QPR 0 Coventry 1 - 25/11/2006
QPR 0 Coventry 1 25/11/2006
Queens Park Rangers: Simon Royce, Damion Stewart, Zesh Rehman, Marcus Bignot, Michael Mancienne, Nick Ward, Stefan Bailey (Martin Rowlands 56), Lee Cook, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Blackstock (Ray Jones 44), Mark Nygaard (Kevin Gallen 56)
Subs not used: Mauro Milanese, Sean Thomas
Booked: Nick Ward 83
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Darren Currie (Kevin Kyle 84), Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Jay Tabb, Rafael, Christopher Birchall, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Marcus Hall 69, Richard Duffy 25, Kevin Kyle 90
Goals: Adebola 48
Attendance: 12840
Referee: C Penton
Teamtalk
Coventry recorded their fourth away win of the season at QPR despite having to travel to Loftus Road on the London Underground.
Following their 1-0 victory in the Championship, boss Micky Adams revealed his squad had no option but to take a ride on the tube after their coach failed to arrive at the team hotel.
Adams' squad did not arrive at Loftus Road until 40 minutes before kick-off - but Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike was enough to clinch the three points.
"We were told that the bus was stuck in traffic, so we decided to get on the tube," Adams revealed.
"We bought 23 single tickets at Hanger Lane station, and none of the fans could believe their eyes when they saw us.
"We took a bit of stick from West Ham fans and Fulham fans, but our unsung hero was Jay Tabb - he knew we had to change at Hammersmith and then go to Shepherd's Bush.
"I feel a bit sorry for him as well, because I did not even put him in the team.
"We got to the ground at 2.20pm, went on to the pitch and won 1-0.
"Everyone talks about preparation, but this proves it is a load of nonsense."
Adebola's goal crowned a fine display from the centre-forward, who troubled Rangers' defence throughout with his pace and strength.
Coventry could have won by a greater margin had Leon McKenzie, Colin Cameron and Darren Currie - making his debut following his loan move from Ipswich - been more accurate in front of goal.
"Dele has been frustrated by the relative lack of first-team opportunities he has had this season," Adams admitted.
"But he led the line well today, and scored a good goal.
"His form at the beginning of last season was outstanding, and, if he rediscovers that, it will be very hard for me to leave him out."
Rangers boss John Gregory accused his team of relying too much on winger Lee Cook as they slipped to their first defeat in six matches.
Gregory's team had won their last three league games, but lacked verve in attack and cohesion in defence.
Gregory said: "We did not deserve to win today. After the run we have been on, people just expected us to turn up and roll Coventry over.
"So this was the first time for a while most of our player have been under pressure, but it will do us good, because it will get our feet back on the ground.
"Lee Cook was outstanding today, but a lot of the players seemed to be looking at him and saying 'get us out of jail, Cooky'."
Meanwhile, Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock is to have an X-ray on a suspected fractured cheekbone.
CCFC
Coventry deservedly beat QPR by a goal to nil thanks to a battling display with Dele Adebola getting the only goal of the game.
The Sky Blues went through a far-from-average warm-up for this one, having had to desert their coach, get the tube to Shepherd's Bush and walk to Loftus Road. The players only emerged for their pre-match run-through half an hour before kick-off but the game still got underway at 3pm.
Darren Currie was named in the starting eleven for his Coventry City debut, playing on the left hand side of midfield, while Colin Cameron replaced the injured Don Hutchison and surprisingly lined-up on the right.
Clive Clarke played in his third position since joining the Club on loan little over a month ago at centre midfield. Elliott Ward was back at centre half having recovered from a back strain, with Jay Tabb dropping to the bench at his expense.
Cameron got City's first shot on goal in the second minute but it was easily gathered by Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce. And the former Wolves man was presented with the best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Dele Adebola went on a mazy run and pulled a lovely ball back which Cameron scuffed across the face of goal when he should have at least hit the target.
The match was flowing end-to-end but it was the Sky Blues who were creating the best of the early opportunities, although they failed to take any of them to establish a lead.
City were working their socks off throughout the team and Adebola in particular was seeing a lot of the ball up front, while Cameron looked impressive in the engine room.
The home side started to impose themselves more on the tie as the first half came to an end and Andy Marshall had to be alert to make an excellent one-handed save to ensure the scores remained goalless while substitute Ray Jones shot just wide from 15 yards.
The Hoops had finished the first half the stronger side but City emerged completely fired up at the start of the second and after McKenzie had wasted a glorious one-on-one chance to give the Sky Blues the lead, the impressive Adebola put City ahead in fine style.
The powerful striker collected a square ball, span his marker and hammered a shot high into the net past the helpless Royce to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute with his 100th career goal. QPR went straight up the other end and nearly equalized as a Marc Nygaard header clipped the top of the crossbar.
But it was City who continued to apply all the pressure and Currie could have marked his debut with a goal when McKenzie floated in a beautiful cross but the loan man could not get over his header and placed it over the bar.
John Gregory made a double substitution with just over half an hour remaining introducing the experienced strike partnership of Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands.
As you'd expect from a side that had beaten the league leaders away from home last week, QPR were not going to take things lying down and threw everything at the Sky Blues to get back in the match.
With eleven minutes left on the clock City carved out a great move which nearly sealed the three points. Marcus Hall went on an overlap down the left and whipped in a superb cross which McKenzie connected with a diving header but unfortunately his effort flew just wide of the upright.
With six minutes remaining Adams made his first switch as Kyle replaced Currie who'd had a competent if unspectacular first appearance in a City shirt.
Marshall has been performing superbly in goal in recent weeks and he pulled out an excellent one-handed stop from Gallen in the 87th minute to preserve Coventry's slender advantage.
With five minutes of stoppage time signaled there was a nervy end to the tie but the Sky Blues continued to stand firm to pick up a superb victory after an extremely committed performance.
4thegame
Coventry City hardly had the ideal preparation for this match with Micky Adams having to buy 23 single tickets for the Underground to make sure his team got to Loftus Road, following traffic problems with the team bus.
But, as Adams later suggested: "so much for preparation''.
Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike pushed Coventry up to ninth in the table and ended a run of three consecutive wins for QPR.
With only a point separating the sides in the table before kick-off this had the makings of a close contest but both sides were on a high, heading into the match on the back of victories.
Yet QPR appeared to be undone by the expectations of the home crowd after their victory last week at Cardiff City and it was Coventry that dominated for much of the first half.
In the 17th minute Adebola was the provider, setting-up Colin Cameron, who woefully scuffed his effort well wide of the target.
Coventry continued to keep up the pressure on the QPR goal, but towards the end of the half Rangers finally sparked into life.
Zesh Rehman went desperately close with a header in the 42nd minute and soon after that Lee Cook completely lost his marker, bursting into the penalty area to deliver a low, hard, drive that was superbly pushed away by keeper Andy Marshall.
But the second half followed the pattern of the first with Coventry dictating the play. Leon McKenzie squandered a great chance to put the visitors in front, blasting an effort wide with just the keeper to beat.
But just two minutes later Adebola grabbed the only goal of the contest, comfortably shaking off his marker, Rehman, before running into the QPR area and firing a powerful shot past Simon Royce.
Just after that strike QPR forward Marc Nygaard had a header that landed on top of the crossbar while both Cook and Jimmy Smith continued to keep the Coventry defence on their toes.
Even so, the Sky Blues will feel they were just about good enough value for the victory and they nearly grabbed a second late on with McKenzie's header, from all of three yards out, flashing narrowly wide of the post.
QPR manager John Gregory said: "I wouldn't say the best team won but we didn't deserve to win either. It was a tough game which we knew it would be, but I think the expectations of us today were very high.
"We were expected to turn up and roll this lot over. We beat Cardiff with no pressure. Today the pressure was on us to produce and we failed.
"The goal was very poor and I don't want to dwell on that. For the first half-hour I didn't recognise anyone in the team. I hope it's just a blip, but it gives me an insight into the team.'' Adams said: "We were late for our pre-match meal and then we were told the team bus had got stuck in traffic, so we had to get the Tube from Hanger Lane - I bought 23 singles.
"It will probably be on Soccer Saturday next week. But thanks to Jay Tabb who was the unsung hero as he knew how to get here. I almost felt sorry for putting him on the bench.
"I thought we were well worth the win. I'm pleased for Dele. It's common knowledge he's been frustrated by the lack of opportunities this season.
"We played a team that looks full of confidence, and we had to roll up our sleeves.''
Queens Park Rangers: Simon Royce, Damion Stewart, Zesh Rehman, Marcus Bignot, Michael Mancienne, Nick Ward, Stefan Bailey (Martin Rowlands 56), Lee Cook, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Blackstock (Ray Jones 44), Mark Nygaard (Kevin Gallen 56)
Subs not used: Mauro Milanese, Sean Thomas
Booked: Nick Ward 83
Coventry City: Andy Marshall, Marcus Hall, Clive Clarke, Richard Duffy, Elliott Ward, Robert Page, Colin Cameron, Michael Doyle, Darren Currie (Kevin Kyle 84), Dele Adebola, Leon McKenzie
Subs not used: Jay Tabb, Rafael, Christopher Birchall, Mikkel Bischoff
Booked: Marcus Hall 69, Richard Duffy 25, Kevin Kyle 90
Goals: Adebola 48
Attendance: 12840
Referee: C Penton
Teamtalk
Coventry recorded their fourth away win of the season at QPR despite having to travel to Loftus Road on the London Underground.
Following their 1-0 victory in the Championship, boss Micky Adams revealed his squad had no option but to take a ride on the tube after their coach failed to arrive at the team hotel.
Adams' squad did not arrive at Loftus Road until 40 minutes before kick-off - but Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike was enough to clinch the three points.
"We were told that the bus was stuck in traffic, so we decided to get on the tube," Adams revealed.
"We bought 23 single tickets at Hanger Lane station, and none of the fans could believe their eyes when they saw us.
"We took a bit of stick from West Ham fans and Fulham fans, but our unsung hero was Jay Tabb - he knew we had to change at Hammersmith and then go to Shepherd's Bush.
"I feel a bit sorry for him as well, because I did not even put him in the team.
"We got to the ground at 2.20pm, went on to the pitch and won 1-0.
"Everyone talks about preparation, but this proves it is a load of nonsense."
Adebola's goal crowned a fine display from the centre-forward, who troubled Rangers' defence throughout with his pace and strength.
Coventry could have won by a greater margin had Leon McKenzie, Colin Cameron and Darren Currie - making his debut following his loan move from Ipswich - been more accurate in front of goal.
"Dele has been frustrated by the relative lack of first-team opportunities he has had this season," Adams admitted.
"But he led the line well today, and scored a good goal.
"His form at the beginning of last season was outstanding, and, if he rediscovers that, it will be very hard for me to leave him out."
Rangers boss John Gregory accused his team of relying too much on winger Lee Cook as they slipped to their first defeat in six matches.
Gregory's team had won their last three league games, but lacked verve in attack and cohesion in defence.
Gregory said: "We did not deserve to win today. After the run we have been on, people just expected us to turn up and roll Coventry over.
"So this was the first time for a while most of our player have been under pressure, but it will do us good, because it will get our feet back on the ground.
"Lee Cook was outstanding today, but a lot of the players seemed to be looking at him and saying 'get us out of jail, Cooky'."
Meanwhile, Rangers striker Dexter Blackstock is to have an X-ray on a suspected fractured cheekbone.
CCFC
Coventry deservedly beat QPR by a goal to nil thanks to a battling display with Dele Adebola getting the only goal of the game.
The Sky Blues went through a far-from-average warm-up for this one, having had to desert their coach, get the tube to Shepherd's Bush and walk to Loftus Road. The players only emerged for their pre-match run-through half an hour before kick-off but the game still got underway at 3pm.
Darren Currie was named in the starting eleven for his Coventry City debut, playing on the left hand side of midfield, while Colin Cameron replaced the injured Don Hutchison and surprisingly lined-up on the right.
Clive Clarke played in his third position since joining the Club on loan little over a month ago at centre midfield. Elliott Ward was back at centre half having recovered from a back strain, with Jay Tabb dropping to the bench at his expense.
Cameron got City's first shot on goal in the second minute but it was easily gathered by Rangers goalkeeper Simon Royce. And the former Wolves man was presented with the best chance of the game in the 19th minute when Dele Adebola went on a mazy run and pulled a lovely ball back which Cameron scuffed across the face of goal when he should have at least hit the target.
The match was flowing end-to-end but it was the Sky Blues who were creating the best of the early opportunities, although they failed to take any of them to establish a lead.
City were working their socks off throughout the team and Adebola in particular was seeing a lot of the ball up front, while Cameron looked impressive in the engine room.
The home side started to impose themselves more on the tie as the first half came to an end and Andy Marshall had to be alert to make an excellent one-handed save to ensure the scores remained goalless while substitute Ray Jones shot just wide from 15 yards.
The Hoops had finished the first half the stronger side but City emerged completely fired up at the start of the second and after McKenzie had wasted a glorious one-on-one chance to give the Sky Blues the lead, the impressive Adebola put City ahead in fine style.
The powerful striker collected a square ball, span his marker and hammered a shot high into the net past the helpless Royce to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute with his 100th career goal. QPR went straight up the other end and nearly equalized as a Marc Nygaard header clipped the top of the crossbar.
But it was City who continued to apply all the pressure and Currie could have marked his debut with a goal when McKenzie floated in a beautiful cross but the loan man could not get over his header and placed it over the bar.
John Gregory made a double substitution with just over half an hour remaining introducing the experienced strike partnership of Kevin Gallen and Martin Rowlands.
As you'd expect from a side that had beaten the league leaders away from home last week, QPR were not going to take things lying down and threw everything at the Sky Blues to get back in the match.
With eleven minutes left on the clock City carved out a great move which nearly sealed the three points. Marcus Hall went on an overlap down the left and whipped in a superb cross which McKenzie connected with a diving header but unfortunately his effort flew just wide of the upright.
With six minutes remaining Adams made his first switch as Kyle replaced Currie who'd had a competent if unspectacular first appearance in a City shirt.
Marshall has been performing superbly in goal in recent weeks and he pulled out an excellent one-handed stop from Gallen in the 87th minute to preserve Coventry's slender advantage.
With five minutes of stoppage time signaled there was a nervy end to the tie but the Sky Blues continued to stand firm to pick up a superb victory after an extremely committed performance.
4thegame
Coventry City hardly had the ideal preparation for this match with Micky Adams having to buy 23 single tickets for the Underground to make sure his team got to Loftus Road, following traffic problems with the team bus.
But, as Adams later suggested: "so much for preparation''.
Dele Adebola's 48th-minute strike pushed Coventry up to ninth in the table and ended a run of three consecutive wins for QPR.
With only a point separating the sides in the table before kick-off this had the makings of a close contest but both sides were on a high, heading into the match on the back of victories.
Yet QPR appeared to be undone by the expectations of the home crowd after their victory last week at Cardiff City and it was Coventry that dominated for much of the first half.
In the 17th minute Adebola was the provider, setting-up Colin Cameron, who woefully scuffed his effort well wide of the target.
Coventry continued to keep up the pressure on the QPR goal, but towards the end of the half Rangers finally sparked into life.
Zesh Rehman went desperately close with a header in the 42nd minute and soon after that Lee Cook completely lost his marker, bursting into the penalty area to deliver a low, hard, drive that was superbly pushed away by keeper Andy Marshall.
But the second half followed the pattern of the first with Coventry dictating the play. Leon McKenzie squandered a great chance to put the visitors in front, blasting an effort wide with just the keeper to beat.
But just two minutes later Adebola grabbed the only goal of the contest, comfortably shaking off his marker, Rehman, before running into the QPR area and firing a powerful shot past Simon Royce.
Just after that strike QPR forward Marc Nygaard had a header that landed on top of the crossbar while both Cook and Jimmy Smith continued to keep the Coventry defence on their toes.
Even so, the Sky Blues will feel they were just about good enough value for the victory and they nearly grabbed a second late on with McKenzie's header, from all of three yards out, flashing narrowly wide of the post.
QPR manager John Gregory said: "I wouldn't say the best team won but we didn't deserve to win either. It was a tough game which we knew it would be, but I think the expectations of us today were very high.
"We were expected to turn up and roll this lot over. We beat Cardiff with no pressure. Today the pressure was on us to produce and we failed.
"The goal was very poor and I don't want to dwell on that. For the first half-hour I didn't recognise anyone in the team. I hope it's just a blip, but it gives me an insight into the team.'' Adams said: "We were late for our pre-match meal and then we were told the team bus had got stuck in traffic, so we had to get the Tube from Hanger Lane - I bought 23 singles.
"It will probably be on Soccer Saturday next week. But thanks to Jay Tabb who was the unsung hero as he knew how to get here. I almost felt sorry for putting him on the bench.
"I thought we were well worth the win. I'm pleased for Dele. It's common knowledge he's been frustrated by the lack of opportunities this season.
"We played a team that looks full of confidence, and we had to roll up our sleeves.''
posted by SkyBlueSnowy at 9:35 am
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home