Samba’s switch leaves QPR boss furious
Angry QPR boss Harry Redknapp criticised Chris Samba for playing as an additional striker during the final minutes of the 3-2 defeat at Fulham.
The defender, at fault for the opening two goals at Craven Cottage, took up an attacking position after the 79th-minute sending-off of Whites midfielder Steve Sidwell.
It backfired, with Rangers fading despite having battled back from 3-0 down to put Fulham under sustained pressure.
Redknapp said: “Samba pushed himself up front and we started knocking it long to him. That’s not the way we play and not the way you play against 10 men.
“We were murdering them with 11 men and when they go down to 10 you’ve got to play. You’ve got to use the extra man and pass.
“We’d been creating three or four chances every 10 minutes and would have created more against 10 men, but because he was up front they started lumping it to him.”
Samba gave away an early penalty which was converted by Dimitar Berbatov, who then scored Fulham’s second goal after another error by the £12.5m January signing.
Clint Hill’s own goal left Rangers facing a mammoth task, but goals from Adel Taarabt and Loic Remy hauled them back into the match before Sidwell was red-carded for a reckless challenge on Armand Traore.
Redknapp declared: “It was a disastrous first half. We gave away the worst goals I’ve ever seen in my life – scandalous goals.
“You can’t concede goals like that and expect to win. The only thing I can say is that we did come out in the second half and at 3-2 I thought we would go on and win. I thought they [Fulham} had gone.
“We did well to come back in the second half and we deserved to get something. We battered them in that second half.”
The defeat left Rangers seven points adrift of 17th place with only seven matches remaining – a position from which no club has achieved Premier League survival.
“We’ve just got to keep going. We’ve got to win four matches and get two draws,” Redknapp added.
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02/08/2013 @ 5:32 am
Wonderful site. Lots of useful information here. I’m sending it to some pals ans also sharing in delicious. And certainly, thank you on your effort!
02/04/2013 @ 8:57 pm
?? What does the above mean?? Something cryptic? The ‘job’ you speak of doesn’t pay very well! Say what you mean dude! If calling samba a ‘tool’ or HR a nob is ‘abuse’ then lets all shut down our Internet and go back to steam power. Ps I don’t have twitter as I’m a grown up!
You’re Doing It Wrong: Don’t Abuse Players on Twitter | Fulham's Finest
02/04/2013 @ 11:04 am
[…] get me wrong here. It is without question the coach’s, media’s, and ultimately the fan’s job to hold players accountable for their actions […]
02/04/2013 @ 8:40 am
Four wins and two draws??? It was five wins last week?? How is it now easier for us when we lost?? HR is a nob
02/04/2013 @ 8:36 am
A good workman never blames his tools…and samba is definately a tool. Barry redcap did tell us how consistently incredible chrissy was though?? Mmm.. Looks like there is a fernando curse on QPahhh. A place where good players turn bad… Good pay though and you get to dress up like ‘da mighty blades or mackhams away from home’ kewl! Xx