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Rangers fell to their first pre-season defeat at the hands of Watford. This was the first time they had come up against a team that wanted to keep the ball and didn't mind knocking the defence about at things didn't go too well for long periods.
Trialists Scott Minto and Marvin Robinson were given the chance to impress from the start as they looked to earn contracts for themselves. Other than that the side was pretty much as you would have expected it to be, except for Culkin getting a chance to stake his claim to the first team jersey.
Most of the early running was made by Watford and most of it was down to the fact that they wanted to use the ball rather than just launch it at every opportunity. Whenever they did knock a ball into the front men the aerial prowess of Carlisle and Shittu was unusually found wanting. Even more worrying was the sight of Terrell Forbes getting done by Heidar Helguson both on the deck and in the air. It was about 25 minutes before Forbes managed to get the ball from him and in this form I would be seriously worried about starting him against Blackpool.
Richard Johnson, the perennially injured Aussie, had come close with a couple of trademark long-range efforts before Paul Furlong came within inches of giving Rangers the lead. He received a ball into his body on the edge of the box and cleverly turned his man. As he saw Chamberlain advance he toe poked the ball over his head only to see it cannon back off the top of the bar.
The opening goal came minutes later courtesy of ex-Wimbledon man Neil Ardley. He was afforded too much time and space on the edge of the area and gave Culkin no chance with a flashing drive past his right hand. It was a shame for Culkin as he had started the game well and seemed far more vocal than we were used to last season. He also showed a willingness to come off his line, which was his major downfall last term.
Half time gave an indication of Holloway's views on the trial players. Minto was replaced by Gino and Robinson by Pacquette. Richard Langley, fresh from his Gold Cup exploits, replaced the once more disappointing Sabin. Things picked up immediately as all three players set about imposing themselves on the game. Langley in particular looked hungry and wanted the ball to feet at every opportunity. His introduction meant that Ainsworth was sent to the left wing and the hirsute wide man went about attacking the full back with the vigour we have now come to expect.
It was from a freekick won by Ainsworth that Rangers almost got back on terms. Langley knocked the ball to the back stick, Carlisle nodded back across goal and Dan Shittu got up for a scissors kick that Mark Hughes would have been proud of. The ball flew just over the bar with Watford replacement keeper, Richard Lee, seemingly beaten.
Watford made Rangers pay for the miss by going up the other end and doubling their advantage. A long punt from Lee saw Bruce Dyer muscle his way past Shittu to slot calmly past Culkin. It is not often that you see Big Dan bullied in a game but Dyer is a player that relishes the physical challenge and he seemed to get the better of the mammoth centre half the majority of the time.
The R's didn't lie down though and came close to getting back into it on a number of occasions. Richard Pacquette struck a sweet shot from a tight angle that Lee did well to turn past the post. Langley also came within a hairs breadth of scoring with a freekick that whistled centimetres past the upright.
The Rangers goal came from the penalty spot after a jinking run into the box from Bircham was halted illegally by Ardley. Birch must have been gutted as he was about to pull the trigger and he looked keen to take the penalty. Come to think of it so did Ainsworth and Carlisle but Langley got the ball first and wasn't going to relinquish it easily. He coolly stroked the ball home, sending Lee the wrong way.
It could have been 2-2 late in the game but Pacquette saw his shot across goal come back off the far post. The game was in its closing stages when Paul Furlong and Richard Lee both rose for a ball floated into the box. As the two players collided they both seemed to hit the deck awkwardly and Lee was out for the count. Medical attention was quick to arrive and oxygen was administered before Lee, who looked like he had been knocked bandy when he tried to stand, was stretchered from the field. Rangers' ref Mark Halsey called the game to a halt at that point. We wish Lee all the best and hope the injury isn't too serious.
Despite losing the game, the second half was probably as well as we have played this pre-season. I think it served to show how much better a team we are with Langley in the side and hopefully Olly will be able to see past his recent international absence and select him from the off. I still think we are too defensive in centre midfield and I would like to see Martin Rowlands play sooner rather than later as I don't think we can afford to go in with Palmer and Bircham in there. It is one or the other for me and I think at this time that Birch is the more dynamic of the two.
I wouldn't expect Olly to sign either Minto or Robinson on this showing and I have a feeling that Sabin, although better than recent games, is going to be a player that spends more time watching games than he will playing in them. Another game at Worcester follows quickly and I would expect the youngsters to get a run out and I would expect a return to winning ways.
simon@qprnet.com
