QPR Suffer Ram Raid...

QPR 0-2 Derby

QPR's 100% home record came to an abrupt end this afternoon with two late goals, but in all honesty, it was a comfortable enough victory for the Rams in a game where Rangers were never really at the races...

Well, before I go on, I would like to make a Special mention to 'Corp', who made his first appearance of the season due to a neck injury - Great to see you back mate!

Moving on and after the R's triumph at Aston Villa, the mood became even more upbeat around Loftus Road after the draw for the fourth round of the Carling Cup was made - QPR will now travel to Old Trafford to take on Premier League and European Champions, Manchester United.



This is a fantastic draw for QPR and the game will be played in the week commencing 10th November.

The draw certainly lifted the Loftus Road crowd who were singing in the early stages about the trip to Old Trafford. Of course, many of you will be aware that there was a protest planned today with regards to the increase in ticket prices, this was eventually cancelled after the Football League supported Derby's appeal against their supporters paying £40 and in turn, the QPR fans prices were also returned to normal in the Loft end. Several fans groups have met with the Club and have aired their views, we can only hope now that the Club will actually listen.

Onto the game and many were wondering if we would get an 'After The Lord Mayors Show' type of performance and that, we did. In fact, when reading many of the previews and seeing that Derby had not won away from home in 18 months, there could only be one outcome really...



In an extremely dull first half, Rangers best chance fell to lone striker Dexter Blackstock on 22 minutes following unselfish work from Parejo, but right-back Paul Connelly slid in to stop what looked a certain goal. The second half began lively enough and Rangers went for it early on with Ledesma and Blackstock both hitting the post. But as mentioned earlier, Rangers were never really at the races today and Derby clinched the points late on with goals from Albrechtsen and Villa.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 70), Hall, Parejo, Blackstock, Buzsaky (Cook 55), Rowlands, Connolly, Ledesma (Agyemang 77). Subs: Camp, Ramage.

Lofty's Man of the Match - another awesome performance from Damion Stewart

To sum up, all credit to Derby. Paul Jewell had obvioulsy done their homework, they were fired up and thoroughly deserved their victory. Personally, I think Iain Dowie got things wrong today with his tactics and his substitutions, especially not to bring off Daniel Parejo who was having a dreadful match - but I'm not starting to panic or start having a go just yet - it just didn't happen for us today.

To finish, well, we have all heard and read about the increase in ticket prices of which Derby at first, refused their allocation and every respect for them for doing so. But the chant from the away end towards the end of the game (to the pigbag tune) of Greedy B******S!! was warmly received from the R's fans that were left in the stadium.