Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Huddersfield Town
by James Nalton
at Loftus Road

QUEENS PARK RANGERS manager Mick Beale was far from happy with his team’s performance in their 2-1 loss against Huddersfield Town.

The Rs boss tried his best to give a measured overview of the game but could not hide his disappointment in a frank post-match press conference.

He blamed himself as much as his players after QPR conceded twice from set pieces to a Terriers team stuck at the bottom of the Championship and without an away win prior to Tuesday night’s game.

His praise for the opposition also felt like criticism of his own team. The Huddersfield players were doing what his own were not.

“They put their body on the line for their manager, who will be delighted with them,” Beale said. 

“They look like they're fighting for something. The first 20 minutes looked like a kid's game and that’s on me. I’m not happy with it at all, as you can tell.”

Despite the apparent lack of fight at set pieces from QPR, Huddersfield’s biggest chance came in open play during the first minute.

Danny Ward found himself through on goal but his shot was saved by Seny Dieng.

When QPR immediately went up the other end and scored via Lyndon Dykes, who turned in Chris Willock’s cross, it looked like the game was going to go the way of the promotion chasers, but Huddersfield had other ideas.

Left-back Josh Ruffels equalised with an opportunistic effort after Jack Rudoni headed the ball down following a free kick.

Ruffels netted a second with a lob from the edge of the area that dipped over the head of the slightly complacent Dieng.

Rudoni, who was playing slightly deeper than usual⁠ — a regista you might say, given the Englishman's Italian-sounding surname ⁠— was singled out for praise from Huddersfield head coach Mark Fotheringham after the game.

“Jack is capable of playing many positions,” said the Terriers boss. “He’s a game-intelligent player with a real understanding of football as a young man.

“He’s got football in his blood. He was a real standout for me today.”

Next up for Beale and his QPR team, meanwhile, is a trip to Coventry this weekend for their final game before the World Cup. 

The manager says the break could have come at a good time for them.

“We’ve got to prove we’re as good as Norwich and Sheffield United," Beale said. 

"I’m bitterly disappointed we were ultimately not good enough, firstly from me and then the players.” Later adding, “maybe the break’s come at a good time for all of us.”