QPR player ratings - 'Wonderkid' 9/10 but 'criminal' 4 as R's salvage point against Coventry City

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QPR have to earn their point the hard way after conceding early against Coventry City.

A second win of the Championship season still eludes QPR, but the London outfit ended a run of four straight defeats with a 1-1 draw against Coventry City.

A bright opening few minutes from QPR saw a couple of half chances with a nice corner whipped in from Ilias Chair but it took just seconds for promise to turn to pain - the visitors clinical as they counter attacked, Haji Wright eventually slotting in after a poor clearance from Kader Dembele.

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R's full-back Kenneth Paal picked up an injury in the defensive fracas before the goal and was subbed shortly after. His replacement, Koki Saito, added immediate impetus with a jinking run and pull back which Sam Field could only blast over the bar.

The Japanese winger and Ilias Chair proved a headache for the Sky Blues as QPR dominated large parts of the first half, lacking ideas and a clinical edge when working nice opportunities on the edge of the box.

It was all rather pedestrian at the break with QPR needed the young passion of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Kieran Morgan to make something happen. The 18-year-old was picked out by Paul Smyth from the wing and executed a difficult volley with aplomb, the shot just creeping over the head of Coventry shot-stopper Oliver Dovin, who perhaps should have done better.

Here’s how the QPR players rated.

GK - Paul Nardi, 7

A good save before the goal, so will be extra frustrated to see that creep in. Awake late on when needed but almost embarrassed himself when overplaying at one moment.

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LB - Kenneth Paal, 3

Was only on the pitch for a matter of minutes before being taken off with an injury picked up when looking like a deer caught in headlights against the Coventry City break that led to the goal.

CB - Steve Cook, 8

Almost got a foot on the ball as it crossed a line for the goal but needed an extra shoe size or two. Some crucial interventions as usual.

CB - Jake Clarke-Salter, 7

Good to see the centre-back in the starting XI again. Showed some lovely moments of vision to ping balls forward.

RB - Jimmy Dunne, 6

His usual self, efficient if not always pretty at full-back.

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CM - Jonathan Varane, 7

Put those long legs to some good use tonight. Could still be a bit neater but a positive presence in the centre of the park.

CM - Sam Field, 6

Took a while to get into it tonight, blasted over the bar from a decent chance early on. Used his body to almost comically win back possession with 15 minutes to play and gave a huge fist pump to celebrate - needed to be fired up earlier.

LW - Ilias Chair, 6

More minutes in the bank for Ilias Chair.More minutes in the bank for Ilias Chair.
More minutes in the bank for Ilias Chair. | Getty Images

Busied himself tonight but still not at his best post injury. Looked frustrated at a lack of options in the box at times, having to get his head down and take on players more than finding balls. Some nice deliveries from set plays.

CAM - Kader Dembele, 4

That sloppy clearance that led to the Coventry City goal was criminal. You can’t be snoozing like that so early on in the predicament QPR find themselves in. Looked shaken in the minutes after that mistake and never quite got over it before his second half sub, struggling for physicality when running through the middle.

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RW - Paul Smyth, 8

The winger was the one to calm proceedings down after conceding for QPR. His experience was pivotal tonight. Put in a few decent balls that any hungry striker would have been on the end of and picked out Morgan for the leveller too. Led a brilliant break with 15 minutes to play but needed to release earlier to set Andersen through one-on-one.

ST - Zan Celar, 4

There were a couple nice moments of movement but not enough. The R’s wingers knocked a couple good balls across the face of goal in the second half but the summer signing was nowhere to be seen.

SUB - Koki Saito, 9

Had a lot to do tonight when coming on for Paal, filling in at left-back and offering something going forward. He did both of those and can hold his head high with that shift, and looked like he really enjoyed being out there.

SUB - Lucas Andersen, 7

Nice cameo from the bench. Brought energy and drive into the side to help find the equaliser.

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SUB - Kieran Morgan, 9

Morgan scores from range.Morgan scores from range.
Morgan scores from range. | Getty Images

Absolutely fantastic. QPR needed someone with a bit of a spark to come on and the 18-year-old provided that. Made a very, very difficult volley look easy - it’s early days, but is this a wonderkid in the making?

SUB - Harrison Ashby, N/A

SUB - Alfie Lloyd, N/A

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