Have your say on our message board
Upload your QPR pictures to our photo gallery
Read a range of opinions on our regular blogs
Check your team's progress in Fantasy Rangers
Stay in touch on the move with QPRnet Mobile
Rangers recorded their first double of the season with a hard fought win in a fiery encounter against Blackpool. This was a game that looked as though it could explode at any minute and Rangers were indebted to a stunning display from Chris Day that turned potential defeat into victory.
It was as you were for Rangers after the win against Rushden & Diamonds last weekend. Day continued in goal behind Forbes, Carlisle, Shittu and Padula. Rowlands, Bean, Bircham and McLeod got the nod in midfield with Gallen and Furlong up front. Dennis Oli was recalled from loan at Gravesend and went straight onto the bench to replace cut victim Gareth Ainsworth.
The game had a relatively quiet opening period with both sides not really managing to carve out a really decent chance. The calm was shattered though when Wellens and Bircham got involved after a typically crude lunge from the Blackpool man. Having already been dismissed once against Rangers this season Wellens was fired up and clattered through Bircham, drawing a less than sensible reaction from the R's midfielder. Wellens hit the deck and players from both sides piled in. Mr Bates cautioned both players for their part in the melee and from then on this became a fractious affair.
Whilst Rangers were still trying to calm themselves after this incident Blackpool almost took the lead when the divisions leading scorer Scott Taylor lashed a ball goalward. He was foiled by the reactions of Chris Day who managed to beat the ball away with his legs. Rangers were getting pushed further and further onto the back foot as Blackpool started to pour forward at every opportunity.
Taylor went close again with a header, this time Martin Rowlands was on hand to hack the ball off of the line with Day for once beaten. The incessant pressure was only interrupted with staccato attacking bursts from Rangers as they tried desperately to create a chance on the break. Gallen shot straight at Lee Jones after good work from Kevin McLeod on the left before Rowlands pulled another fine save from Jones with a twenty yarder.
Taylor again went close soon after but he could only shoot wide with Day to beat. Rangers made Blackpool pay for this miss by charging to the other end of the field to take the lead. Paul Furlong, who had been constantly victimised by Mr Bates, found space in the box without having a ridiculous freekick awarded against him and cracked a shot at goal that Jones could not hold. Rowlands was the first to react and he nipped across Jones to steer a left footed shot into the net to give Rangers a lead they hardly deserved.
Dan Shittu attempted to double the lead with a diving header only to get a boot in the chops for his trouble. Clarke Carlisle became the third Rangers player in Mr Bates' book just before the break when Taylor ran into him giving Clarke nowhere to go. This brought great joy to the huddled Blackpool masses who had given Carlisle hoots of derision all afternoon. He must have been gutted when somebody took him away from this grim northern town.
The second half was an almost constant Blackpool onslaught as Steve McMahon sent his men out in desperate search of an equaliser. They were still susceptible to the lightening breaks of Rangers though and they had to be wary not to commit too many men to the attack.
Shittu got in a great block to deny Taylor and then Day was on hand to produce an astonishing double save to deny Taylor and the hulking John Murphy in quick succession. At the other end Marcus Bean was unfortunate to be flagged for offside following a four man move that showed some lovely first time passing. Gallen, Bircham, Furlong and Bean all combined to send the young midfielder clear only for the flag to thwart his advance.
Rangers were starting to get a bit of luck now; they certainly deserved some in the face of a farcically once sided refereeing display. Blackpool were bringing unbelievable pressure to bear and when a shot came back off the post Rangers players and fans alike let out a collective sigh of relief. The danger wasn't passed though as the ball fell to Murphy who drilled the ball goalward only for Day to fling out a leg and deflect it wide. It was a stunning save and one that would galvanise Rangers for the last twenty-five minutes.
Kevin McLeod, largely starved off the ball by Blackpool, managed to break clear of the defence and chased down a long through ball. Jones advanced from his line and hammered McLeod, allegedly taking the ball in the process. The Scouse winger didn't last too much longer and Matthew Rose replaced him for the last twenty minutes. In the build up to this Bircham had been hit late again by Wellens although this failed to attract the attention of Mr Bates. You can see why McMahon has made him captain; he is very much in his own image. A snidy bad tempered player who thinks he is far more talented than he is.
Paul Furlong went close for Rangers, forcing a smart save from Jones with a low right-footed effort. I think if this had been on his left side it would have been goodnight Vienna for 'Pool. As it was there was still more to come from them and they had a decent shout for a penalty turned down. Carlisle clipped Taylor although he managed to stay on his feet and get his shot away. The Blackpool fans were incensed by the decision, although Rangers had a similar shout in the first half when Carlisle was the victim and I didn't hear too many complaints about that one so never mind eh?
Late in the game Chris Day was quick off his line again to deny Taylor and kill off all hopes of a Blackpool revival. At the final whistle boos greeted the players and Marc Bircham in particular seems to have done his campaign as Blackpool's Least Popular Man the world of good. He even had time for a sarcastic round of applause for the embittered 'Pool fans as he left the pitch. Bloomfield Road is becoming a bit of a fortress for Rangers these days and if I were a Blackpool fan I would be sick of the sight of the blue and white hoops by now.
This was a terrific battling showing for Rangers who managed to keep yet another clean sheet, the third on the bounce, in the face of almost constant pressure. Man of the Match Day was in astounding form as was Clarke Carlisle. In midfield Bircham gave an all action display despite an early booking and constant niggle from Wellens. Up front Gallen and Furlong led the line well and will be battered and bruised this morning after getting little in the way of protection from Mr Bates.
Brighton at home next week will be a tough proposition but Rangers can win this one as well and I fully expect them to. Three points will get us back on Olly's much vaunted two points a game target for auto promotion.
simon@qprnet.com
