West Londons new managers face off in pre-season (QPR vs Brentford)

Brentford beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road in their penultimate pre-season game on August 2nd, with Premier League action just weeks away. Andrews’ men got off to a flying start after a 2nd minute goal from captain Collins saw the visitors take the lead.

As set piece coach, we saw Andrews’ implement a kick-off routine which became famous as Brentford scored from the whistle three games in a row. Collins goal came from a similar routine to open the game.

Brentford controlled the opening 20 minutes, both in possession and game tempo, QPR were simply unable to get close to the ball, and when they did have it, couldn’t keep it for long.

QPRs Dembele showed real technical skill and was a bright spark for the Rangers. Saito, one of QPRs better players last season, left in the summer after his loan finished. It looks like QPR may have found an adequate replacement.

Dembele clearly has bags of ability on the ball, showcasing flashy skills and a dazzlingly passing technique. However, his ability to read the game appears to be below par along with his physical prowess as he spent most the first half being bullied by Kayode.

Brentford’s back four and CDM are all mountains for men, not just in height but in lean physique. After 30 minutes QPR resorted to fouling the defence in an effort to get close to the ball.

Morgan had QPRs best chance of the half, bursting through the middle to strike the ball outside the box, which sailed over the bar and struck the advertising board.

Tactically, QPR sat narrow out of possession in the first half. This is inviting fullback Kayode to get forward wide out, Brentford created multiple chances by exploiting the space down the right, but couldn’t make it count.

In the first 20, QPR heavily pressed Yarmoliuk, but dropped off him after realising his press resistance, they dropped to cover the immediate passing lanes.

In doing this, Yarmoliuk was freed to play direct passes into the overlapping fullbacks. QPR couldn’t figure out what to do with the CDM.

Thiago occupied both centre backs and posed a real physical challenge during the game, out muscling both championship defenders. He has also proved his areal ability in his own box, having cleared two corners with ease.

After the restart, it took both teams 15 minutes to find their feet again. The game became stop-start due to injuries and the referees whistle. Eventually at the 60th minute the flow returned.

Brentford looked threatening from this point, targeting substitute Hickey, who came on in the 64th at left back, who held his own despite limited support from the midfield.

Substitute Milambo squandered multiple chances during Brentford’s 15 minute flurry and failed to get himself onto the scoresheet, and Henry was unfortunate not to score after Yarmoliuk won the ball back on the edge of QPRs box and threaded the fullback through. Walsh pulled off a brilliant save to limit the damage.

Brentford’s dominance was cut short by a mass substitution at the 75th minute mark which saw over half the team replaced.

The pace was taken out of the game until added time, when in the 92nd Bennie was through on goal after a long ball from the back had beaten both centre half’s. Bennie squandered the chance to level the game.

Moments later, Milambo squandered an equally good opportunity to seal the game, Bennie still had his head in his hands from his chance when Milambo’s shot landed in the crowd.

It is difficult to read too much into performances like this, as the gulf in ability between premiership and championship grows, it is hard to assess what this means for either team who start their new campaigns later this month.

Undoubtedly, QPRs Man Of The Match was goalkeeper Walsh, who pulled off an array of impressive saves to keep the damage limited to 1-0. Meanwhile, Yarmoliuk was Brentford’s Man Of The Match due to his instrumental passing and instinctive interceptions.