Blackburn Vs QPR

We're still too nice on the pitch. Yes, it was a poor tackle but, Travis' reaction was ridiculous, like he had stumbled across the victim of a shark attack! All of the Blackburn players pile in on the Ref who has no choice but to show a red. We need to be more street-wise, get in the Ref's ear more. Not needlessly( I'm looking at you Colback). But when we've been wronged. I only saw Smyth complain about our disallowed "goal", which was never a foul.

This weekend I was away on a fishing break. The last time I spent the weekend away fishing we played Leeds and took them apart. On Saturday I left my gear on the bank and watched the Blackburn game. It was chalk and cheese compared to that Leeds game. What's happened to that team who totally outplayed the mob from Elland Road? OK we're missing our star man in Illias but some of those that played against Blackburn should be ashamed of their half hearted display.

Unlike some others I thought overall Nardi did well and of all our summer signings he's been the best. I also thought that Steve Cook tried to stem the 2nd half tide but he never looks as confident without his mate, JCS. The other player who can't be criticised is Michael Frey who was doing his best with very little help.

In respect of Varane who got all the headlines I've made the point before that the guy is niave in how to tackle. He may have got away with jump tackles in the Spanish 2nd Division but as he found out you're in trouble if you start doing that in the Championship. Talking of niave players I need to add Santos to my list. When you're on a booking and you get turned but still decide to grab an opposition player then it's only a miracle that allows you to stay on the pitch. Santos got that miracle but Marti knew he had to replace him or he'd be joining Varane in the bath tub. We've discussed Madsen previously and like Saito and Celar I think they're still trying to get to grips with Marti's system and the pace and physicality of the Championship. Dembele has shown flashes of brilliance but he's so inconsistent and I'm still not sure that Marti knows his best position.

The player who I struggle with the most is Paul Smyth, he can look a major threat when pushing forward but his final ball and his finishing are just poor. I feel that we have to play him because he's a threat but mainly to the fans in the stands with his wayward passing and finishing.

I hope that on Tuesday the lucky QPR turn up because we're a long way away from being a team like the one that beat Leeds and I'm going to cling to the hope that once this lot gel we can start to move away from the lower half of the league.