Saturday 20th February 2010
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: D Whitestone
Attendance: 11,178
Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Doncaster Rovers
By The Godfather

Queens Park Rangers starting line-up: Ikeme, Hill, Stewart, Connolly, Ramage, Gorkss, Faurlin, Cook, Buzsaky, German, Simpson.

Doncaster Rovers starting line-up: Sullivan, Chambers, Ward, O'Connor, Hird, Stock, Coppinger, Wilson, Oster, Sharp, Hayter.

Queens Park Rangers kicked off the Mittal era by beating Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, bringing a welcome end to their winless run. This was a much-improved display, with Rangers adopting a more physical approach. Although play was scrappy and disjointed at times, the Rs dug in and deservedly ground out the three points.

This was by no means a faultless performance. Once again, I was disappointed by the ease at which Doncaster netted their equaliser. I do feel that Rangers must address their defensive frailties if they are to climb the league table. Furthermore, I felt that the centre-backs resorted to hoofing the ball aimlessly up the pitch far too often.

Perhaps the most positive aspect of the match was the performance of young striker, Antonio German, who proved to be a thorn in Doncaster's side throughout. I was continually impressed by his ability to hold the ball up and the threat he posed in the air. Although his goal was a tap-in, he was in the right place at the right time, which is, of course, a hallmark of a quality centre forward. Hopefully he will continue to thrive alongside the industrious Simpson, who also played an important role in the victory.

Harford made a single change to the side that lost to Coventry last Saturday, with German taking Priskin's place alongside Simpson. Buzsaky and Cook occupied the flanks, whilst Faurlin and Connolly took up central midfield. The back four consisted of Hill, Stewart, Gorkss and Ramage, behind which Ikeme retained the goalkeeping position.

In truth, the opening exchanges were rather dull, with both sides forcing a series of corners. However, I must say I was intrigued by Brian Stock's bizarre codes when taking set pieces, which involved him either waving his hands over the ball or drawing a circle in the air with his finger.

The away team carved out the first opportunity in the 20th minute. O'Connor was allowed to move down the right flank and cross in for the in-form Billy Sharp, whose shot was blocked by a wall of Rangers defenders. However, the ball deflected out to Ward, who sliced it wide of the target. This was a fortunate escape for Harford's men.

The game livened up in the 24th minute when Queens Park Rangers deservedly took the lead. Faurlin picked out Cook on the left flank with an excellent through-pass, and the impressive winger crossed in for Simpson. The Arsenal loanee's shot was well saved by Sullivan, but he could only push it into the path of Antonio German, who tapped into the net.

Five minutes later, Cook was at the centre of the action once again, pouncing on a defensive mistake in midfield and progressing to the edge of the box. To my despair, he dragged his shot just wide of the target.

The final opportunity of the first period came just before the half-time whistle, and the Rs were unlucky not to double their advantage. Cook's curling corner found the head of Gorkss, who forced Sullivan into a superb diving save.

Half-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Doncaster Rovers

I was delighted by the start Queens Park Rangers made to the second half. In the 46th minute, Alejandro Faurlin picked up the ball outside the penalty box and drilled his effort just wide of Sullivan's left-hand post.

A minute later, Antonio German could have netted his second goal of the afternoon. Another wonderful corner from Lee Cook found the young striker at the near post, but he could only head over the crossbar.

Then, however, disaster struck. More lacklustre defending allowed Sharp to receive the ball with his back to goal and turn very easily indeed. His cross found Hayter, who carried out the simple task of smashing into the net from a couple of yards out. After having watched the TV highlights, I feel that perhaps Ikeme's positioning could have been better...

The Rs thought that they had put themselves back in front in the 60th minute. Buzsaky's free-kick was headed into the bottom corner by Antonio German, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. I think I'll have to see this one again on the official website's highlights...

Matthew Connolly, playing in central midfield, was next to try his luck. In the 62nd minute, Buzsaky's corner deflected out to the former Arsenal man, who, after beating a defender with a terrific piece of skill, sent his volley flying over the crossbar from inside the penalty area.

Things then took a bizarre turn when a streaker ran on to the pitch. I must say I was very impressed with the pace and skill he demonstrated before being brought to the ground by ten stewards. I was disappointed to see the referee keep his cards in his pocket, failing to take any action against such a horrendous foul. Shame on you, Mr Whitestone.

Clearly the intruder had inspired the players, as Queens Park Rangers regained the lead shortly afterwards. In the 76th minute, Buzsaky picked up the ball 25 yards out and released Simpson with a well-timed lob. With all the time and space he could have wanted, the loanee chested it down and slotted into the bottom corner of the net.

In the 77th minute, Harford made his first substitution, replacing Peter Ramage with Adel Taraabt. I was unimpressed by the Moroccan's performance during his brief spell on the pitch: once again, he seemed reluctant to pass the ball, instead opting to take on several Doncaster players by himself. Such arrogance will not win him back his place in the starting line-up. Eight minutes later, Gary Borrowdale was brought on at the expense of Matthew Connolly, who appeared to have sustained an injury.

Doncaster substitution: Wilson off for Roberts (82 minutes).

Doncaster substitution: Coppinger off for Shiels (82 minutes).

Doncaster substitution: Stock off for Mutch (85 minutes).

Harford's final decision was to replace Antonio German, who had well and truly worked his socks off, with the off-form Rowan Vine. The young striker left the pitch to a standing ovation. On the basis of this performance, he could have a very bright future ahead of him.

During the five minutes of stoppage time, Jay Simpson could have notched his second goal of the afternoon. A well-worked counter-attacking move led to Taraabt picking up the ball on the left flank. The Moroccan picked out the Rs' top scorer on the edge of the area, but, despite being in acres of space, he could only fire wide of Sullivan's left-hand post.

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

Conclusion

There were certainly plenty of positives to take from this encounter. I was pleased to see the players show far more energy and passion than they have done in recent weeks. This performance, combined with Friday night's news, gives me real hope that we will get out of the mess we are in. Hopefully this victory is just the beginning of a successful new era for Queens Park Rangers FC.

Man of the match: Antonio German. A superb performance from the young striker. Caused Doncaster problems throughout the match. Showed more of a threat in those ninety minutes than the likes of Agyemang have done all season