Burton v QPR player ratings
QPR made yet another swift League Cup exit at the hands of lower division opposition and are still waiting for their first goal of the season. Here’s how we rated the players in their 1-0 defeat at Burnley.
Brian Murphy: 7
Made two excellent first-half saves, and a couple of reasonable ones after the break. The free-kick winner was well hit and well placed and it would be very harsh to criticise him for that.
Danny Simpson: 6
Quiet but effective. Not involved a great deal in attack as part of a right flank that lacked both craft and conviction going forward, but did his defensive duties well enough.
Nedum Onuha: 6
Strong and powerful in the challenge and reliable on the deck. Had the pace to match Burton’s nippy attackers.
Richard Dunne: 5
Almost caught out a couple of times but just about recovered. Won his headers and looked fine when battling physically, although far from comfortable when the Brewers started running at him.
Clint Hill: 7
A hurried interception that sent the ball across the pitch nearly gifted Burton an early goal but he was excellent positionally and never stopped talking and organising.
Karl Henry: 6
Solid enough and launched some fine crossfield passes out to Junior Hoilett. Protected his back four well but struggled in midfield when Alejandro Faurlin went off.
Shaun Wright-Phillips: 5
A peripheral figure. Posed little threat and rarely looked capable of beating his man and driving at the Burton defence. Was up against the giant left-back George Taft but hardly tested him. Jeered by the away fans when substituted.
Alejandro Faurlin: 6
A bit rushed against a Burton side who were able to crowd him because they condensed play and sat deep and denied space to the R’s midfield. He was still influential and showed flashes of his quality and composure. Also won a couple of important challenges before being taken off injured just before the hour mark.
Junior Hoilett: 6
Always involved and desperately unlucky not to score with a classy first-half effort that rattled the bar. Faded after the interval as Rangers struggled to win and retain possession.
Matt Phillips: 6
A threat before the break and along with Hoilett had the pace and confidence to exploit the big Burton central defensive duo of Ian Sharps and Shane Cansdell-Sheriff.
Adel Taraabt: 6
Guilty of squandering possession too easily in his own half. But was always dangerous and some superb touches could have led to a goal or two. Anonymous after the break and stomped off straight down the tunnel at the final whistle.
Leroy Fer: 5
Made little impact during his 30-plus minutes as Rangers were outmuscled in the centre of the park.
Bobby Zamora: 6
Only on the pitch for 12 minutes, but his presence at least unsettled Burton’s back four.
QPR man of the match: Hill
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