R's Spark Returns as Redknapp Arrives...

Man United 3-1 QPR

QPR were perhaps expectedly beaten, but it was a performance of previously lost heart and passion that caught the eyes of the R's fans this afternoon, in what was an excellent display in front of newly appointed Manager - Harry Redknapp!!

With Mark Hughes being sacked on Friday, Rangers went straight for their man and the expected appointment was confirmed just before lunchtime as myself and the gang were on route to Old Trafford. Needless to say,all of us here at Lofty Heights are over the moon with this appointment and we welcome Harry with open arms..

A warm welcome and very good luck, Harry Redknapp, we hope you enjoy your time here with us!!

As mentioned, we were on route when we heard the good news, with myself and PK in convey with :Lee, Jess, Sam, Luke and Perry. Jenson joined us later as he was spending the weekend away in Manchester. After a bit of a stop start journey, as it always is going to Manchester, we arrived at about 2pm and headed straight to the ground. On route, PK was sadly ripped off by a programme seller who charged him £5 for his programme when the price was in fact £3. I wonder how much money this low life  made for himself today and indeed, throughout the season. Visiting fans be warned, this kind fellow sells his programmes outside the Trafford Pub!!

There wasn't an awful lot of time for us before kick off, but time enough for myself and Lee to try a pie. Just the two of us this time as we warned the other Pie Samplers amongst us. More on that later.

Onto the game and with Harry taking in the game from the stands, the R's were managed today by Mark Bowen and Eddie Niedzweicki and following last weeks showing against Southampton, there was a huge shake up in the R's line up - with Clint Hill and Shaun Derry joining Faurlin, Taarabt and Mackie in players that were part of the promotion squad and certainly players that play with passion and wear their hearts on their sleeves.

The R's started well enough but it was United that poised the better attacking threat and there were chances for Young, Van Persie and Rooney, but the R's were holding firm at the back, buoyed by an excellent performance from Stephane Mbia at right back. Rangers grew in confidence and had the ball in the net before the break, but Mackie's header was rightly disallowed for offside. But the R's travelling fans warmly applauded an excellent first half performance as the half time whistle went.

We stayed in our seats at half time and we were slighly amused by the ever so cringeworthy Sir Alex Ferguson song that boomed out of the PA System. I can only describe the song as similar to Rod Stewart, 'We are Sailing' type of anthem. Very cringeworthy indeed...

Onto the second half and the R's faithful were in dreamland just seven minutes in - Kieron Dyer's low cross was palmed away into the path of Jamie Mackie who stabbed the ball home from close range. The R's support went absolutely beserk, the best celebrations of the season so far with the majority of the squad celebrating in front of us also. Luke in particular enjoyed the goal that much, that he was also witnessed singing his heart out to ' Walking in a Mackie Wonderland'!! An extremely rare event that we regret not catching on video...

 

As you would expect, United put the R's under pressure and forced a succession of corners. But on 61 minutes, Rangers solid back line was broken when the excellent Traore was replaced byAnton Ferdinand. Three minutes later, United were level - Rooney's left-wing corner was met at the far post by Danny Welbeck, whose header across the goal found Evans who headed home from virtually on the goal-line. Heartbreak for the R's.

Four minutes later and another Rooney corner found Fletcher unmarked, who made no mistake. The United supporters suddenly found their voices after a nervy afternoon. Another 4 minutes went by and United then made the game safe when an Anderson through ball found Hernandez, who slotted the ball coolly home. It was now becoming painful as the R's certainly didn't deserve what was happening.

Rangers almost reduced the deficit 2 minutes from time when Clint Hill saw his powerful header cleared off the line.

Queens Park Rangers

• 33 Julio Cesar
• 03 Traore (Ferdinand - 61' )
• 06 Hill
• 17 Nelsen
• 04 Derry
• 10 Taarabt (Hoilett - 73' )
• 18 Dyer
• 32 Faurlin (Granero - 84' )
• 40 M'bia Booked
• 09 Cisse
• 12 Mackie

Substitutes

• 01 Green
• 05 Ferdinand
• 02 Diakite
• 11 Wright-Phillips
• 14 Granero
• 22 Ephraim
• 23 Hoilett

Man of the Match - split 3 ways with Sam going for Traore - who knows what may have happened had he not been taken off. Jenson, Jess and PK went for Jamie Mackie, but todays winner with 4 votes from myself, Lee, Luke and Perry, is Stephane Mbia, who kindly came into the away end at the end of the game to give a young fan his shirt.

Awayday Pie Rating

Extremely disappointing from such a Top Club, with myself and Lee sampling a lukewarm and overcooked Steak Pie each. A mark of 4 and a 5 were given respectively, giving Manchester United a Pie Rating of 4.5/10!! and that I must say is very generous!!

Okay so the result was disappointing but the performance certainly wasn't. I firmly believe that the first R's substitution changed it for Rangers in what was a very disappointing outing from Anton Ferdinand. But we have had enough negativity recently and the heart, passion and desire shown from the R's today was there for all to see. Undoubtedly, Harry Redknapp in the stands played a huge part and if anything, Adel Taarabt tried a bit too hard at times. But what was evident was that the players were quite obviously, not playing for Mark Hughes!!

But despite the weather which caused a mammoth journey home, this was the most enjoyable away trip of the season so far and long may it continue...

Lofty Heights are on the road again this coming Tuesday for the long trip to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland in what is Harry's first game in charge. I will return with the report sometime on Wednesday and will hopefully, will be bringing some long overdue good news!!

Come on You R'ssssssssssss!!!