Team: Smithies, Onuoha, Angella, Hill, Perch, Phillips, Henry, Faurlin, Hoilett (Petrasso), Chery (Mackie), Polter
Subs Not Used: Ingram, Konchesky, Tozser, El Khayati, Washington
Attendance: 14,049 (including 1,295 Rams fans)
Floyd Hasselbaink’s impersonation of a Tinker man is wearing thin, now I know he wants to look at all the players, BUT don’t tinker with the style of play.
Birmingham and last night proved that we can compete with anyone in this league by pressing and winning the ball high, playing high tempo, passing football in possession and looking to create chances in the attacking third with good movement.
Our pre-season has started already, so Jimmy give the likes of Michael Petrasso a go, there’s nothing to lose, in fact, I would drag Michael Doughty back and see if he really is good enough over the last stretch of games.
With the visit of Hounslow United on Saturday, I hope that we continue where we left off last night. Over to you Tinker, oops, I mean Jimmy.
W12boy
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink earned just his fourth win in 18 games as QPR boss as a below-par Derby were brushed aside.
Tjaronn Chery showed great technique to convert a 24th minute James Perch cross for his third goal in his last five games for a deserved half-time lead.
The Rams had barely threatened but improved on the resumption and substitute Darren Bent forced a good save from keeper Alex Smithies. But the hosts sealed victory late on through Gabriele Angella’s strike.
Angella slid in a teasing Matt Phillips free kick to wrap up a win, which takes Rangers up to 11th in the Championship table, nine points adrift of the play-off places.
Derby, seeking a fourth win in five, were outplayed in the first-half by a home side who looked lively in attack thanks to the twin threat posed by wingers Matty Phillips and Junior Hoilett.
Sebastian Polter went close before Chery’s fine finish following a superb run and cross by Perch on the left and Phillips almost got on the end of a Hoilett centre to double the lead.
Derby, who remain fifth, upped the urgency and adopted a more direct approach, but still struggled to create clear chances and defender Angella made it 2-0 with four minutes left.
QPR head coach Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: “I think we played ever so well from minute one until the last minute of the game.”
“In the first-half we dominated with and without the ball and scored a really magnificent goal.”
“We could have done better on the break but that’s me being a little picky. Overall it was a great team performance.”
Derby head coach Darren Wassall: “I’ve been in charge for six games and we’ve won three and lost three, so anybody can see we need more consistency. It’s something we have to address.”
“There are 10 games to go this season and we have to put it right. We missed an opportunity to get at least a point. It’s bitterly disappointing. We’re taking two steps forward and one back.”
BBC Sport
Before the game I met up in the ‘Crown & Sceptre’ with Brian, his wife Tracy and four-year-old son Jamie, who were down from Aberdeen.
After Saturday’s shambles, there was an odd atmosphere around the ground in the early stages, and loads of empty seats. However, the players got into their stride and began to play as a team, with purpose and plenty of zip.
Chances were being created and a powerful shot from Seb Polter swerved late just away from the target.
Our first goal followed one of the best build-ups of the season. Alex Smithies threw the ball out to the half-way line and the move down the left resulted in a dangerous ball by James Perch into the box which was met with a spectacular finish from Tjaronn Chery. Absolutely wonderful!
The visitors had more possession after the break and created quite a few corners, but one of them was very questionable? Neil Swarbrick had seemingly not awarded it and as he looked at the lino and the lino looked at him, they had rushed their kick anyway!!!
There was on-going banter with Richard Keogh, which included: ‘Keogh is a Ranger’ etc etc, and numerous chanting for Bobby Zamora throughout the game!
The R’s second goal near the end followed a teasing free kick into the box from Matty Phillips, which was met at the far post by Gabriele Angella.
A good all-round performance and I just hope that we can carry it on against Brentford on Saturday.
Steve Russell