QPR v Forest player ratings

QPR were thrashed 5-2 at Loftus Road by Nottingham Forest, who had failed to score in eight of their previous 10 league matches. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player.

Alex Smithies: 6

The Rangers goalkeeper denied Ben Brereton with a couple of early stops and was by no means culpable for every Forest goal – but should probably have done better with at least two of them.

Nedum Onuoha: 6

Brereton and Lee Tomlin gave Onuoha the runaround for much of the game and he looked better going forward, especially when his header back from a corner set up Matt Smith early on.

Jack Robinson: 5

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Robinson’s return to the side seemed like good news – but the defender had a shocker, failing to close down Tomlin for Forest’s first goal and getting turned inside out by Brereton for the last.

Joel Lynch: 6

The ex-Forest defender looked cumbersome at times and his misdirected header, which led to the visitors’ third goal, was his final contribution of the game before he limped off immediately afterwards.

Pawel Wsolek: 7

After a slow start, he was one of Rangers’ better attacking options, with some clever touches to set up opportunities for Massimo Luongo and Smith.

Ian Holloway’s verdict: “The basic principles we’ve talked about while I’ve been here, they’ve normally done really well. That was as bad as I’ve seen. How many times you seen anybody, with the ball squared to them, and my team not in their face like an encrazed raccoon around a bin?”

Josh Scowen: 5

Having personified reliability for much of the season, Scowen slipped below par here with sloppy passing in key areas and a clumsy challenge on Brereton that earned him a yellow card.

Massimo Luongo: 8

Always willing to chase down a loose ball, Luongo was denied by a sharp save from Costel Pantilimon just after half-time and his perseverance merited the goal he eventually netted to make it 3-1.

Luke Freeman: 7

Freeman never disappoints in terms of energy and desire and, as well as notching up another two assists, his set-pieces gave the Forest defence some anxious moments throughout.

Jake Bidwell: 6

Bidwell put in some solid challenges, but he tends to be considered expendable when Rangers are chasing the game – and he duly made way for Conor Washington with 20 minutes remaining.

Paul Smyth: 7

Displaying bags of enthusiasm, Smyth caught the eye as he flitted from one flank to the other with a series of scampering runs, but unfortunately snatched at his only real chance 10 minutes from time.

Matt Smith: 7

Unlucky with a close-range header that hit the bar, the big striker nevertheless got his name on the scoresheet again, nodding in Freeman’s cross, as well as supplying the flick-on for Luongo’s goal.

Ebere Eze: 6

Replacing Lynch early in the second half, the youngster played his part in some neat link play with the front men but bundled a half-chance over the bar after Pantilimon had spilled a cross.

Conor Washington: 6

Brought on for Bidwell in a desperate attempt to rescue something, Washington gave it his all but had few opportunities to shine during the last 20 minutes.