Derby v QPR 29NOV21 1 - 2 FT 3rd/35pts

Loved the linking of the Titantic theme with us beating Derby minxymartin!

massive win that for us, opens up a gap to 7th place and potential to close gap to 2nd this weekend. I thought we were really good second half, should have had the game won earlier but two brilliant goals

In the first half we seemed to be asleep and played some really sloppy stuff. We did similer at the start of last season where we were lacklustre and gave the ball away too easily. In several games recently we have switched off early and given the opposition gilt edged chances that luckily haven't been finished or we have scrambled away.

The Derby goal was finished well but it again showed the slowness of our defence. Barbet initially gave the ball away but Dunne and Dickie seemed to be running on the spot as the Derby player ran past them. Whilst Dickie has many good points any scout from the Premiership will have noted how Mitrovich physically dominated him when we played Fulham and how slow he is against nippy attackers.

I just wish that Warburton would give his half time talk before the match because we were totally dominant in the 2nd half. We seemed to create a chance every time we went forward and with better finishing we should have scored a lot more before that fantastic Gray winner.

A great 3 points but the big disappointment was another hamstring injury to Wallace who is vital to the balance of the way we play. I hope it's not too serious but in the transfer window we really do need to get a left wing back signed.

Totally agree our first half was a mixed bag - too many stray passes and too few interceptions in midfield. Austin added to those with his poor passes and Barbet was no better (but at least he has still played every minute of every game?). Gray said words were spoken at half-time and you could certainly see a difference in the second-half! So you have a good point stoatey : Warburton needs to skip the pre-match stuff and get straight to what should be said at half-time!   
On another note, if Wallace's hamstring problem is just a level 1 then we can relax a bit. He will miss at least one match but should be back after that. Anyone have any idea what progress McCallum is making...?

Here are the ratings according to West London Sport:

Seny Dieng: 6

Did not have a single save to make and was a virtual spectator in the second half as Rangers dominated. Could do little about the Derby goal.



Rob Dickie: 7

Stepped up at the wrong time as the ball was threaded through by Graeme Shinnie, allowing Tom Lawrence to race into the space he left behind and score. That early error aside he was a towering presence at the back.



Jimmy Dunne: 6

Caught on the wrong side of Lawrence for Derby’s goal, allowing the Rams skipper the time to hammer the ball into the top corner. Given little alarms from a toothless Derby attack but made one or two panicked clearances.



Yoann Barbet: 5

Not at his best. His loose pass picked up by Shinnie led to the Derby opener and he was too lax in possession when playing out of the back on more than one occasion. Had a header cleared off the line in the first half but twice let substitute Festy Ebosele wriggle past him late in the game as Derby pushed for a second goal.



Albert Adomah: 7

Solid in defence and got forward well as Rangers tried to spread the play wide as much as possible after going a goal down. Worked tirelessly throughout.



Stefan Johansen: 7

Showed flashes of class but was kept honest by Derby’s midfield. Grew more influential as Rangers took control in the second half.


Andre Dozzell: 5

Bypassed too often in midfield in the first half by Derby’s Shinnie and Max Bird, and guilty of passing for the sake of passing at times. Had two decent shooting opportunities before half-time but opted to lay the ball off and the chances went begging. Needs to do more when in possession.



Lee Wallace: 6

Limped off early in the second half with another hamstring injury – a worrying sign for the influential but injury-prone Scot, who was solid on the left-hand side.



Ilias Chair: 8

A lively presence throughout. Should have scored with a header and hit the post with another header in the final moments before the ball was majestically hooked home by Gray.



Chris Willock: 9

Outstanding finish for Rangers’ first goal when he side-footed home at the back post after Charlie Austin delivered a magnificent cross. Delivered the ball that led to winner in another high-class performance.



Charlie Austin: 7

Hardworking display. Headed just over in the first half but linked up play well as he dropped deep seeking the ball. Set up the equaliser for Willock with a superb run and cross. Replaced by Gray 15 minutes from time and revelled in teasing the home fans about the 2014 play-off final as he exited the field.



Andre Gray: 8

A magnificent 15-minute cameo from the on-loan Watford striker. Had a goal disallowed for marginal offside after smashing the ball in the top corner. Made no mistake with an outrageous winning goal when he juggled the ball in the air after Chair hit the post and then volleyed into the net.



Moses Odubajo: 7

Did really well after he came on for the injured Wallace. Made at least two crucial interceptions in defence and added some width out wide.