R's Leave the John Smith's Bitterly Disappointed...

Huddersfield 1-1 QPR

QPR maintained their unbeaten start to the season, in what was a scrappy game at the John Smith's Stadium yesterday. It's always nice to get a point on the travels but it really should have been all three..

The long trip started just after 10am when Jenson and PK collected me, a rare lie in for me as the journey was mainly M1 and was good to see PK making his first appearance of the season. Also making her first appearance was Sam, who was on board with Lee, Jess, Luke and Perry. Sadly, due to timings, we didn't get to meet on the relatively easy journey North and we arrived at the Stadium at approximately 1pm.

We had a stroll around the Stadium, looking for some refreshment which was sadly lacking, we came across a friendly pub called the Rope Walk and we joined, mainly home fans for a pre game drink. After being served by a bloke dressed as a hot dog, we decided to take seats outside the pub to wait for the others, who on  arrival, sadly went in the opposite direction to the Gas Club. So after meeting Lee to collect tickets, we were finally all re-united inside the Stadium for a pint and a pie and amongst a very upbeat and healthy R's following. The main point of discussion was that Ale Faurlin was missing from the line up, unfortunately injured..

Onto the game in which Rangers started very brightly, with Andy Johnson and Danny Simpson both having good chances, the latter whistling a low drive past the post. Charlie Austin then completely fluffed his lines whilst bursting through on the left. Rangers passing was superb at times and Austin was unlucky seeing his volley from a quickly taken Suk -Young throw go just wide.

But the home side became more confident and the half wore on and Paterson shot just wide when perhaps should have done better and on 35 minutes, they made the break through - Granero was slow to close down Norwood, who in acres of space, fired the ball across to the oncoming Vaughan to power home his header from close range.

Happily, the R's hit back quickly and the lead lasted only three minutes - Suk-Young crossed from the left but Norwood failed to clear leaving Hoilett free to fire home at the back post with a smart finish.

Most of the gang assembled on the concourse at half time and were all in agreement that if the R's stepped up their game, the 3 points would be coming home.. and step up they did with a Hoilett effort being well saved and Charlie Austin's header smacked the crossbar, Joey Barton followed up but under pressure, could not force his header in.

Further R's chances came with Austin hitting the side netting with a low drive and Barton bringing yet another save out of Smithers in the Huddersfield goal. Smithers was again forced into action palming away a powerful effort from SWP and later, a fine passing move found Jenas on the edge of the box who blasted just over.

The home side had a great chance to nick it in the final minute when the impressive Scannell was first to a ball over the top, nicked the ball past Green but the ball trickled just wide.

Queens Park Rangers

• 01 Green
• 02 Simpson
• 06 Hill
• 13 Suk-Young Yun
• 15 Onuoha
• 14 Granero  (Wright-Phillips - 70' )
• 17 Barton
• 20 Henry (Jenas - 84' )
• 23 Hoilett
• 08 Johnson
• 09 Austin

Substitutes

• 26 Murphy
• 05 Dunne
• 28 Ehmer
• 11 Wright-Phillips
• 16 Jenas
• 36 O'Neil
• 25 Zamora

Man of the Match

Nice again to see so many contenders, with myself and Luke picking out a faultless performance from Danny Simpson. Lee had it down to a close 2 but chose Nedum Onuoha over Barton. Jess picked out Suk-Young for a decent Championship debut, but the winner with 3 votes from Sam, Jenson and a reluctant PK, was Joey Barton who game by game is continuing to win people over with decent, committed performances. Long may it continue..

AwayDay Pie Rating

Certainly a tale of two pies for this one, with myself and Jenson getting in to have the last two Balti's and thoroughly enjoying , giving a 9 and 8 respectively. Just as we thought Huddersfield were going to get a high mark, I turned round to see Lee finishing his Meat and Potato, extremely disappointed and giving a 4. Now, Lee admits himself he can be critical when the need be, but at half time, PK confirmed the Meat and Potato was nothing more than a gungey mess, and awarded a 3.. Giving the Huddersfield Pies a slightly better than average rating of 6/10

Other News

Almost as soon as I pushed the publish button on the Exeter report, the news broke that R's midfield general, Shaun Derry had joined Millwall on an initial 28 day loan to get some first team football. With the exception on the doom and gloom merchants that seem to be on Twitter these days, I don't think there are many R's fans out there that would begrudge this man his move. All of us at Lofty Heights wish Lord Derry well in his time in South London.

After the game, with Lee sadly being held up by back markers getting back to the Motorway, we sadly again, didn't meet up again on our journey and went on our separate ways home...

Lee will return next Saturday for the visit of Ipswich Town to Loftus Road as the R's will look to continue their positive start to the season..

Come on You R'sssssssssssssss!!!