By Rich Baggott
August 8 2006

Leeds manager, Kevin Blackwell was fuming with his players following the 2 - 2 draw with QPR, despite and impressive performance from Leeds Leeds took the their travels for the first time this season with an away trip to QPR, a team favored by many to be fighting relegation towards the end of the season and an unchanged line up from the team that beat Norwich last Saturday took to the field.

Within the opening minutes it became clear that QPR were packing out the midfield and finding the space on the ball needed. Blackwell changed it round, dropping Healy deeper but playing him in a creative role in front of the midfield. The move worked and Leeds quickly began to dominate for long periods of the first half.

Leeds evened out the goal efforts tally from the few that QPR had created in the opening exchanges. Horsfield nearly latched on to a poor back pass and butler had a good chance with a header - next Healy had a chance and midfielder, Steve Stone, fully recovered from the injury nightmare of the past two season had two great chances that were well saved by Paul Jones in the QPR net.

The Leeds side continued to push with the midfield passing well and push for an opening. Lewis linking up well to fire in the crosses and even Kelly had an excellent chance just after the half hour mark. A goal was looking inevitable.

Bakke, who appeared to be carrying a knock was substituted just after half time, making way for new signing, Westlake and the change did nothing to dampen the Leeds charge. Lewis, Healy, Horsfield and Stone were all pushing and looking dangerous and the goal finally came on 64 minutes. Healy fired a shot onto the bar and Lewis latched on to the rebound and struck a clean shot that left Jones with no chance.

Still Leeds pushed and could have added to the telly straight way with another Horsfield effort and it looked in danger of becoming a whitewash for the QPR fans.

Against the run of play though, a QPR attack ended up with a clumsy challenge from Stephen Crainey - who again had an impressive night prior to the foul. Penalty awarded and Martin Rowlands pulled the scores level.

Refusing to accept a draw as an acceptable end to the game, Leeds responded immediately and restored their one goal advantage. An excellent ball by Stone set up Horsfield superbly and the loan signing opened his account for Leeds with a smart finish.

In the final ten minutes though, Leeds let down their guard and QPR began to come back into the game - A side that looked well organsied and determined for so long suddenly rolled over and invited QPR in to equalise. Two minutes into injury time, the inevitable happened and substitute Shabazz Baidoo poked home from close range to bring the scores level.

In his post match interview, Leeds manager could not hide his anger and frustration with the players for throwing the game in the way they did - whilst acknowledging the stylish and impressive performance, he made it clear that it was not acceptable to perform like that and then lose 2 points. To quote a number of players had received some "Harsh Words" in the dressing room, with Blackwell even stating that players who didn't perform to the required level would be OUT of the club!

It's 4 points from two games from Leeds and Blackwell reaction, coupled with the impressive performance this evening, demonstrates clearly the high standards the club has set itself this year!