The ACN Match Review – Q P R (a)

The line-up

Plenty of changes as expected. Placheta over McCallum at left-back raised a few eyebrows but he was energetic throughout and the two linked up well for the 20 minutes they were on the pitch together.

Hurrah moment

A 99th-minute winner was a very nice way to box this game off without the hassle of penalties. 

Boooo moment

QPR’s new pitch was a disappointment. Not only has it rocked up to the season late, pushing this game back by a week, it couldn’t handle Jonny Rowe’s previously fluid knee slide technique. Get those sprinklers on.

Hero of the match

Kellen Fisher, who held his own on his debut and grew into the game after a couple of shaky moments in the first half. Then, having chased down a ball to keep it in play late on, the cross he chipped in for our new target man soon after was simply delicious. Very much looking forward to seeing more of him.

The atmosphere

The first half was so uneventful that an unsuspecting man in the otherwise empty home stand to our right caught the attention of a section of the away end. Crowds picking out individuals and chanting about their appearance is usually a bad thing but the attention here was targeted at his choice of trouser and he seemed to take it well, working the crowd magnificently and being serenaded off to chants of “Chinos, Chinos” when he took his leave shortly before the break. Bravo to the man in chinos. 

Our post-match takeaway

Yet another dramatic end to a game – there won’t be many leaving early on Sunday at this rate (though there might be a few arriving late). A great momentum boost after Saturday’s late disappointment and a joy to see Jonny jumping again.