Neil Warnock: Wrong to play this match in midweek

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11 April 2012

Neil Warnock has questioned the decision to stage the match between Queens Park Rangers and Millwall on a Tuesday night after violent clashes between supporters in and around Loftus Road.

Police made 11 arrests as helicopters hovered overhead throughout the 0-0 draw with many fans kept locked in local bars for their own safety for up to 30 minutes after the 8pm kick-off.

The worst violence came on the final whistle when Millwall fans battled with police outside while others managed to gain access to a section of the home support, reducing terrified women and children to tears.

QPR boss Warnock was puzzled as to why such a potentially combustible fixture was held on a Tuesday night, especially with Chelsea also at home in the Champions League.

He said: "It doesn't make sense and you'll never get any sense out of them [football's authorities].

"It will be a computer or somebody who has never kicked a football or thought about fans."

A Scotland Yard spokesman confirmed there were 11 arrests — two for possession of offensive weapons, one for being drunk and disorderly, two for assaults on police, two for public order offences, two for affray, one for common assault and one for an immigration offence.

On the pitch, Millwall succeeded in becoming the first club to come away from Loftus Road with a point this season. Rangers midfielder Hogan Ephraim admitted that they must learn to break down teams that play with 10 men behind the ball after they dropped points for just the second time this season.

"Teams will get everyone behind the ball against us as we are scoring a lot of goals and are unbeaten," said Ephraim after QPR forced Millwall goalkeeper David Forde into serious action just twice, although they are still six points clear at the top of the table.

"We can't play like that as our manager wouldn't encourage it but we have to learn from it. We need a bit of individual inspiration and make the most of any half-chances.

"But it's a happy camp here at the moment, much better than it has been in previous years. We have got stability and we know the manager is going to be here no matter what, though we won't get carried away."

And Millwall's assistant manager, Joe Gallen, has told his side to make progress earning a point following three successive defeats.

"I think [keeping a clean sheet] has restored our confidence defensively and we need to build on that and start adding some goals," said Gallen.

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