No Boing at the Baggies..

West Brom 3-2 QPR

QPR were yet again masters of their own downfall yesterday, going down 3-2 to in-form West Brom at the Hawthorns.

Despite an early setback for myself in local traffic, myself and Jenson breezed through the journey and arrived just before 2pm, where we met up with Lee, Jess and Luke at the normal and what we call, the turban car park. Sadly, regular travellers Sam and PK were missing today, with Sam on parental duties and PK holidaying with Jo in the Dominican Republic.

Our late arrival took us straight into the ground and onto a busy concourse, where myself, Lee, Jenson and Luke did our bit for the LH Premier League Pie Ratings. We were then joined by Lorna who had driven down from Hull. When the team news filtered through, we all seemed more confident of getting something, with Boswinga and Ferdinand returning from injury and back into the R's defence. Ferdinand, was somewhat strangely booed by a small section of Albion fans.

Onto the game and Albion started like a train and in the 5th minute, took the lead and the R's defence frailties were in full effect yet again - Shane Long's pace found Clint Hill lacking on the right before sending over a superb cross to find the unmarked Morrison who headed home. Too easy!! It could and should have been two just 5 minutes later, when again, a cross from the right found Shane Long who ballooned the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

The second goal finally came on 22 minutes, when Morrison drove in a low cross, again from the right, Ferdinand made a hash of his clearance that fell straight to Gera who made no mistake. The game was almost identical to that of Monday's with West Ham, even more so when Adel Taarabt pulled a goal back for the R's on 35 minutes - Granero chipped the ball forward and Adel took it on chest before firing home an unstoppable volley, a superb goal and Rangers were somehow back in the game. An extremely deflated Jenson could hardly find the enthusiasm to celebrate.

Just before the break, Gera found himself through on goal but a superb stop from Cesar stopped the Baggies regaining their two goal advantage. The half time whistle soon followed and in truth, this game should have been long put to bed.

No surprise really that Traore replaced Hill on the left for the second half and Rangers looked much improved. Taarabt tested Foster and Shaun Wright-Phillips hit the side netting when he really should have done better. West Brom now seemed nervous and Rangers began to take charge, but for all the possession, just could not break through a well organised Albion defence.

They nearly extended their lead on 80 minutes when Morrison's superb drive went just wide, but the third wasn't long in coming and decent passing move saw Mulumbu finish with ease from close range.

That should have finished Rangers off, but surprisingly, we hit back and Granero reduced the deficit with a lovely curler from 12 yards out in the last minute. But an unlikely point could well have been gained with the last kick of the game, when a scrambled corner fell to Boswinga, who, with the goal gaping and the headlines written, blasted over from 6 yards out.

QPR: Cesar, Ferdinand, Hill (Traore 46), Park, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips (Mackie 58), Granero, Nelsen, Bosingwa, Zamora, Mbia (Mbia 70). Subs: Green, Cisse, Onuoha, Faurlin.

 

Man of the Match - Adel Taarabt had another excellent game, capped off with another excellent goal, but with a clean sweep from all of us and surprisngly, a defender, with Ryan Nelsen getting the vote for a solid performance in his own position, as well of offering plenty of cover on the left hand side throughout.

 

In  summary and I will be brief and just like the West Ham game, if you defend like that and only play for 45 minutes, you are going to be beaten, end of story. Basic things we were getting completely wrong and yet again, cost us dearly. Taking nothing at all away from West Brom, who are a team in great form and took their chances to gain a deserved three points.

 

Away Day Pie Rating -

 

The Chicken Balti sampled by myself, Jenson and Lee and the Chicken and Mushroom by Luke;

 

Myself - could have been presented warmer, but other than that, ok - 7

 

Lee - could have been warmer  - 6

 

Jenson - pastry a bit too moist - 6

 

Luke - good, but pastry a tad dry - 7

 

Giving WBA a total pie rating of 6.5/10

 

To end the disappointment of the day, myself and Jenson descended on Wycombe Wanderers for a charity bash, in which R's Legend, Gareth Ainsworth joined the excellent local band, Subrosa5 for an 8 song set. Not only did Gaz deliver 3 points for his team earlier in the day, he delivered on stage too with some superb vocals - my personal faves were 'I Can't Explain' and the Doors classic, 'Light my Fire', in which huge Doors fan, Gaz fulfilled some personal ambition by singing this.

 

There are some great people down at that club and we all had a great evening. The Jager swigging Jenson took off into town after the gig with some of the Wycombe press team and I headed for home. But I must say how welcome we were made to feel and I am so happy the night was a big success for the Charities involved.

 

We now head into the International Break and Lee and Jess are setting off for a week or so in sunny Cyprus. They return on the morning of the Everton game and if he has the energy, Lee will look back at what is another massive game for QPR. Hopefully, the break will do us all some good..

 

Come on You R'sssssssssssssss!!!