Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

QPR took their goalscoring run on the road on Saturday, scoring four goals for the third consecutive match, not to mention recovering from a two-goal deficit. If the wins over Barnsley, Preston and Reading were relatively comfortable, this victory showed a new spirit and resilience which could be vital over the next few months. All the action can be seen below courtesy of the BBC iPlayer, click to 24.12 for the highlights (though only until this Saturday; after then, try the BBC website if you want to see a flurry of QPR goals: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8316395.stm):

Manager Jim Magilton was rightly thrilled, though he did confess to a few nerves as Derby took a 2-0 lead against the run of play. Rangers dominated the early exchanges, only to then concede a sloppy goal. A quick free-kick from Robbie Savage played in Paul Dickov to slot past Radek Cerny. The Welshman then made his mark from a deadball again, lifting a free-kick over the QPR wall and into the net.

Up to that point, Adel Taarabt had been guilty of a few wasteful moments but the case for leniency with him has now been firmly made and he handed the away side their lifeline, audaciously beating the Derby keeper at his near post with a free-kick just before the break.

The second half was then a textbook lesson in how to seize a game by the scruff of the neck. Gavin Mahon grabbed a highly deserved goal, finishing off a sweeping counter-attack and by the 60 minute mark, QPR were ahead, Jay Simpson with a cooly-taken goal which was the mark of a player high on confidence. If he can inch towards the twenty goal mark this season, promotion could be his reward.


Buzsaky's penalty added a gloss to the fight-back, though it arose from a blatant dive by Wayne Routledge which was unnecessary in the circumstances and is the only black mark on his form-book at the moment.

Magilton felt his side 'have skipped under the radar' and though more and more people are now taking note of QPR's form, that's pretty spot-on. They are now in an unusual position; for the first time since Flavio Briatore's arrival (and for some time before that as well) it is not ridiculous to speak about promotion, though it may be premature. That will bring added pressure from the fans, the chairman and everyone around the club though and so the player's response to that could define their season.

I'd say I've underestimated the challenge Leicester City could pose on Friday night as they've also ghosted up the league, but I'll be looking at them in a bit more detail before the game. The Championship is definitely not a league suited to great reflection as the games come so thick and fast, but the way QPR are playing at the moment, that could be a godsend.

HIGHS: Team-spirit in clear supply; Jay Simpson continuing his scoring form; Gavin Mahon's goal and performances since Martin Rowland's crushing injury.

LOWS: Not too many for once - sloppy defending early on and Routledge's blatant dive were the only low points (and QPR fans probably aren't too upset about the latter. 

Derby County - Bywater;  Connolly, Barker, Moxey, Stoor (Livermore 62), Croft, Savage, Teale, Hughes (Pearson 68), Hulse, Dickov (Davies 68).

Subs not used - Deeney, Buxton, Hendrie, Mills.

Goals - Dickov (10), Savage (36)

Bookings - Connolly

QPR - Cerny, Ramage (Leigertwood 60), Stewart, Gorkss, Borrowdale, Mahon, Routledge, Buzsaky, Faurlin, Taarabt (Agyemang 75), Simpson (Vine 75).

Subs not used - Heaton, Hall, Alberti, Ainsworth.

Goals - Taarabt (40), Mahon (47), Simpson (59), Buzsaky (90+1)

Referee - Mr M Haywood

Attendance - 30,135 (QPR - 733)