Lofty Heights... 'Ohhh Bobby Zamooooora!!!'

A look at Queens Park Rangers F.C. through the eyes of the fans - follow us on twitter @loftyheights70, @LoftyQPR and @qprleeroy








Thursday, October 31, 2013

Panic Stations...


Wigan 0-0 QPR

QPR ended a gruelling run of 3 away games on the spin with a hard fought point away at Wigan on Wednesday night and missed out on a chance to go back into the top two..

With this game being rearranged due to Wigan's European exploits, added to the fact it was midweek and so soon after a mammoth trip up to Burnley, LH had no representation at all at the DW Stadium. Jenson was going to give it a go but decided against travelling alone on a cold, wet, Wednesday night and save some pennies. 

With this, there is little I can report on the game other than what you already know so this one will be brief. Personally, with no stream available it was London Radio 94.9 for the commentary or as otherwise known, pure torture. I just hate not being at games..

There was also plenty of coverage from the twitter feeds, including the excellent coverage from the Official QPR media team, well done to all involved there! It was the twitter feeds that also turned the evening sour for me following the final whistle. Without being at the game, to me, that appeared to be a point well earned on the road and I was happy enough. But it seemed there were a minority that wasn't and seeing tweets such as  - 'QPR are s*it', 'Redknapp Out',' Crisis', 'Derby is a must win game' and the best of all, 'Bring back Taarabt', led to me being involved in many a debate... Unbelievable reactions from some of our Supporters, who seem to have completely forgotten the car crash that was last season??

Just one defeat in 13 games, 3rd in the Championship, a decent squad and a decent team spirit, in which had completely vanished over the last 2 seasons, that will do me nicely, thanks very much...

Queens Park Rangers

  • 01 Green
  • 02 Simpson
  • 39 Assou-Ekotto
  • 32 Faurlin
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Hill
  • 36 O'Neil
  • 16 Jenas
  • 09 Austin
  • 19 Kranjcar (Phillips - 44' )
  • 23 Hoilett (Johnson - 75' )

Substitutes

  • 03 Traore
  • 07 Phillips
  • 08 Johnson
  • 14 Onyewu
  • 18 Chevantón
  • 20 Henry
  • 26 Murphy

In more positive news, the Man of the Match that many at the game singled out, was Ale Faurlin.

Away Day Pie Rating

Despite a twitter request from myself and Lee, I could find no takers to give us a Pie Rating..

However, this was explained later by Hemel based R's fan, Paul Power who was at the DW, who stated that, he had a pie in the pub, but not in the ground as..

'Grant Holt had eaten them all...'

Fair enough..

Lee will make a welcome return on Saturday as the R's welcome back Steve McClaren, who brings his in form Derby side to Loftus Road..

Come on you R'ssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!




Sunday, October 27, 2013

R's Sample a Decent Claret..


Burnley 2-0 QPR

Rangers unbeaten run, finally came to an end in this top of the table clash at Turf Moor, where Burnley ran out deserved winners, in a day that was full of disappointment..



During the week, there were some tweets going around that R's Chairman, Tony Fernandes was going to travel with us to the game. At first it seemed just some harmless fun, but it turned out, after tweeting Jenson personally, that he was!! Although the first disappointment came last night when he said he was having to fly in from France. But this morning, he tweeted Jenson again to confirm he would meet up at the ground or maybe the Cricket Club!!

So, I met with Jenson and PK in Wycombe, just after 10 as we started our mammoth journey to Lancashire. Lee, Jess, Sam and Luke were slightly ahead of us on the motorway, but we met up briefly at Keele services amidst the next disappointment, traffic chaos!! So much so, there would definitely be no time at all to meet with Mr Fernandes..

We arrived at Turf Moor with 15 minutes to spare and despite the Police being extremely chatty and friendly, the Stewards saw fit to more or less sexually assault us before letting us through the turnstiles. Then came, the next disappointment... The Pies!! More on that later, but we all joined the healthy R's support behind the goal in the hope that the day would rapidly improve and make the mornings ballache worthwhile..

Onto the next disappointment...

The home side started the game well and were intent on stopping Rangers playing, closing us down at every opportunity and it definitely had unsettled us, although Karl Henry had a great chance on 10 minutes and should have done better, hitting his effort straight at Heaton in goal from Hoilett's low cross.

Henry was soon in action at the other end when he miscued, letting Ings draw in on goal, only for Green to save at his feet. Green had to be at his best again, parrying away Trippier's free kick onto the head of Clint Hill who somehow directed the header away for a corner.

Onto the next disappointment - Joey Barton picked up his 5th yellow card of the season, for basically being Joey Barton...

The gang met at half time and despite Burnley being the better side in the first half, we were still feeling optimistic..

Onto the second half and Burnley were pressing hard and the next disappointment of the day came on 65 minutes when the home side took the lead -  Ings played a one-two with Sam Vokes and fired past keeper Rob Green, a decent goal to be fair.

Following some customary stick, Joey Barton was struck by a coke bottle hurled from the fans in the stand to our left and play was briefly held up. Shortly after, Barton sent in a superb free kick to Hill, who headed across goal to the unmarked Dunne who unbelievably stabbed the ball over from 5 yards out.



Harry Redknapp threw on Phillips and Chevanton for Kranjcar and O'Neil to give the R's more of an attacking option, but it sadly failed to deliver and the game was over on 87 minutes, when Barton felled Ings in the box and the hapless referee pointed to the spot - Ings sent Green the wrong way to make the game safe and extend the Clarets lead at the top of the league.

Queens Park Rangers

  • 01 Green
  • 02 Simpson
  • 39 Assou-Ekotto
  • 20 Henry (Jenas - 68' )
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Hill
  • 36 O'Neil (Chevantón - 73' )
  • 17 Barton
  • 09 Austin
  • 19 Kranjcar (Phillips - 73' )
  • 23 Hoilett

Substitutes

  • 03 Traore
  • 07 Phillips
  • 14 Onyewu
  • 16 Jenas
  • 18 Chevantón
  • 26 Murphy
  • 32 Faurlin
Man of the Match

My vote was individual for Richard Dunne, wheras there was a 3 vote each tie for the winner - Jess, Lee and PK voted for Junior Hoilett and Jenson, Sam and Luke went for Clint Hill, which leads to another editors choice - with the best respect, I didn't see the game Hoilett had in the same way the others did, so this weeks vote goes to - Clint Hill

Away Day Pie Rating

High hopes for this one, with them getting rave reviews 3 seasons ago, but expert analysis was given by myself, Lee and Jenson for the Hollands, Peppered Steak -

Myself and Jenson both kind off agreed it was ok? Reasonably priced at £2.50 but not overly large, I suppose the price reflected that. Easy to eat, pastry ok but not overly bursting with flavour, despite the filling being supposedly spiced up and peppered? - 7/10

At half time, Lee completely blew any decent rating out of the water - pastry crumbly, no flavour and tasted like sh*t - although Jess was quick to point out he did actually eat it all, his mark was 3/10

So, after high hopes, another disappointment and the Burnley pies are rated at 5.66/10

Well there you go, a disappointing day which had promised so much. Credit to Burnley who are a very good side, well managed, very hard working and thoroughly deserved the 3 points. They stopped Rangers playing and never once let us settle. In saying that, it's one defeat and it's how we respond from this that is more important than the result itself. The great thing about the Championship is that the next game is never far away... Move on...

Jenson will be alone in representing Lofty Heights away at Wigan on Wednesday night and we are trying to come up with something a bit different with the report.. watch this space. I must just add, he has been ordered to have a pie...

Come on you R'sssssssssss!!!

 

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Point Won, Two Lost??


Millwall 2-2 QPR

QPR remain unbeaten, but an injury time equaliser gave this game a feeling of defeat as Millwall  robbed Rangers of the 3 points they deserved on the day...



A what should have been a quiet morning, led to disaster as a software update wiped all the numbers from my phone. It then seemed that I wouldn't make the game at all as London Underground disruptions led to me finding all stations in Harrow closed. With bus replacements etc, I finally met up with Jenson and PK, along with Chris and son, Connor, at the Globe in Baker Street for a much needed pint. Sam and Luke decided to give this one a miss and Lee and Jess chose the Cyprus sun instead of the splendour of South London.

We then set of for London Bridge and the short hop from there to South Bermondsey and arrived at the New Den at 2pm. After the most unnecessary and longest wait in a queue for refreshments ever, the 3 of us sampled the Millwall pies, more on that later..

On our last visit to the New Den, it was clear that the intimidating atmosphere created by the home crowd played a major part and no doubt had an effect on the R's that night. But we were all saying how more subdued it was this time around and the home ends were no where near sold out. Maybe what's going on on the pitch is having an opposite effect??

Onto the game and the first half was one of little opportunities for either side in what was a feisty London derby. But Rangers were continuing to play their passing game and Niko Kranjcar smacked the Millwall post with a superb 30 yard effort following Ekotto's throw in.

The home side had a penalty appeal turned down when Austin's clumsy looking challenge sent Liam Trotter over. To be honest, although it would have been soft, you see these given and Rangers got a lucky escape. But from the breakaway,  Hoilett found Barton, who in turn found Kranjcar on the edge of the box who smashed home and unstoppable drive.

Millwall's best chance came before the break when Trotter headed just wide from Waghorn's cross.

Onto the second half and on 51 minutes, the away fans were reminded of what it is like when the opposition score, following 8 previous clean sheets - Trotter dispossessed Richard Dunne and cut the ball back for McDonald to slot in. The goal certainly lifted the home support and the normal goading came from the stands on either side of us.

Rangers went back onto the attack and Austin found himself some space in the box but saw his effort well blocked. But with 20 minutes to go, Rangers went back in front - a superb through ball put Charlie Austin through who made no mistake with a great finish, stabbing the ball over the oncoming keeper..



Hoilett brought a fine save from Forde as the R's looked to make the game safe, but when Kranjcar was taken off on 72 minutes, it was clear the R's lost their creativity and looked to see the game out, but were defending way to deep, allowing the home side to come onto them... and they paid the ultimate price when in stoppage time, Jermaine Easter wriggled into the box and smashed a low drive off the post to break Rangers hearts.

Queens Park Rangers

  • 01 Green
  • 02 Simpson
  • 39 Assou-Ekotto
  • 17 Barton
  • 05 Dunne
  • 06 Hill
  • 20 Henry
  • 36 O'Neil
  • 09 Austin
  • 23 Hoilett (Jenas - 82' )
  • 19 Kranjcar (Faurlin - 72' )

Substitutes

  • 03 Traore
  • 07 Phillips
  • 16 Jenas
  • 18 Chevantón
  • 26 Murphy
  • 28 Ehmer
  • 32 Faurlin (Jenas - 86' )
Man of the Match

Again, much variety which is always healthy, with PK and Chris opting for Joey Barton and Connor picked out Richard Dunne. But after another faultless and full of heart display at the back, myself and Jenson went for Birthday Boy, Clint Hill, who takes this weeks vote on the Editors choice decision.

Away Day Pie Rating

Myself, Jenson and PK gave our expert views on the Chicken Balti, made by a company called the Pie Factory. Very similar in looks to the Pukka Pie, but with the pastry very flaky and not overly bursting with flavour, it got a respective vote of 7, 7 and 8, giving the Millwall pies a creditable 7.33/10

Well as always with Millwall, we were kept behind after the game for about 45 minutes, before being herded like cattle to the station. After not quite squeezing into the first train, we decided to take a bus to Victoria and made our way back from there. Different but effective as we managed to dodge the possible mayhem waiting for us at London Bridge.

I will return next week as Lee, Jess, Sam and Luke will return for a real top of the table clash with Burnley..

Come on you R'sssssss!!

Saturday, October 05, 2013

Charlie Inches R's To Victory.....


The R's were pushed to second in the table after Burnley secured a victory to go level on points but their better goal difference was the difference between the two top teams, with the R's having a game in hand. Rangers' had the chance to climb to the top of the tree once again as bottom of the table Barnsley made the trip down to Loftus Road.

Due to a few car issues it was Luke that was behind the wheel today as he chauffeured Sam, Jess and myself to West Ruislip station before we took the final journey via tube and arrived at White City at 2pm. After a quick stop for food we all made our way to the ground where we met up with Lofty and PK. Jenson was not in attendance today due to a family illness.

After last weeks fabulous performance against Middlesbrough it's no surprise that there were no changes to the starting eleven.

The R's started off at a very pedestrian pace and were not knocking the ball around with the usual fluid conviction and this made Barnsley even harder to break down than they would already of been.
Barnsley came the closest to breaking the deadlock as a cross from the left wing and the mis-direction of the cross took it dangerously close to the top right corner of Rob Green's goal, however the R's 'keeper was on full alert and tipped the ball over the bar for a corner.
Richard Dunne came the closest to putting the R's in front as his header from a Carroll corner was thumped towards goal but agonizingly saw it cleared off the line.
Just before half time Barnsley should have been awarded a clear penalty. Niko Krancjar blocked a goal bound shot, however there was a clear use of the arm, not intentional of course. The ref did not have a clear view of the ball to hand contact due to Niko having his back to the ref, but how the linesman did not see is beyond me. A real let off for us and the relief around the home crowd was evident as the ball got cleared to safety.

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At half time we were still relieved to of had the crucial decision work in our favour and we were slightly frustrated by the R's lack of penetration despite the huge amount of possession that we were enjoying. A step up in gear was needed to ensure that we secured the three points and also keeping the clean sheet that would ensure a club record of 8 straight shut outs were completed.

The second half got better with Rangers' pressing hard and starting to move the ball around quicker and create more space in behind the Barnsley defence and get that crucial first goal.
The turning point came on 60 minutes when Junior Hoilett replaced Ali Faurlin.
This gave the R's the injection of pace, energy and urgency that they so badly needed and Hoilett's impact was almost immediate.
On 66 minutes the deadlock was finally broken.
Carroll took his corner short to Hoilett on the left hand side and he run inside the Barnsley defenders and pulled the ball back to Austin, who had made a magnificent piece of movement just outside the six yard box, and the R's top scorer slotted home with his left foot to seal his third goal in consecutive games.
The goal lifted the R's but by no means meant the visitors were about to lay down and take the defeat. Barnsley continued to try and play the ball around through their midfield and stuck to the clear plan they they arrived with but just lacked in the final third.
Rangers' sealed the victory in the final few minutes as Austin was fouled when threatening to pull the trigger after a terrific run from midway inside the visitors half.
Austin stepped up to take his third spot kick in as many games and made no mistake, sending Butland the wrong way.

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Well I can honestly say that this wasn't an easy one and Barnsley deserve credit for making this one an extremely tough game and for sticking to their style of play. They will curse the decision in the first half and not getting that penalty, however they will get better and look like a side that could gel into a team that will steer them clear of the position they are in at the moment. There are three poorer teams in this division.
As for the R's, it was hard fought and Hoilett's introduction really helped us turn the corner. The assist within five minutes of coming on tells that story and now we have the international break it means he can stay healthy and nurse that hamstring to full strength ahead of a busy period towards the end of October.
Defensively we looked good again today and Richard Dunne continues to keep his impressive record of not conceding a goal in all of the games he has played in. This has coincided with Rob Green beating the club record of consecutive clean sheets and making it eight games, 720 minutes, without being beaten. Impressive!

Onto our Man of the Match. There were a number of good performances out there today and this shows as the voting was split by everyone, apart from one person that got two votes. I voted for Dunne, Jess went for Hoilett, Luke voted for Carroll, PK went for Barton but our winner with two votes from Sam and Lofty was Charlie Austin.

Once the voting had concluded a very interesting conversation regarding Austin broke out and proved what perverted women we have within the group. The girls spoke about how they noticed that a certain Mr Austin was well endowed when he was doing his business about the pitch and a photo came out to show us what they were talking about. I know that if we were talking about women that it would be us being chauvinistic, but women are allowed these conversations obviously..... Here is the picture for your viewing for you to make your mind up .............................




















We now have an International break to curse but Lofty will return with another one of his entertaining away day reviews for the Millwall fixture in two weeks time ahead of three away days on the spin.