'Defensive nightmare', 'Pandemonium' - QPR vs Portsmouth player ratings with Rs stars receiving 3/10s and 5/10s

QPR’s disaster autumn continued as Marti Cifuentes’s side suffered a 2-1 loss to Portsmouth at Loftus Road, putting them 24th in the league.

A scrappy and desperate first half ended all even with Pompey’s Freddie Potts levelling Kader Dembele’s opener. While the Rs number seven took his golden opportunity with exceptional ease, it cannot be argued that Pompey’s poor defence provided the 21-year-old with his ticket to glory.

However, the Blues would not relent and it seemed poor defensive displays would be the order of the day with Potts’ powering the ball past Paul Nardi after pouncing on a loose ball that the QPR backline had been unable to clear.

Much had been made of Ilias Chair’s recent return to the pitch, however his first 45 minute display against John Mousinho’s squad did little to suggest he was deserving of his place back in the starting XI after he missed the perfect opportunity to put his side 2-1 up, losing a one-on-one battle with the Blues keeper Nicolas Schmid just before the half-time whistle.

Whether it was the half-time beer top-ups or the frantic display of football, the start of the second half had Loftus Road bouncing. It cannot be argued that the post-break performance was the best of what the Championship had to offer, but it was certainly highly entertaining with both relegation-facing clubs scrambling for the winner.

An unfortunate error from Morgan Fox resulted in Callum Lang scoring from the spot and the race for the three points was well and truly on.

The tension on the field was palpable as the Rs sought to avoid their fourth defeat in a row but it was not to be. Cifuentes side suffered yet another loss with Pompey recording their first win of the Championship. Questions will undoubtedly be asked as to how the Hoops can improve their defensive set-up following such a disjointed and unsystematic performance.

Here are LondonWorld’s ratings following QPR’s 2-1 Loftus Road defeat...

Paul Nardi - 6

Early slip-up and unable to keep out Potts goal. Subsequently dealt effectively with any further active threats.

Harrison Ashby - 5

Substituted for Paul Smyth after 62 minutes which many fans may feel was too long to wait. Offered little on the wing with his counterpart Paal a far more useful option. 

Jimmy Dunne - 3

Struggled to get in the game with a few early fumbles allowing Josh Murphy the opportunity to get in the box. It was an all round defensive breakdown, however, that saw Potts score his first goal for the Blues.

Steve Cook - 5

Most efficient defender in first-half for QPR although once again the goal scored against them was another defensive nightmare. 

Kenneth Paal - 7

Excellent eye for passing, providing several opportunities for teammates on the wing early on. Paal petered out as the game went on but, unlike his teammates, will not be held responsible for silly errors and was a rare beacon of consistency in a game otherwise filled with pandemonium.  

Sam Field - 5

It was not an easy afternoon for Field who looked unable to comfortably contend with a chaotic Pompey set-up and was subsequently subbed off after 62 minutes.  

Nicolas Madsen - 4

Very absent for the opening 45 minutes, with few touches on the ball but was no more or less effective than Field with both of them struggling to get a handle on the game. Did little to redeem himself in the second-half.

Morgan Fox - 3

Sloppy error in lead up to Potts’ equaliser, as he proved unable to clear the ball. A bad day, however, turned worse with the left-back then responsible for penalty after tripping Callum Lang just inside the box.

Ilias Chair - 5

Missed almost perfect opportunity to put his side ahead following 1v1 with Schmid.  Looked out of place throughout the first half, clearly struggling with his return from injury. Livened up in the second half but once again when given the chance to score, the Moroccan was unable. 

Kader Dembele - 7

Scores QPR’s first goal following terribly poor goalkeeping from Schmid. Pompey’s defence in tatters with Dembele ready to pounce. 

Michael Frey - 6

While not offering the shots on goal, Frey was by far the most efficient attacker for the Rs, doing the work of three players as his younger colleagues looked like rabbits in the headlights. Began to look slow and sluggish towards the end of play, ultimately feeling the effects of his extra workload.

SUBS

Kieran Morgan - 6

Far more keen than the midfielder he replaced to get involved in the action, and able to offer useful passes and space for his teammates.

Paul Smyth - 5

Similarly was not the addition Marti Cifuentes needed for his squad at a time of significant struggle.

Koki Saito - 7

Unlucky to have Schmid save header in final ten minutes of play. Was a great addition to the game, adding necessary and energetic impetus to get his players up the field and into the box. By far the most useful substitution and one must wonder why he was not brought on earlier.

Zan Celar - 4

Unable to contribute enough to get his side out of the mud following 62nd minute substitution.

Lucas Andersen

Subbed on in the 81st minute of play