Blackburn Rovers fought back from a 1-0 early defecit as Chris Samba nailed a pin point header to ensure Rovers would not leave Queens Park Rangers Empty handed.
Another change in the Rovers line up ensured that Blackburn have not had the same team on following occasions under the Kean reign.
Robinson
algado Samba Dann Givet
zonzi Petrovic
oillet Lowe Olsson
oberts
A game of little opportunities as both teams failed to create many clear cut chances, with poor marking the cause of goals for both outfits.
Queens Park Rangers dominated early possession. Blackburn seemed to shape up in a 4-5-1 formation rather than a 4-3-3, happy to use the pace of Olsson and Hoillet on the counter, however this was few and far between. QPR attempted to drive through the middle, but found the goings tough as Rovers enforcers Nzonzi and Petrovic ensured that QPR would have to try their luck on the edges. Mackie was causing some mayhem for the home team, making his first start since the horrendous injury in last season’s cup tie.
As for Rovers, it was a matter of stringing a few passes together, and early on it was not happening. Blackburn gave the ball away too many times, allowing Rangers to heap on the pressure. The opening goal came through poor marking by Rovers. A corner was drifted into the far post and not cleared, Helgusson found a bit of space and attempted to chip the ball back across goal. Salgado had left the back post, and it dropped neatly into the corner of the net.
1-0 QPR
Parity was restored minutes later though, giving the travelling Rovers supporters some bang for their buck. Jason Lowe sent in a corner, Samba powering a header home into the top left corner from 12 yards, and giving Blackburn a lifeline
1-1
A sense of urgency came into Blackburn’s play. Hoillet and Olsson started to get more involved, whilst Petrovic, who was having his best game in the jersey since his transfer, linked well with Nzonzi and Lowe to ensure a fast transition into the attacking third. Hoillet almost took the lead for Rovers, jinking past his two markers, with his shot cleared off the line.
Half Time 1-1
The second half was really a fizzer, with 1 chance a piece for each side, and both would be left to rue the lack of clinical finishing.
Taraabt, a second half substitute seemed to buckle at his opportunity. Poor marking from Michel Salgado allowed Taraabt a touch of space to poke in past his marker, however he fluffed his shot from 18 yards, a relief for the Spanish veteran.
Blackburn Rovers, sparked by the late introduction of David Goodwillie, managed to muster up a chance of their own. A super break away led by Junior Hoillet saw a through ball placed to Martin Olsson. Through on goal, Olsson drove his shot straight at Kenny from 18 yards, when he could of jinked past his marker who was running across from goal for an easier finish.
Points shared at Loftus Park, Rovers cemented at the bottom of the league!
Paul Robinson 6
Solid. Would be very dissapointed with his markers letting him down for the first goal, not much to do after that than send the long balls in
Michel Salgado 5
Made some very vital interventions, but made some critical errors as well. Should of stayed on the post for the goal, then was fortunate Taraabt did not take advantage of his poor marking
Chris Samba 7
Immense at the back, and a force in attack. A very neat header to bring Rovers back into the game
Scott Dann 6
Simple performance. Did what had to be done, cant be faulted
Gael Givet 6
Clobbered a couple of times due to delayed clearances, but he fought on and nullified SWP
Radosav Petrovic 6
His best game in the shirt. Got stuck in at every opportunity, moved the ball well and used his height to win some headers. Still have not seen those You Tube wonder strikes though!
Steve Nzonzi 7
The new Mr Consistent (sorry Emo). Nzonzi goes out there, does his job, packs his bags and comes back the following week, every time
Jason Lowe 6
A good performance in his more accustomed role. Moved the ball well, tracked well and sent in some decent set pieces
Martin Olsson 8
Man of the match
Junior Hoillet 6
Faded in and out of the game. Had one chance which lacked a bit of venom and created the chance of the match for Rovers
Jason Roberts 4
Played 70 odd minutes, created 0 opportunities
David Goodwillie 7
Played 20 odd minutes, created 2 opportunities, destroyed 2 markers and showed a bit of pace
Manager Rating
1 substitution? Seemed content for a point from the outset, and thats all we deserved