These are the games I've been looking forward to. If you can't feel upbeat about playing a, let's face it, Premiership Club, what can you look forward to?
Even drinking in Shepherd's Bush sounds and feels better than little pub in Exeter - it almost seemed magical - yeah ok I've gone too far...
The game started with Bournemouth creating a wall of noise. This is what we wanted - a 12th man to raise the spirits - and with the negative side that was announced, we were going to need all the help we could get.
The first chance fell to QPR on 10 minutes when a cross from the right found Austin's head miles out yet he still managed to get enough power to make Camp tip it over
Barton was already designated as the villain of the piece and he was well drilled to niggle at Arter and as expected, Arter didn't just take the bait but ate the whole bloody rod and tackle
A lash out seemed to rake down Barton's calf but luckily the ref didn't punish or perhaps believe, the offence
On 24 minutes Bournemouth had their best moment as a MacDonald back heel sent Surman through and after a smart 1-2 he was through and only a shot from a chocolate teapot of a left peg spoiled the move
Two minutes later and the deadlock was broken
A ball over the so-out-of-form head of Francis had their winger scampering to the by-line and he crossed into the middle
If it had been the other way around the cross would have found no-one, but instead Austin was there
Instantly controlling the ball on his chest he poked the ball past the on rushing Camp to put QPR 1-0 up
Then the unexpected. With 3 sides of the QPR library to celebrate with, he chose to stand and mock the Bournemouth faithful
Why? Had we not wanted to sign the local lad but couldn't because of the embargo?
I expected us to struggle at Loftus Road - but I hadn't expected that
Four minutes later he went from disliked to hated as he waved an imaginary card to the ref after Elphick had slid in and the ball hit his hand
He even put the ball on the spot to push for a pen even though the tackle was way outside the box - what an arse
The rest of the half was even enough but with just Pitman up front with no support from the midfield, we were never going to score and didn't even threaten
At half time the team of a gazillion years ago was paraded to more crowd noise than was made during the first half - rivalling Forest as the team most living in the past
In the second half. We didn't know it at the time, but 3 minutes in we all witnessed the pivotal moment
Pitman was found in the right corner of the box and he cleverly turned his man
Then, instead of crossing to the unmarked MacDonald standing on the 6 yard line, he tried a one in a million shot to the left top corner which only just remained in the stadium
Why - just why?
Six minutes later and it was 2-0
A cross from the right should have been meat and drink for Francis but instead Hoillet nipped in front of him, then went past him before passing past Camp - just too easy
We were clearly second best with next to no chance of scoring yet there were no substitutes
We go 2-0 down and we suddenly go 2 up front with a double substitution - TOO FUCKING LATE, AGAIN
Fraser even made an appearance with 20 minutes to go to use up all 3 - but really, what was the point?
In fairness we did play a little better but if we are going to play Rantie yet ignore all the runs he makes, we might as well play me up front
The game was finished off by Phillips with 14 minutes to go as he collected the ball 30 yards out, ghosted past the defence, on his OWN, and smashed it past Camp, to make it 3-0
Summary - 3 things come to mind, the first is that I wanted to hate Barton - but I couldn't. He looked 1 possibly 2 classes above anything we had to offer
The second is that watching Bournemouth at the moment is like watching your child in the nativity play. You are pleased to be there and whoop and cheer over the slightest thing but ultimately you know all in all it's a bit shit
The third and possibly most important point is that if I have to shout "Get in the FUCKING BOX" any more ones than that - I will be sectioned in the hoarse tourettes home of Poole
Star Man - Me - and I accept it on behalf of the magnificent travelling support who out sung the QPR support for the full 90 minutes
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