QPR v Birmingham player ratings
QPR have won just one of their last seven league matches but showed signs of improvement against Birmingham. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 1-1 draw.
Alex Smithies: 6
Solid enough. Produced a good save shortly before being left badly exposed for Birmingham’s goal.
Nedum Onuoha: 6
Won a number of challenges and made a nuisance of himself in the Birmingham box from set pieces.
Steven Caulker: 7
After some poor displays of late, this was more like the Caulker we saw early in the season. Strong and decisive at the back and took his goal well after losing his marker at a corner.
Grant Hall: 5
Well below par in the first half, when he was beaten in the air in the build up to the Birmingham goal. It came shortly after Smithies produced a save after Hall had been caught out. The defender improved in the second half though.
Jake Bidwell: 6
A typically no-frills display from the left-back. Did a solid job and his free-kicks are an asset.
Pawel Wszolek: 7
Did very well after coming on for the injured Jordan Cousins, who missed a good chance shortly before going off. Wszolek might need to have more about him to have success against some of the division’s better defenders, but he works hard and can deliver with either foot and from either flank. He created three chances for Rangers in the second half.
Ariel Borysiuk: 7
Still adjusting to English football and building up his match fitness following a pre-season injury, but this was encouraging stuff. Borysiuk was neat and tidy on the ball, firm in the tackle and reads the game well.
Massimo Luongo: 7
Continues to show he is willing to sacrifice is own attacking instinct in order to muck in and work in the centre of midfield. Played a key role in driving the team forward as they enjoyed a spell of pressure in the second half.
Olamide Shodipo: 6
Tried to make things happen and his enthusiasm lifted the crowd, but he was unable to make any real impact and faded before being taken off.
Tjaronn Chery: 6
Delivered the corner for Rangers’ goal but overall he was short of his best. Missed a couple of chances and needed to do more off the ball.
Idrissa Sylla: 7
Could, and perhaps should, have scored – a far-post header in injury time could have made him a hero. But he was lively, linked play well and showed he was more than willing to perform the role of ‘first defender’ that boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink demands of his strikers.
Sebastian Polter: 6
Gave the ball away a number of times after coming on but at least occupied the Birmingham defence and gave Rangers an added presence up front when he was introduced.
