Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

I'm starting to realise with each week why QPR seem to attract what could be termed a 'healthy cynicism' from some of their supporters. After a blistering run of form which took them to the edge of the play-offs, QPR waited for a record crowd, the Sky cameras and the attendance of the England manager to eschew their attacking football and replace it with decidedly dodgy defending leading to their first home defeat of the season (Scroll to the bottom for the BBC highlights - they're only available until November 7th though).

That's not to over-react about this defeat though which whilst disappointing for the club is far from catastrophic and was also the result of excellent football from Leicester. A win in their game in hand and Rangers go into the play-off positions.

Mikele Leigertwood returned to the side following a bout of swine flu to partner Alejandro Faurlin in the middle of the pitch but apart from that QPR were unchanged. From the off, their opponents made it clear they would no push-over as respectfully some sides QPR recently faced have been. That was largely due to the tireless work of their main front man Matt Fryatt (pictured right) and the vital support he recieved from Dany N'Guessan and Martyn Waghorn. Waghorn had a goal disallowed on 15 minutes for a very tight offside decision but Rangers were also finding their way into the game.

First Faurlin curled a free-kick towards the top corner which Chris Weale had to tip over and then Adel Taarabt found space in the box before running aground when a pass to Akos Buzsaky looked the better option. Again the Moroccan demonstrated why the home crowd need to accept his ball-greedy nature though because just before the half-hour mark, he picked up a lucky deflection on the edge of the area and precisely passed a shot into the net.

The real disappointment for Rangers and their manager would be their lack of application after going a goal ahead because ten minutes later, Leicester were level. Peter Ramage afforded N'Guessan far too much space on the wing and he whipped in a fierce cross which Fryatt expertly glanced past Radek Cerny.

The Leicester winner was the result of an even greater defensive lapse, this time on the part of Radek Cerny. He attempted an incredibly risky cross-field goal-kick to Ramage and instead played in the hovering Fryatt, who ran at goal and then placed his shot to the far corner. It was truly a howler but one which shouldn't be dwelt on excessively because Cerny remains one of the best keepers in this league.

Not over-reacting across the board will be Jim Magilton's central message to his players following this defeat. Just as they didn't become world-beaters because of their recent run, nor are they now a poor side because of one defeat. They remain genuine contenders for promotion, with a first-team and squad to realise that. It's just that every now and then, they seem to forget it.

QPR - Cerny, Ramage (Vine 67), Stewart (Hall 54), Gorkss, Borrowdale, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky, Faurlin, Taarabt (Agyemang 86), Simpson. 

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

Goals - Taarabt (33) 

Leicester City - Weale, Neilson, Brown, Berner, Hobbs, Oakley, King, Wellens, Fryatt (Gallagher 75), N'Guessan, Waghorn (McGivern 90). 

Subs not used - Logan, Morrison, Dyer, Howard, Kermorgant.  

Goals - Fryatt (37, 64). 

Bookings - Neilson, Oakley, N'Guessan.  

Referee - J Moss 

Attendance - 17082 

Click to 16 minutes on the programme below for the QPR highlights (only available until November 7th though).