If RM is prepared to accept that Russellball needs to evolve then there is hope.
My ratings:
Benda - Commanded his box, two fantastic saves including one with a wicked deflection taking the ball back the way he came. Consistently good distribution and no mucking about when under the cosh - 8
Cabango - Very lucky to survive a red card appeal in the first minute. A few sighters at goal from set pieces and some good distribution otherwise. Cut out the silly mistakes and he can kick on - 7
Naughton - Not sure what you can say about Naughton except that it was a showing of his usual high standards. Covered fullback when needed and swept up when needed - 7
Wood - Another solid performance from Wood building on his strong showing against Stoke. Starting to look more like the kind of player who can help dominate at the back against big forwards - 7
Manning - Lots of running up and down the pitch including a run to earn a free kick near QPR box in 93rd minute. Some cracking set piece balls too in the second half - 8
Sorinola - His movement was excellent in the first half and was responsible for creating a lot of dangerous moments. Needs to improve final ball but another good showing after midweek - 7
Grimes - Not quite his usual safe self with the ball was responsible for giving away possession cheaply a few times. Did well in 1st half to keep Shier on his weaker foot though - 6
Allen - Tigerish in midfield as always. His one touch wall passing so important to helping to get attacking players into space. Considering he is 32 will likely not often see 90 minutes from him - 8
Paterson - Very quiet and didn't really create anything considering he was playing as one of two attacking midfielders. Subbed after an hour for Okoflex - 6
Cooper - Two top performances in a week. Surely is playing himself into being one of first names on the team sheet, always moving and alive to loose balls which got him an assist - 8
Piroe - Missed a penalty but got the winner soon after. Looking sharp again now that he is playing in his preferred position. On another day could have got a hat trick - 7
Oko-Flex - Didn't really get the chance to show off his pace but did earn a few corners and showed plenty of defensive graft. Good decision making in 93rd minute to hold it and feed up the line to Manning to earn a free kick and ease the pressure - 7
Cullen - Only on the field for a minute before a shoulder injury. Hopefully not a long term one and he will be back soon - N/A
Stevens - Plenty of running up and down the pitch and helped put in defensive shift for the last half hour or so. Hopefully more to come from him - 7
Fulton - Replaced Allen for the last 15 or so, did the dirty work and helped to see out the win - 7
Cundle - Replaced the outstanding Cooper. Some smart passing and also played his part defensively - 7
Martin - Substitutions this time were pretty much spot on. Cullen for Sorinola was perhaps an odd one but overall much better from him tactically. If we are playing Oko-Flex I would like to see him left up on halfway when defending corners considering how fast he is meant to be. No mucking about at the back helped significantly in reducing the number of clear cut chances for QPR, an evolution of Russelball perhaps? - 7
My ratings:
Benda - Commanded his box, two fantastic saves including one with a wicked deflection taking the ball back the way he came. Consistently good distribution and no mucking about when under the cosh - 8
Cabango - Very lucky to survive a red card appeal in the first minute. A few sighters at goal from set pieces and some good distribution otherwise. Cut out the silly mistakes and he can kick on - 7
Naughton - Not sure what you can say about Naughton except that it was a showing of his usual high standards. Covered fullback when needed and swept up when needed - 7
Wood - Another solid performance from Wood building on his strong showing against Stoke. Starting to look more like the kind of player who can help dominate at the back against big forwards - 7
Manning - Lots of running up and down the pitch including a run to earn a free kick near QPR box in 93rd minute. Some cracking set piece balls too in the second half - 8
Sorinola - His movement was excellent in the first half and was responsible for creating a lot of dangerous moments. Needs to improve final ball but another good showing after midweek - 7
Grimes - Not quite his usual safe self with the ball was responsible for giving away possession cheaply a few times. Did well in 1st half to keep Shier on his weaker foot though - 6
Allen - Tigerish in midfield as always. His one touch wall passing so important to helping to get attacking players into space. Considering he is 32 will likely not often see 90 minutes from him - 8
Paterson - Very quiet and didn't really create anything considering he was playing as one of two attacking midfielders. Subbed after an hour for Okoflex - 6
Cooper - Two top performances in a week. Surely is playing himself into being one of first names on the team sheet, always moving and alive to loose balls which got him an assist - 8
Piroe - Missed a penalty but got the winner soon after. Looking sharp again now that he is playing in his preferred position. On another day could have got a hat trick - 7
Oko-Flex - Didn't really get the chance to show off his pace but did earn a few corners and showed plenty of defensive graft. Good decision making in 93rd minute to hold it and feed up the line to Manning to earn a free kick and ease the pressure - 7
Cullen - Only on the field for a minute before a shoulder injury. Hopefully not a long term one and he will be back soon - N/A
Stevens - Plenty of running up and down the pitch and helped put in defensive shift for the last half hour or so. Hopefully more to come from him - 7
Fulton - Replaced Allen for the last 15 or so, did the dirty work and helped to see out the win - 7
Cundle - Replaced the outstanding Cooper. Some smart passing and also played his part defensively - 7
Martin - Substitutions this time were pretty much spot on. Cullen for Sorinola was perhaps an odd one but overall much better from him tactically. If we are playing Oko-Flex I would like to see him left up on halfway when defending corners considering how fast he is meant to be. No mucking about at the back helped significantly in reducing the number of clear cut chances for QPR, an evolution of Russelball perhaps? - 7
