QPR v Reading player ratings

Garath McCleary’s stunning strike sealed QPR’s fate as they slumped to a second successive defeat against a promotion rival. Here’s how we rated the players in their 3-1 loss to Reading.

Robert Green: 6
It is difficult to pin any of Reading’s goals directly on the R’s keeper, who was steady and solid, but beaten by two unmarked headers and an awesome, well-placed bullet from McCleary.

Aaron Hughes: 6
The new arrival from Fulham gave the best contribution despite an all-round poor performance by the Rangers back four, and he aided Junior Hoilett down the right-hand side.

Clint Hill: 6
Made some strong tackles and cleared plenty of danger, but Hill and Richard Dunne were at the heart of Reading’s first two goals. Danny Williams and then Alex Pearce were both allowed to head in from inside the box.

Richard Dunne: 6
Dunne was commanding in the air but struggled to contain Reading’s forwards around the box and he too was nowhere to be seen when Williams and Pearce scored.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto: 4
Seemed to happily coast through the game until the third goal, when he was entirely to blame for allowing McCleary all the time and space in the world to fire a wicked shot beyond the reach of Green.

Junior Hoilett: 6
Was a danger at times, putting in some excellent crosses, but with little to aim for in the box his efforts often appeared wasteful.

Joey Barton: 6
Was his usual hard-working self but his passing was sloppier than usual and he was often overrun and outnumbered in midfield.

Niko Kranjcar: 5
Has obvious quality on the ball but he lacks the fitness required to be a real influence in the Championship. Reading’s Williams constantly had the better of him and was allowed to run at Barton and the Rangers defenders at will.

Armand Traore: 7
Traore was the stand-out attacking threat onthe left-hand side, causing problems when he cut inside and using the ball wisely.

Kevin Doyle: 5
His energy is never in question but his use of the ball was poor whilst being continuously out-muscled by Reading’s centre-halves. His poor performance was epitomised when he winced at the chance to convert a header into an open net in the second half.

Will Keane: 6
The on-loan Manchester United striker showed some nice touches and movement but struggled to get into the game, finding it difficult to control and hold up the ball against the strength of Kaspars Gorkss and Pearce.

Bobby Zamora: 5
Did nothing of note after replacing Keane just before the hour mark.

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