Ensuring at Least a Decade Without FA Cup Win! Compilation of Reports and Comments of QPR 2 Sheffield United 3

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QPR Official Site - HART'S BLADES VERDICT
- Paul Hart failed to hide his disappointment as the R's bowed out of the FA Cup at the third round stage.
- Rangers succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against the Blades at Loftus Road, leaving Hart to comment: "We need to defend better as a team. Some of our defending is woeful.

"We need to get back to basics on the training pitch.

"We expected a tough game and we got one, but I felt we could cope with them like we have in the last two games, but we were guilty of poor defending."

Hart continued: "I thought we started off well, creating a few chances, but they had chances too.

"Some of our defending left a lot to be desired.

"It went from bad to worse at the start of the second half, but we rallied and the players deserve credit for that.

"We showed a lot of character to come back.

"We got within a hair's breadth of nicking a draw and that's a positive we've got to look at."

The R's faithful voiced their concerns at 2-0 and 3-0 down, and Hart commented: "The reaction of the fans was disappointing, but I understand their feelings.

"I was disappointed with the players too - I certainly didn't expect what we got."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1930544,00.html


BBC - QPR 2 - 3 Sheff Utd
Lee Williamson (left) celebrates his impressive opening goal for the Blades
Sheffield United booked an FA Cup fourth-round tie at Bolton after beating QPR in an entertaining replay.

The Blades took the lead early on when Lee Williamson cushioned a Nick Montgomery pass and drilled home.

Substitute Jamie Ward then scored with his first touch before Richard Cresswell powerfully struck a third.

Akos Buzsaky pulled one back from the spot after Derek Geary handled before Damion Stewart headed another late on, but United held on to move through.

The result was a hardly a surprise given the two sides' contrasting recent fortunes but United will head back north mightily relieved after almost letting slip a three-goal lead in west London.

The hosts came into the game having not reached the fourth round of the FA Cup since 2001 and while manager Paul Hart can take a lot of positives from the performance, another early exit will do little to ease the pressure he is already under.

QPR's poor recent form did not stop them having the best of the opening stages, with Patrick Agyemang causing the Blades' defence problems.

Jay Simpson glanced a header wide of Mark Bunn's post while Agyemang also saw an effort well blocked by Chris Morgan.

But it was United who took the lead, despite a lack of creativity early on.

A hopeful ball into the area from Montgomery was chested down superbly by Williamson and drilled past Radek Cerny.

606: DEBATE
A few weeks ago QPR were being called the Arsenal of the Championship. We were playing some fantastic stuff. We are now playing complete rubbish

Rangers Col
Simpson continued to look lively and could have levelled after a mistake from Stephen Quinn but put his shot wide, while Buzsaky really should have scored after bursting into the area - only to miss in the same manner.

With half-time fast approaching Ched Evans wasted a glorious chance to extend the visitors' advantage.

The young striker was sent clear by James Harper but with only Cerny to beat his crashing drive came back off the crossbar.

Rangers responded immediately and had Geary to thank after his excellent goalline clearance denied Kaspars Gorkss.

Hart's side were certainly worthy of an equaliser and continued to dominate after the break, with United not helping themselves by giving the ball away regularly.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell then opted to replace Williamson with Ward in a substitution that changed the game.

The midfielder immediately raced onto a fine cross from Stephen Quinn and scored with his first touch - having only been on the field for 10 seconds.

Ward then turned provider for Cresswell to make it 3-0 from close range and all but secure passage to the next round.

But Rangers fought back valiantly. First, Buzsaky pulled one back from the penalty spot after Geary was harshly adjudged to have handled.

Then Stewart got on the end of a Buzsaky free-kick to set up an exciting finish, albeit in front of just 5780 fans in west London.
And the hosts came agonisingly close to forcing extra-time but Bunn pulled off a brilliant save to deny sub Antonio German in the dying seconds.

QPR boss Paul Hart:
"The way we started the second half was a disaster.
"We've gone 15 games without a clean sheet and you can see why. That is a side of our game that has to improve.
"It was a very spirited comeback but it was too little, too late."

Sheffield United manager Kevin Blackwell:
"Good first touch, wasn't it? (on Jamie Ward's second-half goal).
"We should have been two or three up by half-time so I'm glad we didn't have to rue those missed chances."
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/8451821.stm


QPR Official Site - HART'S BLADES VERDICT
Paul Hart failed to hide his disappointment as the R's bowed out of the FA Cup at the third round stage.

Rangers succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against the Blades at Loftus Road, leaving Hart to comment: "We need to defend better as a team. Some of our defending is woeful.

"We need to get back to basics on the training pitch.

"We expected a tough game and we got one, but I felt we could cope with them like we have in the last two games, but we were guilty of poor defending."

Hart continued: "I thought we started off well, creating a few chances, but they had chances too.

"Some of our defending left a lot to be desired.

"It went from bad to worse at the start of the second half, but we rallied and the players deserve credit for that.

"We showed a lot of character to come back.

"We got within a hair's breadth of nicking a draw and that's a positive we've got to look at."

The R's faithful voiced their concerns at 2-0 and 3-0 down, and Hart commented: "The reaction of the fans was disappointing, but I understand their feelings.

"I was disappointed with the players too - I certainly didn't expect what we got."
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/TheGaffer/0,,10373~1930544,00.html


Telegraph - QPR 2 Sheffield United 3:
By Jonathan Liew

Strangely enough, this was a game that Queens Park Rangers dominated. The few thousand who took advantage of cut-price tickets to brave the cold were treated to a rambunctious FA Cup affair, inflected with moments of real class.

QPR were better able to create chances in this third round replay, Alejandro Faurlin and Mikele Leigertwood winning the midfield battle. But where QPR chiselled, Sheffield United impaled. The opening goal came against the run of play. Richard Cresswell’s shot was blocked but Nick Montgomery hoisted the rebound back into the box, where Lee Williamson fired home.

Midway through the second half the pandemonium began. Stephen Quinn’s early cross skipped across the QPR area for substitute Jamie Ward to score with his first touch. Ward then whipped in a centre that Cresswell bundled home.

Buzsaky pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after Derek Geary handled, and Damion Stewart’s header gave QPR hope, but United clung on
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/facup/6975559/Queens-Park-Rangers-2-Sheffield-United-3-match-report.html


The Times - Alyson Rudd
There were few replica colours on show at a three-quarters empty Loftus Road last night. Indeed the gathering of fans in the away end looked like a clutch of mourners at a funeral — clad in heavy dark overcoats.

It was not just the cold. It was as if they held out little hope of anything other than a bleak encounter. How wrong they were. Sheffield United earned a fourth-round tie away to Bolton Wanderers, but only after Queens Park Rangers staged a late and dramatic fightback.

It was not, though, enough to enhance the popularity of Paul Hart. Appointed manager on December 17 after the departure of Jim Magilton, this was not the first time that he had been on the receiving end of supporter unrest. Hart said they were “entitled to be disappointed” with the defensive side of QPR’s game. “The way we started the second half was a disaster,” he said. “We’ve gone 15 games without a clean sheet and you can see why. That is a side of our game that has to improve.”

QPR have not won an FA Cup tie in 14 attempts over nine years.

The two sides had previously drawn twice this season but this was an open and thrilling affair, assisted by the fact that United scored reasonably early to make the hyper-critical home fans twitchy. Nick Montgomery spotted Lee Williamson in a startling amount of space on the right of the penalty area and the former Watford midfield player had time to pick his spot.

Immediately the tempo altered and the home side came close to equalising but Derek Geary, the United full back, cleared off his line from a header by Kaspars Gorkss.

It was, however, Kevin Blackwell’s side who appeared the more threatening. Ched Evans found himself one-on-one with Radek Cerny, the QPR goalkeeper, towards the end of the first period. Evans clipped the woodwork, his chip thoughtful but not quite subtle enough.

Blackwell, noting that his team were almost coasting without the margin to warrant it, brought on Jamie Ward, who scored with his first touch to double United’s lead.

Hart, in turn, made his own change, taking off Alejandro Faurlin, but the home fans were deeply unimpressed. As if for dramatic effect, as the chants rang out of “you don’t know what you’re doing”, United made it 3-0 — this time Ward crossing for Richard Cresswell to score.

Blackwell is equivocal about a Cup run, though, and concerned that, with only 21 players to call upon, extra matches could take their toll.

A penalty awarded for a Geary handball gave Akos Buzsaky, QPR’s Hungary midfield player, the chance to pull a goal back from the spot, which he did with venom.

In the 88th minute Damion Stewart headed in a Buzsaky free kick but it was, as Hart put it, “too little too late”.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article6985656.ece


QPR Official Site - QPR vs Sheffield Utd 2 - 3
QPR's late show proved immaterial in their FA Cup third round replay against Sheffield United, as the Blades came out on top in an entertaining affair in W12.

Despite the R's dominating for large periods of the first half, it was United who took the lead through Lee Williamson, who drilled home when free in the area.

After the break, the Blades increased their advantage to three goals courtesy of a quick-fire double.

First, substitute Jamie Ward lashed home past Radek Cerny for number two, before he played provider for Richard Cresswell, who added a third.

Seemingly out of the tie, Rangers - in truth - did make a game of it late on, as Akos Buzsaky notched a penalty, before Damion Stewart nodded in a second.

But it was not enough, as United booked their place in the fourth round where they will play Bolton Wanderers.

Paul Hart named an unchanged side for the R's third showdown of the season against the Blades.

With new loan signing Cark Ikeme ineligible, Radek Cerny continued in goal, behind a back four of Gary Borrowdale, Stewart, Kaspars Gorkss and Peter Ramage.

Buzsaky and Wayne Routledge occupied the wide berths in midfield, with skipper for the night Mikele Leigertwood partnering Alejandro Faurlin in the centre of the park.

Jay Simpson - who scored in the original tie at Bramall Lane - was once again joined in attack by Patrick Agyemang.

Blades boss Kevin Blackwell was forced into changes, with Matt Kilgallon, Ward and Henri Camara making way for Marcel Seip, James Harper and Williamson.

As the tie commenced on a bitterly cold night in West London, Rangers had the first opportunity to find the back of the net in the opening minutes.

Ramage's long throw into the box caused confusion in the United ranks, and Simpson did well to take the ball down and poke it back to skipper Leigertwood on the edge of the area - who could only fire wide of the target.

Moments later, the R's were again on the offensive. After a neat ball was played to Routledge down the left-hand side, he played a square pass to Faurlin just short of the area, whose curling effort was superbly palmed away by Mark Bunn in the Blades goal.

In terms of chances created, QPR by now were in the ascendancy and soon after, only a fantastic low save from Bunn prevented Rangers from taking the lead.

Agyemang broke at pace down the left before playing a dangerous low centre into the six-yard box, which cannoned off the legs of Blades defender Andy Taylor towards goal.

Thankfully for United, however, Bunn was on hand to get down low to his right to tip the ball wide.

Soon after, passes were exchanged between Buzsaky, Routledge and Ramage before the latter crossed for Simpson, who was unlucky to see his header miss left of the target.

And the R's were made to pay for a series of missed opportunities midway into the first half, with Williamson firing United into the lead against the run of play.

Nick Montgomery's floated centre evaded every player bar the unmarked Williamson at the back post, who controlled the ball before firing low past Cerny and into the bottom corner.

Undeterred, Rangers tried to get back into the tie, as they created further chances to find the net.

First, Leigertwood received the ball in the United half before driving at goal and firing an effort just past the right-hand post.

That was before Routledge and Faurlin combined to play Simpson in on the edge of the area, who - under pressure from his marker - blasted wide of the target.

Moments later, a ball was played from deep to Buzsaky midway into the Blades half, and he did well to turn his marker before a driven effort missed just left of the goal.

A flurry of chances followed just before the break, as both sides missed good chances to add to the scoreline.

The Blades could - and probably should - have been two goals to the good, as Ched Evans missed a glorious opportunity to double the lead.

Harper's ball from deep was played over the top of the R's defence to the unmarked Evans, who beat the offside trap only to fire the ball onto the crossbar and over with only Cerny to beat.

At the other end, after his corner headed away, Borrowdale played the ball back into the area onto the head of Gorkss, whose header was blocked off the line by Derek Geary.

Just before the half-time whistle came, play soon switched to the opposite half, and when the ball fell kindly to Montgomery on the edge of the box, on the half volley he fired just over the bar.

The R's had the first chance of any note in the second half, as temperatures continued to depreciate at Loftus Road.

Buzsaky and Ramage exchanged passes before the right-back found Routledge down the right, who beat his marker only to fire a cross over several free and waiting QPR players in the box.

Soon after, Faurlin won a free kick 30 yards from goal before Buzsaky fired in an effort from the resulting set-piece, though Bunn was more than equal to the attempt.

At the other end, Harper's drilled centre from a corner-kick was met by the head of Cresswell, whose headed effort went just wide of the left-hand post.

Rangers were soon back on the offensive, namely when Routledge passed to Borrowdale, whose cross in turn bounced invitingly to Faurlin on the edge of the area, but his shot went just over the goal.

The game then sprung into life with three goals inside four minutes, as the Blades twice increased their advantage before QPR pulled a goal back.

United's second came through substitute Ward, who scored within a minute of his introduction into the tie - but not without some fortune.

Stephen Quinn found space down the left before sending over a cross into the area for the unmarked Ward, whose low effort that was straight at Cerny, crept under the keeper and into the goal.

Almost straight from the kick-off, QPR gave to ball away to Ward, who turned from scorer to provider as the Blades added number three.

Ward broke at pace down the right before squaring for Cresswell, and the United forward didn't pass on the opportunity of steering the ball into the net.

Introduced just a minute earlier, it was Taarabt who was involved in what turned out to be the first of two QPR goals in response.

Taarabt - with his first touch - found the ball in the area on the left before drilling in an effort at goal, which struck the hand of a United defender and left the referee with no option but to point for a penalty kick.

Buzsaky stepped up to take it, drilling his shot into the bottom left-hand corner and past Bunn.

Rangers tried their best to get further reduce the deficit in this third-round tie thereafter as they pressed late on, and QPR set up a grandstand finish by adding a second.

Buzsaky was the architect, curling a free-kick into the area that was met by the head of Stewart, who rose highest and nodded the ball into the net.

German almost took the game into extra time when his drilled effort from six-yards out looked destined to find the net, but Bunn reacted brilliantly to tip the ball away for a corner kick.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Gorkss, Faurlin (Taarabt 69), Simpson (German 80), Borrowdale.

Subs not used: McWeeney, Hall, Connolly, Balanta, Ephraim.

Goals: Buzsaky (71), Stewart (88)

Bookings: Gorkss

Sheffield United: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Evans, Williamson (Ward 67), Harper, Taylor, Cresswell (Henderson 74), Seip, Geary (Walker 81), Quinn.

Subs not used: Bennett, France, Stewart, Little.

Goals: Williamson (19), Ward (68), Cresswell (70)

Bookings: Evans

Referee: Mr K A Woolmer

Attendance: 5, 780
http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10373~51252,00.html


Sheffield United Official Site
United will face Premiership Bolton Wanderers in the FA Cup after a thrilling third round replay win at QPR on Tuesday evening.

Substitute Jamie Ward had a big influence on the game, scoring with his first touch and setting up another goal with his second in freezing temperatures in London.

Richard Cresswell netted his third successive goal against Rangers and Lee Williamson opened the scoring, whilst United had to withstand a late rally by the home side.

Blackwell made three changes from the initial match nine days earlier, with Williamson, Harper and Seip, making his full debut, coming in for Kilgallon, Camara and Ward. Amongst the substitutes, the Blades manager had Henderson and Walker available.

The XI on show gave flexibility with Cresswell's position being key. It wasn't until just after kick-off that it became apparent that United were going into the tie with a 4-4-2 formation, rather than 4-5-1, which has been employed in away fixtures.

In the league encounter at Loftus Road just prior to Christmas, Leigertwood opened the scoring within two minutes and he had a chance to repeat the feat within 90 seconds, at the same end of the ground, but this time the Rangers captain was off target.

There was no mistaking the fact that the home side made the brighter start and Bunn was forced into a save from Faurlin on four minutes and then Evans picked up a yellow card for a crude challenge.

Bunn was called upon again before the 15 minute mark, this time keeping out from defender Taylor, who had deflected Agyemang's centre towards goal, then a flicked header from Simpson was just wide. Rangers were then forced to rue their missed opportunities when the Blades netted with the first serious forage into home territory.

With 18 minutes gone, Cresswell and Quinn did the initial leg work before Montgomery intelligently switched the play to the right, picking out an unmarked WILLIAMSON, who took his time and placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Cerny and into the far corner.

It was a body blow for the home side but it lifted the Blades, who began to play some neat stuff, causing Gorkss and Stewart a couple of problems. On 27 minutes the lead could have been doubled with a favourable result from the officials. Williamson left Quinn's cross and Evans look poised to slot home before he was bundled over by Buzsaky. Referee Woolmer moved the whistle towards his lips but a penalty was not forthcoming.

Around the half hour mark QPR hit back with a couple of chances and United's defensive mettle was tested. Faurlin curled wide, Buzsaky got the better of Geary and Morgan with pace but half-volleyed just wide and then Geary and Quinn made required blocks on shots from Simpson and Leigertwood respectively.

The first half was certainly entertaining for the hardy souls who had braved the cold. In a similar position from which he scored his goal, Williamson twice saw shots blocked by Ramage and then Evans beat the home offside trap and raced clear onto Harper's pass but the striker could only find the top of Cerny's crossbar. Soon after Montgomery tried his luck from range but his shot was also slightly high.

There was still time for Rangers fans to think they had grabbed a leveller before the break but although a looping header from Gorkss had beaten Bunn and looked to be heading for the net, Geary once again displayed his never-say-die spirit by racing back to clear off his own line.

Both managers opted to stick to the same personnel for the second period and once the action got underway it quickly followed a similar pattern to the first half with an early chance at both ends. Williamson dragged his shot after Evans did well and, for QPR, a trick by Routledge lost Taylor but the subsequent cross was poor.

Seip was booked before both sides again went close. Cresswell headed Harper's corner just wide and then Faurlin turned on the edge of the box but his shot was just over. Gorkss was also booked, for a clash of legs with Evans, before the tie sparked into life thanks to Blackwell's decision to introduce Ward for the tiring Williamson.

The United substitute had been on the pitch less than 30 seconds when he found himself in the clear to run onto a Quinn centre. With his first touch, WARD drilled a powerful effort which sprawled under the body of Cerny and over the line.

Referee Woolmer took some time to stop the Blades celebrating in the corner of Loftus Road and after Rangers had brought on Taarabt, the home side kicked off and lost the ball immediately. United went straight on the attack and Ward, with only his second touch, delivered from the right for CRESSWELL to net the third with a looping effort.

There was, however, little time for respite as QPR hit back within a minute, courtesy of one of their substitutes when Taarabt's shot was adjudged to have hit Geary's hand. The spot-kick was given and BUZSAKY drilled beyond Bunn's right hand.

Henderson and Walker were introduced as United looked for more power to see out the game. As expected, Rangers poured forward but with Morgan solid, the attacks were repelled.

The home side did, though, receive another helping hand from the referee on 88 minutes with the award of a free-kick on the edge of the box when Montgomery clearly won the ball. Buzsaky delivered and STEWART powered in with a close-range header.

It made for a nervy end for the Blades - especially when five more minutes of injury-time was announced. German's sharp turn and shot crept wide of the post and then Bunn made a point-blank save from the same player in the final seconds but the visitors held on to book that valuable fourth round berth.

QPR: Cerny, Ramage, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge, Buzsaky, Agyemang, Gorkss, Faurlin (Taarabt 69), Simpson (German 80), Borrowdale.
Unused: Hall, Connolly, Balanta, Ephraim, McWeeney.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Evans, Williamson (Ward 67), Harper, Taylor, Cresswell (Henderson 74), Seip, Geary (Walker 81), Quinn.
http://www.sufc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10418~51252,00.html

- Compilation of QPR vs Sheffield United Match Reports