Team: Green, Perch, Onuoha, Hill, Konchesky, Luongo, Henry, Phillips, Chery (Doughty), Gladwin (Emmanuel-Thomas), Austin (Polter),
Subs Not Used: Lumley, Kpekawa, Hall, Faurlin,
Attendance: 14,927 (including 1,049 Cardiff fans)
We were 2-0 up, and Cardiff had played all the football, and continued to do so, while we continued with long balls over the top. Very disappointed with the football we played.
As said elsewhere, we are a team of strangers at the moment with players still settling in but there is no excuse for not playing the ball on the ground. A mixture of both is what was necessary.
I think Cardiff definitely deserved to get something from the game, but with a bit of common sense in our play we would have seen the game out to victory. And just seconds before they scored Matt Phillips had the chance to seal it.
It’s going to be a long season, but then what’s new?
JOHN22
The midfield got neck ache watching the ball being played over their heads for 90 minutes. With Luongo and Chery in the side they want the ball played to feet through the midfield. But I’m afraid as long as Ned and Clint play that’s all we are going to get as neither of them are comfortable on the ball and will only lump it to everyone!
I have said it before, that we are in the same situation as Norwich were when they promoted Neil Adams from their academy set-up. He took them down and the start he had last season had relegation written all over it until Delia saw the light and got Alex Neil in and the rest is history. I hope Ramsey proves me wrong.
So new centre-backs are required Sir Les – still you know that already! I hope?
W12boy
Scott Malone’s stunning late goal helped Cardiff come back from two goals down to earn a draw at QPR.
The home side took the lead against the run of play when an unmarked Clint Hill headed in a Matt Phillips corner. Another corner appeared to hit defender’s Hill’s arm before it was turned in by Charlie Austin from close range.
Cardiff pulled one back with Sean Morrison’s stooping header, and Malone equalised when he fired in a dipping 22-yard strike.
QPR boss Chris Ramsey will rue his side’s failure to make the most of their counter-attacks as the visitors pushed forward for a leveller.
Austin had a shot cleared off the goal-line, while Matt Phillips ran on to a knockdown and raced at the Cardiff goal only to have his angled shot saved by keeper Simon Moore.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas was also guilty of missing a late chance for the home side just before Malone’s eye-catching strike. Cardiff will feel a point is the least they deserved not just because QPR’s debateable second goal was allowed, but that they conceded both goals when they were on top of proceedings at Loftus Road.
BBC Sport
A strange game on Saturday.
– A two goal lead frustratingly surrendered
– Hated rivals yet the lack of a heated atmosphere?
– A slating for the team, and especially the manager, after the game on social media.
Actually I didn’t think Rangers were too bad. There are some obvious issues, which need to be addressed.
Charlie Austin is not a lone man upfront and needs support. The defence looks very frail at times. The full-backs, James Perch and Paul Konchesky work hard but are frequently caught out of position. Generally our defence still lacks pace.
The midfield isn’t totally settled yet. Whilst Massimo Luongo looks classy on the ball, the partnership with Karl Henry doesn’t look convincing. The sooner the transfer window ends for Phillips, Austin and Green the better too.
Cardiff, like Charlton at the Valley the week before, got better as the game wore on – once again fitness possibly being an issue for us. While we should have been able to close the game out with that lead, Cardiff were good for their point.
They have a number of players all comfortable on the ball, Ralls, Mason, Pilkington plus when Kenwyne Jones came on for the isolated Alex Revell, the game changed and the R’s defence looked stretched.
There is much food for thought and work to do for Ramsey. This is where he is going to earn his corn as the coach he has been cracked up to be if QPR are not to have a disappointing season.
Steve Sayce
Following the U18’s 1-0 defeat at Harlington, I headed straight to the Crown & Sceptre to meet up with JOHN22.
As for the game, Cardiff moved the ball around with ease and the stats later revealed that the visitors enjoyed 62% of the possession. At 1-0, I said to Dan, my Upper Loft neighbour, that Cardiff were definitely going to score.
The visitors’ defence did look very shaky at times and Rangers went long ball! Did Rob Green handle outside the box? We had some very good chances particularly in the 2nd half, including one that was kicked off the line.
Grant Hall could well be one of the contenders for inclusion on Wednesday at Molineux.
Steve Russell