QPR 0 – 1 Barnsley

The Reds Are Staying Up

As soon as I saw the team picked by Struber on Saturday I immediately turned to r lass and said ‘get your money and QPR and get rid of Struber now, he’s clueless.’

As fans we all have opinions but what do we know compared to the bloke in charge when all said and done.

After a 1 – 0 at a place we never win all you can say is the gaffer got his team selection spot on even if it was full of surprises.

When I initially saw the team I questioned almost every selection.

Walton in goal? I’ve always rated Walton and felt he was hard done to in the summer when we signed two goalkeepers. I have no problem if Struber deems him to be the best goalkeeper of the three as I think it is a close call between them all but I questioned the timing of this selection.

Having spent the entire season picking the other two keepers to select Walton when every game is must win was baffling to me. Talk about putting unnecessary pressure on the lad, just as Morais had done when we were relegated from the Championship.

Well, Walton responded with a terrific display and fully deserves to keep his place as number one after that performance in my opinion.

Andersen above Halme? Before the break Andersen had been taken out of the firing line due to his constant errors and deemed no longer good enough even for a place on the bench. Why is he now good enough to start? He’d be nowhere near the team if it was up to me. Well he certainly proved me wrong with a solid display. His best for a very long time.

Ludewig over Jordan Williams? Not for me. I think Ludewig started the game well and probably had his best game for us. He’s still a bit of a headless chicken but he’s got the energy to get up and down that right flank.

Ben Williams over Odour? They’re not in the same league. Well wrong again. Ben Williams was solid throughout. It could possibly have been his best game for us and he justified his selection.

Ritzmaier? Why is he even playing at all? Another who I think had his best game for us to date. Worked hard and was defensively solid as he and Ben Williams often doubled up on our left hand side to snuff out any threat. Still not involved in the game enough for me but hopefully this was a sign of improvement that will continue.

Palmer? Now I love our academy kids getting a game but is this the right time to throw one in for the same reasons that I mention with Walton? Well Palmer started the game well and wasn’t afraid to get a foot in. He faded but that is to be expected with a young lad making his debut.

No Chaplin? Before the break I felt that Chaplin’s form probably meant he needed a rest but now we’ve had the break why wouldn’t you pick one of our only genuine goal threats? Well if he had have selected Chaplin, it would have a probably been Simoes to miss out. And not only did Simoes score the winning goal but he was a constant threat throughout that first half and hopefully he will be fit for Saturday.

Every selection that I questioned was put to bed by their performances in a much needed win that now gives us a genuine chance of staying in this division. Hull and Boro are in freefall and we have some winnable games coming up in my opinion.

Back to the QPR game and I thought Sollbauer was excellent. If we had had him for the entirety of the season with any of the other centre halves alongside him then I think we would be out of the bottom three now.

On to Millwall and the question is should we stick with the same starting eleven. I think there’s an argument both ways.

On one hand I think every player has performed well enough to keep their place. On the other hand I thought Mowatt was struggling to get in to the game for large parts and only truly got in to once he was joined by Dougall and Styles in midfield and for me we need him on the ball and dictating the game.

Reds Ratings:

Walton              8

Ludewig            6

Sollbauer          8

Andersen          7

Williams            7

Ritzmaier           6

Palmer              6

Mowatt             7

Simoes             8

Woodrow          6

Brown               6

Reds fans let’s hear your views on the game and log in and agree or disagree with the ratings.

Another three points against Millwall will really put the cat amongst the pigeons.

COYR