Does this sound familiar......?

Well it’s another game, another 1-1 draw, another game with countless wasted opportunities........ just another game where Rangers fans scream out “we need a striker!!!”

Before the game it was me, Lofty, PK, Corp, little Aaron and Mark (who looks to be becoming a new member of the gang) enjoying a swift half outside the Springbok having a good old chin wag and catching up on what has happened to us all over the last two weeks. We were all in quite a positive mood and expecting a good Rangers performance and more importantly a first home win of the season. A 2-0 and 2-1 score line were the popular choices between us all.

Jim Magilton made to changes from the side that beat Scunthorpe two weeks ago.
Ben Watson came in to make his debut after signing on loan from Wigan at the end of the transfer window. He replaced Peter Ramage, meaning Mikele Leigertwood moved to right back.
The other change saw Damion Stewart come in for Fitz Hall after Hall injured his groin during training.



With two minutes on the clock Watson had his first chance to open his account.
A free kick was awarded 25yards out just to the left hand side of the area. Watson’s effort was tame and was aimed straight at goalkeeper Joe Lewis.
Rangers continued to enjoy possession of the ball and created many openings but were just lacking in the all important area...... finishing!
On 18 minutes disaster struck!
Ben Watson lost possession deep in the Rangers half and Peterborough managed to get the ball out to former Rangers left back Tommy Williams delivered an absolute peach of a cross from the left hand side and Aaron Mclean rose highest to flick the ball into the past Cerny and into the bottom corner. A fantastic header and Cerny had no hope of getting it! A counted that Rangers had at least five chances before that and it was Peterborough’s first chance of the game.
Buoyed by the goal Peterborough started to creep more and more into the game and really started to frustrate Rangers.
A long range effort from winger Whelpdale which seemed to be going harmlessly wide but was fumbled behind by Cerny to give away a needless corner. Luckily the corner was dealt with and Rangers continued just a goal behind.
Peterborough continued to frustrate Rangers and the hosts were limited to a long range effort from Taarabt after good work holding the ball up by the hard working Jay Simpson.

After another Rangers free kick the Boro defence dealt with it and broke quickly. Damion Stewart was all alone at the back whilst two attackers ran at him towards goal; he had no choice but to go to the attacker holding the ball and in turn left a huge gap behind him for the other to run in behind him once the ball was played. The Boro attacker was through on goal and only had Cerny to beat but from knowhere came Ben Watson and he stole the ball just as the trigger was going to be pulled and saved Rangers from certainly going 2-0 down.
From that saving tackle Rangers broke. Taarabt picked the ball up and ran at the Boro defence with his armoury of tricks. When it looked as if he really should’ve passed out wide to Hogan out on the left, Taarabt instead continued his run before giving Simpson the ball. Simpson held off his man well before laying the ball off to Routledge who in turn slotted the ball home from close range.
Just before the end of the half Rangers enjoyed one more chance. Hogan fed in Borrowdale of all people as he “raced” into the penalty area
Just before the end of the half Rangers enjoyed one more chance. Hogan fed in Borrowdale of all people as he “raced” into the penalty area, his effort went harmlessly wide when it really looked as if easier to hit the target.

Half time soon came around and it was time to once again rue the chances we have created and if we had an out and out goal scorer up front we made of had the game wrapped up ready for xmas already.
I finally got to taste the delight of the Yorkshire wrap. I opted for the beef option, as the chicken had sold out and it is certainly a winner. PK went for the chicken option before they sold out and has said that it is the better of the two, the stuffing with the chicken was a fine accompliment to it. Aaron went for the hot dog and certainly seemed to enjoy it as it didn’t last very long and Lofty went for a pie, I can’t remember which one, but he enjoyed that as well. It’s safe to say that the in ground catering has definitely improved and is well worth queuing up for.

The second half started and it was definitely more of the same.
Rangers looked creative whereas Peterborough looked the more dangerous in front of goal.
Rangers did have one effort on goal in the opening 15 minutes of the half, a Matt Connolly header fizzed over the bar from a Watson corner.
The substitutions soon came around. A double sub on 60 minutes started proceedings. Faurlin, who had a reasonable game and passed the ball pretty well, came off for the returning Martin Rowlands. Then the puzzling substitution came at the same time. Rowan Vine came on for the tricky Taarabt, who in my opinion was troubling Peterborough and this played into the visitor’s hands.
This is just an observation but Taarabt has not completed 90 minutes in the games he has started under Magilton and is always taken off on the 60 minute mark. Pure coincidence or does Magilton not like Taarabt? You decide.

Peterborough were nearly on the score sheet once again half way through the half.
A fantastic shot was hit towards the Rangers goal (I couldn’t tell you who it was by) and it seemed to take a deflection and was going inside the already diving Cerny until he managed to flick a leg out and seemingly scissor kick the ball away from goal. It was a fantastic save considering he had already dived and seemed helpless to the ball making it’s way into the net.
Buzsaky came on for Hogan with 20 minutes to go. Buzsaky was immediately sent to the right wing and Routledge came over and switched to the left wing.
Rangers continued to threaten and it wasn’t until the 84th minute that the golden opportunity that we had been waiting for.
Buzsaky done fantastically well down the right hand side and sent a ball into the near post, finding the advancing Simpson. After a lovely turn the ball sat up beautifully for him and he volleyed the ball............. high and wide! So frustrating that once again the final touch eluded the Rangers team.
The game wasn’t yet over.
Peterborough continued to push and attack and it looked as if they got themselves a winner.
Mackail-Smith found himself free on the left hand side of the Rangers defence after being played in. He slotted the ball home really well and went off to celebrate in front of the travelling fans. It took a good few minutes for the visitors to realise that in fact the linesman had his flag raised for offside. A huge sigh of relief for every Rangers fan in the stadium.

Full time 1-1.

After the game the gang along with Darren went down the Queen and reflected on what has to be regarded as a game we really should’ve won and is two points dropped, again!

Once again I’m sure every Rangers once again walked out of Loftus Road feeling extremely frustrated and once again we have highlighted the need for a goal scorer in our ranks. Jay Simpson is a hard working lad and looks to have bags of talent in him but if he had someone up there to help him out and be the fox in the box that we so desperately need then this squad of players will take some beating.
We look as if we are ready to explode soon with a frenzy of goals, it’s just a case of when not if it happens.

Today’s Match of the Match isn’t going to be the choice of Mr Paladini who said this to Nik at the end of the game “Our left back was the best player on the pitch”. Well luckily my glasses aren’t that rose tinted and instead the award goes to Wayne Routledge once again. He really has come on leaps and bounds this season. He looks to be playing with some passion and enjoys wearing the hoops. He’s always looking menacing when running at defenders and also tracks back and helps out the right back when needed.

QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Watson, Connolly, Faurlin (Rowlands 58), Simpson, Ephraim (Buzsaky 69), Borrowdale, Taarabt (Vine 58).

Subs not used: Heaton, Ramage, Mahon, Buzsaky, Pellicori.

Goal: Routledge (36)