QPR v Wigan player ratings
QPR moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone by beating Wigan at Loftus Road. Here’s how we rated each Rangers player in their 2-1 victory.
Alex Smithies: 8
Unusually, failed to save a spot-kick. But he was excellent again, pulling off a trio of saves, most notably a stunning reflex-stop to deny Jake Buxton just before half-time.
Darnell Furlong: 6
His performance was tidy if unspectacular, although he was unable to link up with Pawel Wszolek along the right flank as effectively as in recent games.
Nedum Onuoha: 7
The skipper did a decent job of keeping Wigan’s Will Grigg quiet throughout, as well as putting his body on the line with a crucial block to deny Omar Bogle a second goal.
Grant Hall: 6
He made little contribution to the game before taking a knock to the face and making way for Kazenga LuaLua, which forced a change of formation for the R’s and left the team looking more balanced.
Joel Lynch: 5
Although he made some crucial challenges, Lynch was turned too often and struggled against Bogle, who he brought down for the penalty.
Jake Bidwell: 6
Poor positioning by the left-back contributed to the Latics’ goal, although he did get forward to good effect.
Pawel Wszolek: 5
This was undoubtedly one of the winger’s quieter performances – he drifted out of the game for long periods and it was perhaps surprising that he completed the 90 minutes.
Ryan Manning: 7
The young midfielder displayed plenty of energy again, getting the tackles in with relish although his inexperience sometimes showed when he gave the ball away.
Luke Freeman: 6
It was Freeman’s mistake that led to Wigan’s equaliser, but he generally competed well and was always keen to have a pop at goal – even if his accuracy was lacking on this occasion.
Matt Smith: 7
The Rangers centre-forward put in a good shift again and took his early goal well, with more signs that he and Conor Washington are starting to build a good understanding up front.
Conor Washington: 9
It’s now four goals in six appearances for Washington, who looked lively throughout. He left Buxton for dead to set up Smith’s opener and then rifled in a precision finish for what turned out to be the winner.
Kazenga LuaLua: 8
The winger, who replaced Hall just before the half-hour mark, brought pace and trickery to the left flank. He might have scored with an early thunderbolt that sent Stephen Warnock spinning, before teeing up Washington’s winner.
Yeni Ngbakoto: 6
He looked lively after replacing Washington for the final quarter of the game and attempted to repeat his strike at St Andrew’s, but was well off target this time.
