Reflections on QPR defeat

Another game and Pompey suffered another defeat as our baron run continued...

Although, and I was not at the game nor could I even find any commentary - so do not know, it seems as though we were somewhat unfortunate and the 2-0 defeat at QPR might not have exactly been a true reflection of things.

Steve Cotterill was more than content with what he saw from the players and did not feel they could have given anymore, praise was given to an opponent though: 'I'm really proud of the lads tonight. We were the better side in both halves - and don't let the scoreline camouflage that. We played very, very well.

'I thought Hermann was outstanding, but so were all the lads.

'QPR will probably go on and get promoted. Neil Warnock has done a great job and had a great set of honest lads playing for him.

'But they will know they've been in a game with us, for sure. I think we deserved to win both games against them this season.'

He had high praise for the travelling fans who, as always, were top class by all accounts: 'we had a good following here - you saw the lads go over to them at the end. They were magnificent.'

Mistakes from Jamie Ashdown and Greg Halford, defensive mistakes have been the story of our season and featured highly as to why we have lost many game, once again cost us dear.

Not too much blame was apportioned to these two though: "we made two mistakes - Greg Halford lost a header from a set play and Jamie Ashdown has made his first blunder of the season.

'Jamie's mistake gave them a leg up. If we had got the first goal then we would have gone on and got another. For the second goal it was a rare mistake by Greg.'

Not wanting to be too harsh but Ashdown has made some errors this season, to be fair he has performed fantastically well in some games. It may well have been a 'rare error' from Halford, although this follows up from a howler against Burnley last time out...

Lets just hope that both do prove to be rare from now on in!

One thing that I think Cotterill MUST start doing more of is being even in his praise, and criticism of players.

I have not liked the way that he has been quick to knock, and repeatedly, some players - especially the younger players - although the senior ones, more often than not the ones that he has signed, get away Scot free!

Consistency from the manager is something we need to see.

Despite this defeat, and the disappointment of it, Cotterill has said that we will be ready for Derby on Saturday - in fact this cannot come soon enough: 'but we go again and train ready for Saturday's game against Derby. It can't come quick enough. The wins will come if we carry on playing like that.'

This, the Derby game, is a HUGE one - dare I say it a 'potential' relegation contenders 3 pointer?

At Fratton we MUST be looking for all 3pts, and should we not even get 1 then alarm bells, if they are not already ringing, should be set off...

PLAY UP POMPEY!

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