Championship: Swansea City 0-0 QPR

It wasn’t to be for Steve Cooper and Swansea City on Tuesday as they failed to even tally an attempt on target during their game with QPR, who looked the most likely over the 90 minutes, writes Tommy Reynolds.

Undoubtedly, it proved a cold and frustrating night for both sets of supporters.

Ones to watch for Giggs:

With Wales manager Ryan Giggs in attendance, it was a chance for Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts to impress, with both in contention for a place at the upcoming Euro’s.

It was also a notable night for 11-year Swansea veteran Angel Rangel, who returned to the Liberty Stadium and started for The Hoops at right back.

Nervy start for Swans:

Straight from kick off Swansea’s back line looked nervy though, with a wayward backpass from Marc Guehi putting keeper Freddie Woodman under pressure.

QPR looked to pounce as Swansea legend Rangel put Hugill through on goal, only for him to smash the bobbling ball over when he should have done much better.

Swansea continued their anxious play when a cross from QPR’s Pugh was misjudged completely by Woodman but fortunately Naughton was switched on and cleared to deny Hugill.

Then it was Swansea’s turn to test and Bersant Celina, who showed no sign of injury despite being a doubt for the game, demonstrated some lovely footwork before delivering a dangerous ball that nobody got on the end of.

Andre Ayew then dribbled into the QPR box with quick feet but got his shot blocked by his own teammate in Rodon, which summed up Swansea’s night in front of goal.

The first shot on target came from QPR’s Bright Osayi-Samuel in the 39th minute who linked up with Eberechi Eze but had a weak connection on his shot to make it simple for Woodman to cover.

After the uneventful first half, a Swansea counter-attack after the break ended with the impressive Celina shooting way wide.

Woolmer waves away penalty claims:

There was an optimistic shout from the Swansea fans for a penalty when Yan Dhanda went down in the box, but referee Andy Woolmer was having none of it.  

Half chances came for both teams as Osayi-Samuel again looked dangerous with a fizzing cross that sailed through the six-yard box and evaded everyone.

Strangely, both sides made only one change each as Kalulu came on for Dhanda while for the visitors Todd Kane on for Rangel – who received a standing ovation as he made his way back to the bench.

Late on Kalulu put a good ball into the danger area but QPR keeper Liam Kelly was able to palm it away - and the substitute then showed good intent as he floated a ball over for Rhian Brewster to chase which Kelly fumbled, but was able to recover.

In the dying seconds there was another penalty shout for Swansea as Ayew went down in the box, again to no avail.

The draw leaves Swansea 10th ahead of a trip to Hull on Friday.

Cooper rues lack of creativity:

It’s clear Swansea fans were restless in the second half, however Cooper said that “We can’t let that bother us - fans are behind the team.”

He also claimed that the absence of a shot on goal wasn’t for a lack of trying: “For the amount of the ball that we had, we should have created more.”

Mark Warburton, when asked about the return of Angel Rangel to the Liberty Stadium, said: “He’s been outstanding - he’s a great role model for the young players.”

Swansea: Freddie Woodman, Connor Roberts, Marc Guehi, Joe Rodon, Kyle Naughton, Andre Ayew, Conor Gallagher, Matt Grimes (capt), Yan Dhanda (Aldo Kalulu 74), Bersant Celina, Rhian Brewster. Subs not used: Erwin Mulder, Jay Fulton, Wayne Routledge, Jake Bidwell, Liam Cullen, Ben Cabango.

Queens Park Rangers: Liam Kelly, Angel Rangel (Todd Kane 84), Grant Hall (capt), Geoff Cameron, Marc Pugh, Jordan Hugill, Eberechi Eze, Dominic Ball, Ryan Manning, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Yoram Barbet. Subs not used: Joe Lumley, Luke Amos, Aramide Otah, Ilias Chair, Conor Masterson, Jack Clarke.

Referee: Andy Woolmer

Assistant referees: Daniel Leach and Mark Pottage

Attendance: 14,778