QPR v Saints player ratings
The do-or-die clash dubbed ‘El Sackico’ turned out to be a one-sided affair. Here’s how we rated QPR’s players in their diabolical 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton.
Julio Cesar: 5
Signed to a typically QPR fanfare, Cesar has played for great teams and has had a great career. And he pulls off eye-catching saves. That’s all marvellous. But the stone-cold reality is that a Premier League team with a keeper who doesn’t claim even balls on the edge of his own six-yard box is going to struggle. A lack of communication with the back four is also an underestimated factor in the team’s defensive shortcomings. But we can’t say that, because he’s Julio Cesar, superstar keeper and major transfer coup.
Jose Bosingwa: 5
Aloof and unreliable defensively, because he’s Jose Bosingwa. That’s what you get when you sign him.
Anton Ferdinand: 5
Lamentable signing by Neil Warnock, whose excuse about the timing of the Tony Fernandes-led takeover was swallowed by many. Stephane Mbia’s sending-off at Arsenal was hugely significant ahead of vital games against Reading and Southampton in which Rangers needed two capable centre-backs.
Ryan Nelsen: 7
Apart from doing Adel Taarabt a disservice, the fans’ verdict that Nelsen “plays on his own” summed it up well. A great pro.
Armand Traore: 5
Made Jason Puncheon look much better than he is. A very poor performance.
Samba Diakite: 5
Is at sixes and sevens at the moment. Needed to be tamed to cut out the silly cards and is now ineffective.
Alejandro Faurlin: 5
Darling of the fans who has some good attributes but continues to allow opponents to play off his shoulder time and time again. The ease with which people drift behind Faurlin is staggering. His stats in terms of tackling are excellent because he’s a good lad who never shirks a challenge, but the stats only tell you when he’s there to may that challenge.
Esteban Granero: 6
Deployed in a right-sided role and gave it a go, but never offered enough going forward or as defensive cover on the right.
Adel Taarabt: 7
Good again. Works really hard these days and is always looking to create. On the one hand, Mark Hughes deserves great credit for turning Taarabt into a genuine Premier League operator in a very short time. On the other, the fact that Taarabt, of all people, is a shining light in terms of his attitude, honesty, willingness to work for the team and put a shift in for the club, says it all about Hughes’ tenure.
Junior Hoilett: 6
Took his goal well and had some bright moments. Needed to take this kind of game by the scruff of the neck though.
Djibril Cisse: 5
Unsettled and a possible January exit, Cisse is struggling badly at the moment. Going through a bad spell at just the wrong time for the club.
Jamie Mackie: 6
Worked hard as ever after coming on as a substitute but couldn’t stop Rangers being pushed back.
Shaun Derry: 6
Did the basics well enough after coming on to a great reception that spoke volumes about what fans see as being wrong with the club.
Follow West London Sport on Twitter
Find us on Facebook
