Can Holt be any more annoying?

Today the R's travelled to Norwich in search of a second away win on the spin. Could we beat our fellow promoted side or would we carry on our terrible record at Carrow Road.
The Lofty Heights gang were there as always.

The journey started at 10.40 in a cold Henley as we took to the road and had the three hour journey ahead of us.
The most exciting part of the drive, apart from the three pitstops we made, was as we approached Snetterton Race Track and a pheasant run out into the middle of the road, upon realising that it would not reach the other side it decided to run back but before it could make it back there I was going at 80mph to make the tackle and create a mass pile of feathers and a lovely dinner for any roadkill lovers. In my defence I had no-where else to go as a car was alongside me, the pheasant had to go.
Also on our journey, Sam sent all of us a picture of her beautiful newborn twins Noah and Louie. Congratulations Sam and we can't wait to have you back on the road with us asap.
We arrived in Norwich just before two and made our way on the ten minute walk down the Carrow Road.
We met Lofty, Jenson and Trevor at 2.30 and promptly made our way into the ground, grabbing a quick word with Michael and also Matt before we went on the uphill trek to the back of the Jarrold Stand.

Rangers' were rocked with the news that Paddy Kenny is now going to be missing for eight weeks due to a calf injury. Radek Cerny, the R's third choice goalkeeper, made his first start of the season.
Joey Barton missed out through suspension, his replacement was Shaun Derry.
These were the only two changes from last weeks starting eleven.



One word can sum up the first half, rubbish.
The game had 0-0 written all over it until Russell Marton popped up to put the ball home after the R's failed to clear Norwich's corner from the left side.
The R's lacked movement and urgency throughout the half but in all fairness Norwich really did not do anything to take advantage of that.

At half time the group gathered downstairs and all shared the same views that Rangers' were poor and we needed a creative touch to link up the midfield and front line because it just wasn't happening for us.

The R's took to the field in the second half with an air of authority and started the half the more positive of the two teams.
Rangers had a stonewall penalty turned away when Shaun Wright-Phillips was pulled down in the area not once but twice as he attempted to turn and get away his shot, which eventually dribbled a mile wide of the target. How this was not given I do not know! Maybe pay back for getting away with a definite penalty that should have been given for Stoke last week?
On 57 minutes Jay Bothroyd entered the fray, replacing Clint Hill.
This meant Armand Traore returned to his usual position of left back, Wright-Phillips went to the left wing and Bothroyd joined Helguson up front.
Within two minutes the change produced a goal.
Bothroyd flicked the ball onto Mackie and the Scottish International charged at the Norwich defence before unleashing a low drive that evaded the outstretched Ruddy, only to see the ball cannon off the inside of the post and back into play where Luke Young was on hand to coolly stroke the ball home. Such a composed finish by the right back for his second goal in two games.
Rangers' were in the ascendancy and there only looked like one side where going to get the next goal, however that was not to be!
Grant Holt and Wes Hoolahan were introduced to spice things up for Norwich and within a minute there was an earthquake in Norwich............Grant Holt hit the deck when he wasn't even touched.
Seconds later Morison somehow danced through the R's defence with incredible ease and lofted a cross to the unmarked Grant Holt and he thought he'd put the hosts in front, however Luke Young was on hand to clear off the line and keep the scores level.
Just a minute later and Norwich once again found so much space on the right hand side and Hoolahan's cross was met by Grant Holt, who bundled the ball in off his belly. Having said that Holt did sneak inbetween Ferdinand and Gabbidon to put the ball away. Cerny could've quite easily claimed the ball on his six yard line, all round poor marking by our defence.
Rangers' went on to make two further changes with Buzsaky and Smith coming on for Derry and Wright-Phillips.
The R's continued to be the more dominant side and had a whole host of chances to draw level with Buzsaky and Faurlin skying their efforts and Helguson missed the best chance of the lot when he headed wide from a few yards out at the back post.



This is a game we could easily of won had we played better in the first half and defended better for both the Norwich goals.
Bothroyd made a great difference when he came on and linked up the midfield and front line superbly. This enabled Mackie to have more of an influence on the game and we created our best chances when that substitution was made.
Luke Young has to be singled out once again for a great goal when he found himself in a position you really would not expect him to be in. He attacked the right wing with Mackie and created all sorts of trouble for Norwich. Not only that, he defensively played well and cleared one off the line when it seems a certainty that Holt would make it 2-1.

We move onto Man of the Match. Jay Bothroyd received one vote from myself for his contribution and movement that gave us added impetus throughout the second half when he was on the pitch. One vote went to Luke Young, Jess nominated him for all of the reasons given above and also for the second week in a row she won £18 for placing an each way bet on Young to score, is this the way forwards?
However with four votes this weeks Man of the Match award goes to Jamie Mackie. His work rate and the way he constantly harassed the Norwich defence just epitomised what he is all about. He was unlucky not to score but can claim the assist to our equaliser today.

Norwich City: Ruddy, R. Martin, Johnson, Morison, Crofts, Jackson (Holt 70), Surman, Pilkington (Hoolahan 70), Barnett, Tierney, De Laet (Naughton 58).

Subs: Rudd, Fox, Bennett, Wilbraham.

Goals: Martin (15), Holt (73)

Bookings: Naughton (87)

QPR: Cerny, Hill (Bothroyd 57), Derry (Buzsaky 78), Gabbidon, Faurlin, Mackie, Traore, Young, Helguson, Wright-Phillips, Ferdinand.

Subs: Putnins, Orr, Hall, Puncheon.

Goals: Young (59)

Referee: Mr M Clattenburg

Attendance: 26,781