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[SM]

Firstly apologies again for another late report

We had a funny experience on the way to Loftus Road today, as we arrived at London Waterloo station and made our way to the underground we saw a family of QPR fan's. After making an obvious attempt to get on the same carriage as them, we discussed how we thought we would do today etc. They were a family traveling down from Somerset, and as i said i traveled from the Isle of Wight, a half smile appeared on his face as he said "Your not the one that posts on that forum are you"
It did make me smile, its a small world isn't it?!

They were a really nice family though - and if you are reading it was nice to meet you.

Following on from that when we got the ground it did look pretty packed. After seeing quite a few 'celebrities' arriving at Loftus Road (i don't have a clue who they were, but seemed to be a big fuss over them) we made our way round to Ellerslie Road. On the way round we also bumped into Rowan Vine, who was looking very positive and his 'spikey' self.

On a slightly less happy note we also saw Rowlands get dropped off outside the ground. I have to say that he looked absolutely devastated. I know its a common thing in football for people to point out at the extortionate money that they earn - and how it must soften them when they are unable to play... and fair point I'm sure there are plenty of players that it does. But anyone who saw him today would have seen how much it meant to him. Through gritted teeth he signed a couple of autographs, but boy did he look down!! I really fear for what this injury has done to him emotionally. People may criticize his performances of late, but how we will miss that drive/energy that he provides. Absolutely gutted for him.

Once we actually got into our seats and the game started it was clear to see it was brimming. I think the attendance was announced something over 17,000 which was terrific. It certainly showed in the atmosphere, which was probably the loudest this season IMO. Made me think though, forgetting the financial benefits of charging higher prices - there really is nothing quite like a packed Loftus Road... I hope we don't have to wait too long for another high gate like that.

Obviously one talking point was the return of 'England's number one' Lee Camp. I think an awful lot of credit must go to Cerny today. As much as i love Lee Camp and won't ever forget all the great memories he has given us, his childish behavior during warm ups was something that seriously aggravated me. But Cerny ran over to him before he went down the tunnel and had a word in his ear, to which Camp turned towards him and patted him on the back. I don't know much about Cerny's fitness, but i thought it was a great gesture to make that effort - and something Camp could learn alot from.

As the game started one thing that i felt was that this was a game we would be more suited to having Blackstock up front for, but Helguson was linking play with the midfield really well and did look sharp after his double against Blackpool. The first real glimpse of a chance came around the 12th minute. As Delaney overlapped past Cook on the wing, Leigertwood broke from midfield to the edge of the area. A prodded pass from Cook found Leigertwood on the edge of the area, but his cross come shot deflected wide for a corner kick. The Reading goalkeeper looked beaten, and had another player been in the box we could easily have gone 1-0 up.

Soon after Lita broke down the right side. He managed to get to the byline, and smash in a super cross into the box. Camp flew out of his 6 yard box and managed to punch the ball clear. I don't know whether it was necessary, but it was clear he was trying to impress and fair play to him. The chants of 'Theres only one Lee Camp' followed shortly after, to which he gave us his adopted 'Rockstar wave.' But he did look to be enjoying himself being back out in front of the QPR fans.

One funny moment came when Stephen Hunt came to take a corner kick in front of us. As the abuse started for a couple of dives he had committed during the game, he came across doing a little strut - he is seriously confident in himself.. but it was more reason for people to give him a little stick. Literally straight after his corner was headed out, Delaney found himself in the left back position with Hunt tightly marking him. Delaney opened up his body and looked to play a long ball down the line, but instead poked a cheeky little pass through Hunts legs and continued his run. The smile on Hunts face said it all! Needless to say we didn't see his little strut again......

Then one key moment in the game. Again Delaney broke from defence and slid the ball to Cook on the wing. He bent in an absolutely fantastic cross and it looked destined for Helguson's head. As he met the cross he got a good connection on the ball and i thought hit the back of the net. However, the celebrations were short lived as the goal was ruled offside for what i guess was offside? The guy stood behind us seemed to think it went wide, but from where i was sat it looked like it went in - although i could be very wrong!

From here on in though, we looked ever so comfortable on the ball. We were stroking it around in midfield as good as we have done all season. The one player that i felt did let us down a little in the first half was Mahon. He found himself in absolute acres on the edge of the box time and time again, but seemed only interested in looking for the fullbacks. Oh if we had Buzsaky in that position he would have had a field day. That being said it did provide Cook/Routledge with plenty of the ball.

One fantastic move we made through the game came when Leigertwood won the ball, and played the ball through to the energetic Miller. His flighted ball found Routledge on the wing, who jinked his way past 2 players and bared through on goal... But was soon heaved to the ground before he could get into the box. It was that kind of football that Sousa is slowly starting to get across though, and was very pleasing on the eye.

There were not any other notable highlights for the rest of the first half, but plenty of drilled balls into the box - but it just didn't seem to want to fall for us. We did have the impression that the opening goal was purely a matter of time though. First half was very impressive.

The second half began in much the same manner. The constant long balls for Doyle & Lita to run onto were harmless, and Gorkss swept up everything all afternoon. Delaney (who had impressed throughout the game) had the next effort on goal. He found himself approaching the Reading back line, and had a fantastic shot from what must have been 25 yards blast over. For a second i thought it was Rowlands vs Wolves all over again - but i suppose he is a left back!! Cracking effort in fairness though.

In honesty for a large majority of the second half the game was battled in midfield. The introduction of Ephraim for Mahon signaled that we were going to try and go for the 3 points in the latter stages of the game.

Our next effort on goal came when Connolly's sublime through ball found Routledge and the Reading player chasing for the same ball. The Reading left back must have been a full 10 yards ahead of him, but Routledge blasted in front of him and curled in a superb cross. Agonizingly Helguson had made a run at the near post - had it been Blackstock i have no doubt he would have buried it. Real shame though, it's normally the kind of ball Helguson would get on the end of.

Around the 80th minute we though we had conceded. I could be wrong in saying this, but i believe it was Doyle who got on the end of a Rosenior cross. The Reading fans were up celebrating going one goal ahead, but Connolly somehow managed to head it back up in the air. As Hunt threw himself at the ball, Camp managed to scrap it away. How on earth we didn't let that goal in though is beyond me! It was literally throw everyone on the line and hope, fortunately it paid off.

One thing that I am a little confused about came around the 84th minute. As the Blackstock chant rang out from the Q,P & R blocks the ball went out of play. I don't know who it was directed at - but Sousa went absolutely wild at someone located at the top of the SAR stand. It looked to me like someone in the C-club, i do hope it wasn't a member of the board... he was livid about something!

From here though, it looked as if both sides were happy to settle for a point as the clock ran down.

Overall though i was pleased with the performance. Reading are a top side, who in my opinion are destined for the Premiership.

We made them look average today, and none of their 'big' players did anything of note at all.

Player Ratings -

Lee Camp - I thought he had a pretty solid game today. He looked quite strong when coming for crosses (his major weakness IMO). But was very composed and aside from a wild kick, his distribution was first class. Did nothing wrong at all and got a good reception.

Damian Delaney - Carried on his recent form into today's game. Looked very good at the back, and was rarely beaten. Nearly scored a stunning goal, and more than happy to push forward and support Cook.

Kaspars Gorkss - Class above! For me he was our man of the match today. He was outstanding. The continuous long balls pumped into the box was easily dealt with by him, and had the confidence to bring the ball forward and link up with the midfielders. Kevin Doyle didn't get a sniff against him, and while we talk about who should replace Rowlands as long term captain - he is a good shout IMO.

Damian Stewart - Had another solid game, but outshone by Gorkss. Didn't put a foot wrong though, and made one crucial interception when it looked as if Reading would take the lead.

Matthew Connolly - Didn't really have an awful lot to do, but was strong when called upon. Some excellent range of passes for Routledge to run onto, and like Gorkss was quite happy to bring the ball forward and link up with the midfield.

Lee Cook - Not his best game for us by a long shot. His set-piece delivery was pretty good, but he did struggle against Rosenior today. Tried switching sides with Routledge on a few occasions, but again was not very effective. Few of his trademark tricks etc, but didn't really get involved.

Gavin Mahon - Our worst player today IMO. He looked slow and some of his passing was abysmal. He did break up play on quite a few occasions in honesty, but he really frustrated me today. He did ok at keeping the midfield's shape, but was terrible in possession.

Mikel Leigertwood - Like Mahon did a fair amount of breaking up play. A few really nice long range passes, and looked really interested and battled very hard. Although he didn't do an awful lot today, his work rate was as you would expect and had a reasonable game.

Wayne Routledge - His pace is frightening! I would have loved to have seen him with more chances to run at the full back, but put in some excellent crosses and was a constant thorn in their side. Another good game from him - plenty more please!

Liam Miller - I think on a few occasions he was guilty of trying to do too much. He was trying to impress, but showed some glimpses of what he is capable of. Funnily enough he looks like a very similar player to Rowlands, and looks to have a great engine on him. Didn't stop running all game.

Heider Helguson -Never really got a chance on goal, but linked play excellently. He has got a great jump on him, but for any balls in the air - when its him vs Duberry... there's only ever going to be one winner. I would have liked to have seen Blackstock introduced much much earlier if not started today, but Helguson did a good job.

Hogan Ephraim - Didn't really get a chance to get into the game.

Dexter Blackstock - Brought on far too late, but won a few headers in the short time he was on the pitch.

Chants of the day -

"GYPO GYPO GYPO"
"Where's your caravan"
My favourite... "The wheels on your house go round and round, round and round.. round and round"

Funnily enough all aimed at Stephen Hunt

Just wanted to say a well done to everyone in attendance today, we made plenty of noise and fully got behind every player out there today

Bring on the Swansea... oh and my bed - I'm knackered!
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Isle Of Wight R'ssssssssss

[luke_mullet]

The ball went quite a bit wide, pretty bad miss but he was under pressure

[Damien]

Thanks once again for the report. Agree that Gorkss would be ideal captain material.

[Boston R's]

When did the wheels on your house song first appear on the English football fan song sheet ?

[jamieqpr]

Helgusons header went wide, was dead centre behind the goal in the Loft and though its a cliché, it truly was harder to miss than score and Federici wasn't making any attempt to save

[SM]

No problem Damien

I'm amazed that Helguson put the header wide, he looked odds on to at very least hit the target
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Isle Of Wight R'ssssssssss

[Flavio]