Gaz Griffin's Player ratings- Wigan vs Queens Park Rangers
Another game, another draw under Harry Redknapp, and another record broken by the R’s – and an unwanted one at that. In the 93/94 season, Swindon Town set a Premier League record; fifteen games without a win from the start of the season, and they were ultimately relegated. QPR have gone one better, this 2-2 draw away to Wigan was our sixteenth winless game.
The performance as a whole was not at the same level as the two previous games under Redknapp, although we have gone three games unbeaten; something that hasn’t been achieved since returning to the Premier League. We took the game to Wigan in the first half, creating plenty of chances and generally looking the more likely to score. The second half, however, saw Wigan dominate for large periods. Here’s how I rated the players, on an ultimately disappointing day for QPR.
Robert Green – 8
The R’s number one was in good form, producing a string of fine saves to deny Wigan time after time, especially in the second half. There wasn’t much he could do for either goal; he would likely have saved McCarthy’s first goal but for a deflection off Jamie Mackie, and the second he saw late after the ball came through a crowd of players.
Armand Traore – 5
We all know Traore loves to get forward, and in my opinion is very good in doing so. When he did get forward he gave Wigan right back Ronnie Stam problems, but defensively he was caught out too often.
Ryan Nelsen – 9
Superb performance from the stand-in R’s captain. Dominant in the air in his own box, and produced a sublime header at the other end to score his first goal for QPR. He played like a leader, the leader we have been missing all season.
Lead by example, one of Mark Hughes' best signings!
Clint Hill – 7
He has proved the doubters wrong in both the Championship and the Premier League, and this was another good display from the experienced centre back. If he had closed the ball down quicker before McCarthy scored his second, however, we may not have conceded.
Jose Bosingwa – 3
Very poor performance. Bosingwa’s heart is clearly not in it, he was largely uninterested. Defensively, he was very lazy, and he offered nothing going forward.
Stephane Mbia – 6
Mbia’s performance in the first half was very good, he seems to be forging a formidable partnership with Samba Diakite in the middle of the park. However, in the second half he faded.
Samba Diakite – 6
Again, like Mbia, good first half. He knocked the ball around well and produced a couple of his trademark surging runs, but in the second half, again like Mbia, faded.
Shaun Derry – 4
The old warhorse looks like he has started to lose his legs. His effort and commitment to the cause cannot be faulted, but too often the Wigan midfield found it so easy to get past him. Should have been getting out quicker to close the ball down for Wigan’s second.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – 5
Looked back to his old ways, after producing two very good performances against Sunderland and Aston Villa. Got his name on the assist statistics, with a good pass for Cisse to stroke the ball home. Other than that, he was largely ineffective, and rarely made runs forward to make himself available.
Adel Taarabt – 5
Not a good performance from the R’s midfielder. He kept the ball well at times, but his passing was wayward, and he lacked that spark we are used to seeing from him. Not as good as he has been defensively, booked for a needless challenge on Ronnie Stam in the first half.
Jamie Mackie – 6
Worked his socks off, which is the thing the R’s faithful love about him. But for all his work rate, he was dealt with by the Wigan defence, largely due to a lack of support up front.
Subs:
Fabio Da Silva
Looked lively, but didn’t have a great deal of time.
Esteban Granero
What has happened to him? Performance lacked any real conviction, but again, didn’t have a lot of time.
Djibril Cisse
Produced that cutting edge up front that we were lacking, and scored his third goal of the season in all competitions.
The player for me that stood out as man of the match was Ryan Nelson; won everything he could and deserved to be on the winning side!