Charlie Austin celebrates after scoring a wonder goal to level the scores against Southampton (Picture: Getty Images)

When Charlie Austin controlled the ball exquisitely with his right foot, turned and volleyed with his left in one fell swoop to level with a wonderful finish it looked like QPR’s fortunes were about to change.

Yet barely two minutes had passed before Graziano Pelle entered into the goal of the season competition with a ridiculous overhead kick, condemning us to another away day defeat.

There were signs of improvements in glimpses from us but in truth there’s still plenty of work to be done, for everything we did right there was a moment of wrong just around the corner.



Give Charlie Austin the support and reap the rewards


Austin cut a much isolated figure last week against Stoke and again in the first half Saturday as he lacked the support from players behind him. Once we went a goal down and started to chase the game he was suddenly in the thick of the action as Eduardo Vargas, Niko Kranjcar, Leroy Fer and Junior Hoilett all got further forward to support him.

All four combined to great effect to create chances for Austin who is handful for defenders but we have to get the ball to him in the right areas as he showed with a sublime, Dennis Bergkamp like control and finish for his goal.

Rio Ferdinand has endured a tough start to the season at QPR (Picture: Getty Images)

Is Harry Redknapp brave enough to drop Rio?

The answer has to be a resounding no, as already performances from the much celebrated defender have warranted it.

We can’t understand why Nedum Onuoha has only played 45 minutes this season and it’s a given if he or anyone else had put in the performances Rio has this season they would be dropped much sooner. It’s probably a good thing Rio’s much publicised book is already out as the QPR chapter wouldn’t make for pleasant reading.

Lack of tactics, lack of identity

The lack of continuity in team selection and tactics hasn’t helped our start to the season and it doesn’t look as though Redknapp knows what’s best for this set of players.

He scrapped the 3-5-2 which now sees wing-backs Armand Traore and Mauricio Isla struggle against a direct winger, yet reverting back would see no place for Junior Hoilett who came on to great effect Saturday.

Vargas was pushed out wide to make 4-5-1 to try contain a Southampton side but all this did was invite pressure.

Once we went a goal down we showed much more intent and created chances which caused Saints problems and a bit more belief in the players and tactics to accommodate are needed if we want to get anywhere this season.

Rob Green will be looking over his shoulder

At times Green’s saves kept us in the game but they may not hold much credit when he gets beat like he did for the first goal.



I’ve always liked Green but with the highly rated Alex McCarthy waiting in the wings Green can’t afford to concede too many goals like that again.

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