Waddo didn’t have the luxury of picking the same XI that had beaten Sheffield United so impressively last weekend. Injuries had taken their toll once again and there were four enforced changes. Jones was in goal behind Bignot, Shittu, Rose and Milanese. The midfield comprised of Ainsworth, Langley, Bailey (making his first appearance of the season) and Cook. Gallen was back in the fold to partner Furlong in attack.

Wolves started the game the brighter side and showed their intentions from the off. Rangers were allowing their back four to have the ball almost unopposed and trying to stop any easy passes into midfield and beyond. This wasn’t really working though and Anderton was seeing plenty of the ball early doors. The former Spurs midfielder was spraying it about for fun. With Paul Ince alongside him it made our central midfield two seem positively embryonic in comparison.

Anderton was the first man to test the reflexes of Paul Jones when his shot from twenty yards was well gathered by the Wales custodian. At the other end Rangers put together a lovely move that ended with Ainsworth driving Cook’s pass over the bar with Stefan Postma rooted to the spot.

Rangers were finding themselves chasing shadows as Hoddle’s men shifted the ball quickly and accurately. They never quite seemed to be able to find the end product though and after another flowing move Jones easily held Aliadiere’s shot.

Former Manchester United gobshite Paul Ince hilariously sliced a volley up into the cool west London air when well placed much to the delight of the R’s faithful that still hate the man with a passion. Ince was trying his hardest to put pressure on referee Armstrong by throwing a childish tantrum if he didn’t get the decision he wanted.

Rangers were struggling to create a clear cut chance for Gallen or Furlong although both men were working hard to try and link the play. Bailey and Langley were starting to make some forward runs in support and on the left flank Milanese and Cook were starting to get some joy against Rob Edwards. Postma seemed to appear whenever the ball went into the box and pluck it from the air.

Cook had Rangers next effort on goal when he won a freekick on the edge of the area with a fall that could best be described as enthusiastic! He took the kick himself but could only curl a shot into Postma’s arms. He went close again shortly after when he worked some space on the left edge of the box and tried to centre the ball. It took a deflection off of an outstretched leg and forced Postma to gather it low at his near post.

Rangers survived a scare late in the half when Shittu got in a muddle and Celtic bound Kenny Miller broke clear. He fired low for the far corner only to see Jones thrust out his left foot to stop the goal bound effort. The teams went in level at the break and if anything Wolves had had the better of the play, they had certainly created the clearer cut chances.

After the break Rangers seemed determined to play a bit more football and Ainsworth was starting to get into the game a lot more. He forced Joleon Lescott to hack a cross behind after linking well with Gallen. The R’s skipper was starting to feel the pace and it was no surprise when he made way for Sammy Youssouf just after the hour mark. Youssouf brought a more athletic style to the front line and took some of the pressure off of Furlong.

Still the goal scoring chance evaded Rangers and Shittu went close with one of his now trademark efforts off target from twenty yards after running from the centre circle! He almost got on the end of a Cook corner for a more conventional effort shortly after but Lescott intervened with a tremendous defensive header under severe pressure.

At the other end Arsenal youngster Aliadiere fired wide of Jones’ goal when well placed before the officials contrived to deny Rangers the most stonewall of stonewall penalties. A ball into the box from wide on the left seemed to be falling perfectly for Ainsworth to attack before Wolves left back Lee Naylor snaked out a hand to deflect it away. Everyone in the ground saw it and that includes the linesman on that side and the ref. They bottled it big time. It wasn’t a subtle touch from Naylor and Milanese ran full seventy yards to remonstrate with the lino.

Both sides were struggling to break through now but with less than ten minutes to play Wolves were in and Aliadiere seemed destined to score. His shot was well saved by Jones but it went straight to Carl Cort and the finish was a formality. The former Wimbledon man was already wheeling away in celebration when Jones appeared from nowhere to tip the ball onto the post and complete a remarkable double save. The ball dribbled along behind Jones before it was gleefully hacked into the stand. The celebrations were akin to scoring a goal as it would have been the ballgame for Wolves.

The R’s midfield was looking tired but there was nothing on the bench to freshen things up so they had to ride out the final few minutes. At the final whistle the Loftus Road faithful gave the team’s warm applause as they had been thoroughly entertained. Hopefully Waddock will have a few more options available to him for next weekends visit to Hillsborough.

It was nice to see Bailey get a chance after so long watching from the sidelines this season. I can’t help thinking that under the previous regime we would have been watching Santos in the middle of the park today. It can only be good for the club that the manager has faith in the youngsters and isn’t afraid to pitch them in.

The point leaves Rangers fourteen points outside the bottom three with ten games left to play. Time to give Waddo a full time contract and time to start planning for next season I think.

simon@qprnet.com