Match Reports -
qprreport.proboards.com/thread/39051/match-report-score-drawd by QPR
PA Sport
Wigan and QPR drew a blank in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final at the DW Stadium.
The clash between two teams relegated from the Premier League 12 months ago featured very little in the way of goalmouth action, with Wigan's Marc-Antoine Fortune spurning the best chance in the second half.
Harry Redknapp's Rangers will be the happier with the result and will hope to take advantage in their home leg on Monday.
Wigan were playing their 61st game of the season after European and FA Cup exploits and looking to secure a fifth trip to Wembley in little over a year against either Derby or Brighton.
The play-offs do not hold happy memories for either club or manager, with Wigan unsuccessful in all three previous attempts while Uwe Rosler lost the League One final last season with Brentford.
The Latics also claimed only one point from a possible six in two games against QPR during the regular season - Yossi Benayoun's winner at Loftus Road in March being the only goal in either match.
Rosler declared in the build-up he would not become involved in "pressure bingo" after Redknapp and Derby's Steve McClaren both tried to foist favouritism on others.
But Rosler was eager to point out Rangers' large wage bill, which he described as three times larger than his club's.
It was no surprise that the first half was tight and tetchy, with more yellow cards than sights of goal.
Wigan defender Gary Caldwell spurned an early chance, placing a free header from a corner tamely into the arms of Robert Green.
QPR's first opening came in the 14th minute when Gary O'Neil found space for a shot just inside the box but James McArthur produced an excellent block.
The tackles were robust and when Richard Dunne was booked for felling Callum McManaman in the 23rd minute the only surprise was that referee Mike Jones had kept his cards in his pocket for as long as he had.
A minute later McManaman and McArthur were both booked for fouls within seconds of each other.
The luckiest man on the pitch may well have been Clint Hill, though, who appeared to elbow Rob Kiernan in an incident early in the game that neither referee nor crowd spotted.
Wigan were the team doing most of the pressing but QPR did occasionally threaten on the break, with Armand Traore heading Junior Hoilett's cross over in the 37th minute.
Caldwell was looking to create openings with long balls and he did just that five minutes later, picking out Wigan's player of the year Jordi Gomez, who chested the ball beyond a defender but fired a volley straight at Green.
Rangers came out fired up for the second half and goalkeeper Scott Carson was twice called into action, first punching away a Hill cross under pressure from Charlie Austin and then keeping out a low Traore shot with his fingertips.
But Wigan weathered the storm and really should have scored in the 62nd minute.
The ball ricocheted around the penalty area before Kiernan's drilled ball fell perfectly for Fortune, who could only blaze over an open goal from eight yards.
Both sides made changes, with Kevin Doyle and Niko Kranjcar coming on for QPR and Nicky Maynard and Martyn Waghorn for Wigan, but neither team could make the breakthrough.
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Jim Gregory
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May 9, 2014 at 11:43pm
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Post by sharky on May 9, 2014 at 11:43pm
Player ratings from the Daily Mail
www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2624779/Wigan-0-0-QPR-PLAYER-RATINGS-Gomez-spurs-best-chance-Latics-leg-ends-square.htmlWigan and QPR played out a goalless draw in the second Championship play-off at the DW Stadium.
Jordi Gomez had the best chance of the game for Wigan just before half time but was denied by Rob Green.
Sportsmail's Chris Wheeler was at the game and rated all the players on show.
Wigan
Scott Carson 6.5 – Former England keeper has rebuilt his reputation after that infamous gaffe against Croatia and, at 28, could still have his best years ahead of him
James Perch 6 – Scored against Man City in the FA Cup this season and got forward to almost score again against QPR. Knows the top-flight from his days at Newcastle
Gary Caldwell 6.5 – Real warrior but injuries have taken their toll and may struggle making the step back up to the Premier League
Emmerson Boyce 6 – Been outstanding this season and showed his Premier League credentials in the FA Cup ties against City and Arsenal
Rob Kiernan 6 – After spells out on loan at Accrington, Burton, Brentford and Southend, you would have to say he’s unproven. Great potential though.
Jordi Gomez 6 – Product of Barcelona academy who played alongside Messi. Being back in the Premier League wouldn’t faze him one bit.
James McArthur 6.5 – His importance has really been felt following James McCarthy’s move to Everton. Been there before and deserves another go.
Callum McManaman 5.5 – Ugly challenge on QPR’s Gary O’Neil shows that he still has that side to his game but a player who should be gracing the Premier League
Shaun Maloney 6.5 – Just ask Manchester United. His fantastic strike turned the 2012 title race. Struggled with a hip injury this season but still a class act.
Jean Beausejour 6 – Showed he can still be a big threat down the left side. Expected to go to the World Cup with Chile and no reason he can’t play in the top-flight
Marc-Antoine Fortune 5 – Awful miss against QPR was a reminder why West Brom let him go. At 32, the Championship is probably his level now.
Subs: Al Habsi, McClean, Espinoza, Barnett, Maynard (for Fortune 76, 6), Waghorn (for McManaman 76), Collison.
Booked: McArthur, McManaman, Caldwell
QPR
Rob Green 6 – England’s goalkeeper at the start of the World Cup four years ago still has a lot to offer and made a crucial save from Jordi Gomez
Danny Simpson 6 – Nearly got caught out by Gomez just before half-time but a top defender with great experience
Nedum Onuoha 7.5 – Former Manchester City defender was outstanding and would definitely not be out of place back in the Premier League
Richard Dunne 6.5 – Poor challenge on McManaman highlighted his lack of pace and the fact that his best days are certainly behind him.
Clint Hill 5.5 – Lucky not to be sent off for an elbow on Kiernan. Looked a little out of his depth in the Premier League last time and would do again
Armand Traore 5 – Former Arsenal man twice went close to scoring. Would be a real asset if Redknapp’s side win promotion.
Joey Barton 6.5 – Remarkably reserved display in niggly game. But could he keep his cool under the Premier League spotlight? History suggests not.
Gary O’Neil 6 – Had a couple of half chances but failed to take them. At 30, you wonder if has a Premier League future
Junior Hoilett 7 – QPR’s most creative player down the left. Has shone in the Premier League before and no doubt can do again
Ravel Morrison 4.5 – Did very little apart from sulk when taken off. A sublime talent, we keep being told, but just seems to be a liability
Charlie Austin 5.5 – Scored 18 goals after a £4m move from Burnley last summer but , on this evidence, no guarantee he would do it at the highest level
Subs: Murphy, Carroll, Suk-Young (for Hoilett 88), Doyle (for Traore 70), Hughes, Kranjcar (for Morrison 78), Henry.
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