QPR (included) Sommer, Maddix, Slade, Dichio and Hateley (email me if you want the full list)
It was a cold and windy night but we won 7 nil! so going top of the league and being top scores, hardest defence (sounds familiar)
It started off as a very interesting game, and I think the smallness of the ground (so half full - Harrow Boro not Loftus road!) plus the history of managers transformed it into a big game. The first half was end to end and although we had the edge, they did look dangerous. McGowan was our best attack option although being so close you could hear him remonstrate his team mates - how can I f***ing pass it before I've f***ing controlled it! The first half ended 0-0 and as I eagerly awaited the 2nd half I let my eyes wander the small stand.
How many Arsenal managers did I see just behind me?
Four! Wenger, Rice, Rioch and Coneman. They were besieged by kids asking for
autographs and I was overcome by shyness and lack of something to get them
to write on. Also alhtough I had plenty of questions to ask each one of them
(e.g to W are you going to giv gav a go, to BR are you off to a better job?)
they were all sitting together! and I would feel bad just talking to AW!
Rice and Rioch were having a good chat but Coneman looked a bit put out. As
Joe has already said to me - oh for a camera!
Second half - the ref ruined. He had already given out a ridiculous number of yellow cards (McGowan and Parlour - for a nothing challenge that the QPR man dived a la the Mcdonalds advert) so when Sommer handballed outside his area it was no surprise he was harshly sent off. To be fair to him the lines were not well marked and I couldn't see them at all from my position.
Anyway he was off and Hughes scored from the freekick with a curling shot that Bergkamp would be proud of (luckily for them they had a sub keeper - not they it did them much good!)
After that it was very one sided with Arsenal attacking all the time and goals coming thick and fast: Read 2, Shaw (lovely Beckham type lob), Garde, Rankin (on as sub) and Rose. They did manage a couple of shots but Vince had a good game.
On the potential front, McGowan looks good, Rose is excellent and Waehler looks like he has potential. Black looks like a little kid but ran around a lot even if he didn't defend too well. Parlour was not on a good one, Shaw was fairly quiet and Remi looked composed
report by Peter Swingewood