Forest-QPR Match Reports & Comments

[Macmoish]

QPR unbeaten all season ...Or Two Wins in Last Nine Games


UPDATED TABLE

Cardiff 17 36 17 33 4-2 FT v Sc**thorpe
QPR 17 35 23 30 0-0 FT v Nottm Forest

Swansea 16 29 8 21
Derby 17 27 10 29 0-2 FT v Leicester
Leeds 17 27 0 31 3-1 FT v Bristol City
Burnley 17 26 7 28 3-2 FT v Watford
Doncaster 17 26 2 29 3-2 FT v Portsmouth
Norwich 16 25 2 23 KO 17:20 (A) v Reading
Nottm Forest 17 24 3 19 0-0 FT v QPR
Coventry 17 24 1 24 0-2 FT v Crystal Palace
Ipswich 17 24 -1 20 1-3 FT v Barnsley
Reading 16 23 6 24 KO 17:20 (H) v Norwich
Watford 17 22 2 31 2-3 FT v Burnley
Portsmouth 17 22 -1 24 2-3 FT v Doncaster
Barnsley 17 22 -6 23 3-1 FT v Ipswich
Leicester 17 22 -6 23 2-0 FT v Derby
Millwall 17 20 -1 20 0-1 FT v Sheff Utd
Sc**thorpe 17 20 -6 21 2-4 FT v Cardiff
Sheff Utd 17 19 -9 13 1-0 FT v Millwall
Hull 17 18 -7 14
Middlesbrough 16 17 -8 17
Bristol City 17 17 -11 17 1-3 FT v Leeds
Crystal Palace 17 17 -12 20 2-0 FT v Coventry
Preston 17 14 -13 22

www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_champ.html

[Macmoish]

QPR Official Site

Nottingham Forest and QPR shared the spoils in a stalemate at The City Ground.

The R's probably had the better of the chances in what was a cagey affair, in which neither side gave an inch.

Lee Camp had to be at his very best to tip Adel Taarabt's audacious lob over the bar, while Paddy Kenny was forced into a fine save to deny Lewis McGugan in the second period.


Both sides huffed and puffed for a late winner, though the scoreline, in truth, was probably a fair result.

The R's lined-up in their accustomed 4-2-3-1 formation, with Hogan Ephraim replacing the suspended Matt Connolly.

Kenny was in goal for QPR.

Jamie Mackie reverted to right-back, Clint Hill partnered Kaspars Gorkss in the centre of defence, while Kyle Walker was on the left.

Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield.

Tommy Smith, Taarabt and Hogan Ephraim operated behind the sole front-man, Rob Hulse.

On a sundrenched afternoon in the East Midlands, there was little to choose between the two sides in the opening ten or so minutes.

The first chance of the tie fell to Forest.

McGugan played architect, sending over a sweeping cross from the left that was met by the head of Dexter Blackstock, who saw his header loop marginally over the crossbar.

Camp was then forced into an excellent stop at the other end to thwart Walker, whose thumping header from a Mackie throw-in looked to be heading into the top right-hand corner before the keeper moved quickly to turn the effort around the post.

Moments later, Taarabt forced the Reds number one into another smart save that he caught at his chest, after the Moroccan magician's smashed shot leapt up off the ground.

Although the first period was a scrappy affair, the R's were on top and, after Faurlin was felled 35 yards from goal, Taarabt stepped up to curl an effort just wide of the right-hand post.

Soon after, the R's playmaker went even closer.

Taarabt picked up possession midway into the Forest half and, after sizing up the target, he let fly with a rasping 30-yard effort that forced Camp into a stunning save.

The second half continued in similar vein to the first, with little to choose between two sides who were giving nothing away.

However, QPR looked the more likely to open the scoring.

Smith's lovely pass created the first opportunity of the half, freeing Mackie down the right who, from an acute angle, fired straight into the side-netting.

Minutes later, Rangers were on the attack once again.

Hulse did brilliantly well to prod a high ball from deep into the direction of Taarabt, before the R's attacker fired an effort just wide of the right-hand post.

The match sparked into life with a quarter of an hour left to play on the clock, with Kenny forced into a fine save to keep the scores level.

Forest broke at pace and, after Anderson was played in down the right, he found the unmarked McGugan, whose driven shot was beaten away from the target by the R's keeper.

Taarabt almost won it with a moment of sheer brilliance.

Following a free-flowing R's move, the gifted attacker took possession around 30 yards from goal before executing a delicious lob.

The ball seemed certain to be looping over the keeper and into the net, before Camp dived superbly to tip the ball over the net for a corner.

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Bertrand, Chambers, Morgan, Anderson, Cohen, McGugan (Tyson 79), Gunter, McKenna, Blackstock (Adebola 61), Majewski (Earnshaw 61).

Subs: Smith, McCleary, Moussi, Lynch.

Bookings: Blackstock (28), McKenna (85)

QPR: Kenny, Hill, Derry, Taarabt (Rowlands 89), Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Walker, Hulse (Agyemang 68), Smith, Ephraim (Clarke 79).

Subs: Cerny, Hall, Borrowdale, Andrade.

Bookings: Hulse (65), Derry (90)

Referee: Mr A P D'Urso

Attendance: 22, 859 (2, 076)



www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~51808,00.html

[Macmoish]

Nottingham Forest Official Site

Nottingham Forest 0 - 0 QPR
Sat 13 Nov 2010

A goalless draw at the City Ground means that both teams' records remain intact. Forest keep up their unbeaten run at the City Ground while QPR are still unbeaten in the League this season.

Shots on target were few and far between in the first half as Forest were put under pressure every time they got the ball by a confident looking QPR.

Forest were significantly better in the second half,creating some good football. But in spite of putting pressure on QPR and bringing on three strikers they were unable to find the elusive winner.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both sides closed each other down from the start and it was ten minutes before Forest's first chance came from a good corner taken by Lewis McGugan. Dexter Blackstock got up well to win the ball in the air and send it back across goal but it just cleared the bar.

Rangers came close with a looping header from Kyle Walker from the edge of the box which forced Lee Camp to dive to his left and punch the ball out for a corner.

McGugan created a chance when he did well to win the ball ten yards inside his own half. He turned and made a run forward before shooting, but his effort from 25 yards was just over the bar.

Rangers had a shout for a penalty when the ball was deflected into the path of Tommy Smith who went down under the challenge of McGugan but the referee judged it to be fair.

Rangers came close on the half hour mark when Forest gave the ball away, allowing Adel Taarabt to send the ball flying towards goal from 30 yards out, forcing an excellent save from Camp, who put the ball out for a corner.

There were no more chances for either side before the break but the away side looked the more dangerous and Paddy Kenny didn't have a save to make throughout the half.

Rangers were on the attack early in the second half and a good cross from Smith looked dangerous when Camp was unable to reach the ball and it came back across the face of goal before eventually going out for a goal kick.

And they threatened again when Jamie Mackie made a good run down the right and managed to get past McGugan but the Forest player put enough pressure on him to force Mackie to put the ball into the side netting.

A great run by Blackstock created a chance as he beat two men as he burst towards the goal and his long-range shot forced Kenny's first save of the game.

It was Blackstock's last involvement in the game as Forest made a double substitution just after the hour mark with Dele Adebola and Robert Earnshaw coming on for Blackstock and Raddy Majewski.

The City Ground came alive as Forest made their best move of the game when Adebola flicked the ball out to Anderson who crossed it back in to McGugan. He was denied by a fantastic save by Kenny and when the ball came back into play Earnshaw was bundled over inside the box by Alejandro Faurlin. There were shouts for a penalty from the players, the dugout and the crowd but they fell on deaf ears.

Rangers broke from one end of the pitch to the other and when substitute Patrick Agyemang laid the ball up for Taarabt, Camp had to react quickly to reach up and tip the ball over the bar for a corner.

Forest looked the more threatening in the closing stages of the game and it was a tense finish as the hopes of thehome crowd were raised but neither side were able to break the deadlock.

Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Chambers, Bertrand, Cohen, McKenna(C), McGugan(Tyson 79min), Majewski(Earnshaw 61min), Anderson, Blackstock(Adebola 61min)
Subs not used: Smith(GK), Moussi, Lynch, McCleary,
Bookings: Blackstock 28min, McKenna 85min

QPR: Kenny, Hill, Derry, Tarabt(C)(Rowlands 89min), Faurlin, Mackie, Gorkss, Walker, Hulse(Agyemang 68min), Smith, Ephraim(Clarke 79min)
Subs not used: Hall,, Cerny(GK), Borrowdale, Andrade
Bookings: Hulse 65min, Derry 90+3

Referee: A P D'Urso

Attendance: 22,859 Away attn 2,076

www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~2218915,00.html

[londonranger]

Just read one of the evening Nottingham News reports and see that Campmade two wonderful saves on

Taraabt,. the first of the spectacular variety.

One can feel very hurt about what the owner did to him, but to be practical, I have to take the bad with the good. I have no control over the personality of the individual who came in to keep us alive.

[londonranger]

soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=293396&cc=5901&league=ENG.2


Soccernet match report. Seems like Kenny had his own spectacular save.

[Macmoish]

TELEGRAPH/Graham Hardcastle

Off field issues are something that both of these clubs are familiar with, but so are long runs without defeat.

Billy Davies, the Nottingham Forest manager, is currently at loggerheads with his board over the transfer policy, while Neil Warnock's QPR are now a much more settled club after similar problems in the not too distant past.

Rangers may have lost top spot in the Championship thanks to Cardiff's win at Sc**thorpe, but their unbeaten run in the league this season remains firmly intact.

Forest, meanwhile, have not lost a regular season home match here at the City Ground in 28 attempts, a run which dates back all the way to September of last year.

The phrase 'the irresistible force meets the immovable object' springs to mind, although Forest are more immovable than irresistible.

"I was very, very pleased with the attitude of the lads," said Warnock. "You'd expect Forest to have one chance because they'd gone 27 games unbeaten at home.

"But I put Jamie Mackie at right back and thought 'to hell with it, let's have a go'. I thought we were great. "We played some good stuff, but had to defend as you'd expect. I think you could tell from the way Forest kept the ball at the end, they were glad to hear the final whistle go."

Despite visiting full back Kyle Walker seeing a header from 12 yards beaten away by Lee Camp in the 13th minute, Adel Taarabt, his captain and midfield playmaker, looked the most likely player to break the deadlock for the visitors.

Lewis McGugan, meanwhile, looked the most likely for the hosts.

Taarabt had a couple of longer range efforts easily dealt with by Camp and his defence before the former Loftus Road keeper tipped a 25 yard curler around the post when at full stretch just after the half hour.

McGugan had seen a free-kick from a little further out deflected wide in the first ten minutes of the match, but the midfielder was fortunate not to concede a penalty midway through the first half.

He looked to have brought down Tommy Smith, but Andy D'Urso waved the claims the away.

Warnock added: "The one decision he had to make was a blatant penalty. It was nailed on, blatant. But I don't expect Andy to give me anything. I don't think I've ever had anything off him. I thought he had a good game otherwise."

The tempo increased in the second half, but the chances were still few and far between even though Davies and Warnock made full use of their attacking options from the bench.

Paddy Kenny had to be alert to save a goal-bound McGugan half volley from the edge of the area with his legs with 18 minutes left on the clock, while Camp tipped over a cheeky Taarabt chip five minutes later.

Davies, whose side are on the fringes of the play-offs, added: "I wasn't happy with the first 45 minutes, but second half we were much improved. There was only one team that looked like winning the game.

"They are a strong side. You look through their team and they have got great experience, so we knew it would be a tough game. They will be there or there abouts because of the strength they have got and the quality they have added."

www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/championship/8131288/Nottingham-Forest-0-Queens-Park-Rangers-0-match-report.html

[Macmoish]

Billy Davies Perspective Nott FOrest Official Site

Billy's View
Sat 13 Nov 2010

Billy Davies expressed his delight at Nottingham Forest's second half display as they extended their unbeaten home run in the league to 28 games against high-flying Queens Park Rangers.

The Reds had to settle for a point from a goalless draw - despite finishing the game strongly.

Lee Camp produced a string of fine saves in the first half as Rangers, unbeaten in the league this season, dominated proceedings.

But Forest improved significantly after the break and Rangers' goalkeeper Paddy Kenny had to produce a great save to deny Lewis McGugan as Davies' men pressed for a winner late-on.

The manager reflected: "I wasn't happy with the first 45 minutes.

"I thought we didn't play with enough energy, we played in too many straight lines, we didn't pass it properly, we didn't play possession properly and in the end we got what we deserved in the first half - nothing.

"Second half was much improved. I thought the substitutes made a great impact for us.

"Both teams should have been awarded stonewall penalties and only one team in the second half looked like winning the game.

"There's no doubt we started to look more like ourselves in the second half.

"But they are a strong side, they've made lots of changes and when you look through their side they've got lots of experience, so we knew it would be a tough game."

Davies also revealed that striker David McGoldrick is facing six weeks on the sidelines with a medial knee ligament injury he sustained in training in the build-up to the visit of Rangers.

And teenage goalkeeper Karl Darlow could be out for three weeks with a shoulder problem.

www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~2219049,00.html

[Macmoish]

Sunday Mirrror

QPR manager Neil ­Warnock was left raging after a penalty decision went against his side in a ­goalless stalemate at the City Ground.

The result sees QPR’s unbeaten record ­maintained but Warnock’s promotion chasers have now been held to seven draws in their last nine outings.

Lewis McGugan ­appeared to bring down Tommy Smith in the first half only for referee Andy D’Urso to dismiss the strong claims.

Warnock fumed: “It was an absolutely blatant ­penalty. Tommy was past his man and two ­players touched him, not just one.

“I thought the referee had a decent game but that was the big decision.

“I know it was a difficult decision because it’s a penalty and a red card, but I don’t think I’ve had ­anything from him since we were playing with lace-up balls.”

Forest manager Billy Davies said: “We didn’t play with enough energy in the first half but we were much better in the second and the subs we brought on made a great ­impact for us.”

Rangers were by far the better side throughout the first half, with Adel Taarabt at the heart of much of their good work, but goalmouth chances were rare. Dexter Blackstock had the first attempt at goal for Forest in the ninth minute but his header, from McGugan’s ­corner, sailed harmlessly over. The flash point came in the 25th minute. Kyle Walker burst into the Forest half on the counter-attack and played the ball to Taarabt, whose deflected shot fell kindly to Smith. Sensing the danger, McGugan lunged in untidily behind the Rangers striker, but the protests were waved away by the referee.

Taarabt was becoming an increasing worry for Forest. A delicate chip from the Moroccan playmaker after half an hour was tipped out of the top corner by goalkeeper Lee Camp and Taarabt lashed a volley wide in the 34th minute.

Forest managed to stifle QPR until the half-time interval and chances ­remained at a premium in the second half.

Forest began to show more attacking intent around the hour-mark and a slaloming run from Blackstock ended with QPR goalkeeper Paddy Kenny collecting his shot at the second ­attempt.

McGugan was starting to drive his side forward and his rasping 18-yarder drew a magnificent save from Kenny in the 72nd minute. Earnshaw was first to the loose ball and QPR defender ­Alejandro bundled into the back of the Welsh striker, but referee D’Urso was once again unmoved.

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/N-Forest-0-0-QPR-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Neil-Warnock-was-left-raging-after-a-penalty-decision-went-against-his-side-article628903.html#ixzz15CemoOka

[Macmoish]

Audio/BBC - Warnock Praising Mackie's performance - news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/9187226.stm

[Macmoish]

Warnock Official Site
WARNOCK ON FOREST
Posted on: Sun 14 Nov 2010
Neil Warnock heaped praise on his versatile QPR side, who shared a 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest at The City Ground.

Suspensions to Bradley Orr and Matt Connolly meant that the R's gaffer was forced to put together a makeshift back four, with top scorer Jamie Mackie operating at right-back.

Article continues
Advertisement

Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Warnock said: "I think Forest will be quite pleased. You could see at the end of the game that they were glad to hear the whistle.

"It's a compliment to my lads. We try to win the game. We had two suspended and a couple injured.

"Jamie played at right-back and I thought he was super.

"He epitomised the whole performance. Lee Camp pulled off four or five cracking saves and Paddy Kenny had one at the end.

"We should be back to full strength in a couple of weeks.

"We've just got to keep going in training and hope we get the lads on international duty next week back in one piece!"

The R's were denied what seemed to be a certain penalty when Tommy Smith was felled in the box when through on goal in the first half, much to the disappointment of Warnock.

He explained: "We still need that little bit of luck. Tommy's had a stonewall penalty decision go against him.

"I thought the referee had a decent game but the one decision that he had to make should have been a penalty and a red card."

Warnock also paid tribute for over 2,000 R's fans that made the trip to the Midlands, and even had time to joke about how many points he wants from QPR's next two fixtures!

The R's, of course, host Preston North End at Loftus Road next Saturday, before high-flying Cardiff City make the trip to West London the following week.

Warnock added: "I thought the fans were fantastic again today.

"It was a great turnout and I think they'll have been pleased with what they saw.

"I'd like to get seven points out of the next two fixtures, if I could!"

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2219686,00.html

[harlowranger]

Forest 0-0 QPR: Daily Mirror match report Monday
Veteran striker Dele Adebola insisted Forest can still make a charge for the top two.

The 35-year-old, who has played for eleven different clubs since making his professional debut in 1992, came on as a substitute to help secure a point against ­pre-match league leaders QPR.

Both sides had their chances to win it but Forest extended their unbeaten home record in regular season fixtures to 28, while Rangers kept their unbeaten start to the campaign firmly intact.

Forest are now two points off the play-offs after 17 matches, with talk of problems between manager Billy Davies and the club’s board still in the ­background. But Adebola reckons they should be aiming to bridge the eleven-point gap between them and the west London outfit.

He said: “There is not a massive gap between us and QPR.

“They’ve hit the ground running, and the confidence is high in their camp. But we are not far off that. As soon as a few more of the lads start ­reproducing what they were last season, we will start moving higher up the table.”

Despite their impressive form at home, Forest have only won one match away from the City Ground.

As Adebola hinted at, that has to improve for them to ­challenge the Hoops and new leaders Cardiff, who they face on Saturday in the Welsh capital.

He continued: “We have made a slower start than we would have liked away from home this season, and it would be nice to get a run going away as well.”

Visiting midfielder Adel Taarabt was the game’s star, and he looked the most likely to break the deadlock.

He had a curling effort from 25 yards clawed away by Lee Camp in the first half before being denied again by the ex-Rangers keeper in the second half with a cheeky chip from the edge of the box 13 minutes from time.

QPR are only a point behind leaders Cardiff, who they host at Loftus Road a week on Saturday.

Boss Neil Warnock paid particular tribute to Taarabt’s performance.

He said: “I thought that was probably his best all-round performance since I’ve been at the club.”