QPR (1) – Reading (1)

Team: Ingram, Perch, Onuoha, Hall, Kpekawa, Luongo, Faurlin, Gladwin (El Khayati), Chery (Washington), Phillips (Petrasso), Polter

Subs Not Used: Lumley, Hill, Diakite, Hoilett,

Attendance: 16,225 (including 1,633 Reading fans)

At the end of the match I was thinking that I wouldn’t like to have to do a report on that game! I turned to Geo and asked him what he thought the highlight of the game was? He said the final whistle!

I was thinking more about Polter’s miss, but I think Geo got it right, it was terrible low standard stuff from two poor teams and poor performances all round.

Good to see both Gladwin and Kpekawa getting their game though, but once again both El Khayati and Washington left with little time to show what they can bring to the team.

The trip itself was much better, good to meet up again with Steve Russell, Finney, Eamonn and Geo. Ron from Norwich and his crew were among the others in the Crown & Sceptre before the game.

After the match I met Saycey, Sandra and also Finney again, outside the stadium before heading off to the Connie, where the music was pumping. I didn’t want to leave, but time waits for no man.

I sat beside a couple of Everton supporters on the flight home, who were moaning about how they wished they were at home and that the season was over. Glad I fell asleep for the rest of the flight…zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

John22 (Dublin)
qpr v readingReading ended their four-game losing run as Deniss Rakels cancelled out Grant Hall’s goal to earn a point at Queen’s Park Rangers.

In an open game boasting 38 shots, Reading keeper Ali Al-Habsi smartly saved Tjaronn Chery’s free kick. He was beaten by Hall’s header but Rakels smashed in Yann Kermorgant’s pass and then fired over before half-time.

Matt Ingram – making his home debut – saved an Oliver Norwood free kick and Jake Cooper’s header after the break.

Al-Habsi was kept busy in the opening stages of the second-half too, making saves from a Sebastian Polter shot and header.

Teenage left-back Cole Kpekawa, making his first full league debut for Rangers, headed over and Chery had the chance to win it late on but could only miscue a shot from six yards.

Both sides had little to play for, with QPR ending the day 13th and Reading 15th.

But it is the Royals who may be most pleased with a point having had lost 12 of their last 15 away games before travelling to Loftus Road. Brian McDermott’s side still only have two wins in 12 outings, while QPR boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink may also be concerned – his side have one win in seven.

QPR manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: “I think we did enough in the first-half to come in ahead and it was frustrating that they scored so soon after we scored.”

“It had the feeling of an end-of-season game and it was a little bit up and down.”

“We couldn’t get a foothold for a long spell – they had it and then we had it. But in the end, I still feel we had enough chances to have made it 2-1.”

“With two more games this season, if you’re not already starting to plan for next year then you will have a big problem. You need to plan in advance.”

“It is clear the direction we need. We have to have younger players – more assets in the club. We have to look at more players who are 23, 24 or 25. I’m not saying we shouldn’t sign a 30-year-old, but in the past few years too many players have come here to retire.”

Reading manager Brian McDermott: “I thought we were going to win it. Their keeper made a very good save from a free kick.”

“The last four games have been difficult to take because we played well and got nothing. But no-one wants to hear that, so it was important we got something from this game.”

“When you lose four games in-a-row it isn’t pleasant. Losing to Middlesbrough late on was tough, then going to Leeds and playing well and getting nothing, and then getting nothing against Hull.”

“We needed to get at least a point. All in all, we’ll take that point and now get on with our lives.”

BBC Sport

I believe he’s giving Ingram a run-out as we’re not going up/down. Good to see Cole Kpekawa make his first start, he’s been ready since October going by his performances in the reserves.

As for Conor Washington, correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Polter and Washington terrorise the Ipswich defence a couple of months ago? I think that it was our best performance this season considering the calibre of the opposition.

Without looking, I’m sure that it’s the only game they have started together as well. Polter can play alone upfront and evidently Washington can’t. How about playing them together for 90 minutes?

ChrisPTenner

Once again I didn’t understand Matty Phillips’ inclusion and Conor Washington’s lack of game time….what was it this time 7 minutes?

We created three or four very good chances in the first-half. But there was too much long-range hopeful shooting and our corners were generally woeful, but we eventually scored from one with a well-placed Grant Hall heading in the net.

They equalised soon after and finished the half the stronger side.

Matt Ingram made a couple of superb saves and we all wondered whether Seb Polter had the sun in his eyes or had seriously misjudged his position from just a few feet in front of goal when his header amazingly went wide?

It was great to see Frank McLintock interviewed at half-time. He looked well and spoke positively about his time with us.

Good to meet up with John22, Gerry Purcell, Eamonn, Rod Bayles and many others in the Crown & Sceptre before the game.

Thanks to everyone that picked up badges.

Steve Russell