Warnock: Denied victory by Derby and left to lament missed chances
Neil Warnock felt it was an opportunity wasted as his QPR side had to settle for a 0-0 draw at home to Derby on Monday night.
Victory would have put the Championship leaders within two points of clinching promotion to the Premier League.
But Derby are still not certain of survival and the visitors put in a dogged performance to earn a deserved point.
Brad Jones denied Adel Taarabt in the first half while Wayne Routledge fired wide from a wide angle.
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Yet the best chance fell for Derby in the second half, when Stephen Pearson was denied by a superb save from QPR keeper Paddy Kenny, who along with Taarabt was named in the PFA’s Championship Team of the Year.
And although the Hoops continued to have more possession late on, they could not break open a Derby defence well-marshalled by Shaun Barker and on-loan Daniel Ayala.
“I thought it was three points wasted really,” Warnock told Sky Sports.
“They had the best chance second half, it was a great save by Paddy, which was difficult when he didn’t really have anything to do.
“But the chances we had in the first half, how we didn’t score one of them is unbelievable really. But that’s football.
Disappointed
“We kept a clean sheet and we’re eight points ahead (of second-placed Cardiff) with four games left so you can’t really ask for any more.
“Yes, we’re disappointed, but it’s another point on the board and at this time of the season, every point’s vital.
“All credit to Derby, they came to stifle us,” added the QPR boss. “They were glad to get 10 bodies behind the ball, but that’s football.
“If they’re going to crowd the midfield, you come away with a point and move on.”
Taarabt was brought off in the 71st minute after an ongoing duel with Derby captain Robbie Savage, with Patrick Agyemang and Ishmael Miller also unable to find a goal after coming on late on.
Taarabt frustration
And although Taarabt appeared to throw a water bottle on the touchline as he came off, Warnock insisted the 16-goal Moroccan forward was frustrated about his own performance rather than expressing anger towards the manager.
“Adel’s disappointed because he’s set such a high standard this season,” he said.
“He wasn’t getting much joy, there was that many bodies around him in there, so we thought to change it.
“Patrick and Ishmael did well at their place. We had nothing to lose and hadn’t created much so that’s why we did it.”
QPR are now nine points clear of third-placed Norwich with four games left and on Saturday they visit Dave Jones’ Cardiff, who are in second place.
“It’s always good to play against Dave,” Warnock added. “They have got the best forwards in the league so to pit your wits against them will be great.
“It’ll be a great atmosphere, the Welsh turn out in force, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
