by CountryRoyal »
31 Mar 2018 09:09
Was absolutely shattered when I got in last night. Well how was that for excitement?!?
I thought we started off excellently, controlled the game and was playing in their half however failed to really create any clear cut openings. It was encouraging none the less. We eventually went ahead with a worldy from the best player on the pitch at the time and everything looked rosy. Then we sat back, let QPR control the ball and grow into the game and it was pretty much a battle from their on out and a real defensive test. It's a weird one, because despite all of their shots and decent chances (there were still a few) I thought we were much better defensively. We actually had a shape to us and you could see already in such a short period of time the level of organisation that we want to achieve, it was a pleasure to watch! There were still one or two careless mistakes (Ilori passing the ball to a QPR player in our box when trying to clear, Edwards/Blackett losing possession in fairly dangerous areas) but for the most part I thought we actually defended a lot better. I think the problem came, as others have said, that we had a fairly statuesque midfield, and it was easy to bypass them. Whilst I would have wanted to see us press and try and win the ball back more I think yesterday was a really good defensive exercise and it was a performance that this team and the fans needed, proper gritty, back to the walls kind of stuff.
That all being said I thought QPR were very good. A case of "if only" but they cut through us like a butter at times, their play in the middle of the park was excellent but were let down in the final third. Were it not for some woeful finishing and good last ditch defending/blocks, they would have won comfortably. I thought their fans were decent value as well made a decent amount of noise. Lol @ the tool that got kicked out like 10 minutes into the game.
The officials were a joke, linesmen on both sides made so many wrong calls for both teams. I actually thought the referee got most of the decisions spot on, however when it came to his brandishing of cards he had no clue. Honestly every single QPR foul in the first half could have been given a yellow, they were all cynical and stopping us break, I and others around me couldn't believe that none were punished. When he finally did get the yellows out I think he lost the plot. Kermorgant's red card has to be about the softest I've ever seen. Penalty shouldn't have even been an issue because he should have stopped play for Barrow's head injury.
I can't be arsed to do ratings but well done to Mannone, and a heroic effort from many. Shout outs to Blackett and Aluko for much improved performances.
As for the crowd we were good at times, but for a long spell throughout the game we were deathly silent. That feeling at the end though, that is what Stam sucked out of this club - got to keep pushing forward now. Happy days though.