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QPR punished for familiar failings — guest column
QPR punished for familiar failings — guest column
Monday, 26th Mar 2012 23:07 by Chris King

Columnist Chris King was as exasperated as everybody else of a blue and white persuasion on Saturday as QPR undid much of the remarkably good work of Wednesday night and slumped back into bad habits.

They say it’s the hope that kills you. Well, Wednesday night sent the majority of the 18,033 supporters assembled at Loftus Road home filled with hope and expectation way beyond reason, given what they had witnessed in recent weeks.

Hope, that the partnership of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora would continue to bear genuine goal scoring fruit. Hope, that the self-belief and determination Rangers had shown, as well as the sheer cheek and tenacity to come from 2-0 after 72 minutes to win 3-2 with seconds remaining, would translate into a real push for survival.

How wrong we were. At Sunderland the R’s supporters were treated to yet another dose of disappointment, ineptitude, and ill-discipline. From the tremendous highs of Wednesday’s “Istanbul moment” came what must sadly be described as a textbook QPR showing this season. Rangers were lacklustre in every department, and the dropping of skipper Joey Barton from the side did nothing to improve things.

Against Liverpool on Wednesday, the former Newcastle United midfielder was substituted in the sixty second minute, for eventual goal scorer Jamie Mackie, to a chorus of boos from around the stadium. This was in response to Barton’s egregious performance, and perhaps a longer-term reaction to what has been an incredibly disappointing season from a man used to talking a good game, but not so accustomed to playing one, at least in the blue and white hoops.

After the game Barton was predictably “active” on social networking site, Twitter. He said: “Disappointed with fans booing, were meant to be in it together. They won't break me, guaranteed. I've been through much worse”. Barton did acknowledge the somewhat underwhelming nature of his performance, which featured more passes to red shirted players than the Liverpool team managed themselves, and it is true that Barton’s natural position most certainly is not as a winger. However, this storm has been coming, and some will be surprised at how long it has taken for feeling to crystallise against the outspoken Barton.

Certainly Mark Hughes, elated in the dugout after the last gasp victory, took note of the crowd’s ill-feeling, and dropped Barton for the Sunderland game. Once again, Barton was quick to tweet his disgust to the world. The uncensored midfielder offered such gems as: “All time low.........two ways out. 1.Work hard 2.Worker harder”, and “Not selected. Nothing I can do sitting on the bench. Obviously disappointed”. He then announced, mercifully, a Twitter sabbatical: “Going to take a little twitter sabbatical before I say something I'll end up regretting. Have a good few weeks people”.

Hopefully this moment of shame and indignity has got to Barton as much as it seems to have done. He needed to be shaken out of complacency, and for a professional footballer, particularly one as self-obsessed and self-important as the R’s captain, there is nothing more humiliating and degrading than being demoted to the bench. But even a drastic turnaround from Barton probably won’t do anything to keep Rangers in the Premier League. With the notable exception of Wolves’ 2-1 defeat to Norwich City at Carrow Road, every result went against Hughes’ charges yesterday. QPR are now back in the bottom three, and there we will remain with the visit of in-form Arsenal to W12 up next on Saturday.

The Sunderland game was about as poor as it gets. The highlights writ Rangers survival credentials large. It certainly wasn’t easy to watch. James McLean was offered all the time and space in the world to guide his cross onto the free head of Nicklas Bendtner, who predictably netted against the R’s for the second time this season. McLean then profited individually from the visiting side’s defensive generosity, benefiting from the complete lack of closing down to make it 2-0. Stephane Sessegnon completed the rout with a tidy finish a quarter of an hour from time. Once again, the marking was non-existent. At least we know that Taye Taiwo has a use, however. His free-kick was tremendous. Yet slim positives and the faintest of silver linings aside, under Hughes QPR have picked up eight points from a possible 27. Under no circumstances is this an acceptable return, and many are beginning to ask the formerly forbidden question: why did Tony Fernandes hire a notoriously slow-starting manager for what could be a very short lived managerial stint? We are yet to have an answer to this.

It’s hard to see a way out of the relegation mire, despite Wednesday’s awe-inspiring comeback. The same problems persist, notably the lack of width and service to the forwards, plus the inability to keep ten men on the pitch, but the most pressing difficulty of all is the run in.

Expect a handful of points to be procured between now and May by a team that, in all probability, now expects to be relegated. And if by some divine miracle the three teams dropping through the trapdoor happen to be Wolves, Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic, Queens Park Rangers will ill-deserve their top flight berth. This writer will be stunned to see more than 34 points registered next to the Super Hoops’ name on league tables come 13 May.

Tweet @chriskking, @loftforwords

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qprmick added 00:26 - Mar 27
I hate to say this, but where is Fitz Hall? The defence was better with him at the heart of it. God we are sinking low when I start looking for Onesize.
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cyprusmel added 05:51 - Mar 27
I think we looked stronger with Clint Hill in the middle.
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dixiedean added 09:52 - Mar 27
qprmick. re Hall. Don't know where he is,but I'd take an educated guess and say he's nursing a hamstring/calf/groin strain.Don't think I'm sticking my neck out there. Then again who cares . Just counting down the days til that waste of space is off the pay-roll. Watching MOTD it was noticeable now many teams were delivering decent crosses into the box from wide positions ( esp Sunderland !) . Sadly,the only people who can cross in our team are both left-backs. How about Hill left back v Gooners with Taiwo in front to double up on Walcott ? Trouble is we also need 4 centre backs to look after RVP.
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QPunkR added 11:05 - Mar 27
...at least 4 :(
We have looked far sturdier with Clint in the centre of the defence. But whoever we've played at the back, we haven't kept a clean sheet since the victory over Chelscum way back last year, in spite of the calibre of some of the teams we've played.
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QPRFish added 13:45 - Mar 27
Good point chris.

Why did tony fernandes hire a notoriously slow starter as manager?

I've raised this with a few close pals and my point has been just how many people on the current board have ANY previous experience of running a football club, let alone a premier league football club? Phillip "dare to dream" beard? Not that i know of, although he could probably put on a great pop concert down the rangers during the summer. (Don't forget to tweet us phil on what a fantastic event it will be!) Amit bhatia? Although he's been at rangers a few years now, any other previous experience? Not that i can find. He came out of the four year plan well but then saddam hussein would've to be fair. Kamarudin Bin Meranun? Ermmmm.......? And the top man himself tony fernandes? Made a lot of noise about taking over the hammers. Even promised them a new training ground. Sound familiar? Has been involved with sars, cars, planes etc but any previous of running a football club? Not that i can find. I think he actually admitted that mark hughes interviewed the club rather than the other way round! It appears to this contributor at least, that it's all about vanity, big names, even bigger egos, lots of money, lots and lots tweets and....... Well, not a lot of substance. I'm sure the four year plan; The sequel, will be just as enjoyable. Dare to dream.
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budaranger added 18:50 - Mar 27
its a fair point regarding Hughes and him being a slow starter but Im not sure you can blame the inconsistent refereeing and on him, neither the moments of lunacy by seasoned internationals. the board clearly went for him as he could attract big name players which he has delivered on. problem is, those big name players are not used to a relegation scrap and the particular type of pressure that brings: hence the nervous displays and idiotic challenges
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isawqpratwcity added 10:30 - Mar 28
TF sacked Warnock because he saw him failing and had the best opportunity/timing to effect the best replacement. Slow starter, maybe, but Hughes had the best pedigree easily available at the time.

The problem is the squad. Its inconsistency (and 'average' underperformance) is appalling. I hate that MH isn't able to get this bunch firing, and that is a genuine criticism of him, but seriously, 95% of the squad is performing well below previous best.

I'd love to see Barton come back and show form. He is a genuine captain. JB, get it together and lead from the front.
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AshteadR added 14:11 - Mar 28
Simply not good enough. 34 points will probably keep us up, but we wont get them.
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