Birmingham v QPR player ratings
QPR’s dismal run continued with a 1-0 defeat at Birmingham, making it four consecutive losses and games without a goal. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player.
Joe Walsh: 6
An improved display from the embattled Rangers keeper, who produced a number of routine saves and avoided any major mistakes.
Amadou Mbengue: 5
Beaten in the build-up to the game’s only goal and was generally given the runaround in the first half. Did improve after that and was full of commitment on the right.
Steve Cook: 7
Returned to the side and was having a decent game. However, shortly after a fine challenge to save the day after Jimmy Dunne had been dragged out of position, Cook picked up an injury and had to be taken off.
Jimmy Dunne: 6
A mixed performance. Sloppy at times and a misplaced pass almost led to a Blues goal. Improved later in the game and did well to deny Jay Stansfield with a block after Walsh had parried.
Jake Clarke-Salter: 6
Was switched to left-back and was neat and tidy before going off in the second half. Certainly more comfortable than Mbengue on the opposite side.
Ronnie Edwards: 5
Was deployed in midfield and, like Jonathan Varane alongside him, could not put a dent in Birmingham in that area of the pitch. But he did come up with an excellent block in stoppage time to prevent a potential goal.
Jonathan Varane: 5
Replaced at half-time after a woeful 45 minutes. His recent injury lay-off is perhaps a mitigating factor in his lack of sharpness. He was so poor on the ball and got nowhere near Birmingham’s midfielders.
Harvey Vale: 6
Drifted in and out of the game but was most effective after the introduction of Kwame Poku, which brought Rangers to life.
Koki Saito: 5
A switch to a central role did nothing to arrest his poor recent form. If anything, Saito was worse. He was substituted at the interval after offering nothing in the first half.
Paul Smyth: 5
Substituted midway through the second half. Wasted a potential chance when he opted to pull the ball back rather than seek out Richard Kone at the far post. As well as a lack of composure at key moments on the ball, unusually for Smyth he also seemed less workmanlike on the flank in an uncharacteristically lethargic performance.
Richard Kone: 5
Starved of service again, but in any case looked jaded and off the pace.
Kieran Morgan: 5
Came on at half-time and was ineffective, but didn’t hide and at least attempted to use the ball.
Rayan Kolli: 6
Tried hard after his introduction but there was no end product.
Rhys Norrington-Davies: 6
Unconvincing after coming on at left-back in the second half.
Kwame Poku: 7
Poku’s encouraging return from injury was the only bright spot for the R’s. He was lively after coming on in the second half and sent a late strike narrowly wide.
