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Brentford fans trudged out of Loftus Road having watched their team bowled over far too easily by a Rangers side that didn’t have to be anywhere near top form to secure the win. It had been hoped that the short trip to QPR would be the game that prompted a passionate reaction from the players after a week when we had heard they were ‘up for it’, instead it was a case of the same old problems and glaring inadequacies in front of goal.

Although Brentford matched Rangers until Hoilett curled impressively into the top corner for the first goal of the afternoon, then went close shortly afterwards, if you look at the  performance over the full 90 minutes, and the fact that we’ve taken just seven points from the last available 36, it is little wonder there is anger, frustration and concern coursing through Bees fans’ veins.

The main talking point before the match was that Dean Smith had picked a team without any of the squad’s recognised strikers, Alan Judge playing up top – quite what we learned from his latest experiment I’m not sure – but it certainly didn’t lead to a more potent formation or any change in fortunes for the Bees.

One nil down at the break, but having enjoyed some decent possession, fans were optimistic that Brentford could get back in the game – but it wasn’t to be. Two more goals, from Polter and Chery, the result of good finishing from interceptions, saw the home team ease into an unassailable lead – hearing the Rangers fans singing “3-0 on your big day out” was certainly difficult to take.

Again, I don’t think you can accuse the players of any lack of effort, and I’m sure they were desperate to go to QPR and do well, but the team are simply not strong enough in so many key areas or in scraps like this. Rangers looked stronger and more physical – they also created far more danger and were clinical with what came their way in front of goal.

These are worrying times, you don’t need me to tell you that, just listen to the fans in the Beesotted video an the post-match Podcast (links above), there is genuine and well founded concerns that Dean Smith and his team can’t turn this desperate run of form around.

Whether or not we will now look to the loan market to bring in a striker or more bite in midfield, we shall see, but unless something changes for the better soon, the relegation threat will not go away.

We looked like an average League One team yesterday – none of us want to be that again any time soon.

Dave Lane