Tuesday 28th September 2010
Npower Football League Championship
Loftus Road Stadium
Referee: L Probert
Attendance: 15,325
Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Millwall
By The Godfather

Queens Park Rangers starting line-up: Kenny, Hill, Gorkss, Connolly, Walker, Buzsaky, Taraabt, Ephraim, Mackie, Helguson.

Millwall starting line-up: Forde, Dunne, Robinson, Barron, Craig, Hackett, Schofield, Ward, Abdou, Mkandwaire, Morrison.

Most of the post-match message board discussion has focused on incidents of violence outside Loftus Road. All I have to say on the matter is that any set of supporters which requires such an enormous police presence should not be allocated 3000 away tickets.

Turning now to the game itself, Queens Park Rangers really should have taken all three points against a hard-working Millwall team. The Rs squandered several golden opportunities, but were not helped by one of the most incompetent refereeing displays I have seen for some time. In fact, by the end of the match, both sets of supporters were screaming abuse at Mr Probert, a man who sometimes officiates in the Premiership. His decisions were inconsistent and often bizarre, an example being his failure to even book the Lions goalkeeper for pushing Adel Taraabt to the floor in the second half.

To Millwall's credit, they defended very well, managing to cope under enormous pressure from Warnock's men. However, they possessed very little quality in attack, their chief tactic involving hoofing the ball up to their main striking threat, Steve Morrison. In truth, the Lions never really looked like scoring, their only two chances coming in the closing stages of the match. Nevertheless, Kenny Jackett will be pleased with this result against the league leaders.

Unsurprisingly, the manager selected the same side that beat Doncaster Rovers last Saturday. I have to say it is refreshing that Neil Warnock knows his best team and sticks with it. Our previous coaches have made changes on a regular basis, only serving to unsettle the squad. Helguson started up front, supported by Mackie and Ephraim on the flanks. Taraabt operated in a 'free' role, with Derry and Buzsaky occupying the middle of the park. The back four consisted of Hill, Gorkss, Connolly and Walker, with Kenny retaining the goalkeeping position.

As the game kicked off, it was clear that there was an edge to the atmosphere. A group of Millwall fans in the Lower School End already looked to be causing trouble, gesturing towards the South Africa Road stand. However, the QPR players were certainly not intimidated and almost took the lead inside the opening minute. Kyle Walker, who produced a superb performance, volleyed the ball into the penalty area, finding the unmarked Helguson at the far post. Unfortunately, the Icelandic forward was unable to direct his header on target.

Five minutes later, it was Akos Buzsaky at the centre of the action, receiving the ball 25 yards out from goal and unleashing a powerful shot, forcing Forde into an excellent save. To my despair, Ward managed to clear to safety. The game continued in lively fashion, with Queens Park Rangers enjoying the majority of possession. However, the resilience of Millwall's defence meant that the Super Hoops' next opportunity would not come until the 27th minute.

Championship top scorer, Jamie Mackie, received the ball in the penalty area with his back to goal. Just as the Scot was about to turn, a Millwall defender appeared to land a karate kick on his chest. Incredibly, Mr Probert waved away the appeals. As my friend pointed out, perhaps he didn't have the courage to award the spot-kick in front of the Lions fans. I wonder if the decision would have been different at the other end of the ground.

In the 35th minute, Kyle Walker was once again causing the opposition problems on the right flank, racing past the full back and finding Jamie Mackie in the penalty area. Unfortunately, the former Plymouth forward scooped his effort over the crossbar.

Just before half time, the Walker/Mackie partnership created the Super Hoops' best opportunity of the first period. Again it was the Tottenham loanee acting as the provider, charging down the wing and crossing to Mackie at the near post. With the crowd ready to celebrate, the Rs forward shot straight at the goalkeeper, Millwall eventually managing to clear to safety. He should have done better.

Half-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Millwall

Queens Park Rangers almost got the second half to a terrific start, just as they did against Doncaster Rovers last Saturday. Taraabt's floated corner found Gorkss in the box, whose header flew over the crossbar. The Latvian should have hit the target given that he was completely unmarked.

Two minutes later, Taraabt was unlucky not to break the deadlock. Receiving the ball on the left wing, he glided past the full back before smashing it across the face of the goal. Frustratingly, Helguson and Mackie were unable to make contact.

Millwall were starting to look vulnerable at this point and QPR could sense that they were there for the taking. And, in the 56th minute, they came agonisingly close to taking the lead. Taraabt's free kick found Clint Hill six yards out from goal, but the former Crystal Palace defender inexplicably headed over the crossbar.

After a quiet first half, the Moroccan was really influencing proceedings and was very unfortunate not to score in the 59th minute. A well-worked free kick led to Taraabt receiving the ball on the edge of the penalty area. He then unleashed a low drive at goal, forcing Forde into a superb one-handed save. Unbelievably, the Millwall goalkeeper then appeared to push Taraabt to the ground. Everyone in the stadium expected to see the referee brandish a red card and yet, in the end, he didn't even issue a booking.

Millwall substitution: Barron off for Harris (65 minutes).

In the 71st minute, Millwall finally managed to create their first clear-cut opportunity of the match, thanks to an impressive counter-attacking move. Schofield picked up the ball on the left flank and sent in a delightful cross to the far post, where Morrison sent a header towards the bottom corner of the net. Luckily, Paddy Kenny made a decent save, pushing it out for a corner kick.

Queens Park Rangers substitution: Buzsaky off for Leigertwood (84 minutes).

Queens Park Rangers substitution: Helguson off for Agyemang (88 minutes).

During the final ten minutes of the match, the Queens Park Rangers forwards looked absolutely exhausted and were not linking up very effectively. Millwall almost stunned the home crowd when Schofield's 25-yard drive forced Kenny into a decent save. At the other end, Taraabt's through-pass found Agyemang in the penalty area, but some abysmal ball control allowed the Lions to clear away to safety.

Bookings: Helguson (65), Dunne (67).

Full-time scoreline: Queens Park Rangers 0-0 Millwall.

Conclusion

Queens Park Rangers were unlucky not to take the three points here. However, I was not too disappointed with the result. London derbies can often produce surprising outcomes and I did fear that Millwall would score against the run of play. In addition, both Cardiff and Ipswich failed to win on Tuesday night, meaning that Rangers remain six points clear at the top of the table.

Man of the match: Kyle Walker - I thought he was excellent on Tuesday night, creating a number of opportunities and also making an important defensive contribution.