes has 7 goals in 8 games. This run comes after he only scored 5 in his first 33 league and cup appearances.

If we can win both of the remaining games, this season will rank in the top 10 seasons we've had in the last 40 years (success based on points per game)

Against Norwich we had our 3rd different captain in the last 3 games and overall we have had 5 different captains since the start of the season.

Wallace (Norwich)
Barbet (Swansea)
Johansen (Middlesbrough)

In the majority of our early season games it was Cameron and if you go back to our defeat at the start of the season to Plymouth in the Carling cup it was Ball.

WLS rankings for the match:

Seny Dieng: 6
A rare howler gifted Norwich the lead when he allowed a speculative effort from Xavi Quintilla, that moved in the air, to slip through his hands and over the line. That aside, his handling was otherwise assured and his quick throw kick-started the move for the penalty that was missed by Lyndon Dykes.

Osman Kakay: 5
Should have scored after 30 seconds when he shot wide from inside the box but offered very little otherwise going forward. Should have been more alert to prevent the lofted cross put in for Norwich’s second goal. Rangers enjoyed their best spell of the game after Albert Adomah replaced him.

Rob Dickie: 5
Given a tough test by Teemu Pukki, who left his shooting boots at home, missing a number of chances. Gave the ball away for Norwich’s third goal when his under-hit pass was picked off by Todd Cantwell, who found Emi Buendia. Will be better for the experience against a Premier League-quality forward line.

Jordy de Wijs: 6
One misplaced header aside that almost led to a goal for Pukki, the big Dutchman played well on his return to the side. Scared the living daylights out of Kieran Dowall after taking exception to the former Everton man throwing the ball at his face.

Yohan Barbet: 6
Like the rest of the defence was up against it as Norwich moved the ball wonderfully between midfield and attack at times, but it was a fairly solid display from the Frenchman otherwise.

Lee Wallace: 5
Allowed Max Aarons to get in behind him too easily to score Norwich’s second goal a minute after Dykes missed the penalty. Struggled at times against the Canaries’ movement and pace.

Stefan Johansen: 7
Was up against it in the first half as Oliver Skipp and Kenny McLean never let him settle on the ball. However, he showed his class in the second period where he was much more prominent. Set up the penalty that was missed by Dykes with a brilliant run and pass.

George Thomas: 6
Had one decent effort in the first half that was tipped over by the excellent Tim Krul but withdrawn at half-time with Rangers being overrun in midfield.

Ilias Chair: 6
Worked hard, often without the ball, as Norwich dominated possession in the first half. Did produce a superb pass that opened up the Norwich defence but Dykes was denied by Krul. Improved in the second half when he linked up with Chris Willock but was withdrawn for Charlie Austin on 65 minutes.

Chris Willock: 7
Nullified in the first half but transformed in the second when he caused the visitors all manner of problems with his pace and quick feet as Rangers pressed hard for an equaliser. Won the penalty after being fouled by Grant Hanley and had a goal disallowed.

Lyndon Dykes: 6
Missed his first penalty in five attempts when he saw his effort saved by the legs of Krul, who had earlier denied him in the first half in a similar manner. Scored in the second half as Rangers rallied.

Sam Field: 7
Brought on at half-time and as a result Rangers looked a lot more solid in midfield as they got a foothold in the game and pushed for an equaliser.

Albert Adomah: 8
Brought on for the last half-hour and dragged Rangers back into the game as he injected some much-needed pace and crossing ability. Posed Norwich plenty of questions, highlighted by a double-nutmeg on Cantwell in the lead-up to the Rangers goal.

Charlie Austin: 6
Usually thrives on crosses into the box and was provided with plenty from Adomah, missing one glorious chance that would have made it 2-2.

Perhaps they are paid 'appearance money' stoatey! 

To quote Ted Hastings, "Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the wee donkey, can we just move this thing along before it drives us all round the bloody bend?”