Team: Smithies, Perch, Onuoha, Hall, Konchesky, Henry, Luongo, Phillips (Chery), Fer, Hoilett (Mackie), Polter
Subs Not Used: Lumley, Angella, Sandro, Tozser, Petrasso
Attendance: 9,594 (including 1,286 plus at least 3 in hospitality}
My mission was accomplished and it was a very enjoyable day all round. Due to the harsh weather on Friday night we had to leave earlier (3.10am) and we eventually arrived in Rotherham at about 12 o’clock.
After meeting up with the QPR Meath branch, Michael Whelan and others in the Bridge Bar opposite the station, we went to the ground early and met with the Finnster and Steve Russell. My son, who is a big fan of the Podcast, finally got to meet the man behind the voice.
The game itself was far from being a classic, but our ability to score from our three chances meant that we were deserved winners. Apart from the first 20 minutes when we let them have the ball, we dictated things and absorbed all that they threw at us.
I was surprised that Ale Faurlin was not in the squad, but Luongo worked hard for his chance to impress. I was a bit disappointed that only a few of the players came to thank the fans, but fair dues to Seb Polter who gave his jersey to one very shocked young fan sitting in front of us. Maybe he was attracted to my QPR Mayo flag!
We waited to meet the players as they came out afterwards and they all seemed to be well pleased with the win. They all gave autographs and stood for photos for whoever wanted them, apart from Sandro who refused to stop and behaved like a grumpy teenager going through puberty!
I hope the players that start for the rest of the season will continue to grind out a few more results like that and ensure that we survive in this division.
qprmayo
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink secured his first win as QPR manager as they defeated struggling Rotherham.
The Millers were unfortunate not to go ahead when Paul Green’s effort from long range hit the inside of the post.
Rangers led after Green gave the ball away and Junior Hoilett slid it past Lee Camp before Matt Phillips’ angled drive quickly doubled the advantage.
Sebastian Polter added a third for the R’s from close range late on after Leroy Fer played him in on goal.
The Millers, who were aiming for their first win over the R’s since 1982, dominated the first-half but failed to test Rangers goalkeeper Alex Smithies. A resolute QPR defence blocked a host of shots to keep the score-line blank.
QPR, who sold top scorer Charlie Austin to Southampton only hours before kick-off, scored three times in a match for the first time since 24 October. But they never threatened in the opening period and victory looked unlikely until they struck twice in two minutes.
Rotherham slipped to just outside the relegation places on goal difference after a first home defeat in four games. Neil Redfearn’s side sit level on points with Bristol City, who picked up a late win against Championship leaders Middlesbrough.
QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: “It feels good. More so that it was a good performance, especially in the second-half. It was very difficult in the first but in the second we looked like we didn’t want to mess about. We got behind them, we were dangerous and we were clinical – and you need to be clinical.”
“I must say Rotherham made it very difficult for us in the first-half, they are right in your face, they don’t give you time.”
Rotherham United boss Neil Redfearn: “It was probably one of the weirdest 3-0 defeats I have ever been involved in. Had it been 3-0 to us at half-time that would have been about right.”
“But it just shows you the ruthless nature of this division. If you don’t get your noses in front or make hay while the sun is shining, then you are open to that sort of thing.
BBC Sport
We killed them second-half, Seb Polter was a different player, huge for us and Junior Hoilett, for whatever reason, is finding his feet. He took his time rather than run and cross and they couldn’t deal with him and Matty Phillips at all.
What was so good was that we played as a team from the back to the front. No one in the second-half was anything but decent.
Luongo did really well, he took his chance superbly, I would like to see him and Ale Faurlin play in that midfield, I feel they could destroy teams.
Rangers’ fans went through the A-Z of yesterday’s heroes. Let’s hope we can start to build on some new ones and give them time to grow.
Well done Alex Smithies, I think we can now move Rob Green on and see what the lad can do with Joe Lumley as his understudy, who will in time be a class act for the R’s.
All round great trip, my old Ford Focus still going and good to see Steve enjoy that good day out. Rangers may well have just turned the corner.
Paul Finney
Andrew and George Benwell met up with us in the Blue Coat pub, good ale and the food was decent.
Have to say that we were poor in the first-half and the home side created numerous chances. They hit the inside of the post and thankfully the follow-up was put well wide.
Neil Warnock made a surprise appearance at half-time and Lee Camp also got a very good reception from the travelling R’s fans.
After 52 minutes, Junior Hoilett broke down the left and managed to just keep his balance as he then slid the ball past Lee Camp. Within a minute or two, Matty Phillips doubled the score from an almost identical position.
Later, there was another Rangers connection when Emmanuel Ledesma joined the fray after 80 minutes. Seb Polter worked his socks off and was rewarded with a goal from close range near the end.
Alex Smithies looked comfortable, made a superb save and his distribution was good.
Thanks to Paul for the lift.
Steve Russell
(My thanks to Noel for the top two pics and to Ray Meaney for the bottom one)