The Latics, facing a QPR side in excellent form knew that in the play-offs there was nowhere to run or hide and thus, 2 strong back-to-back performances are necessary. At halftime, they can happily say they’ve done the first part.
Having struggled since November to put 2 solid back-to-back performances together (possibly just Crewe and Tranmere over Christmas being the exception) the Latics had to rely on a timely return of their home form to handle a tricky 1st leg, remarkably well.
However, from the first 20 minutes, you sensed that this might not be the case. QPR were aggressive, arrogant and full of petulance but Premiership referee, Steve Bennett failed to realise this. Eventually, he finally began to officiate fairly and rightly so, the bookings came for the southerners – 6 yellow and 1 red. Even Holloway was surprised by his teams petulance and admitted afterwards that goal-scorer Langley deserved to be sent off and that the teams behaviour had finally told.
Never before have I had a dislike for our London opponents, but I was appalled by their arrogance, rough-handedness and quite frankly, cheating. To begin with, QPR were getting away with blue murder as they went for headers with knees up into our backs and the shirt-pulling was constant. Frustration set into the home side and like against Wigan, when such biased behaviour goes on, it can unnerve a team and make them stand off players for fear of fouling. This was highlighted in the Latics play with some nervous and unconvincing defending in the opening period.
Amazingly though, this was another Premiership referee - why do these so-called experts fail to control lower league games? Luckily for the hosts, Bennett's only moment of pure common sense saved Sheridan from a red-card. But as he settled and began to pull the visitors up for their antics, the Latics looked more composed too. Play improved and the long ball game disappeared as the Blues adopted their more dangerous pass and movement style.
Within the opening period though, the tie might have already been out-of-reach. QPR had their moments to punish the hosts lack of conviction at the back and on 3, Furlong was allowed time and space to nod just over. Then on 14, some desperate defending saw QPR batter the Latics goal but Haining managed to block with a header and finally the defence scrambled the ball clear.
In response, the Blues retaliated as Shittu hooked at along ball but could only slice it behind him, sending the ball through for Andrews to run onto. The bounce was unkind making it difficult for the youngster to control and just as he had, a great tackle flew in.
Getting to grips now and slowly cutting out the long ball, the Latics started attacking down the flanks. On 25, Eyres appeared to have his standing leg knocked from underneath him as he lined up to volley home Low's cross. The ball ran though to Andrews whose shoot was deflected wide by Shittu but the corner was delayed through Eyres’ fury at Bennett. From the corner, Haining failed to steer a free header on target.
Although the Latics had come into the game now, some might have suggested they hadn't done enough to warrant a lead. However on 27, Andrews was sandwiched by 2 defenders and Eyres’ 20 yard free-kick flew into the bottom far corner, via a deflection off Forbes. 1-0.
After going a goal down, QPR began to disappear from the game but the Latics failed to capitalise as they failed to create anything dangerous. QPR were on the back foot for a good 10 minutes, but it was the visitors who had 2 dangerous breaks before halftime.
On 38, Furlong got a lucky bounce on the edge of the box and sliced his effort wide, when hitting the target would've been easier. Then on 40, a Latics attack broke down and QPR responded with a dangerous break. A through ball eluded out-stretched Murray and with Furlong threatening to run clear, Armstrong excellently covered to clear the danger.
Having endured a shaky start to the half, the Latics had settled and were defending extremely well now, despite referee Bennett still cooking up some weird decisions. However, to his credit, Bennett did let the play flow better in the 2nd half.
QPR came out looking for a quick breakthrough after the interval and they duly got it. Andrews lost the ball in a dangerous position and that allowed winger McLeod to skip free down QPR’s left. With a deadly cross into the box, Miskelly first stayed routed to his line, then went for the ball, flapped and ended up leaving a gaping hole for unmarked Langley to volley home at the back post. An appalling error from the Latics stopper. 1-1.
If the goal was bad, the youngster almost made things ten times worse. Hall looked to have cleared on the edge of the box but Miskelly inexplicably came rushing out to punch the ball and cracked Hall, leaving him unconscious on the ground. After a minute or so, Hall came round and got back on his feet but for some reason he wasn't substituted. I thought it was automatic to be substituted after being knocked out?
It was a worry that it was our keeper causing the only danger to the Latics goal now and worse was to come on 64 as he committed almost the same crime, again. This time, the Irish madman raced out of his box and punched Armstrong, when the defender was well prepared to clear a high ball. What was Miskelly going to do instead - punch the ball clear and get a straight red card? Something was clearly not right in his head.
In between the 2 goalkeeping episodes, the hosts might have taken the lead when on 54, Armstrong powered at the QPR defence and as they backed off, he chipped a sweet ball through for Murray. The former QPR midfielder lobbed a stranded Day in net, but the ball just came down a fraction too late and instead landed on the roof of the net.
On 65, Andrews really should have given the Latics a lead when he was clean through with only keeper Day to beat. He delayed giving Matt Rose long enough to make a great saving tackle and Murray proceeded to follow up by smashing over a difficult volley.
This period was turning out to be a purple patch for the Latics now. On 68, Low beat his man on the right and threaded a dangerous ball through the box. Andrews couldn't connect and the ever elusive Wijnhard was no-where to be seen - a current worrying trend for the Dutchman.
With the emphasis now with the hosts, Dowie looked to increase the tempo further by taking off the surprise starting inclusion, John Eyre, and replacing him with last weeks star performer and surprise omission, Tony Carss. But things began to get patchy now and that's when the incidents with Langley began to occur.
On 78, it appeared that Sheridan may have left a foot in (I was unsighted but the liner was on hand to flag.) Bennett had to rely on his assistant to describe the foul and luckily, Sheridan received a stern final warning. Play continued for about 30 seconds until at a throw-in, Langley began to wind Sheridan up. My eyes were fixed on the referee, who was thankfully watching what was about to unfold. With Langley looking for trouble, he edged up to Sheridan, put an arm around his back and amazingly threw himself around Sheridan as though the Latics midfielder had done something. It was on the scale of Rivaldo's cheating in then World Cup last summer. That got Langley his first yellow.
Being a complete idiot, Langley got his 2nd yellow just 90 seconds late. In a tussle with Eyres, he appeared to catch the Latics winger. The replay appears to show a yellow might have been a bit harsh, but to be honest, his antics to get Sheridan sent off were enough, in my book, to warrant a red in the first place. I have no sympathy.
Unfortunately though, even against 10 men, space failed to appear. The Latics kept throwing a long ball forward again and it was that hurried approach which allowed the visitors to compact the space behind the ball and clear every time. Thus, the game went flat after the red card with even the late introduction of Corazzin and 5 minutes of injury time, nothing could help to muster aother serious threat at goal.
It was a draw which QPR were lucky to get, but one they'll be very pleased with. Although they'll miss Rose who was forced off injured part way though and Langley will be suspended, QPR do have players to come back. Indeed, Marc Bircham's comments on Monday summed up their mood - "if anyone told us at the start of the season that we would have a home game against Oldham to get to the play-off final, we'd be happy with that." We'll see how happy he is come Wednesday night.
Personally, I think QPR are forgetting a few things. First of all, we gave a good account of ourselves on Saturday and they know it. Secondly, we have an away record to fear and in a way, the pressure is all on QPR now. Why do they expect to just turn up and take us on Wednesday night. It's funny, West Ham and Derby County thought that in the Worthington Cup. It suits us to play against that mentality and it suits us to be told we're the underdogs. And thirdly, having already won at Loftus Road this season we've got nothing to fear. So I ask you - is it the Latics that are there for the taking? Or is it QPR? They might just have put the mockers on themselves and after their sad, arrogant display on Saturday, it'd be very nice to send them packing. See you there!!!