Hull-QPR - Reports and re Taarabt & Comments

[Macmoish]

Minute by Minute for the Match
www.sportinglife.com/football/live_match/203217.html


Hull Official Site

Tigers Hold League LeadersPosted on: Sat 29 Jan 2011

Hull City and league-leaders Queens Park Rangers played out a 0-0 draw at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In an even contest with limited chances, both sides cancelled each other out with City claiming a second clean sheet in three games.

Corry Evans made his first start for the Tigers in place of Ian Ashbee as the only change to the starting eleven.

New signing Tijani Belaid was on the bench while Andy Dawson captained the side.

Some slack defending from QPR in the early moments almost let Aaron Mclean in for the first chance of the afternoon, but visiting goalkeeper Paddty Kenny was able to sweep up before the City striker could take advantage.

Good work from Tommy Smith created a chance for Adel Taarabt to hit a shot from 30 yards, the effort flying just over Brad Guzan's bar.

City had looked the brighter side in the opening 15 minutes, but the best chance fell to QPR when Guzan couldn't hold Taarabt's corner, but Kaspars Gorkss volleyed over from ten yards.

QPR thought they had the lead when Ishmael Miller slotted past Guzan in the 29th minute, but the effort was ruled out for offside.

City's first shot on target came six minutes later as Cameron Stewart took aim from the edge of the box, but Kenny went to his right to make a smart save.

QPR's Taarabt and Shaun Derry then had an on-field arguement and as the City crowd got at Taarabt he signalled to his manager that he wanted to come off. His plea fell on deaf ears, though, and he spent the remainder of the half sulking in the centre circle much to the amusement of the home fans.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 QPR

City won a corner early in the second half when Mclean's low cross was sliced over his own bar by Bradley Orr. Dawson delivered the corner and when it was cleared to the edge of the box, Robert Koren saw his shot blocked.

James Harper then tested Kenny with a 25-yard drive that the keeper had to turn over for another City corner. Dawson worked it short with Evans, but when the ball came into the box, it was cleared by the visiting defence.

City made their first change on 65 minutes as Nick Barmby replaced Mclean.

A fantastic set-piece delivery by Taarabt to the back post picked out Orr on 68 minutes, but the full back could only volley high and wide from close range.

Harper was booked a minute later for a challenge on Matt Connolly.

City's second change saw Jamie Devitt come on for Stewart.

Devitt brought a fine save out of Kenny seven minutes from time, the QPR keeper blocking at his near post following a tricky run from the winger.

City's golden chance arrived deep into added time when Liam Rosenior's clever ball sent Fryatt racing away. But although the striker lifted the ball over Kenny, he cleared the bar as well.

There was still time for Evans to go close with a shot from 30 yards, but in the end there was no way through.

Tigers: Brad Guzan, Liam Rosenior, James Chester, Anthony Gerrard, Andy Dawson, Robert Koren, James Harper, Corry Evans, Cameron Stewart (Devitt 73), Aaron Mclean (Barmby 65), Matty Fryatt.

Subs: Matt Duke, Paul McShane, Tom Cairney, Tijani Belaid, Jamie Devitt, Nick Barmby, Jay Simpson.

QPR: Paddy Kenny, Bradley Orr, Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Adel Taarabt, Alejandro Faurlin (Vaagen Moen 68), Kaspars Gorkss, Wayne Routledge, Matt Connolly, Tommy Smith (Hulse 73), Ishmael Miller (Ephraim 85).

Subs: Radek Cerny, Fitz Hall, Rob Hulse, Petter Vaagen Moen, Hogan Ephraim, Pascal Chimbonda, Danny Shittu.

Referee: Mr K.D. Hill.

Attendance: 20,601.

www.hullcityafc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10338~2279661,00.html

[Macmoish]

UPDATED TABLE

QPR 28 53 28 46
Norwich 28 48 9 44

Cardiff 27 47 12 45
Swansea 28 47 9 35
Nottm Forest 26 46 14 36
Leeds 28 45 7 52

Watford 26 42 13 52
Millwall 28 42 9 37
Reading 27 41 13 41
Burnley 27 40 7 41
Leicester 28 39 -5 41
Hull 28 38 -1 29 0-0 FT v QPR
Barnsley 28 37 -7 33
Coventry 28 36 -2 32
Derby 27 34 0 39
Doncaster 26 34 -5 40
Bristol City 28 32 -11 31
Portsmouth 27 31 -5 38
Ipswich 26 31 -6 30
Middlesbrough 27 30 -5 31
Sheff Utd 27 27 -17 26
Crystal Palace 28 27 -21 26 0-0 FT v Norwich
Sc**thorpe 25 24 -18 26 P-P v Preston
Preston 26 21 -18 29 P-P v Sc**thorpe

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

[londonranger]

Good lord, Taraabt really did that. This is pathetic. Just wonder how Warnock will deal with this one.

Still we got a result, so maybe the team just ignores it?

[Macmoish]

And the QPR Official Site. Surprisingly makes no mention of the Taarbt/Derry "dispute"!


QPR shared the spoils with Hull City at the KC Stadium.

The goalless scoreline was probably just, on an afternoon when neither side created a hatful of opportunities to win it.

Bradley Orr missed the R's best chance to take three points back to W12, when he fired Tommy Smith's teasing centre over the bar from 12-yards out after the break.

The Tigers also had their chances to take a maximum return, namely when Matty Fryatt blazed over the target when one-on-one with Paddy Kenny in second-half stoppage time.

Nevertheless, the draw maintains QPR's five-point cushion at the summit of the npower Championship.

The R's made one change for the trip to Humberside, as Ishmael Miller came into the side to make his first start for the Club and replace the injured Heidar Helguson.

Meanwhile, recent signings Pascal Chimbonda and Danny Shittu were named on the bench for QPR.

Kenny was in goal for Rangers, with Orr, Matt Connolly, Kaspars Gorkss and Clint Hill ahead of the R's shot-stopper in defence.

Shaun Derry and Alejandro Faurlin were in defensive midfield, behind the attacking trio of Wayne Routledge, Adel Taarabt and Smith.

Miller led the line for QPR.

Hull were enjoying a sustained period of early pressure, but it was Hoops top scorer Taarabt who almost notched his fourteenth goal this term on eight minutes.

Good work from Smith enabled him to break away from his marker down the left and, when the R's attacker squared the ball to Taarabt 25-yards out, the Moroccan magician fired a rasping shot just over the top left-hand upright.

Moments later, QPR could - and probably should - have been ahead.

Taarabt's sweeping corner from the left was spilled by Tigers keeper Brad Guzan, before Gorkss somehow smashed an effort over the target with the goal at his mercy from six yards.

The R's had evidently ridden the initial Tigers storm and, midway into the first half, the possession count was firmly in QPR's favour.

Opportunities to score were few and far between as the half came to a close.

However, Kenny was forced into a smart save to keep the R's level at the break - holding on to Cameron Stewart's stinging, low drive on 20 yards.

The R's came out for the second period in positive fashion.

Hill and Smith exchanged passes on the left-hand edge of the box, before the latter's looping cross only just evaded the head of the incoming Orr on 12 yards, who had made a late, bursting run into the penalty area.

Play soon switched to the other end, where Kenny was forced into a fine stop to tip James Harper's 30-yard drilled effort over the bar.

QPR brought on Petter Vaagan Moen in the 68th minute to replace Faurlin.

And, hot on the heels of his introduction, the R's almost snatched a lead.

Taarabt's beautifully struck free-kick from the left-hand channel evaded everyone but the onrushing Orr at the back post, whose side-footed effort agonisingly looped over the target.

The closing minutes of the second half were very much like the first, with neither side giving an inch in their attempts for supremacy.

Nonetheless, Kenny still had to be at the top of his game to keep the Tigers out on 83 minutes, as he tipped Jamie Devitt's low blast from 20 yards around his left-hand post.

Hull missed a fabulous chance to snatch victory in stoppage time, only for Fryatt to blaze an effort over the target when one-on-one with Kenny.

Hull City: Guzan, Dawson, Harper, Fryatt, Chester, Koren, Gerrard, Evans, Rosenior, Stewart (Devitt 73), McLean (Barmby 65).

Subs: Duke, McShane, Cairney, Simpson, Belaid.

Bookings: Harper (69)

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Faurlin (Vaagan Moen 68), Gorkss, Routledge, Connolly, Smith (Hulse 73), Miller (Ephraim 85).

Subs: Cerny, Hall, Chimbonda, Shittu.

Referee: Mr KD Hill

Attendance: 20, 601

www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~52165,00.html

[obk]

I wonder if the kid will ever grow up or if he will become a new Gazza...

[Macmoish]

SKYSPORTS

Tigers and Hoops share stalemate

Last updated: 29th January 2011
Tigers and Hoops share stalemate

Hull City and Queens Park Rangers ground out a 0-0 stalemate in their Championship encounter at the KC Stadium on Saturday.

Rangers boss Neil Warnock will take his team back to London the happier of the two thanks to a point that keeps them five points clear at the top of the table.

However, it was a frustrating afternoon for the promotion favourites as they were worked hard by an equally well-marshalled Hull team, who missed out on the chance to make up vital ground on the play-offs.

Ishmael Miller had one ruled out for offside in the first half and Matty Fryatt spurned a sitter at the death for Hull, but there was little to separate either side.

Hull chief Nigel Pearson made one change to his team, leaving out club captain Ian Ashbee as the midfielder's loan move to Preston nears completion.

Corry Evans came into midfield in his place as QPR handed a debut to on loan striker Miller, who deputised for the injured Heidar Helguson.

The early exchanges were sluggish - setting the agenda for a dull opening half.

Adel Taarabt then gave a glimpse of why he is so widely publicised when his nimble feet evaded a few challenges before lashing a shot just over.

Rangers had an even better chance 12 minutes in as Brad Guzan's flap at a corner presented defender Matt Connolly with an unattended net, however he could only clear the crossbar.

Miller was guilty of being wasteful - shooting straight at Guzan - when he shrugged off Anthony Gerrard in a foot race to a long ball.

The West Brom loanee thought he had made amends when he prodded home on the half hour but his joy was tempered by the linesman's offside flag.

City finally broke the shackles of QPR's territorial hold to create a chance as a Liam Rosenior pass found Cameron Stewart in space on the 18-yard line.

The winger was promptly shut down, though, and Paddy Kenny was quickly down to his right to smother as the game limped to a welcome breather.

The hosts began the second period brightly as Fryatt and Aaron Maclean's exchange of passes released the latter down the right, but no-one could cash-in on the former Peterborough's man teasing centre.

Bradley Orr did nearly slice into his own net from the delivery, although he directed it over the bar to safety as the Tigers slowly built momentum.

They forced Kenny into a neat save minutes later from Harper's long-range effort but Rangers - with 14 clean sheets to their name going into the clash - regrouped to keep Hull at a safe distance.

Orr should have capitalised on a napping Hull backline when he ghosted in unattended to meet Wayne Routledge's free-kick but the right-back fired over as both managers made changes in search of a winner.

One of those, Devitt, came nearest late on when he jigged past two before testing Kenny, but Fryatt spurned the best chance - blasting over in stoppage time with just the keeper to beat.


www.skysports.com/football/match_report/0,19764,11065_3354934,00.html

[londonranger]

They dont tell the real story, just their version.

[londonranger]

Wonder what set him off, or Derry. theyve been at it before, I remember.

[Macmoish]

You've got the solid professionals - Derry, the "real" captain of the team. And you have Taarabt, the child genius/subject to tantrums who carries the official title. Probably case of chalk and cheese at times

[Macmoish]

Paul Warburton/Fulham Chronicle

Taarabt strop as QPR gain point

Hull City 0-0 QPR

THE most exciting action of this bore draw was the amazing sulk thrown by Adel Taarabt nine minutes from the end of the first hald.

A pass intended for the QPR Moroccan was wayward, but the midfielder then incredibly stood in the centre of the pitch while berating his team-mates.

He then signalled to the bench that he wanted to come off – as Hull fans jeered to the rafters of the stadium – and only got involved again after a number of others in hoops cajoled him back into the game.

Consoling arms around the shoulder from Shaun Derry and Tommy Smith appeared to calm down the Rs captain – and a fair bit of man-management in the dressing room saw Taarabt out for the second period.

However, neither he nor anyone in Rangers blue-and-white could break the deadlock. Bradley Orr came closest just past the hour when he scooped over after stealing up on the blind side

And Kaspars Gorkss has not been at his best in front of goal recently – and the defender got no luckier when he contrived to side-foot over the bar in the box as he latched on to an early corner.

Matty Fryatt should have won it in the last minute for Hull – but apart from Taarabt’s strop, the most worrying thing for boss Neil Warnock was suffering Smith limping off with what looked like a hamstring problem on 72 minutes.

www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-sport/london-qpr/2011/01/29/taarabt-strop-as-qpr-gain-point-82029-28078190/

[londonranger]

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/9381103.stm?

Warnock speaks. Doesnt seem upset about anything.

[shenandoah]

The offish hasn´t noticed it, OR the incident will be revealed AFTER the campaign due to legal or marketing restrictions,lol.

[londonranger]

Accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative, latch on to the affirmative dont mess with Mr. In between.

[maudesfishnchips]

Adel really f**ked me off today, all the teams effort was solely to appease him. Of coarse he showed moments of skill through the game, but when doesn't he?

I can't help but wonder if he takes more than he gives to the squad, on numerous occasions i have seen Derry run the length of the pitch to correct an Adel mistake that took place in a oppositions half only for Derry to run back another pitch length to berate him, and Derry is not the only one, Hill has done it, so has mackie, connolly smith and even kenny.

For outsiders to imply we are a one man team is ignorance, you just have to watch the game home and away, off the ball ,to see what all the other team members do to allow Adel to shine.
Bowles ,Marsh and all the other QPR legends never needed this.

I'm p*ssed off at the moment with Adel, and this has been building, and today , watching at Hull, made me a tad embarrassed of him.

[cpr]

Or he thinks he's on his bike to some piss poor averafe prem side and didn't want to be wasting his time in Dhull.

Got to say, if what I heard and what I read and I played in the same team I would have probably laid him out. Or I'd have risen above it all and given him a cuddle!

[maudesfishnchips]

Jan 29, 2011 20:27:23 GMT cpr said:

Or he thinks he's on his bike to some piss poor averafe prem side and didn't want to be wasting his time in Dhull.

Got to say, if what I heard and what I read and I played in the same team I would have probably laid him out. Or I'd have risen above it all and given him a cuddle!

True cpr, I've seen Derry raise a fist and then change it to a two handed pat on the shoulders. must f**k with a players head to have to deal with it while also worrying about your own peformance.

[Macmoish]

QPR Official Site - Warnock's View

GAFFER ON TIGERS

Neil Warnock felt his side's inability to be more clinical in front of goal denied them of all three points, despite dominating for long periods at Hull City.

Indeed, QPR had a number of chances to win it, namely through Kaspars Gorkss and Bradley Orr on two occasions.

And Warnock told http://www.qpr.co.uk: "We've come away and got a point against a side that will probably be delighted with the 0-0.

"I thought we dominated the game for 80 minutes.

"We could have done better in the final third. Bradley Orr had a couple of great chances to score.

"Maybe it was a bit too comfortable for us.

"The urgency wasn't there from us to go and get a goal because we were that comfortable.

"And that's when you'll sometimes end up losing one nil.

"But that's the Championship."

Towards the end of the first half, the home supporters got on the back of frustrated R's talisman Adel Taarabt who, at times, had no less than three players marking him.

But Warnock was quick to defend his top scorer, commenting: "I didn't see much wrong with Adel. He was just frustrated because he was not getting much of the ball.

"He's great to have around and is a smashing lad."

He added: "If we would have scored a goal it would have been a great game but we couldn't do that."I'm disappointed, but a clean sheet away from home is fantastic.

"Teams have to work hard to get opportunities against us.

"We've got Portsmouth on Tuesday, followed by Reading on Friday, so it's going to be a busy week!"

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~2279814,00.html


SPORTING LIFE

ASHBEE HANDS IN TRANSFER REQUEST

Ian Ashbee's future at Hull hangs in the balance after manager Nigel Pearson revealed he had received a written transfer request from the club captain.

Ashbee was linked with a switch to Preston on Friday as part of a loan move that would see him reunite with former Tigers boss Phil Brown.

And manager Pearson - speaking after his team's 0-0 draw at home to QPR - said he was "disappointed" by the development.

Ashbee, a Hull servant of nine years, was left out of the match-day squad following the surprise revelation and the City boss told reporters: "I'll give you the facts as they are.

"Yesterday he came in and before training, told me a club had offered him a contract - make of that what you will.

"In the afternoon, we had a written transfer request. Apart from that, I'm not making any more statements on that situation.

"Those are the facts as they are. I'll see how that one develops."

Pearson fended off further questions about the situation but did reveal he was upset at Ashbee for asking to leave the club a day before their encounter with the Championship table-toppers.

He went on: "The biggest thing for me, what I'm disappointed about, is the timing - on a Friday morning when you're preparing for the game, I'm disappointed."

"Having said that, it's something that happens in football.

"The club have received a written transfer request from the player. Full stop."

On the 0-0 stalemate at the KC Stadium, the 47-year-old felt his team his side could have sneaked victory.
"I was pleased with our discipline and I thought we worked very hard as a team," he said. "As the game wore on, we were more likely to nick it."

QPR counterpart Neil Warnock disagreed with his opposite number, insisting his promotion-chasing side had bossed the encounter.

Rangers did edge shades of a scrappy affair and created a handful of half-chances, the most notable of which was debutant Ishmael Miller's disallowed effort for offside.

But it was Hull who had had the best opening and only Matt Fryatt's profligacy in extra time kept the affair goalless, although Warnock would have felt aggrieved to have lost out - and claimed only his men were chasing the three points.

"I'm disappointed and frustrated," said Warnock. "I think you've got to say you're happy when they have a clear chance like they had at the end.

"But, no, I'm really frustrated. I was surprised how Hull set the stall out - put the bus in front of the goal.

"I felt we dominated the game for 80 minutes. I just thought the last 10 minutes they had a little bit. We could have done a lot better in the last third. We didn't test the keeper enough."
www.sportinglife.com/football/live/quotes/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/11/01/29/SOCCER_Hull_2nd_Nightlead.html&BID=3660

[Macmoish]

Guardian

Football League: Your thoughts Norwich missed the chance to capitalise on QPR's draw, while it's looking grim for Barnet and Stockport County

Adel Taarabt, right, was unable to inspire QPR against Hull City today. Photograph: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto

• QPR missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the Championship, as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Hull City. This wasn't too surprising; this was QPR's seventh away draw, while they've only scored 16 goals on their travels (and have conceded just eight), compared to 30 at home. Neil Warnock's side are well placed to win the league and gain promotion, but perhaps they could do with something extra to make the difference in tight away games.

• Given that QPR dropped points, Norwich, a place behind, will be kicking themselves after they only managed a draw away to Crystal Palace to keep the gap between the two sides to five points. Even more annoyingly for Norwich, it means that Cardiff City can overtake them if they win their game in hand. A word of praise for Crystal Palace too, whose spirited display earned them a point that could be vital in their battle against the drop.

www.guardian.co.uk/football/football-league-blog/2011/jan/29/football-league-your-thoughts

[harlowranger]

Web blog found on a Hull messageboard , gives a typical insight into the game believe blogged by a Loft for Words member!

Thought it might give a more hands on insight!



To Hull and back......

Today the R's travelled to Hull looking to build on their 2-1 victory over Coventry. The gang were in attendance for the long drive to Yorkshire.

The day started off with me waking up late and delayingthe departure of Sam and myself, wooops! After my unplanned lay in we finally reached Jenson at 10 and departed with PK already in the car and made our way to Lofty's before hitting the M1 hard and let Jenson get his drive on and fight through the mountain of roadworks.
Halfway into the journey we got our prediction competition underway and the usual lively debate commensed as everyone wanted to try and topple Lofty having won it last time out, PK was determined to regain the crown that he was unable to defend previously.
As we neared the end of the predictions PK was given a rare treat as two Elvis songs played and distracted PK for the next six minutes, after this all of us decided that all of PK's predictions would be Elvis or anything else related, such a funny moment that liven us all up in time for our arrival at the KC and we where in very good sprits.
We got into the ground and enjoyed a quick beer before we bumped into Michael for a quick chat and then we met with Iceman and then was joined by Lorna(clingy) and her friend Kelly. We all took to the stands in hope of an entertaining game.

Neil Warnock made one change from the team thay won against Coventry, Ishmael Miller started as Heidar Helguson dropped out through injury.

As the teams took to the pitch for the pre-match line up and photos with the officials can you believe that over the PA system played Elvis's song "Can't help falling in love with you"...... You can imagine the joy that was on PK's face and with him dancing around the first half got underway.
The game started of as a lively encounter with both teams looked to push forwards only to be thwarted by the defensive line on every occasion.
Hull had a good spell after the opening exchanges and looked quite threatening but were not able to create any clear cut chances as Kaspers Gorkss shone in the Rangers' back four throughout the first half.
About 25 minutes in and the R's finally began to getj their passing game together and created more space and problems for the Hull defence.
Rangers' thought they had gone ahead when Miller was played in after some great passing in the Rangers' midfield, Miller poked the ball past Brad Guzan in the Hull goal but having intially starting the celebrations we finally noticed the offside flag, no goal. I received a text from Jess shortly after and apparently the decision was a very tight one, will be interesting to see it again later on.
The R's continued to push but to no avail as the half come to a close.
The major talking point came five minutes before the end of the half.
A ball failed to reach Taarabt, who was having an ok game at the time, the young Morrocan took his gloves off and started walking down the touchline with his head down and then signalled over to the dugout that he wanted to come off. After getting no reaction the first time around he proceeded to do this a second time, much to the annoyance of Warnock who shook his head and just wanted the half time whistle to sound.
After the half time whistle blew Keith Curle walked straight up to Taarabt, put his arm around him and looked to calm him down as they went down the players tunnel.

At half time we all done our best to warm up by using various techniques, Iceman went for the pie option, PK and Jenson went for the hot drink and I got a coke and started jumping around and probably looked mental whilst doing it.

The second half started and Rangers' were soon had their head in their hands.
A great cross to the back post aimed at Orr looked destined for the net as he made a great leap, unfortunately he misjudged it completely and barely made contact as the ball tricked out for a goal kick.
Orr once again had a great chance when a free kick was aimed to the back post and this time he met it with the side of his right foot and his shot flew over. Had either of the chances been on target then Rangers' would have taken the lead in my eyes.
The game continued to ebb and flow as both side were just cancelling each other out.
The R's were then given two worries for the upcoming games as Alejandro Faurlin looked quite badly injured as he took a knock to the knee, he did try running it off and after five minutes he looked more mobile but was replaced by Petter Vaagen Moen, hopefully as just a precaution.
The second blow came as Tommy Smith went down with what looked like a hamstring strain, he was replaced by Rob Hulse.
Both teams seemed looked as if they did not want to lose the game and less risks were being taken as chances were very few and far between.
The final fives minutes saw Hull pose more threat than at any other time during the game and Rangers' had to battle hard to keep the scores level as it looked like Rangers' begun to panic.
Hull had a golden opportunity to win it in injury time as they beat the R's back line for the first time, only for the resulting shot, from Fryatt I think, was blazed over!

At the beginning of the game I think most people would've been more than happy to take a point at the KC and having seen that Hull have only scored 11 and conceded 6 in their 13 home games this season we all knew this was not going to be a pretty game.
Having had a good spell in the first half we thought that if we stepped it up another gear in the second half then the game was ours for the taking. However the two Orr chances were the best chances we had of scoring and failed to take it, we need a goal from open play away from home, the last one, if you don't include Coventry away, was at Palace away if I remember rightly(I have to give Clive the credit for that fact).(The goal at Bristol City came from a corner)
The Taarabt saga will be spoken about a lot tonight with people obviously going to have strong opinions on the issue. I believe that Warnock done the right thing and did not give in and made sure Taarabt knew he has to play for the team and just play through the frustrating periods of the game, he done it against Coventry before scoring and then putting in a great second half performance and the week before at Burnley he was kicked left, right and centre but ploughed on through before coming off the pitch looking like a rugby player. I'm sure everyone will sit down with him and put his head right before Portsmouth on Tuesday night.

Todays Man of the Match has three contenders from us. Kaspers Gorkss was solid at the heart of the defence and didn't put a foot wrong. Tommy Smith was superb throughout the first half and his movement throughout the game was second to none. The award today goes to Ishmael Miller for his great hold up play, rarely did he lose a header and was unfortunate not to score today having had two offside decisions go against him when they looked very close. A great start for Miller and if he keeps this up then he will prove to be a great signing for the club.

After saying goodbye to Iceman, Clingy and her friend we went back to the car to get the results of our prediction competition in what was the closest finish we have had for some time. Jenson led the way into the final round before the final positions ended as follows- 5th place Sam 12points, 4th place PK 15points, joint 2nd Lofty and Jenson 17points and finally after months without a win I finally got bacl on track with a winning score of 21points.
Jenson had a superb effort in the car coming home, our arrival time back home was at 21.33 and as we speak that time is down to 20.16. We are in Milton Keynes now and will be back home soon!

Hull City: Guzan, Dawson, Harper, Fryatt, Chester, Koren, Gerrard, Evans, Rosenior, Stewart (Devitt 73), McLean (Barmby 65).

Subs: Duke, McShane, Cairney, Simpson, Belaid.

Bookings: Harper (69)

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hill, Derry, Taarabt, Faurlin (Vaagan Moen 68), Gorkss, Routledge, Connolly, Smith (Hulse 73), Miller (Ephraim 85).

Subs: Cerny, Hall, Chimbonda, Shittu.

Referee: Mr KD Hill

Attendance: 20, 601

Lofty is back on Tuesday with thoughts on the game against Portsmouth. posted by Lee @ 1/29/2011

[londonranger]

Must be Lofty Heights.

[Macmoish]

Thanks Harlowranger...
Let's hope we have no serious injuries after today.

Truly, as others have so characterized, the Official Site is the Pravda of the QPR World which is so ridiculous given the plethora of alternate match reports. (Another QPR site operator would like to be Izvestia!)

[harlowranger]

Your right Lond it was lofty heights not lfw sorry!
lofty-heights06.blogspot.com/2011/01/to-hull-and-back.html

[Macmoish]

SUNDAY MIRROR


The off-field drama overshadowed anything on it yesterday, as the battling Tigers checked Championship leaders QPR in a dull affair.

Hull skipper Ian ­Ashbee’s future hangs in the balance after boss Nigel Pearson revealed his captain had a put in a written transfer request.

Long-serving Ashbee was linked with a switch to Preston on Friday as part of a loan move that would see him reunite with former Tigers boss Phil Brown.

Ashbee, nine years with the club, was dropped out of the squad following the surprise revelation.

“In the afternoon, we received a written transfer request. Apart from that, I’m not making any more comment.

“Those are the facts. I’ll see how it develops.”

Pearson fended off further questions about the situation, but did say he was upset at Ashbee for asking to leave the club a day before their encounter with QPR.

He said: “The biggest thing for me, what I’m disappointed about, is the timing – on a Friday morning when you’re preparing for the game.”

“But it happens in football.”

On the match Pearson felt his team could have sneaked victory.

“I was pleased with our discipline and I thought we worked very hard as a team,” he said. “As the game wore on, we were more likely to nick it.”

No surprise that QPR manager Neil Warnock disagreed with that analysis, insisting that his side had bossed the encounter.

Rangers, who stay five points clear at the top, did edge shades of a scrappy affair and created a handful of half-chances, the most notable of which was loanee Ishmael Miller’s disallowed effort for offside.

But it was Hull who had the best opening of the game, and only Matt Fryatt’s profligacy in second-half added time – he blasted over the bar with only keeper Paddy Kenny to beat – kept the affair goalless.

“I’m frustrated,” said Warnock. “We dominated the game for 80 minutes but could have done a lot better in the last third. We didn’t test the keeper enough.”

www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Hull-0-0-QPR-Sunday-Mirror-match-report-Ian-Ashbee-s-future-hangs-in-the-balance-after-boss-Nigel-Pearson-revealed-his-captain-had-a-put-in-a-written-transfer-request-article685435.html

[londonranger]

Now can see why Neil wanted extra backs as cover since one player doesnt play defence.

[londonranger]

www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchrep.asp?a=230040

thanks vital for the report. Taraabt tried to snatch ball out of Derrys hands. (Psychotic imo). Feles he is

vastly superior to evryone and must have ball at all times. imo. Smiths injury looks bad.

www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchrep.asp?a=230040

[Macmoish]

EXPRESS

HULL CITY 0, QPR 0: Adel Taarabt spat his dummy out as draw specialists QPR were forced to settle for a point.

Neil Warnock forced the moody Moroccan to stay on after Rangers’ 13-goal top scorer demanded to come off – even though he clearly wasn’t injured.

Taarabt’s tantrum was sparked when the midfielder’s claims for a first-half free-kick were waved away by referee Keith Hill.

To the delight of Hull fans, the winger’s wish to come off was ignored by Warnock.

Taarabt’s skilful side shone through before the sulks as he sent a dipping 25-yard effort just over early on.

Rangers keeper Paddy Kenny was forced to tip over James Harper’s 25-yarder early in the second-half.

It was a rare opening carved out by the shot-shy hosts who have scored just 11 goals in 14 homes games this term.



Read more: www.express.co.uk/posts/view/226081/Hull-City-0-QPR-0-Adel-Taarabt-in-Hull-of-a-sulkHull-City-0-QPR-0-Adel-Taarabt-in-Hull-of-a-sulk#ixzz1CTjKdIae
www.express.co.uk/posts/view/226081/Hull-City-0-QPR-0-Adel-Taarabt-in-Hull-of-a-sulk

[Macmoish]

THE STAR

HULL 0 - QPR 0 - IT'S HELL FOR ADEL TAARABT IN HULL

Adel Taarabt spat out his dummy as draw specialists QPR again settled for a point
30th January 2011 By Peter Griffin

ADEL TAARABT spat out his dummy as draw specialists QPR again settled for a point.

Neil Warnock forced the moody Moroccan to stay on after the 13-goal top scorer demanded to come off – even though he clearly wasn’t injured.

Taarabt’s tantrum was sparked when the midfielder’s claims for a first-half free-kick were waved away by referee Keith Hill.

The miffed 21-year-old simply downed tools and spent the next minute walking around ignoring the ball – and the bemused Rangers players.

Advice from two or three of his team-mates to cool it failed to stop the sulking and things came to a head just before the break when Taarabt gestured to the QPR bench that he’d had enough.

His plea fell on stony ground and to the delight of Hull fans, the whingey winger’s wishes were ignored by his no-nonsense boss Warnock, who refused to haul his talisman star off.

The straight-talking Yorkshireman made sure Taarabt came out after the break – no doubt with a choice word or two ringing in his ears – to play his part in earning another point towards the Londoners’ Premier League push.

QPR manager Warnock said: “I’m disappointed and frustrated with a point. I was surprised how Hull put the bus in front of the goal and we dominated for 80 minutes but didn’t test the keeper enough.

“The final pass was poor and we didn’t make enough in and around the box. If Hull had won at the end it would have been a travesty. I didn’t see much wrong with Adel other than him not getting the ball. He’s like that every day.

“He wasn’t injured, it was just his pride, he can’t play to the level he wants to every game. I thought he might be injured but he wasn’t.

“That’s how he is, he’s a smashing lad to have around and we’re going to get times like that.

“When he gets the ball he always looks like he’ll do something.

"If he wanted to come off he could have come off.

“The urgency wasn’t there in the team to go and score that goal.”
Hull stretched their impressive run to just one defeat in 13 games to keep them on the coat-tails of the play-offs, but Nigel Pearson’s workmanlike side failed to create enough chances to deserve all three points.

Captain Ian Ashbee was left out of the side following his transfer request, with Preston his likely destination to link up with old boss Phil Brown.

Pearson said: “We looked more likely to win it towards the end than them.

“I was pleased with our discipline, we worked hard a a team and as it wore on we looked likely to nick it.”

On Ashbee’s, future he said: “We’ve received a written transfer request. We’ll see how it develops.
“The biggest thing for me is that I’m disappointed with the timing but it’s something that happens in football.”

www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/174328/Hull-0-QPR-0-It-s-hell-for-Adel-Taarabt-in-Hull/

[londonranger]

www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/queensparkrangers/fb_news.php?storyid=11144

Worth a read as it has the whole performance of Tarbs in a way only Clive can describe.

[cpr]

What's all this "draw specialists" bollox?

Who's top of the league?