Southampton 5-0 QPR

Match Report

Well, that was dreadful. QPR got absolutely turned over by Southampton tonight, falling to a tragic 5-0 loss on the South coast. Especially disappointing after such a promising result on Saturday against Hull. I should’ve known: play like Barcelona one week, then Scunthorpe the next. Hopeless defending throughout the night and a poor goalkeeping performance from Joe Walsh were the main reasons for the result.

Looking back, I might have guessed how the game was gonna go from the minute I saw the starting XI. It was unchanged from Hull which was risky because we’ve struggled with fitness throughout the season and to put out an identical team in a three-game week was a surprising decision, to put it mildly. That meant we lined up as follows: Walsh between the sticks, a back four of Rhys Norrington-Davies, Jimmy Dunne, Ronnie Edwards and Amadou Mbengue; a midfield duo of Nicolas Madsen and Isaac Hayden; Koki Saito and Harvey Vale on the wings; and a strike force of Richard Kone and Rayan Kolli.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to take the lead. It was far too easy as well. Former QPR man Ryan Manning played a simple pass to Finn Azaz in the box, he had too much space and effortlessly took a touch, curling a shot into the bottom right corner. A terrible start and some really spineless defending. Unfortunately, this theme would continue throughout the 90.

Perhaps the worst thing that happened all game was when Madsen ran himself into an injury chasing a loose ball. He started limping, clutching his hamstring, went down and was then substituted for Kieran Morgan in the 29th minute. The Dane has been easily our best player this season and that could be a serious loss.

The Saints came forward again in the 38th minute when Azaz lofted in a brilliant free kick. It was met by the head of a Southampton player, with Walsh sprawling across his line, but, to his relief, it hit the outside of the post. A warning sign for rangers that must’ve been in a different language because it didn’t take long for the hosts to double their lead from a set piece. This time it was an in-swinging corner from Leo Scienza right on top of Walsh. He was beaten in the air by Saints defender Kuryu Matsuki, who nodded the ball in to make it two nil on the stroke of half time.

A dreadful half. We managed a measly xG of 0.18 without a single shot on target and shockingly, or perhaps typically, it then got worse. Far worse.

Stéphan made one change at half time, bringing off Kolli for the hero against Hull, Daniel Bennie. Kolli managed 12 touches tonight. A trademark performance from the Algerian.

It wasn’t long before the hosts got going again. On minute 50 a shot from Scienza was parried out by Walsh straight into the path of Matsuki who fired it into the net with ease. A brace for the Japanese on the night, and some more poor keeping from Walsh.

We managed our only shot on target in the 58th minute. Vale fired one towards goal. It was saved with ease. That was literally the most exciting part of the night.

They scored again in the 60th minute. This time it was on the break. Scienza was sent though running towards goal, he checked back on the edge of the box, sending Norrington-Davies back to London, and then beat Walsh. Our hapless keeper got a touch on it, but it still trickled in. Poor again from Walshy, his worst performance since Coventry.

But there was more pain on the way, this time courtesy of James Bree. Scienza skinned Mbengue way too easily, then crossed it in, but it was missed by everyone. Another ball was then put it, and Esquerdinha’s attempt to clear it effectively handed it to Bree, who took a touch round him and struck it on the half volley. The ball sailed past Walsh and into the bottom left corner. Not much he could’ve done about that one, to be fair.

At full time Jimmy Dunne held up his hands in apology, the captain hoping to take the brunt of the blame no doubt. However, that would be in vain as Mbengue and Hayden walked right up to the away end and tried to have a rational conversation with some drunken hooligan. It inevitably descended into an argument and both QPR players walked off looking annoyed.

Another thing to note is that Madsen came out to applaud the fans at the end of the game, hobbling towards us. He looked in a bad way and I’m sure that’s him out for an extended period of time. Another injury, FFS. At what point do you fire the Performance Director?

Not much more to be said. Another game on Saturday at home to Sheffield United and to be honest it would be typical if we played brilliantly. However, after that performance any show of skill would make me think I’ve fallen into another dimension.

You can a watch the highlights on Sky Sports here.