Latest: QPR 0 Southampton 0 – Zarate on as Rangers chase vital points

By

Chris Ramsey fielded a side full of attacking intent but Southampton have looked more dangerous and went close when Graziano Pelle hit the woodwork in the first half.

Ramsey, in caretaker charge following the departure of manager Harry Redknapp, included Adel Taarabt in QPR’s starting line-up, while Matt Phillips and Armand Traore were deployed on the flanks and Leroy Fer was moved into central midfield alongside Joey Barton.

However, Rangers’ Rob Green was the busier keeper early on, gathering an effort from Pelle and seeing a shot from Eljero Elia drift wide after Green had been spotted off his line.

Victor Wanyama and the impressive Sadio Mane also fired wide, while at the other end Barton shot over following good work from Taarabt.

Southampton were dealt a blow when young defender Matt Targett was stretchered off midway through the first half following a clash of heads with Phillips.

But they continued to have the upper hand and Mane was denied by a fingertip save by Green after squirming away from Clint Hill.

Pelle was then unlucky not to open the scoring when he volleyed James Ward-Prowse’s right-wing corner against the bar.

Ramsey, who is being assisted by Redknapp’s former right-hand man Kevin Bond, made a change just after the hour mark, replacing Taarabt with on-loan West Ham forward Mauro Zarate.

QPR: Green; Onuoha, Caulker, Dunne, Hill, Phillips, Barton, Fer, Traore, Taarabt (Zarate 62), Austin.
Subs: McCarthy, Isla, Kranjcar, Henry, Vargas, Zamora.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook