Rangers lose again after increasing ticket prices

Last updated : 03 March 2009 By Liam Osborne

Any hopes of a late play-off push were crushed at Loftus Road tonight, after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Championship strugglers Norwich.


It was a first win in fourteen for the Canaries, leaving Rangers without a win in six league games.


The goal came mid-way through the second half, after a mix-up between Kaspars Gorkss and Damion Stewart in the Rangers defence. Wesley Hoolahan took advantage when he fed striker Darel Russell, who slotted home low to Radek Cerny's left from twelve yards out.


QPR should have taken the lead in the first minute, but Liam Miller's shot flew past David Marshall in the Ipswich goal. Jordi Lopez almost marked his full debut with a goal, but his free kick flashed past the wrong side of the post ten minutes later.


Despite dominating the first-half and squandering several good chances, Rangers were fortunate to go in level at half-time.


Lopez thought he had given a spot-kick away when he brought down Lee Croft in the Rangers penalty area. But after consulting with his assistant, referee Graham Scott instead awarded a corner having initially pointed to the spot.


Replays showed that Norwich should have had a penalty.


The decision came as a relief to Rangers, who could have been ahead themselves, with forwards Heider Helguson and Dexter Blackstock both wasting good opportunities.


And it was a case of more of the same in the second-half, with Rangers enjoying most of the possession without showing any real creativity. After gifting Norwich a goal from nothing, the best chance to draw level fell to Dexter Blackstock, who stabbed the ball wide from just four yards out, following a goal-mouth scramble.


The result means that Rangers will need a drastic change of form to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs, and still need a few good results to ensure safety from relegation.


But QPR fans need not worry, because 'As a loyal supporter, you now have the opportunity to purchase your 2009/10 Season Ticket at the same price as this season, in what is a limited 'Price Freeze' period'.


For some bizarre reason, the club feels that during a recession, it's only right that the fan's reward for being treated to inconsistent performances and constant off the field speculation, without any reassurances from the board, is an increase in ticket prices. Pathetic.