Just Back On The Island… Watford

[SM]

OH, HOW GOOD DID THAT FEEL ?!!!

If you exclude the outrageous heroics of Seny Dieng writing himself into QPR folklore at The Stadium of Light - our game against Watford back on 27th August 2022 was probably my favourite game of this strangest of seasons.

That set of players looked irresistible going forward, and a true match for anything that this league had to offer.

As mentioned in my report back at the time http://qprdot.org/phpbb3mb/viewtopic.p ... rd#p890238 there were 5 stand out players that glorious afternoon:

Ethan Laird
Kenneth Paal
Stefan Johansen
Illias Chair
Chris Willock

Fast forward a few months, and that swashbuckling, classy style of football is nothing more than an ever-fading memory… None of those “fantastic five” make the starting line-up here, in fact, four of them can’t even make the bench.

We now have a kid recalled from Weymouth at RB making his home league debut, a player most had completely written off in Kakay, played completely out of position at LB, you’re starting with a lightweight Dozzell in CM, and you have a 34 year old bombed out by Bristol City up top.

It’s as heavy a downgrade as you could imagine, and it’s been a tough slog for us all… Shipping 3 goals is “the new norm” nowadays, the same mistakes, the same self-inflicted nonsense, the same players calling in sick, the same toothless attack, it’s all SO bleeding predictable… I’ve ran out of narratives to articulate how truly soul destroying the last few months has been.

So you’ll be forgiven for having reservations about welcoming a Watford side, buoyed by the recent appointment of Chris Wilder, to W12.

But thankfully, this barmy club will always throw the odd curve-ball at you… One week it might a player more concerned with tying his boot laces rather than defend in the thick of a relegation 6 pointer (and how we laughed all the way home…) and then once in a blue moon, it’s a performance like this.

Just at that moment that you hit rock bottom, take one kicking to the testicles too many, QPR have a knack of gently tugging at the heart strings and reeling you back in… And this was it, with bells on.

I’m actually going to enjoy writing about this one for a change, so onto the game…

It’s a total myth that teams have been showing up and smashing us from the 1st to 90th minute this last few months, but I’ve come to learn that it’s normally around the time that you hear the mutterings of “we’ve started well here ya know” that we generally prepare the noose around our neck and take the plunge… And there’s no hindsight being written here, I said last week that Dickie he was going to have his own “Jamie Pollock moment” in front of the Loft this week - and here it was… 10 mins on the clock…

After spinning to face back to our goal, with no thought to where Dieng was positioned, Dickie fired a hospital pass(?) goalwards… far too much height, far too much strength, the biggest threat to a goal at the Loft End that we’ve had in forever... A collective sharp intake of breath as Dieng awkwardly positioned himself to spare Dickie’s blushes here. Had that flown in, my report genuinely wouldn’t have made it through the firewall… Seriously.

But with the team clearly lacking a creative spark, it was a moment of inspiration from Tim Iroegbunam that separated the sides and gave us the platform to claim our first win in at home this millennium.

His cheeky outside of the boot pass was scraped clear to the edge of the box, but Tim was faster, stronger, more reactive than any of the flurry of Watford players ahead of him… and he glided through them all, before expertly slotting the ball into the bottom corner on his weaker foot, leaving the keeper no chance. A classy finish.

The celebrations were as wild as I can remember for quite some time, and the Loft was truly “rocking” from that moment. Just like Gaz wanted.

Belief and shattered confidence partially restored, we were like a team, and club, completely reborn.

When you see Osman Kakay twisting two men inside out, and sending curling shots goal-wards from 25 yards you know something crazy is taking place - and he saw another attempt on his left foot fly wide of goal for a corner after good defending by Watford.

Tim likewise was really taking the game to them, and his powerfully struck effort from range deflected off of Chris Martin with the keeper beaten all ends up… unfortunately the ball cannoned up and spun just over the crossbar for what would have doubtless put us 2-0 ahead.

Watford’s only real threat came from a couple of free kicks and set pieces, but in terms of the balance of play, we fully deserved our 1-0 lead at the break. We had all of the possession, we won what felt like every individual battle, and we created the vast majority of the openings. A refreshingly enjoyable 45 minutes of football.

The second half was a far more scrappy affair, but the kind of performance that we’ve been incapable of… Without the guile of an Illias Chair, or the constant outlet of a Chris Willock, we made up for our deficiencies with a 2nd half performance bursting with grit, determination and emotion.

I’ve been so critical of the displays over the last few weeks, particularly for the lack of hunger shown out there, but we really wanted this. Wilder accepted after that QPR were first to every ball, got every second one, and just showed more across the whole pitch back to front - and I couldn’t agree with him more.

And nobody set that tone better than Lyndon Dykes, who absolutely ran himself into the ground here. To come in from the cold, and manage 60 minutes at that tempo was nothing short of miraculous. What a shift. A stark contrast to Roberts had “a bit of a niggle” the best part of a month ago, but just didn’t feel right to make himself available when we needed some help...

Lyndon Dykes has gone from ventilator in hospital, to returning to training, and then somehow starting for us within a matter of days since returning to Heston. I know who I would rather in the trenches with me - I was delighted to see the latter now return back to Leeds, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Ainsworth tried to keep things fresh with Johansen, Amos, Adomah and Armstrong all introduced at various stages from here, but the pendulum had swung back in Watford’s favour, with them enjoying the lions share of possession.

But the further we were pushed back, the deeper we defended, the harder we had to scrap, the better the atmosphere became. Every tackle, every header, every attempt to close down, every pass, every throw-in, literally anything we did… backed by unrelenting support.

Loftus Road is a thing of beauty when it’s like this… And to have the whole thing orchestrated by Gareth Ainsworth, it was magnificent.

For all of their possession, the fact that Sarr’s ballooned cross-come-shot made it into the highlight reel is testament to how well we defended. Their very soft penalty shout was frankly embarrassing, but we could still be out there now, and they still wouldn’t have scored.

Watford came expecting a walkover - they left battered, bruised, frustrated, and pointless.

The full time celebration was quite something to be a part of, and I think the below video captures the moment better than any words I can put together:

https://twitter.com/ianrandall71/status ... 0SyRNjn_pQ

Player Ratings

Dieng - He was a virtual spectator for the most part, but was strong from corners and set pieces, and will be delighted with the job that the makeshift defence did in protecting him.

Drewe - I thought he played really well. He gets stuck in, had one lovely run in the first half where he roasted their left back, and always offers something different with his freakishly long throws. If I’m being harsh, I would say that perhaps the final ball was lacking on occasion from his delivery, but he’s had a baptism of fire here, and didn’t look out of place whatsoever.

Dunne - Absolutely solid. I don’t think he put a foot wrong all afternoon, and dominated in the air when Watford went direct as the game wore on. The kind of player that you can see thriving under GA in time.

Dickie - Putting that one moment of madness to one side, he was much improved. A couple of trademark long-range passes on show, good use of the ball, and complimented Dunne well. Looked as delighted as anyone at full time.

Kakay - What has GA been feeding him this last week?! Kakay had ideas well above his station here… There’s something so uncomfortably awkward about seeing him fly down the left flank, but he gave Watford a torrid afternoon. I had no idea what he was doing, Watford certainly didn’t, and I’m still undecided on whether he knew, but he was outstanding here. If he cuts in and scores that goal from distance in the first half, then I’m on the pitch. Ethan who?

Field - The glue that stuck everything together. Took on a far more defensive role, slotting in and almost partnering Dunne/Dickie at CB, but did all that horrible, unseen work which ultimately made the difference. Excellent, as always.

Tim - He really is an enigma. Took his goal brilliantly, could easily have had a second, and made a couple of lung-busting runs through the middle where he looked a class above anyone on the pitch. Had a tendency to allow players to run off of him, and drifted as the game went on, but then did put in one outstanding lunging tackle to win back possession on a rare occasion that Watford got in behind us. You need to take the rough with the smooth with him, but he was far improved here.

Dozzell - Having watching him for the best part of 2 years, I’m still minded to say that he won’t ultimately be good enough to start regularly at this level. He’s far too soft (give me a Dom Ball every day of the week) but he did okay here. Didn’t offer a huge amount going forwards, but rolled his sleeves up and got stuck in.

Lowe - Another one that I’ve found incredibly frustrating, who hasn’t maintained the high standards set when he made his debut at Reading. But he looked a decent outlet here, and helped stretch their back line with his willing runs out from wide.

Dykes - What a Herculean effort. He’s had his critics, myself included, but you can’t say we haven’t missed this. Alongside Martin, he was dominant in the air, and freed up space for others to exploit. I thought he may get a 10/15 min cameo off the bench, not start and manage a full hour. Received an incredible ovation.

Martin - I was very critical of this signing, but he was truly magnificent yesterday. Awarded with the captains armband before kick-off, and it was like having a Gladiator upfront. He won everything, literally everything. He chased down into the channels, he hassled, he shoved, he antagonised, he ran the clock down, just an absolute menace. For my money, MOTM.

Substitutes

Amos - Nice to see him get a run out. Didn’t have enough time to have a great impact, but hassled and closed down.

Johansen - See above for Amos, didn’t make a huge contribution, but was generally well positioned to stop Watford breaking in behind us.

Adomah - Unusually played upfront, and looked well off the pace to me. Would have preferred to see Sinclair introduced to do this job.

Armstrong - Gave us a huge lift when he came on. His pace forced Watford to take risks, and almost scored right at the death, but for a good save by their keeper. Relished in the win at FT.

Fans - 10/10. What an atmosphere.

I have to say, huge, huge credit to Gareth Ainsworth here. For him to get a tune out of those players, with those injuries, against that opposition, phenomenal.

These two sides were a complete mismatch, but the crowd were the 12th man, and he was like the 13th as he marauded that touchline. I don’t usually finish with a quote from elsewhere, but Sean Walsh sent out a tweet which really resonated with me. It’s so backwards, to the outside world makes no sense, but in our weird little world of QPR, it’s so, so true:

“I know it’s a bit mad but after that, I feel like I’d rather be where we are now with that man in charge than where we were in October with the other guy. That was special today. It just felt more like QPR.
Thank you Gareth.”

COME ON YOU R’SSSSSSS

[SuperHoopsa]

What a fantastic read thank you for your service SM

[patrickqpr]

Thanks for the excellent report SM.

[222gers]

Great, well done SM.

[Nw6ranger]

Thanks SM. We love you .

[Montag]

Great write up, SM. Almost exactly how it seemed to me but I don't have your eloquence or dedication to put it into words. Thanks for a great report.

[WA Hoop]

Thanks SM, your report perfectly encapsulates a truly great performance.

[SM]

Thanks for all of the nice comments

All smiles at work today...

[LP]

Great stuff, SM - couldn't be there but your reports make it feel like we all are.

Glad you got to enjoy the performance and experience!

[Giorgio]

...agree on everything.....I really could not remember how nice is the feeling of leaving LR with a great smile printed on my face, a satisfaction that did not happen since October....!!!! Great day and what an atmosphere during the match....I am proud to say that we, the fans, gave everything too to help the guys on the pitch...a support that I can't remember in the last months....GA has brought back the enthusiasm that the mummy NC could not even think of....surely he can be a good manager but he can't show and pass the passion to the fans .... well done and hope we finish this season getting some more satisfactions and no fears ...

[Markybabar]

Wonderful report SM.

How we have missed days like this!

[Nw6ranger]

Think it's possible to forget how to win ?. Seeing the players reaction after finally getting a win this year was all I needed to see.