Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

QPR quickly made up for the disappointment of their 1-0 home defeat against Cardiff City on Saturday by inflicting the same score line on relegation-threatened Watford last night.

It was a game with the potential to end as many home games have for QPR this season i.e after taking a one-goal lead, somehow contriving to let in an equaliser and lose two points. But though Watford applied the pressure in the second half, with Radek Cerny called on to clear the ball off the line, a strong rear-guard action from the Hoops was enough to earn them their second clean-sheet in three games; something they have rarely been able to point towards this season.

"We couldn't hold it up front for 20 minutes and that gave them momentum," said manager Neil Warnock in his post-match press conference.

"But I can't remember them having a shot on target to be honest. I thought we defended quite well and Peter Ramage was absolutely outstanding again. Gorkssy had a good second half, heading everything clear too.

"The centre-halves were vital and I thought we coped with what they threw at us very well."

After relying on another result (strugglers Sheffield Wednesday's 1-1 draw with city neighbours United) to assure their own place in the Championship, QPR did at least return the favour last night by beating the only other side, except for Crystal Palace, which could now go down.

Akos Buzsaky's first-half penalty, after Adrian Mariappa felled full-back Dusko Tosic in the box, left Watford just two points above the drop zone and needing some return from their remaining two games at home to Reading and at Coventry.

"I thought we were quite professional," said Warnock.

"It's tough when you're safe and you play against a team fighting for their lives. We didn't create too much, but I thought we deserved the win. We owed it to our supporters first and foremost and of course the other teams in the relegation fight.

"No-one can point any fingers at us tonight."
 
It also marked a real turnaround in fortunes for the Hungarian himself; when QPR made the return journey to Watford earlier in the season, Buzsaky was locked out of his team's dressing room and allegedly involved in a physical altercation with then manager Jim Magilton following a disappointing defeat.

Though it is unlikely to lead him to banish any players from his own dressing-room, Warnock may have some niggling concerns about the lack of goals in his QPR side at the moment. Nine goals in the last ten games isn't disastrous, but it has meant QPR are often in the position they were last night, holding on for a win rather than having the relative security of a two-goal lead or more.

Following the Cardiff defeat, Warnock spoke of the need to bring in more/new strikers to the club, especially if Jay Simpson leaves the club when his loan deal expires. That is a distinct possibility because the manager also made it clear he wants to have just one loanee at the club next season and will have failed in his job (or been undone by injuries) if he needs to call on more.

For now, the R's can still look forward to their final two games safe in the knowledge they don't have the same immediate concerns as last night's visitors. It will also give Warnock a further opportunity to test out players who have had less playing-time since he arrived, such as Rowan Vine and Antonio German, both of whom started last night.

"Every game I'm learning," said Warnock.

"We tried a few permutations and I gave a young lad his debut.

"That's what I've got to do now, but I still want to finish undefeated and if we could get another four points I'd be very pleased."

QPR - Cerny, Ramage, Leigertwood, Vine, Buzsaky (Oastler 71), Gorkss, Faurlin, Ephraim, Tosic, German (Simpson 73), Taarabt (Cook 41)

Subs not used - Putnins, Brown, Parker, Priskin

Goals - Buzsaky (pen 38)

Bookings - Buzsaky, Cook, Ephraim

Watford - Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury, McGinn (Sordell 46), Graham, Jenkins (Bryan 82), Harley, Bennett (Doyley 46), Taylor, Eustace, Hodson.

Subs not used - Lee, Hoskins, Henderson, Oshodi

Bookings - Mariappa, Eustace

Referee - Mr P Miller

Attendance - 13,171