Hoop Dreams - QPR FC

Despite a number of players getting themselves back into first-team contention, fitness-wise, over the international break, QPR manager Neil Warnock went with an unchanged side for the visit of third-placed Norwich - a game that few would have marked down as a promotion battle at the start of the season but which has taken on such a context in the proceeding months.

It was the usual suspects looking likely to break the deadlock for Rangers in a tight and nervy first half, in which the R's goal, still to be breached at home in the league this season, lived a charmed life. Adel Taarabt and Jamie Mackie were the brightest players in the opposition's half; Shaun Derry was tirelessly chasing down opponents in the middle and Kaspars Gorkss and Matt Connolly were ably dealing with the dual threat of the imposing Grant Holt and the nimble Simeon Jackson, but there was still something missing from the R's first half performance - the key ingredient to allow a sell-out crowd to lift the roof off.

Holt showed he would be a handful with less than ten minutes gone, forcing a point-blank range save from Paddy Kenny, though it was tame enough to not overly worry the R's keeper. Mackie showed his composure in the box to control and turn back a loose ball to Gorkss following a Taarabt corner just minutes later, but the defender's well-struck shot skimmed past the far post after taking a deflection. In truth, that would represent the best chance for the R's in the first half.

No match report on QPR is complete without a reference to Adel Taarabt's, how shall we diplomatically put it, 'tendency to keep the ball for extended periods of the game'? So often a major asset to the team, there remained moments in this opening half when the simpler option of a laid-off pass went begging and Mackie made his feelings clear when his team-mate decided to try and beat Norwich single-handedly rather than play him down the wing.

After a bright start for the home side, the visitors grew in confidence, patiently building from midfield or on other occasions, moving the ball quickly to Holt or Jackson who could both confidently hold it up until team-mates arrived. Rangers themselves were all too often trying to quickly play a cross-field pass which the two Norwich centre-backs, Elliott Ward and Leon Barnett could calmly mop up.

Having amazingly not conceded a goal at home so far this season, Rangers didn't look too likely to do so here until Clint Hill got a bit too personal with Holt in the area. Climbing over the striker like his life depended on it, it was far from surprising to see the ref point to the spot. Kenny took his time to move into the goal, waiting by his post to have a long swig from his water bottle. Up stepped Wes Hoolahan... only to lamely drag the ball wide of the goal. Kenny looked like he would have reached it had the midfielder been able to get in on target - this was one battle of wills firmly won by the Rangers goalkeeper. You started to wonder just how long the R's could keep their goal at Loftus Road unbreached.

After that though, the Hoops struggled to muster anything of their own in terms of a convincing goal threat - a situation not improved by Buzsaky limping off to be replaced by Mikele Leigertwood who, perhaps understandably considering the amount of time he has spent on the bench this season, looked off the pace of the game.

He improved after the break, without ever looking likely to play the type of killer pass that the game sorely needed. Not to say that it was ever dull, just that both sides were so well-organised and so tight at the back, that a consecutive goalless draw at Loftus Road was a safe bet. At least the Rs' fans would have little chance of facing the disgusting treatment they got when Milwall's 'supporters' celebrated their 0-0 draw just before the international break.

The options to score were slowly disappearing and being firmly reduced to either 'a moment of magic' or one of madness. Or just sheer blind luck. When the excellent Kyle Walker, a very smart loan addition from Spurs, smashed the ball goalwards, the wild deflection off the crown of Jamie Mackie was inches from resting in the top corner.

At the other end, Gorkss was playing out his own football cliche, that of the brave, bandaged centre-back. With his head heavily strapped, he was first to every long ball, most crosses and any attempt to have a shot in the area. A faultless display which is a big explanation for Rangers' resolute defending this season. Holt should have done better though as the game neared its conclusion, shooting well over the bar when afforded time and space on the edge of the area.

Gorkss could have capped his day with a goal and when Rangers are searching for a winner, he can often be relied on to get a head, foot or any body part to a loose ball and force it over the line. A bout of head tennis in the area was nearly won by the Latvian. His header back across goal was in turn headed off the line by (I'm 95% sure) Andrew Crofts.

A largely anonymous Hogan Ephraim made way for Patrick Agyemang. A tired-looking Taarabt was swapped for Tommy Smith. Neither could greatly influence the game though the latter did really well to chest the ball, bring it down and shoot on the turn to force a good save from John Ruddy deep into injury-time.

A minor blip then, two nil-nil draws at home on the trot. And just the four points clear at the top. Whatever next. In the history of QPR, that's still very far from a bad position to be in. The chance to equal their best-ever start is gone but with two away games over the next six days, the players have the chance to quickly find the net again.