QPR produced the most professional performance of the season to snatch a priceless 1-0 win away to leaders Cardiff City with super sub Ray Jones pouncing on a text book cross from Nick Ward in the 88th minute to bring home the 3 points to W12 and push the R’s up to 13th albeit for one day.
From the back to the front, Rangers set their stall out early and attacked Cardiff and worked hard as a unit to prevent the home team from gaining momentum. All night long they stuck together and got a deserved win for effort alone. Simon Royce hardly had a save to make but swept up superbly at the back acting as a fifth defender. The whole back line looked solid and once again Damion Stewart stuck out with an outstanding performance but one player who might have pipped him to the MOTM was young 18yr old midfielder Stefan Bailey. Apart from a few stray passes in the first half, the youngster ran his socks off all night and tackled like a hungry bitbull terrier. In the four matches he has played this year, the R’s have won all four. On this performance he fully deserves to keep his place in the team and hopefully that means more wins to follow in what looked a short while ago a very difficult November for QPR.
Three away games against WBA, Luton and Cardiff realistically looked like maybe 2pts at best but in fact the R’s have notched up an impressive 7pts with an added 4-2 win at home to Palace that makes 10pts out of a possible 12 in the the last four matches. Keep this form up and Rangers could be looking at promotion. How refreshing to be talking of such delights!!
The headlines will of course go to teenage striker Ray Jones who struck in the 88th minute to pilfer the points for QPR and leave Coca-Cola Championship leaders Cardiff stunned after a 1-0 defeat and condemn the Bluebirds to their first home defeat of the season.
Rangers’ gameplan worked to perfection as they reduced Cardiff to a night of frustration before hitting them with the late sucker-punch.
A much-improved second-half saw Cardiff hit the bar, have a goal disallowed and also see a seemingly legitimate penalty appeal turned down.
However, Rangers will feel they deserved their victory as Cardiff’s promotion hopes were dealt a significant blow.
The only downside of the night was seeing Gareth Ainsworth limp off after 15mins with an ankle injury and with Martin Rowlands to see a specialist next week, the right side of midfield is a concern unless of course Nick Ward came sieze the oppertunity and stake a claim for a regular place in the team?
You R’sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss!!
Player Ratings
Simon Royce
Not much for him to do in terms of saves but swept up superbly when called upon.
A steady 7
Michael Mancienne
The Chelsea loanee is getting better with every match and looks to be a good shrewd move to bring him to Loftus road by John Gregory.
Slick 7
Marcus Bignot
Marcus will run all night and was unlucky to get booked. Another energetic performance from the captain.
A smiley 7
Zesh Rehman
Best performance from Zesh since his summer move and hopefully he might develop a decent partnership with Stewart in time. Occasionaly made me wince but overall a good effort.
A stress free 6
Damion Stewart
Has looked rock solid since the 3-3 draw at the Hawthorns and is looking like everything you expect from a centre back.
A commanding 7.5
Stefan Bailey
Lomas and Bircham will be worried for their futures if this young kid keeps on improving. still a few rough edges to his game but tackles and breaks up play like a top pro. Not bad for an 18 year old!!
An energetic 8
Jimmy Smith
Not really able to show his true talent tonight in a packed midfield battle at times. Good effort but room for improvement.
A simple 6
Gareth Ainsworth
Not really had time to make an impression in the game after getting injured so early on but looked up for the battle until then.
An injured 6
Lee Cook
Cookie will start to find things tough from now on with teams well aware of his danger and both Luton and Cardiff have done their homework on him and he has been unable to really carve up defences like he would want to in the two recent fixtures. At times Rangers were guilty of not getting the ball to him and you wonder if all this transfer talk of a possible move in January is playing on his mind?
A slight 6
Dexter Blackstock
With a bit more composure tonight Dex would have earned himself a deserved goal for the work rate he puts into his game. Subbed after 65mins but did well enough.
A trying 7
Marc Nygaard
The big Dane does not exactly set the world on fire but he is a handful for the opposition and his presence does make a difference. Tonight he did ok but needs to get on the end of some chances.
A simple 6
Nick Ward
Got an oppertunity to claim a regular slot with a 75min run in the team and a chance to show others what all the hype is about in front of the Sky Cameras. I would not say he was outstanding and found it hard to get the ball down at times in a league he is still coming to terms with. However, he worked hard and got back to help oput the defence when needed and played some nice simple passes. The cross for the goal was glorious and hopefully this might just be the ignition key to fire up his season.
A steady 6
Ray Jones
Proved a handful when he came on and it is incredible to think that this lad is still a teenager because he shows great maturity going forward with intelligent lay offs and passes and has made the most of oppertunities when called upon. I just hope he sacks his agent!!
A headline making 7
Manager Rating
John Gregory seems like something this club have been looking for since Gerry Francis first stint as QPR boss and that is a PROPER manager. I am really starting to love this man!!
A proper 9
Opponent Rating
Dave Jones
Tonight he could offer very little to stir up his team when it was clear things were not going their way. Overall this year he has made some shrewd moves in the transfer market and has done an incredible job with a club who not many like!
Outclassed 6