This report was written by John W on the Unoffical Message Board at www.qpr.org.

Just got back from Barnsley. Gutted!

With the last attack and consequently the last kick of the game Ready brings down their sub, Hristov I think, just as it seemed we would win. The jingle bells chant had already started and half of the ground was empty.

They had just missed an easy chance to equalise so everybody thought that was the end of it. I think the Barnsley fans were almost embarassed to celebrate the goal because it stopped them from giving their team the bollocking that they deserved so much for being totally outclassed and inept for most of the game.

However, I must not let the fact that we didn’t win totally spoil the whole game because in my opinion we were outstanding. In fact the first half was the best I’ve seen us play away from home for a very long time, possibly this season.

I was expecting a dour performance after last week but as soon as we came out it was obvious that would not be the case. In the first minute Peacock was through and almost crossed for Beck, from then on we patiently carved out chance after chance although none were easy chances.

Wardley went close with a header and then Beck hit the bar with a good lobbed effort. Darlington was switching wings and creating problems, with Beck and Peacock cleverly creating space all the time. The worry was that for all our pressure we would not score, but up pops Matthew Rose with a superb goal.

The ball was played in to him as he was running from deep and he took it first time on the knee, beat his man and finished like Gary Lineker (or Stuart Wardley). This goal showed the quality of Matthew Rose. What a player. Make an effort to see this on TV, hopefully it will look as good as it did from where we were sitting.

In the second half we continued to create chances on the break, with Wardley going close again with a header after great work by Darlington beating his man and getting to the by-line. Then Beck missed a great chance when one on one when he dragged it wide.

Now comes the frustrating part. We sat back on a one goal lead when a second would have been coming if we had taken it to them like we did in the first half. Why did we do this? It is one of the most common sayings in football that one goal is not enough (well obviously it is if you win 1-0 but you know what I mean).

Barnsley never looked like scoring in the first half when we attacked them and they would not have been much different in the second. To be fair, sitting back was working for the most part because they were reduced to poor long range shooting.

However, near the end they made chances and eventually scored when if we had attacked I think we would have put the game beyond their reach. Never mind, we did this to Swindon a few weeks back so sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn’t. Before the game I would have said this was a good point, unfortunately now it isn’t but at least we can take away the positive of the performance.

The players who really played well today were: Beck : He did Steiner’s job better than Steiner does it (although I do rate the big Swedish swede). He won virtually every header he went for and usually found his man with them. Held the ball up superbly to bring JD, Peacock and others into the game. Great ovation from the Rangers crowd when he came off at the end which will give him confidence, something you think he is missing in front of goal at the moment. 8/10

Wardley : Those who think he doesn’t justify his selection can’t claim that about him today. Good link play, two life saving defensive tackles and three chances to score, all of which were good efforts. He looks like scoring every game and his ability to find space in the box is amazing. Few misplaced passes but what do you expect for £15,000!? 8/10

JD : Skills on both wings, give it to JD and we will create chances. 8/10

Matthew Rose : What a game. Great goal, composed defending, skilful on the ball. He’s ‘ere , there, every fuckin’ where. Possible move to Serie A as the new Milan sweeper beckons. 9/10

Other’s that deserve a mention are Peacock, Ward and Ready wasn’t bad although I suspect he will be slaughtered for giving away the pen. Fuck it, the whole team played well, that saves me from naming them all. Two moments when I had to eat humble pie so to speak. Ready had just been booked and then looked to be harshly booked again when fouling Hignett. Hignett clearly dived, the ref reached for his pocket. I stood up and shouted "Ref you blind c**t!" only for him to pull out a yellow and flash it at Hignett for diving. "Brilliant decision!" They can’t win can they?

Second, I couldn’t believe Kulscar was in for Murray but he actually played quite well, keeping it solid. Murray then came on and managed to give the ball away three times in two minutes. Why do managers always sub to waste time?

I actually think it does the opposite as the ref probably adds a minute for every substitution. Anyway, nothing left to say apart from the fact that I have cheered up now and almost forgot we had conceded through all this praise for the team.