Tuesday 20th April 2010
The Coca Cola Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: C Miller
Attendance: 13,171
Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Watford
By The Godfather

Queens Park Rangers starting line-up: Cerny, Ramage, Gorkss, Tosic, Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Faurlin, Ephraim, Taraabt, Vine, German.

Watford starting line-up: Loach, Mariappa, Harley, Bennett, Taylor, Hodson, Lansbury, McGinn, Jenkins, Eustace, Graham.

In one of the most bizarre matches I have witnessed at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers somehow managed to scrape a win against a truly hopeless Watford team. Unfortunately, the Rs sank to the Hornets' level, kicking the ball aimlessly up the pitch over and over again. I must confess that, at times, I did wonder whether I was watching a game of rugby.

Apparently there was coverage of Tuesday night's game on BBC Radio 5Live. God knows what the commentary was like! "And the ball is kicked up the pitch...and Graham is offside. Cerny takes the goal-kick and it falls to Martin Taylor who kicks it upfield...and it's offside again". I bet that the linesmen had to seek treatment for repetitive strain injury after the match.

Without doubt, the most positive aspect of the match was an outstanding display from Peter Ramage, who, once again, proved to be very solid in the centre-back position. Perhaps the reason we have not seen the best of him during the last couple of seasons is that he has been playing in the wrong position. Let's hope that he maintains this level of performance over the final two weeks of the campaign. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for Adel Taraabt, who seemed to throw a sulk after not taking the penalty, demanding to be substituted. There is no doubt that the Moroccan is incredibly skilful, but his attitude will get him nowhere.

In a very dull first half, Akos Buzsaky was first to test Scott Loach (who, I have to say, looked very vulnerable all evening). From 40 yards out, the Hungarian sent his free-kick flying towards the bottom corner, forcing the Watford goalkeeper into a decent save.

Rangers looked the better team during the first period, but needed a penalty to take the lead in the 38th minute. Tosic received the ball on the left-hand side, progressed into the area and then seemed to be brought to the ground by Mariappa. I have to say, having watched the highlights, I think it was the wrong decision. Akos Buzsaky took the resulting spot-kick, slotting it into the bottom corner of the net, sending Loach the wrong way.

It was at this point that Adel Taraabt signalled that he needed to be substituted. His reasons for doing so might have been something to do with the fact that he was not allowed to take the penalty. Lee Cook, a man unpopular with the Watford faithful, replaced him.

Half-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Watford

Watford substitution: Bennett off for Doyley (46 minutes).

Watford substitution: McGinn off for Sordell (46 minutes).

Watford seemed to hoof the ball up the pitch with more intensity during the second half. In truth, however, this tactic did not reap much success. On the whole, the QPR defence dealt with the Hornets relatively well.

It was Rangers who forced the first chance of the second period in the 47th minute. Rowan Vine picked up the ball on the left flank, cut inside and sent a low cross into the penalty area. To my despair, no QPR striker was able to make contact, with Lloyd Doyley clearing the danger.

The away team's best opportunity came in the 64th minute, when a cross found Jenkins unmarked at the near post. Inexcusably, the Watford player could only send his header bouncing wide of Cerny's right-hand post. A dreadful miss.

In the 70th minute, Warnock decided to introduce youngster, Joe Oastler, at the expense of Akos Buzsaky. This was not a particularly impressive performance from the Hungarian, despite his penalty kick. However, it was difficult for him to influence proceedings, both teams opting to bypass the midfield with aimless long balls. Meanwhile, Simpson replaced Antonio German, who had worked very hard up front.

Four minutes later, Queens Park Rangers could have killed the game off. A decent through-pass by Hogan Ephraim allowed Jay Simpson to bear down on goal. The angle was a difficult one, but the Arsenal loanee still managed to force a decent save out of Scott Loach.

Watford substitution: Jenkins off for Bryan (81 minutes).

The final fifteen minutes did not produce a clear-cut chance, although there was a bit of action during the four minutes of stoppage time, when Joe Oastler and a John Eustace clashed on the right-hand side. The collision sparked a heated confrontation involving a number of players, but the Watford midfielder escaped with only a yellow card.

Bookings:

QPR - Buzsaky, Ephraim, Cook.

Watford - Mariappa, Eustace.

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 1-0 Watford

Conclusion

In hindsight, Queens Park Rangers were fortunate to win this match. Luckily, Watford were hopeless. One thing is for certain: the Rs need to produce a much-improved performance if they are to get anything from their final two games against Barnsley and Newcastle.

Man of the match: Peter Ramage - As already mentioned, he produced a very solid performance. I thought he dealt with the Watford strikers very competently indeed. I was pleased to hear Warnock compliment him in his post-match interview.