Stalemate and Stale Burgers at St Marys...

Southampton 0-0 QPR

QPR stretched their winless run to nine games in a goalless draw against relegation threatened Southampton. It was also Rangers fourth game without scoring.



I've mentioned this before I know, but Southampton away, is one of my favourite fixtures of the season. It's quick and easy to get too, Rangers always take a huge support and we have also, yet to be beaten at St Marys - and it has remained that way, although the Saints will have never had a better chance and I wasn't at all confident of getting anything from yesterday's match. The atmosphere and banter between the fans is also good and Bradley Wright-Phillips, or his recent misdemeanors, were a huge and very amusing factor for the 2,500 R's fans to focus on, for which I must say, he took in very good spirit.

In saying the ground is quick and easy to get to, myself, PK and the Henley mob were caught up for 45 minutes following an accident on the M3, but we still arrived in good time for a couple of drinks in the Chapel Arms.

Onto the game and in the 3rd minute,Southampton had a chance when Jason Euell broke through with only the Cerny to beat but his control let him down and he dinked the ball wide. Rangers then had much the better of things and Routledge missed a great chance on 22 minutes, heading wide from just 3 yards wide after Gorkss nodded across Lopez's corner.

In the second half, although Rangers seemed in control, the Saints had the better of the chances - Andrew Surman mis-hit a shot from ten yards with only goalkeeper Radek Cerny to beat and then in injury time, Surman again saw his effort cleared from near the line by Stewart. Adel Taarabt's shot at the death, forced a great save from Davies, but the referee blew the whistle soon after for a result that in truth, benefitted neither side.

QPR: Cerny,Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Blackstock, Gorkss, Ramage, Connolly, Miller (German 71), Lòpez (Mahon 87), Ephraim (Taarabt 79) Subs: Hall, Alberti.

Lofty's Man of the Match - The back four all had decent games with Ramage again performing well, by just doing simple things. But the award this week goes to Kaspars Gorkss for another almost faultless display at the back.

Despite the result, there were plenty of positives with as mentioned, a solid performance from the back four, the debut of youth team starlet, Antonio German up front and the introduction of loan signing, Adel Taarabt, who looks like he could be a very exciting signing indeed. Again, the major negative is that we failed to score for the fourth game running and it seriously looks like it is affecting the players now - this was more in eveidence yesterday than ever before in my opinion. Also on yesterday's evidence, it sadly looks as if we won't be returning to Southampton next season as they looked a very poor side indeed.

And to finish, last season, we took up the offer of doubling up for 50p at the Burger Van near the away end after the game, which led us firmly back there this season. Sadly, in the current economic climate, we weren't offered the same deal this time, but the double burgers were snapped up by us all the same, some more than others ;o). But with the text received from PK earlier this morning, it seems that the decision by some to have an extra burger, was the wrong one. I feel I need explain no further ;o)