Watford vs QPR - Match Reports and Comments

[QPR Report]

QPR Official Site



Despite taking a first-half lead, Rangers suffered a 3-1 reverse to Watford at Vicarage Road in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.

The R's opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Patrick Agyemang latched onto Alejandro Faurlin's pass to power the ball into the back of the net.

But the Hornets responded just short of the break, as the free Lloyd Doyley had the easy task of heading in from close-range.

The Hornets - boosted by their goal - took the game to Jim Magilton's side in the second period, as they earned maximum points.

First, Don Cowie's thunderbolt from the edge of the penalty box found the goal, before Tom Cleverley raced clear of the Rangers defence to tuck home.

R's gaffer Magilton made four changes in total from the side that suffered defeat at the weekend to Middlesbrough at Loftus Road.

Out of the side went Kaspars Gorkss, Akos Buzsaky, Adel Taarabt and Jay Simpson.

They were replaced by Peter Ramage, Damion Stewart, Rowan Vine and Agyemang.

Radek Cerny started in goal for Rangers.

In defence, Ramage and Gary Borrowdale began at full-back, with Stewart and Fitz Hall in the middle.

Wayne Routledge, Ben Watson, Mikele Leigertwood and Faurlin made up the R's midfield.

Vine partnered Agyemang in attack.

On a bitingly cold evening in WD18, the first 10 minutes of the affair were very tight with both sides feeling each other out - as would be expected in a local derby.

Rangers had the first opportunity of the match of any note.

It was a flowing passing move that created it. Passes were exchanged between Leigertwood, Borrowdale, Vine and Faurlin before the latter's cross went agonisingly across the face of the six-yard box and out to safety.

The visitors by now were shading territorial possession, though Watford were unlucky when Cleverley's thundering drive only just missed wide of Cerny's left-hand upright.

That chance gave the Hornets a lift, and Borrowdale had to be alert to block Cowie's effort away for a corner after a ball was centred into the area.

Chances by now were few and far between - that is until the R's raced into a first-half lead courtesy of Agyemang.

Faurlin was the architect, jinking past his marker after a pass from Vine. The Argentine midfielder then squared on the edge of the area to Agyemang.

Just as it looked as though the R's hitman would put Routledge through on goal, he took the ball on before firing low past Scott Loach in the hosts' goal to put Rangers into a 34th minute lead.

In buoyant mood after their goal, the R's looked to be sailing into a half-time lead before Watford notched an unlikely 43rd minute equaliser going into the interval.

Jon Harley's cross from deep was headed back across the face of goal by Cowie, where the unmarked Doyley was on hand to stoop home from close-range.

As the teams came out after the break, the Hornets started the second period the brighter of the two sides.

Cerny produced a wonderful save at his right-hand post from Nathan Ellington, after a teasing cross was played into the area by Danny Graham.

Rangers soon found their rhythm, as they continued to pass the ball and press their opponents despite a heavy playing surface.

Playing further up the pitch by now though, Rangers were caught out as Watford hit them on the break to take the lead in the 56th minute through the ever-present Cowie.

Graham drove at the Rangers defence before slipping the ball through to Cowie on the edge of the area, where he fired the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Watford by now were on top - and should have added their third goal of the game.

When a cross was centred from deep on the right, Harley lashed a thundering effort on goal that was parried only to substitute Liam Henderson from Cerny.

Henderson looked certain to nod home after coming on just minutes earlier, though Cerny got up to excellently beat the ball away from the danger.

This was a far more open encounter than it was in the first half. Taarabt raced clear of halfway after being introduced as a substitute, before his driven shot was collected by Loach.

At the other end Doyley was only inches from finding the target after he shot at goal on the edge of the area.

Rangers pressed late on and had their chances - notably when substitute Buzsaky blasted over on the edge of the area - but a second goal proved illusive.

The Hornets rubbed salt in the wounds of the R's in stoppage time, as Cleverley broke clear of the Rangers backline to stroke the ball into the bottom left-hand corner.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, Cowie, Graham, Doyley, Harley (Severin 83), Cleverley, Cathcart (De Merit 46), Ellington (Henderson 57), Eustace, Hodson.

Subs not used: Lee, Bennett, Sadler, Bryan.

Scorers: Doyley (43), Cowie (56), Cleverley (90)

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Hall, Leigertwood (Buzsaky 75), Routledge (Simpson 72), Vine (Taarabt 59), Agyemang, Watson, Faurlin, Borrowdale.

Subs not used: Taylor, Pellicori, Gorkss, Williams.

Scorers: Agyemang (34)

Bookings: Stewart (82), Hall (88)

Referee: Mr A Penn

Attendance: 15, 082 (1, 442)


www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~48586,00.html

[QPR Report]

QPR Official Site

MAGILTON ON WATFORD
Posted on: Mon 07 Dec 2009
Rangers boss Jim Magilton has claimed that his side must show greater desire to win games after seeing the R's go down to a 3-1 defeat to Watford at Vicarage Road.

Patrick Agyemang gave the R's the lead, before goals from Lloyd Doyley, Don Cowie and Tom Cleverley sealed a maximum return for the hosts.

"I think that it was trying conditions. When we went a goal up, we showed a little bit of quality - it was a great finish from Patrick (Agyemang).

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MPU
"We then needed a collective desire to get a result, but in the last two games we haven't shown that - one or two harsh questions have to be asked.

"A week ago when we played Coventry we played very well, and we had people talking about the way we played.

"Tonight I just didn't think at 1-0 that we had the real desire to go on and capatalise - and that's upsetting."

Magilton added: "Our confidence in going a goal up suggests that we're playing with it. Obviously we then conceded three goals - it's a worrying trend and it's something that we have to work very hard on to stop.

"Only we as a group can address this. As a group of players you've got to go out and take responsibility for your actions. You want these players to stand up and really be counted.

"We just need to restore confidence. It does come and go, but you must retain self belief.

"At the minute we've just got one or two who are shying away - you need characters and you need leaders."

www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1898599,00.html

[QPR Report]

Sky!

Magilton not happy
QPR boss bemoans Watford defeat

Magilton: Not happy

Queens Park Rangers boss Jim Magilton was far from happy after seeing his side go down 3-1 at Watford.

Rangers took the lead at Vicarage Road through Patrick Agyemang, but Watford hit back through Lloyd Doyley before winning it with second-half goals from Don Cowie and Tom Cleverley.

And Magilton was less than happy with his side's display.

"I think that it was trying conditions, and I think when we went a goal up we showed a bit of quality but then there has to be a collective will and collective desire to get a result but the last few games we haven't shown that," he told Sky Sports News.

"A week ago against Coventry we played very well and had people talking about the way we played.

"Tonight I just didn't think at 1-0 we had the desire to capitalise."

Magilton kept his side locked in the changing room after the defeat and Hungarian Akos Buzsaky was left to take refuge in a public toilet.

"Difference of opinion," said Magilton afterwards.

"Anything that was said will be kept in-house. At the minute everything a team is hitting against us is going into the net.

"Most Championship sides go through periods like that."

www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5754527,00.html

[QPR Report]

Watford Official Site

LLOYD "Lloydinho" Doyley sent Hornets fans stir-crazy tonight as he scored his first ever professional goal in front of the Sky cameras tonight (Monday).

Malky Mackay's men put the painful memories of Saturday's defeat at Newcastle well and truly behind them, as they cruised to victory on home soil, moving up into sixth place in the Championship.

As the rain lashed down relentlessly in Hertfordshire before the match, the Golden Boys cooked up a storm on the pitch, with a superb diving header form Doyley drawing the home team level after a Patrick Agyemang goal on 43 minutes, followed by an expert strike from Scotsman Don Cowie.

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A stoppage time goal from Tom Cleverley finished the night off for the home side as they clocked up their forth consecutive home win.

Malky Mackay made two changes to his side after Saturday's defeat at St James' Park. Heidar Helguson missed out on the clash against Queens Park Rangers as he could not play against his parent club and Henri Lansbury was still suffering from the knock he received at the weekend.

Coming into the starting XI was Jon Harley who took up his place on the left of midfield and Nathan Ellington who partnered Danny Graham in attack. Jay DeMerit came into the squad for the second time since returning from his eye injury as he took his place on the bench.

For the visitors, QPR manager Jim Magilton made four changes to his team, who lost 5-1 at the weekend. Talented Hungarian Akos Buzsaky only made the bench as did Arsenal loanee Jay Simpson. Patrick Agyemang and Rowan Vince came into the side to occupy the striking places for the R's.

Within the first few minutes, Watford had shown their visitors they meant business with Don Cowie floating a great cross into the area, but Rangers 'keeper Radek Cerny kept the Scotsman's ball out of the goalmouth with the first save of the match.

With seven and a half minutes gone, midfielder Jon Harley tried his hand at goal as Watford continued to dominate pocession. But the former Fulham man's shot was saved by the gloves of Cerny.

Craig Cathcart was clearly trying to make up for his defensive error at the weekend and battledt past several Hoops players to ensure the Hornets continued to keep the ball in midfield.

Hard-working teenager Lee Hodson crossed the ball well from the right towards the awaiting 'Orns strikers in the penalty area, but the ball was slightly too long and it went out for a goal kick.

Some great work must have been going on at Watford's London Colney training ground this week, as the home side produced a sequence of short passes on the edge of the penalty area resulting in Tom Cleverley having his first real chance at goal. He took the ball neatly down and fired a right-footed shot towards the Vicarage Road goal but his shot was slightly too wide.

Minutes later, Ellington's header could have put the home side in front, but his effort went straight into Cerny's arms.

The Hornets refused to take their foot off the gas as Cowie had another chance to put the Hornets ahead, but his close range strike was blocked by QPR's Gary Borrowdale. Not content with the effort, Harley stepped up to the plate and attempted a blast at glory but Ben Watson managed to successfully get in the way to save the visiting side from any embarrassment.

With 33 minutes gone in the clash in front of the Sky Sports cameras, the away team took the lead. The commanding figure of Patrick Agyemang held off advancing defenders, shooting a well placed and powerful shot from just outside the penalty box at Scott Loach, whose stretching dive just wasn't enough to stop Watford's London rivals staying off the score sheet.

Manager Malky Mackay was screaming instructions to his troops as they worked tirelessly in their own half of the field to keep the visitors at bay.

Once the ball was at the feet of the Hornets, the match was back on track and the Vicarage Road faithful got what they had been waiting for what seemed an eternity..

On 43 minutes, a fantastic surge from the home team saw a beautiful cross from the left hand side from Harley to Cowie on the right. The Scotsman's put the ball back into the area with a trademark cross and lo and behold Doyley dived athletically towards the ball, powerfully heading the ball past a helpless Cerny into the back of the net.

There was seconds of stunned silence as the Yellow Army tried to take in what they had just witnessed. Then came the roar, a deafening noise, which Doyley soaked up as his teammates embraced him.

The whistle for half time was blown minutes later and as the home side made their way into the tunnel, the spoils were shared as the crowd got on their feet, chanting in honour of the Watford defender who had just made a little bit of history on Monday night in Hertfordshire.

Jay DeMerit made his first appearance since undergoing an eye operation, returning to the side in the second half to a tremendous receptin from the crowd as the American replaced Northern Irishman Cathcart.

The Hornets continued pressuring as soon as they were back on the pitch, with Ellington getting a chance on goal thanks to a cross from his strike partner for the evening, Danny Graham.

With 11 minutes of the second half gone, Scottish international Cowie showed class and control as he received a neat pass from the middle courtesy of Cleverley and took the ball expertly, smashing the shot into the back to Cerny's net from just inside the 18 yard box.

A minute later, young striker Liam Henderson was brought into proceedings by Mackay as the Watford manager took off striker Ellington.

QPR hearts were in mouths as a corner was floated into the Rangers' box, was met by the head of youngster Henderson who knocked it out to Harley, who was better placed. Harley struck the ball powerfully goalwards but instead of going straight for the target, the ball fell to the feet of Graham who did his best to finish the job as swams of QPR players flooded into the area.

Doyley, obviously not content with scoring his first ever goal since his debut in professional football in September 2001, struck the ball at Cenry's goal once again, but his shot flew over the crossbar into the delighted Rookery end crowd.

The Watford defenders were answering their critics after last weekend's antics and did well to block off the continuing attempts of the R's on Loach's goal. On 73 Cleverley had an attempt on goal, with the talented Manchester United youngster firing the ball goalwards but again, the ball just cleared the Rangers 'keepers' crossbar.

A minute later, Harley crossed the ball into the area, only for it to be blocked by Watson. Not giving up, the midfielder delivered the ball in again, this time finding Adrian Mariappa who had a chance to put the home side three goals up at Vicarage Road, but the close range strike was easily caught by Cerny.

With 15 minutes of the clash left, Jim Magilton attempted to reinforce his attacking options, bringing on talented Hungarian Akos Buzsaky and Arsenal loanne Jay Simpson.
Loach made a vital punched clearance on 78 minutes as a corner from Watson sailed into the busy penalty area.

Inside the last 10 minutes, the hard-working Harley left the field to shouts of his name and a standing ovation after a tremendous display for the Hornets. Scotsman Scott Severin replaced the midfielder.

Watford continued their procession as a frustrated QPR side clocked up three bookings in five minutes.

As the Hoops pushed for the equaliser with all their might in the dying minutes of stoppage time, they knew they were liable to the counter-attack. This proved to be the case when Danny Graham picked up the ball on the right and fed Cleverley clear on goal. With only the Rangers' goalkeeper to beat, Cleverley slotted the ball in to the back of the net, to finish off a fantastic night for the Hornets.

WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Cathcart (DeMerit 46), Mariappa (c), Doyley (43); Cleverley (90 +4), Eustace, Cowie, Harley (Severin 81); Ellington (Henderson 57), Graham. Subs not used: Lee (gk), Bennett, Bryan, Sadler.

QPR: Cerny: Ramage, Stewart, Hall, Borrowdale; Routledge (Simpson 71), Watson, Leigertwood (c) (Buzasky 76), Faurlin; Vine (Taarabt 58), Agyemang. Subs not used: Taylor (gk), Williams, Gorkss, Pelligori.

GOALS: WATFORD Doyley (43), Cowie (57), Cleverley (90 +4) QPR; Agyemang (33)

BOOKINGS: WATFORD none, QPR; Stewart (82) Borrowdale (85), Hall (88)

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD none, QPR none

Attendance: 15, 058 (Away 1,442)

www.watfordfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10400~48586,00.html

[QPR Report]

LoftforWords Clive Whittingham Report
www.clubfanzine.com/QPR/v2.showNews.php?id=26988

[londonranger]

So Busz felt he had to move to the toilet. Tells us he was unhappy with the critique and again tells me that there could be loss of respect for the manager.

[QPR Report]

Vital www.qpr.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchrep.asp?a=180416

[QPR Report]

Could do all, but who wants to keep reading!

Watford Official Site

GRIT AND DETERMINATION
Tue 08 Dec 2009
MALKY Mackay's face after Lloyd Doyley's goal said it all tonight and he was delighted at his team's showing in front of the Sky cameras against Queens Park Rangers.

"It's a fantastic three points after a long hard journey from Newcastle" said the smiling Scotsman.

"I'm delighted that we came out here tonight, turned it around and came away with three points against a very good team.

"That's the grit and determination required; teams are not going to come in and roll over. QPR are a decent outfit so I'm delighted we came from behind, were resilient and we played some great football."

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His defender scored the first goal for the Hornets as they came from behind to take all three points and Malky reiterated the fact that Lloyd's goal was the turning point in the match.

"Lloyd's goal was at the right time - he scored to get us back in the game again and it was a fantastic header and a great move by Don Cowie to find him at the back post

"It was all laughs and jokes after Lloyd's goal but at the time we needed to get back into the game - it was serious stuff to get the goal and it kicked us into the second half.

"I think the way that Lloyd's been playing recently, the fact he's been close a couple of times is a great testament to him and he's a great professional at this Club.

"He's a guy that I tell youngsters to go and speak to if they want to achieve anything in football - be a professional like Lloyd Doyley."

As much as that one man stole the limelight for the Golden Boys, the Watford boss was quick to praise his whole team.

"The resilience of the team was great, the group stood firm against QPR throwing players up at us and we blocked some great challenges in the box and that's them learning how to win really tough games.

"They are a great bunch together and they are a really tight unit" said Malky and he went on to highlight the talents of his fellow Scotsman and scorer of the second goal.

"I thought Don Cowie was fantastic, especially in the second half, he was great.

"He gets the ball into fantastic positions. His all-round play is excellent, he's a tremendous professional and he's a very fit boy, I just felt he needed that belief.

"I spoke to him at half time and he then got into great spaces and showed a fantastic attitude and had a great strike."

Manchester United loanee Tom Cleverley topped the night off brilliantly for the home side as his stoppage time strike earned the Hornets their 3-1 win.

"I thought Tom showed a very cool head in the last five minutes, to take the ball all the way up for the goal and he deserved it.

"Liam Henderson came on in the second half and there you have a boy who has been at the Club for several years now and quietly has applied his trade and learned how to be a centre forward.

"I think he's got a lot he can pick up from Danny Graham, they're both from the north east, they've both got great attitudes and a willingness to work and he deserved to come on.

"He's as brave as a lion and he didn't give the QPR defenders a minute's peace tonight!"

Another great sight on the pitch on Monday night was captain Jay DeMerit making a return to the side after being out since August with an eye injury.

"Ideally I would have liked him to have a reserve game, but it's a testament to Jay and his character to get stuck in straight away after coming on.

"I think he had two or three brilliant last gasp blocks tonight and that's Jay DeMerit all over."
www.watfordfc.com/page/PostMatchReaction/0,,10400~1898610,00.html

[QPR Report]

Daily Mail/Ian Gibb

Watford 3 QPR 1: Akos Buzsaky is frozen out as Lloyd Doyley ends 16-year goal wait

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Akos Buzsaky was sensationally shunned by his own dressing room after his team slumped to their third defeat in four games.

In an incredible scene that lasted at least 20 minutes after the end of the game, Buzsaky, the respected Hungarian international, was left to wander around at the bottom of the main stand, still in shirt, shorts and boots and at risk of catching a severe cold.

When asked what the problem was, Buzsaky simply shrugged as he crushed a plastic water bottle and wandered aimlessly into the nearest gents.

Eventually he was led back towards the dressing room by a QPR official but, even then, some half an hour after the end, he appeared to be denied access to the dressing room and needed a comforting arm put around him by coach John Gorman.

Manager Jim Magilton, now under severe pressure, would say only: ‘It was a difference of opinion. Anything that has happened or will happen will be kept in-house.’

There have been rumours about Buzsaky being unsettled and not being played in his best position since his move from Plymouth, where he was an outstanding and influential figure.

Now it seems he will be looking for a new club.

While Rangers were in crisis, Watford defender Lloyd Doyley was celebrating an end to one of the longest droughts in football.

Getting started: Patrick Agyemang scores the opening goal of the game but QPR's lead failed to last
Doyley, who joined Watford as an 11-year-old, equalised with his first senior goal — 16 years and 269 senior games later.

Doyley, apparently, never even scores in training. And, when he nearly managed it several weeks ago, it provoked a club website article about how much he wanted that goal.
And he celebrated by starting the move for Don Cowie to make it 2-1 before the outstanding Tom Cleverley finished it all off in the 94th minute.
An emotional Doyley said: ‘I dedicate that goal to my mum, who passed away five months ago. I’m sure she’s looking down on me and will be very proud.’

It was a crucial equaliser just before half-time that dragged Watford back into the game.
Frozen out: Buzsaky was sensationally thrown out of the QPR dressing room

They had fallen behind to Patrick Agyemang’s 33rd-minute strike that left the QPR front man cold. He didn’t celebrate, maybe because he is used mainly as a sub, though he came on to score in the 5-1 home blitz by Middlesbrough on Saturday.

Watford had barely time to rest from their 600-mile round journey to Newcastle, getting home late on Saturday night, before turning out again and earning much needed revenue from Sky TV.

Problems piled up on the field too as, after Cleverley and Cowie started to assert midfield control early on, Watford were caught out by a simple counter.

Shut out: Watford defender Adrian Mariappa keeps on-loan Spurs midfielder under close tabs as the hosts powered on to a vital win
Argentine Alejandro Faurlim, who had shot narrowly wide early on early on, played in Agyemang who whipped the ball back into the left corner from 20 yards in the 33rd minute.

Watford got back into it on 42 minutes when left back Doyley headed in that
long-awaited first senior goal from Cowie’s cross.

Watford went in front when Doyley’s ball found the impressive Cleverley who set up Cowie for his superb strike.

Man of the match Cleverley — on a season’s loan from Manchester United — broke away and wrapped up the win by scoring Watford’s third in the 94th minute.

www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1233994/Watford-3-QPR-1-Lloyd-Doyley-breaks-16-year-duck-help-Hornets-break-play-berth.html?#ixzz0Z5BBZmE1

[QPR Report]

Guardian

Malky Mackay praises Watford stamina after win over QPR!

Mikey Stafford

Less than 48 hours after a somewhat unfortunate defeat by the league leaders, cash-strapped Watford moved into the play-off places with a deserved win over monied opposition.

Malky Mackay praised his players for their performance on a heavy pitch after a 5½-hour train journey home from Newcastle. Their opponents last night may never know the delights of the East Coast line, and as long as Ecclestone, Briatore, Mittal et al stay interested they are unlikely to have to worry about administration.

"It is for the people at the top of the club to sort that problem out," said Mackay of Watford's financial situation. "For us on the pitch it is all about football."

On that pitch – rugby-rutted, thanks to Saracens – Watford failed to make their early dominance pay and fell behind when Patrick Agyemang received a smart pass from Alejandro Faurlin and thumped the ball low to Scott Loach's right after being given an unforgivable amount of time by Lloyd Doyley and Craig Cathcart. Doyley made amends 10 minutes later. Jon Harley's cross from the left was volleyed back across goal by Don Cowie and Doyley's flying header resulted in the first goal of his eight-year professional career.

Nathan Ellington drew a fine save from Radek Cerny just after half-time and the paupers scented blue blood. Danny Graham's header was collected by Tom Cleverley and the Manchester United youngster ran at the defence before teeing up Cowie, who drilled a right-foot shot across Cerny from the edge of the area. Cleverley slotted home the third goal with the last kick of the game.

QPR's manager, Jim Magilton, who banished the substitute Akos Buzsaky from the changing room after a "disagreement", said his side were "going through a period most Championship sides go through".

www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/dec/07/watford-qpr-tom-cleverley-mackay

[QPR Report]

The Times/Tom Dart

Watford fightback against QPR galvanised by Doyley's first senior goal

As they face acute financial problems, Watford can take pride in knowing that they are rich in spirit.

Queens Park Rangers are among the division’s biggest spenders and they were a goal to the good and looking comfortable last night, but an equaliser from an unlikely source and an assertive second-half display gave Watford a deserved win that lifted them — until tonight at least — into the Coca-Cola Championship’s play-off places.

Jim Magilton’s response was to punish one of his most talented players with a disciplinary tactic straight out of Supernanny, as Akos Buzsaky was dispatched to the footballing equivalent of the Naughty Step.

While the QPR manager rebuked his squad in the dressing room after the match, Buzsaky was barred and sat alone in Vicarage Road’s empty former main stand. Some half an hour after the final whistle, still in his kit, he was wandering around near the toilets looking as aimless and unhappy as he had on the pitch as a late substitute.

Magilton’s explanation was terse. “Difference of opinion,” he said. “Whatever was said will be kept in-house. Want to talk about the game? I don’t.”

A QPR manager who has been in charge for six months must feel like a cricketer in the “nervous 90s”: what’s next, triumph or dismissal? QPR are close to the top six and promotion remains realistic, but their owners are not known for patience.

The club’s previous permanent manager, Paulo Sousa, had only 26 games in charge; his predecessor, Iain Dowie, 15. Magilton is up to 23.

This defeat came two days after a crushing 5-1 loss at home to Middlesbrough. With only one point from their past four games, up next is a testing match away to West Bromwich Albion. “What’s scary is that we’ve gone from a team full of confidence to one that looks like it’s lacking in confidence,” Magilton said. “We looked shell-shocked at times.”

Watford ought to be distracted and edgy before December 15, the day of the club’s annual meeting, when finding a way to secure their existence is on the agenda after the news last week that the chairman, Jimmy Russo, was forced to loan the club’s parent company £1 million so that it would survive until Christmas.

Another £5.5 million is required for Watford to see out the season, although Russo is hopeful of avoiding the emergency-break-glass option favoured by many a troubled Football League club. “The board is working hard and doing everything to find a solution to ensure we do not go into administration,” he wrote in his programme notes.

Malky Mackay, the manager, said: “As far as the players and staff are concerned, it’s pretty easy to focus because we’ve got games every few days. We’ve got to stick to winning games and try and do your business professionally and make sure the training ground is a place that’s all about football.”

On a sodden, bobbly surface that encouraged safety-first football, there was little of interest until the 33rd minute, when Patrick Agyemang gave QPR the lead from the edge of the box. They held it with ease until three minutes before the break, when Lloyd Doyley dived to head in his first senior goal on his 269th appearance.

“I knew it was going to happen but it took a bit longer than I thought. It was a great feeling,” the left back said, dedicating the strike to his late mother. His celebration had clearly not been choreographed. “I didn’t know what to do,” he said.

Ten minutes into the second half, Tom Cleverley ran at the visiting side’s defence and slipped the ball to Don Cowie, whose shot was so perfectly struck it zipped over the uneven turf like a puck gliding across an ice rink.

QPR were shapeless and Cleverley, on loan from Manchester United, sprinted clear in stoppage time to finish the contest.

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article6948156.ece

[eskey8]

Stewart should have been sent off without a doubt, it was dreadful. I was hoping Hall would also be sent off so then he couldn't play for a few games.