SORRY WEDNESDAY FAIL TO SCORE - YET AGAIN

Wednesday 0 (0) Queen's Park Rangers 2 (0)

Attendance : 22,???

Referee: P Durkin

Wednesday: Pressman; Atherton (Petrescu 69), Pearce, Walker, Nolan; Waddle, Hyde, Sheridan, Jones; Bart-Williams, Bright (Ingesson 58); unused sub: Key

With Waddle's first start at home this season and Walker back in the side from suspension there was a feeling of optimism that the tide could be turned and the side get back into winning ways. Des won the toss and the sides stayed where they were and Rangers kicked off.

The first ten minutes were pretty hectic stuff, and indeed Wednesday could have been three up inside this initial period. The prime instegator was a certain Chris Waddle, as he moved into the centre of midfield and played some of the most delightful balls. Both Bart-Williams and Bright had early chances from Waddle through balls, but the highlight of the half, and probably the match, was the Waddle pass to Bright. Waddle got the ball in the centre circle and played a first time pass down the field through a no more than 3 yard wide corridor. Bright should have scored, but seemed to run backwards onto the ball, and Maddix got back and managed to dispossess him from behind, without giving away a foul as well!

I reckon that pass was worth the entrance fee, in spite of what was to follow in the match. It's no wonder the side got down with the number of missed chances. After the initial ten minutes of constant attacking from Wednesday the play settle down and things went at a more sedate pace. Waddle played in a free role, going where he wanted, and often he switched wings with Jones.

Sheridan went down injured ealr on, but the ref wouldn't let the trainer on to treat him so Shez was left to hobble around the pitch full about five minutes trying to shake off the injury. Eventually he did manage to do so, but I was surprised he didn't go to the touchline for treatment.

QPR had their first chance to score when Gallen was breaking clear near the edge of the box, and Pearce clearly pulled him back - well it was clear to the crowd but not to the referee who waived play on. On the whole Mr Durkin had a pretty awful game, with no real consistency for either side and he didn't apply the FIFA directives as he should have at one stage. The, a few minutes later the most farcical decsion of the afternoon. Sheridan was tracking a QPR player as he broke, and as the player got to the edge of the box he tripped up with the nearest Wednesday player 3 yards away. The ref gave a free kick(!) (probably to make up for his earlier poor decision), which was taken quickly and played sideways to Bardsley, who shot from 25 yards and Pressman made a good save to his left, pushing the ball away for a corner.

Wednesday had a chance to take the lead when a free kick was won on the right, and Waddle stepped up and blasted the ball onto the crossbar. This was the closest of his three free kicks all game. Half time came and it was a disappointment not to be leading - it was the usual case of missing easy chances - but still Wednesday were in total control and QPR had hardly threatened so perhaps things would improve in the second half.

The second half started with QPR gradually getting back into the game, and you could almost sense that it would be a matter of time before they scored their first goal. From a corner, Sinclair played a cross which Maddix headed in from the centre of the box. 1-0 down, and so what does Trev do? He takes his only fit striker in the club off the pitch and puts Ingesson on up front. Now I know that Bright has been playing like a donkey up front at times this season, but he must have been one of the better bets to score eventually.

The Petrescu started to warm up - the obvious candidate to come off being Jones, who was having a nightmare on the left wing. His first touch was appauling, and there was no width down that side of the field. However, TF saw differently again, and when the substitution was made it was Atherton who came off for a straight switch. Crazy. To emphasise how bad a game Jones was having, when he got the ball from Sheridan with plently of players pressing forwards, he got the ball, turned round and passed it straight to a QPR player.

To prove the ref's inconsistency, when a QPR player wnet down with a simialar injury to Sheridan's, the ref stopped play almost immediately and let the Physio on. Walker was also caught late from behind, the challenger being lucky to get away with a yellow card, as in the USA this past summer people were sent off for those challenges.

The second goal came with Petrescu being fairly shoulder charged/knocked off the ball as he came forward, and as he looked for the free kick QPR broke. The ball came to Ferdinand who tracked across the box left to right before firing low into the left hand corner on the turn.

About 1/3 of the crowd began to leave at this stage and the chants for Francis to go were clearly audible. There were even some chants for Mr Atkinson to return, but not many. This was a dismal display - I might as well have left after the opening ten minutes - I'd certainly have felt better. TF had better get a striker who can score goals - and quick!