QPR v Cardiff player ratings
QPR came from behind to beat Cardiff at Loftus Road. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in the 2-1 win.
Alex Smithies: 7
Produced another top-class save, this time when diving to his right after Joe Ralls’ shot had taken a deflection off Nedum Onuoha.
James Perch: 6
Kadeem Harris provided Perch with a real test that he just about handled.
Joel Lynch: 7
Seemed to be on the end of every header and every block each time the ball was launched at the R’s backline. His goal-line stop in the second half prevented Cardiff from taking control at a very important time in the game.
Nedum Onuoha: 7
Solid enough against a tricky forward line. The captain is in good form at the moment.
Jake Bidwell: 6
Kept busy defensively, so was unable to provide many telling contributions going forward. Did well, but perhaps fortunate a tug of the shirt didn’t result in a penalty.
Grant Hall: 7
Continues to impress in his new role that mixes work in the defence and midfield. He looks really comfortable on the ball and provides that movement through the pitch that Rangers have sometimes lacked in the past.
Sean Goss: 6
A mixed display on his full debut. Off the ball, Goss worked hard to break up the play and was a constant support to the Rangers defence. However, his passing was poor – too many long balls or switches of play went astray. He has a touch of the “Hollywood pass” about him, when perhaps he was better served ticking the play over with shorter, simple passes.
Massimo Luongo: 6
Restored to the starting line-up and the Australian drifted in and out of the game. When involved, he was excellent, but he wasn’t able to do that consistently enough.
Jamie Mackie: 7
Battled throughout and was rewarded with an assist when his smart play set up Yeni Ngbakoto for the equaliser.
Conor Washington: 7
The in-form striker got through a ton of work and was a nuisance to the Cardiff defence for much of the game. His nice control and touch led to a first-half effort that struck the post. A goal was the only thing missing in another impressive display.
Matt Smith: 7
Nothing seemed to come off for Smith in the attacking third, until his late header somehow found the back of the net. At the back, though, having someone with Smith’s aerial ability is a real asset.
Yeni Ngbakoto: 7
His introduction turned the game on its head. Ngbakoto’s drilled effort was deflected home to bring QPR level and his corner led to the second. And he nearly scored a second with a 25-yard free kick that was punched away.
06/03/2017 @ 9:58 am
Washington playing very well at the moment and Goss? Give the kid a chance this was his league debut!
As for Manning, he had a sore ankle and he needs a rest sometimes otherwise he will go stale and form will suffer.
05/03/2017 @ 8:40 pm
And goss. His passing was diabolical. How could Holloway leave manning on the bench and play goss.
05/03/2017 @ 6:37 pm
Utter nonsense. Washington has improved no end since JFH left the building, and looks like scoring in every game now. His work rate is superb as is his general team work. 4 goals in 7 games since the start of February, hit the woodwork twice and also had the goal that never was taken away from hm. Not sure what you’re watching to be honest.
04/03/2017 @ 8:53 pm
7? Washington? I’ve never seen the ball bounce over a professional footballers head so often. Occasional finishing cannot compensate for the fact he cannot read a game and his defensive work remains ineffective and often costly (e.g. Fulham). The sooner he his dropped back to League 1 or 2 and qpr move on the better. To rate him the same as Smithies or Smith’s is embarrassing for West London Sport otherwise brilliant coverage