Lofty Heights... 'Ohhh Bobby Zamooooora!!!'

A look at Queens Park Rangers F.C. through the eyes of the fans - follow us on twitter @loftyheights70, @LoftyQPR and @qprleeroy








Sunday, December 21, 2008

QPR Reap The Rewards as Sousa Gambles...


QPR 3-2 Preston

Dexter Blackstock came off the bench to score a superb late winner, in what was a very entertaining afternoon at Loftus Road.


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Before I go on, my apologies for the lateness of this report, but straight after the game, myself and the gang celebrated the victory by going into Shepherds Bush for a few Christmas drinks and if the way my head feels this morning is anything to go by, a very good time was had by all.

Onto the game and Rangers started extremely well and it was no surprise when we took the lead on 16 minutes. Lee Cook's inch perfect cross from the left flank was met by Helguson's head at the far post, who cleverly nodded into the left corner, giving Lonergan no chance.


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After dominating the early stages, Rangers were pegged back on 28 minutes and some bad defending let Mckenna cross to find Sedgewick in space to head past Cerny in the R's goal. But just five minutes later, the R's were back in front - former Preston man, Agyemang headed Martin Rowlands' corner back across goal where Cook and Helguson were the first to react and from three yards out, the pair managed to bundle the ball into the net, though the goal was attributed to Helguson.

Onto the second half and why do the Championship have to suffer when a Premier League referee has a bad game and is hence demoted for a week? Alan Wiley went on to stamp his mark on the second half with a quite awful display of refereeing, which included an diabolical penalty award to Preston on the hour - when Wiley deemed that Cerny had felled Sean St Ledger in the area, much to the disgust of the home supporters. At the time, I was personally undecided, but as I have mentioned before, player reaction speaks volumes. Neither St Ledger, or any of the Preston players appealed for it, their fans in the upper School End didn't appeal for it and the R's players looked completely gobsmacked as they surrounded the referee. But, given it was and Davidson brought the two sides level.

Paulo Sousa then went for it and changed the formation to a 3-4-3 with Blackstock and Hall coming on in place of Delaney and Ramage. Alan Wiley again angered the R's supporters when he waved away a penalty appeal as Blackstock was sent flying in the 6 yard box. But when the game was looking like it was heading for a draw, Cook was awarded a free-kick on the left and Rowlands cross was nodded powerfully into the net by Blackstock for his 10th goal of the season.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney (Hall 81), Stewart, Mahon (Leigertwood 62), Agyemang, Gorkss, Rowlands, Ramage (Blackstock 81), Cook, Ephraim, Helguson. Subs: Ledesma, Di Carmine.

Lofty's Man of the Match - Lee Cook


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We needed to win this one to keep in touch with the play off pack and we did just that! Huge amount of credit goes to Paulo Sousa. He took a massive risk and got a massive reward. After losing the lead twice to a strong, physical side, how many previous Managers would have thrown on a defender and gone to a 5-4-1 or 4-5-1 in an effort to hold on to the point? Sousa went for the three points and they duly arrived.

On a negative note, there was no soup available for today's game, but the lady has assured me it will return for the Watford game on the 28th.

After the game, we were fortunate to catch Heidar Helguson for a Lofty Heights exclusive interview as he, along with most of the team, made a brief appearance at the LSA Childrens Christmas Party at the Spingbok.

Lofty - good game today, Heidar.

HH - Thank you

Lofty - will you be signing for us in January?

HH - yes, hopefully


Our thanks go to Heidar Helguson for his time in conducting this interview...

Moving on to Charlton away on Boxing Day and a fixture I am now dreading. After yesterday, Charlton are now fourteen games without a win and you know what that normally would mean?? We shall see...

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!

7 Comments:

  • At 3:47 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Happy Christmas, Lofty! And all the best to you for 2009.

    Keep up the good work with your reports and fingers crossed for a truly great year for the Rs in 2009.

    South Coast Ranger

     
  • At 5:51 pm, Blogger Bob said…

    Helguson scoring a brace, Dex getting the winner as a sub, Lee Cook getting closer to his old form every game and a manager that trusts his team to get the win at home against a side just above them in the standings. Sounds like Christmas came early...

    On that note, warm wishes to the LH family and all of the krewe from the Green Mountain Boys!

    Bobo

     
  • At 7:23 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    all the best lofty 2009 keep it up mate lets hope the playoffs beckon

     
  • At 10:32 pm, Blogger Charlie Naseweis said…

    Happy Xmas mate, and thanks for the Helguson "scoop" - would be pleased with him joining permanently.

    URRRRRRR's

     
  • At 5:44 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Merry Christmas Lofty, great blog mate!

    Nice to see you using one of our widgets from our site, in return maybe a link to the site would be nice from a fellow fan. ;)

    I'll add you on the links page now that I found your blog.

     
  • At 12:39 pm, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

    What happened to my interview with the chairman of QPR I know it was short but I did wish him happy crimbo.

    Was a good night in the WA shame lead singer could not sing?

    See you soon & keep up the good work.

    Keep the Faith

    You rrrrrrssss

    Corp

     
  • At 3:58 pm, Blogger LOFTY said…

    Thank You everyone for your kind messages. My Seasons Greetings go to each and every one of you!

    MYU - link done mate

    Corp - Maybe will put Gianni's interview on the next report ;o) Have a goodun!

     

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