Earlier this evening Rotherham United went into battle with Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
Rotherham had been unbeaten for a few games prior to last weekend’s defeat, but QPR’s form was significantly worse, so spirits were high that Paul Warne’s side could take another much needed victory tonight.
The game was goalless at the halftime break, however improvement in the second 45 saw a brace of goals from Semi Ajayi as he struck a pearler in the 71st minute and added a second five minutes into stoppage-time. The late effort was needed as after taking the lead, QPR hit back with five minutes remaining on the clock. But having edged chances across the game, the three points were the least Rotherham deserved really.
It was also a first second tier victory for the club over the hosts in 68 years.
A number of reasons for travelling fans to be happy after that one.
Loftus Road
Championship
13/03/2019 7:45 pm
Attendance: 10854
Referee: Webb
Queens Park Rangers | Rotherham United | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Osayi-Samuel (85) | Ajayi (71, 90+5) | ||||||
Lumley | Rodak | ||||||
Furlong | Vyner | ||||||
Leistner | Ihiekwe | ||||||
Lynch | Wood | ||||||
Bidwell | Mattock | ||||||
Osayi-Samuel | Ajayi | ||||||
Cousins | 72 | Taylor | |||||
Luongo | Towell | 64 | |||||
Freeman | Wiles | 92 | |||||
Eze | 80 | Newell | 83 | ||||
Hemed | 72 | Smith | |||||
Substitutes |
|||||||
Ingram | Forde | 83 | |||||
Cameron | Palmer | ||||||
Scowen | Price | ||||||
Manning | Crooks | 64 | |||||
Wszolek | 80 | Yates | |||||
Shodipo | 72 | Williams | |||||
Wells | 72 | Jones | 92 |
Game Statistics |
||
9 | Goal attempts | 12 |
3 | On Target | 4 |
5 | Corners | 3 |
13 | Fouls | 8 |
2 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
0 | Red Cards | 0 |
50 | % | 50 |
For what it’s worth (not much). Here’s my predictions on the 6 teams scrapping it out with 9 games remaining (excluding Ipswich).
I’ve factored in:
Current Positions
1. Top 8 teams vs Bottom 8 teams – wins for Top 3rd (irrespective of home or away fixtures)
2. Middle Table 8 teams vs Bottom 8 teams – draws (irrespective of home or away fixtures)
3. Bottom 8 team vs Bottom 8 team – Home Win, Away Loss
(POINTS WON OVER REMAINING 9 GAMES)
== END OF SEASON POINTS TOTAL ==
RUFC
NOR.C. (0) DERB.C (0) NOTT.F (1) VILLA (0) STOKE.C (1) SWAN.C (1) BIRM.C (1) W.BROM (0), MIDD (0)
(4 POINTS) == 40 PTS ==
READING
STOKE.C (1) PREST.NE (1) HULL.C (1) NOR.C (0) BRENT (1) BRIST (0) W.BROM (0) MIDD (0) BIRM.C (1)
(5 POINTS) == 41 PTS ==
WIGAN
BOLT (3) BRENT (1) BRIST (0) HULL.C (1) NOR.C (0) LUFC (0) PREST.NE (1) BIRM.C (1) MILL (3)
(10 POINTS) == 46 PTS ==
BOLTON – WIG.A (0) QPR (0) IPSW (3) MIDD (0) DERB.C (0) VILLA (0) BLACK (1) BRENT (1) NOTT.F (1)
(6 POINTS) == 35 PTS ==
MILLWALL
LUFC (0) W.BROM (0) QPR (3) SHEFF.U (0) BRENT (1) VILLA (0) STOKE (3) BRIST (0) WIG.A (0)
(7 POINTS) == 44 PTS ==
QPR
HULL (0) BOLT (3) NOR.C (0) MILL (0) SWAN (1) BLACK (1) DERB.C (0) NOTTS (1) SHEFF.W (1)
(7 POINTS) == 50 PTS ==
FINAL STANDINGS
QPR 50
WIGAN 46
MILLWALL 44
READING 41
——————–
RUFC 40
BOLTON 35
IPSWICH –
My Views
– RUFC seem to have the toughest fixtures and, as a consequence, will end up with the worst goal difference. Therefore – need to finish higher on points
– Wigan seem to have the kindest fixtures – expect them to climb
– RUFC need to create at least one upset win to stand a chance (assuming all other bottom half teams don’t… especially Millwall/Reading)
– Ones to watch are Millwall and Reading. We need their wheels to fall off
– With 9 games remaining – surely RUFC can do better than 4 Points? One unexpected win could be all it takes to make the difference
My Conclusions
All the above is total bo***cks really – we all know RUFC can do it!
PS. I’m not very good at maths
Maths isn’t my thing either Andy Blank but you could well be right with your predictions. I’m hoping now Birmingham have been pushed down a bit they might have a collapse of sorts and perhaps Millwall’s FA Cup exploits could take a bit out of them – I’m trying to be optimistic!
im with you caz ive had a change off mind i think they will stay up