Summary...
We were on top before slack defending and a good finish put QPR ahead. We were then all over the place for a good few mins till we got back on the ball, Duffy finding a great Freeman run, and delivering well to Sharp.
2nd half we started well, were on top again. Sharp (who had played well but was clearly tiring) went off to utterly embarrassing boos from our end. Immediately McGoldrick was pushed in the box and finished the pen.
After that we managed the game well to conclusion.
It was a good performance, a confidence-boosting one, and we looked much more like our old selves.
Ratings...
Henderson 8/10 – made some really good saves, claimed everything, slowed things down when needed. Good on the ball for short-range stuff. Appalling long distribution - aiming for Clarke and sending towards Sharp or the stand.
Freeman 7/10 – made the goal with a super run and cross. We need more of that from our wingbacks. Otherwise got into good positions. Some uncomfortable moments defensively.
Stevens 6.5/10 – similar game to Freeman, but with a poorer end product. Thought he did better than the Swansea game.
Stearman, Egan, O’Connell 7/10 – got better as the game wore on.
Fleck 7/10 – again, better than the Swansea game, and at times very good. Still getting caught in possession a bit too often for my liking.
Basham 8.5/10 – thought he was excellent throughout. Body on the line for everything, he tackled, he passed, he drove forward with the ball. Wasn’t expecting him to be our best player, but he was.
Duffy 8/10 – good to see him back in, and he had a key influence on the game in releasing Freeman on the goal. Was otherwise his busy self.
Sharp 7/10 – decent game, linked well, pressed high, but tried to do too much on other occasions, had one chance all game and crucially took it.
Clarke 6/10 – not a great game, but not an especially poor one either. Was presented with a glorious gift from a misplaced pass and did nothing with it. Like Sharp, pressed well, but too often his touch let him down or he seemed too slow to react. Forced the keeper into one decent save 2nd half. Almost provided a chance to QPR after being cheaply caught in possession.
Subs
McG – rightly subbed on as Sharp was visibly tiring (a minority of our fans idiotically booed the decision) and immediately won the penalty and the game. Was struggling after one knock and then subbed after another.
Woodburn – subbed on for Duffy but played in a different role (he and McG played slightly behind and either side of Clarke). Had a couple of decent touches to release players, but was also muscled off a couple of times. Helped to conclude the game.
Leonard – came on for McG and was one of his better cameos. V unlucky with a run and shot.
Wilder 10/10 – right XI started, right subs made.
