A strange but compelling time to be a QPR supporter. We've moved on from worst ever start to a season to within a game of the playoff places. In between we've fluffed a chance for a Big Cup Game and failed to show up at Swansea. The season turned with a classy win against Millwall, with the best display of football from us for some seasons. Stuffing the Villans and the determined draw against Derby shows that team moral has improved and there is a desire to win. Heading into the international break, we're just 2 points from a playoff spot. Be still my beating heart.
Against Brentford, touted as the best team we'll play all season, we started brightly but struggled to get into the game. Finishing second best at 1-0 at half time. Then an amazing burst of three goals in ten minutes buried Brentford and had the ground rocking as the "ole's" rang out. Loftus Road at its finest, passionate, fiery best. One of those Saturdays when nothing else matters. One of those Saturdays that you don't want to end.
Key players for us were Lumley and Pav. Lumley is an exciting young prospect and one who should have a long career between with the Number 1 jersey on his back. Pav makes our right hand side stronger, faster and more effective.
While we struggled to get hold of the game in the first half, we let Brentford through a gap and Lumley parried Benrhama's shot straight at the divisions top scorer Maupay who duly put the rebound away. In the second half, Lumley made some smart saves to keep Brentford out; his positioning is very good and at 6'5" his ability to drop full length at speed is high quality and a hallmark of the saves he's made this year. McClaren's decision to pick Lumley was inspirational and a big contribution to our seven defensive shut outs. You can hear Lumley shouting at the back four throughout the game, he dominates his box and his positioning and shot stopping are impressive. All good traits, but the trade of a keeper is a difficult one with fine margins between success and failure. I'm sure Lumley will learn to push the ball De Gea or Castillas style out of the danger zone when parrying shots.
Pav was man of the match in the second half with his running and desire. His tenacity in winning the ball and supplying the cross for Wells to snaffle the third goal was first class. Watch Pav and you will see he's always looking for his team mates, looking to see what the best option is. He's willing to run the channels and create chances or to pull defenders towards him. Pav will also drift in between the centre backs, like the goal against Villa, and at the Championship level this is a nightmare for your average defensive lump who needs help from a couple of tug boats to make a turn.
Leistner and Lynch are now a solid midfield pairing with a good understanding building and allowing Lynch to look like a decent footballer. The addition of Angel on the right gives our defence a solid look that we've lacked the last three seasons. Along with Bidwell, they might not be the fastest unit but they've contained some lively attacking players so far.
On a down note, our left sided defense of Freeman and Bidwell is a weak spot. Too often Freeman is caught out of position and struggles to get back on the cover. This leaves plenty of space for teams to exploit and is the one area that we need to improve.
Now Schteve has a team on his hands that's capable of mixing with the better teams in the Championship. Let's hope we can build from here after another annoying international break is over.
