QPR v Watford 14Jan24 1-2 FT 21pts/23rd

Asmir Begovic: 5
Jake Livermore scored with two fine strikes but was aided by Begovic’s slow feet, which has been a problem.

Reggie Cannon: 7
Is an exciting player and did well on the right, defending solidly and offering a threat going forward.

Jimmy Dunne: 7
Has struggled badly for form since his return from injury, but this was better. He looked sharper and more comfortable on the ball than in recent weeks – and would have scored a stoppage-time equaliser but for a superb save by keeper Ben Hamer.

Jake Clarke-Salter: 7
Had another very decent game, a highlight of which was a superb challenge to deny Matheus Martins. His improved fitness has been a rare positive for Rangers in what has so far been a miserable season.

Kenneth Paal: 6
Involved in some nice link-up play on the right but his delivery from set-pieces continues to be poor.

Jack Colback: 6
Back from injury and competed well in midfield before going off in the second half. Missed a great chance to equalise, though, when he shot wide.

Sam Field: 7
Did well after picking up his almost customary yellow card early on. Has the ability to be surgically careful when on a booking, never shirking challenges but making them sensibly to avoid a second booking – which makes it even stranger that he can’t seem to avoid those yellows.

Chris Willock: 7
Lively in spells, finding space to good effect and always a willingness to run at defenders. Still not at his best but Rangers still tend to look a better side with him in it.

Ilias Chair: 7
Back from injury, Chair was always a threat and linked up nicely with both Willock and Sinclair Armstrong. Went close with a free-kick.

Lyndon Dykes: 7
Quite decent in a withdrawn role and was on hand to score with a close-range finish to give Rangers hope.

Sinclair Armstrong: 8
Still lacks composure – summed up by a heavy touch when through on goal early in the second half – but he was otherwise excellent. Worried Watford with his pace and power, had a couple of efforts on goal and played a major role in Rangers at least posing a threat, which they all-too often fail to do.

Paul Smyth: 7
Did well after coming on for the final 20 minutes and his cross led to Dykes’ goal.

Elijah Dixon-Bonner: 6
Came on with Smyth and gave some extra impetus after replacing the tiring Colback.