Match Report

Swans put in a superb performance against a rough, tough QPR side but couldn’t get the goal they so richly deserved and had to settle for just one point. Dorus de Vries was stretchered off half way through the first half after a poor challenge from Martin Rowlands but such was Swans dominance, substitute keeper Alan Tate wasn’t tested at all in the remainder of the game.

Roberto Martinez kept faith with those on duty at Ipswich other than the return of Jason Scotland, who was rested at Ipswich in place of Gorka Pintado.

QPR who are now backed by billionaire owners have had an up and down season to date but under the leadership of Ian Dowie were sure to be hard working and physical.

Side- de Vries, Rangel, Monk, Williams, Painter, Gomez, Britton, Pratley, Bodde, Gower, Scotland. Subs – Tate, Jones, Brandy, Butler, Pintado.

The opening minutes saw Swans settle well into their passing game. Both Mark Gower on the left and Jordi Gomez on the right were seeing plenty of the ball and Ferrie Bodde was spraying the ball around to perfection from central midfield. In the first 15 minutes Bodde provided three fifty yard plus passes all landing right at the feet of their intended targets.

At the back Garry Monk had a nervy start and Dexter Blackstock did look good in the air but QPR couldn’t retain possession and Swans were looking much the better side.

Jason Scotland, Jordi Gomez and Ferrie Bodde all had decent shots at goal and Scotland was unlucky to see one effort deflected wide with Radek Cerny in the QPR goal beaten.

QPR’s frustration in not being able to win possession culminated in full back Damien Delaney producing an atrocious challenge from behind on Jordi Gomez. It was a nailed on yellow card but referee Mr Bates for some reason chose to show leniency that the challenge never deserved and merely handed out a lecture. Such leniency often leads to players thinking they can then get away with anything and sure enough just six minutes later another awful challenge saw Dorus de Vries stretchered off.

A through ball from the QPR midfield always looked to be Dorus’s but Martin Rowlands made good ground and Dorus had to slide in to collect. Rowlands left his foot in and caught the Dutch keeper in the face. Referee Mr Bates immediately called on Richie Evans who was quickly followed by the club doctor and four stretcher bearers. Bates inexplicably showed Rowlands yellow.

With no keeper on the bench Alan Tate donned the keeper’s jersey and Dorus left the field on the stretcher still not appearing to have come around.

What was left of the first half was totally dominated by Swans with QPR picking up two further bookings including one for full back Delaney for another shocking challenge on Jordi Gomez. Had the referee applied the laws correctly QPR would have been down to nine men by half time.

Within two minutes of the restart Darren Pratley forced Cerny into a full length save as Swans looked to turn the heat up once more.

The midfield was totally dominated by the Swans and QPR played deeper and deeper. With Swans steaming forward in move after move QPR got more and more physical. They continued to collect yellow cards and Ian Dowie’s substitutions seemed to be more about replacing the players most likely to be sent off than looking to turn the game around.

Swans had a string of corners, free kicks and shots but couldn’t find the net. When we did get shots on target they were either blocked by a defender or found Cerny at his best.

QPR only had rare forays into the Swans half and Alan Tate would probably have kept warmer sitting in the dugout. In fact he probably could have sat in the dugout such was our dominance.

Ten minutes from time and after excellent work down the left Jason Scotland had a half chance just 8 yards out. He smashed a shot against the post with the ball rebounding to safety off keeper Cerny who knew nothing about it.

In injury time Jordi Gomez limped off to be replaced by Tom Butler.

Deep in injury time Angel Rangel had what looked a goal bound shot deflected for a corner and by then we all knew it just wasn’t going to be our night.

Despite the loss of two points Swans could take much from the performance. We totally dominated in every aspect of the game other than the collection of yellow cards which we lost 6-0. One of the teams was fighting for their very survival five years ago and the other were promotion favourites and are backed by billionaires. On tonight’s showing those billions may look a little misplaced so far.

de Vries 7 – Had nothing to do before his departure.

Rangel 8 – Easy time defending, excellent going forward.
Monk 8 – Started shakily but excellent once he settled down.
Williams 9 – Commanding.
Painter 8 – Probably his best game of the season. Terrific second half.

Gomez 8 – Offers us so much in and around opposition box.
Britton 8 – Another terrific display.
Bodde 9.5 – Not far off perfect.
Pratley 8 – Ran his heart out chasing and harrying.
Gower 7 – Decent game but really lacking confidence and seemed unwilling to shoot even when it was the obvious option.

Scotland 8 – Strong as ever and desperately unlucky not to score.

Tate 7 – One mark for every touch he had and five of those were with his feet!
Butler – Only on a minute or so.

Swansea: De Vries (Tate 27), Williams, Painter, Monk, Rangel, Bodde, Britton, Pratley, Gower, Gomez (Butler 90), Scotland.
Subs Not Used: Brandy, Tudur-Jones, Pintado.

QPR: Cerny, Delaney, Stewart, Hall, Ramage (Connolly 80), Mahon, Leigertwood, Rowlands (Parejo 59), Cook (Ledesma 65), Blackstock, Buzsaky.
Subs Not Used: Balanta, Cole.

Booked: Rowlands, Delaney, Buzsaky, Leigertwood, Stewart, Connolly.

Att: 13,475

Ref: Tony Bates (Staffordshire).

       

       

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