Queens Park Rangers missed a golden opportunity to put move further away from the dreaded relegation zone following a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to a robust Derby County side. Rangers were hoping to end a run of three games without a win, and began an early onslaught of the Derby goal, with 'keeper Stephen Bywater saving well from Taarabt, Faurlin and Connolly. However Neil Warnock's side were unable to turn their undoubted superiority in the first twenty minutes into a goal, and Derby were able to weather the QPR storm. With half-time approaching, and the scores deservedly locked at 0-0 following a drab twenty five minute spell, QPR took the lead. The goal was made by Taarabt, who won the ball inside the Rangers half before running at the County defenders and playing an inch-perfect ball to winger Lee Cook, in acres of space, who drilled the ball low past Bywater into the bottom left-hand corner. Clearly shell-shocked by the change in score, Derby came out into the second-half and nearly grabbed an unexpected equaliser, but Damion Stewart was able to clear the ball from the oncoming Chris Porter in the R's goalmouth. Youngster Antonio German then replaced Cook on the hour mark, a decision that surprised many given the winger's contribution up until that point, before Derby grabbed an equaliser. Robbie Savage's free-kick wasn't dealt with by the Rangers defence, and Shaun Barker wonderfully tricked the back-pedalling Kaspars Gorkks before slamming the ball home past a helpless Ikeme. Following their equaliser Derby sat back, clearly satisfied with the point and contented to waste time and aggravate their opponents through a series of niggling challenges, as appeared to be their want. However QPR went close through efforts from Taarabt, whose shot sailed just past the post, and Rowan Vine's blistering effort that thundered off Bywater's crossbar, to the disappointment of the Rangers fans assembled in the Loft. The game's closing minutes were marred by controversy, when youngster Antonio German, who’s running and work rate were an inspiration in the last half an hour, was clearly pulled back by Derby defender Russell Anderson in full view of the linesman, who inexplicably failed to spot the offence. QPR manager Neil Warnock was uncharacteristically furious after the game, saying "It was a blatant penalty. I don't need a TV crew to tell me his shirt was being pulled." Warnock continued by echoing the views of many Rangers fans about the performance of the referee, stating ""I asked the referee and he told me he didn't see it, but he saw everything else all night", perhaps in reference to the solitary booking afforded to the away side despite their aggressive tackling and negative time-wasting tactics. Derby manager Nigel Clough, on the other hand lamented the nature of the QPR opener, commenting "If we had made it to half-time then we might have gone on to win it 1-0." Following the result QPR remain in 17th on 46 points, with Derby one place below on 45 having played a game more. Rangers' failure to win may not yet be disastrous, but with a tough trip to Preston in store for Warnock's charges on Saturday, the pressure on the Sheffield Wednesday game on April 3rd is set to mount significantly.
Tuesday 23 March 2010
It's Versailles all over again as German pleas harshly ignored
Queens Park Rangers missed a golden opportunity to put move further away from the dreaded relegation zone following a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to a robust Derby County side. Rangers were hoping to end a run of three games without a win, and began an early onslaught of the Derby goal, with 'keeper Stephen Bywater saving well from Taarabt, Faurlin and Connolly. However Neil Warnock's side were unable to turn their undoubted superiority in the first twenty minutes into a goal, and Derby were able to weather the QPR storm. With half-time approaching, and the scores deservedly locked at 0-0 following a drab twenty five minute spell, QPR took the lead. The goal was made by Taarabt, who won the ball inside the Rangers half before running at the County defenders and playing an inch-perfect ball to winger Lee Cook, in acres of space, who drilled the ball low past Bywater into the bottom left-hand corner. Clearly shell-shocked by the change in score, Derby came out into the second-half and nearly grabbed an unexpected equaliser, but Damion Stewart was able to clear the ball from the oncoming Chris Porter in the R's goalmouth. Youngster Antonio German then replaced Cook on the hour mark, a decision that surprised many given the winger's contribution up until that point, before Derby grabbed an equaliser. Robbie Savage's free-kick wasn't dealt with by the Rangers defence, and Shaun Barker wonderfully tricked the back-pedalling Kaspars Gorkks before slamming the ball home past a helpless Ikeme. Following their equaliser Derby sat back, clearly satisfied with the point and contented to waste time and aggravate their opponents through a series of niggling challenges, as appeared to be their want. However QPR went close through efforts from Taarabt, whose shot sailed just past the post, and Rowan Vine's blistering effort that thundered off Bywater's crossbar, to the disappointment of the Rangers fans assembled in the Loft. The game's closing minutes were marred by controversy, when youngster Antonio German, who’s running and work rate were an inspiration in the last half an hour, was clearly pulled back by Derby defender Russell Anderson in full view of the linesman, who inexplicably failed to spot the offence. QPR manager Neil Warnock was uncharacteristically furious after the game, saying "It was a blatant penalty. I don't need a TV crew to tell me his shirt was being pulled." Warnock continued by echoing the views of many Rangers fans about the performance of the referee, stating ""I asked the referee and he told me he didn't see it, but he saw everything else all night", perhaps in reference to the solitary booking afforded to the away side despite their aggressive tackling and negative time-wasting tactics. Derby manager Nigel Clough, on the other hand lamented the nature of the QPR opener, commenting "If we had made it to half-time then we might have gone on to win it 1-0." Following the result QPR remain in 17th on 46 points, with Derby one place below on 45 having played a game more. Rangers' failure to win may not yet be disastrous, but with a tough trip to Preston in store for Warnock's charges on Saturday, the pressure on the Sheffield Wednesday game on April 3rd is set to mount significantly.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment