Championship – What We Learned – Bristol City 1 QPR 1

Championship – What We Learned – Bristol City 1 QPR 1

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Queens Park Rangers drew for the third game in a row as they met Bristol City at Ashton Gate overnight.

The 1-1 scoreline seemed fairly reflective of a match in which neither team produced a particularly impressive display. Rangers took an unexpected lead on 56 minutes when David Hoilett lashed the ball into the bottom corner.

Steve Cotterill’s men had enjoyed greater possession and opportunities up until that point, however, the momentum then shifted and Rangers went searching for more goals. One of their best chances again came to Hoilett who rattled the crossbar from 25 yards. But the resulting counter-attack drew the visitors level, as Joe Bryan found Aaron Wilbraham at the far post with 10 minutes to play.

Chances then seemed to dry up and both sides had to settle for what was a deserved draw.

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Grant Hall has grown

The young centre-back has been a testament to the early season mentality of Rangers. He is the only youthful prospect who has seen regular first team action and both his development and contribution to the team have been magnificent. The Englishman has rarely put a foot wrong in recent weeks and is excellent at forcing attackers away from goal or into a pass. Hall has also shown evidence of his own attacking mindedness through a few mazy runs and nice through balls. This could be the influence of his partner in crime, Nedum Onouha, whose own footballing philosophy, to simply score more than you concede, is quite interesting for a defender.

Game of two halves

It was Bristol City who had a firm grip on the match until Rangers managed to take the lead through Hoilett. Jonathan Kodjia was excellent for the Robins with quick movement off the ball and an incomparable work rate. He provided the greatest threat for the home side, forcing a couple of good saves out of Robert Green. Ben Freeman and Elliott Bennett were providing threats down the wings for City, sending tempting balls into the area though Rob Green appeared in control during most of their attempts.

However, in the second half, especially after Hoilett’s goal, Bristol started to show why they have conceded 38 times already this season. Their players dropped deeper and struggled to contain the likes of Matt Philips, who was looking menacing on the right. Rangers also picked up their game in central-midfield with Ale Faurlin and Karl Henry playing at tempo more to the liking of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. However, Bristol showed good strength of character to find an equaliser in the 81st minute.

Sebastian Polter could be hit and miss

The big German has struggled to establish himself in the Rangers first team for much of the season. But with JFH’s introduction, he has been handed his first start since August. Polter’s first half contribution seemed poor, as did most of the Rangers side, with ordinary touches and a couple of loose passes going astray. Furthermore, Polter’s physical presence was nullified by Bristol’s enormous back four.

Yet, the second half was a different story. The striker managed to hold the ball up well and play it into the path of Hoilett for Rangers’ goal. After that, he played with confidence and pressured the defence at every opportunity. His head dropped a little after the Bristol equaliser and was substituted for the former Bristol man Jay Emmanuel Thomas. All in all, Polter gave an adequate performance but does not look like a player who will inspire his team mates week in week out.

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