Smith - 6: looked more like his usual self in goal, making a couple of excellent saves and had no chance with the penalty. His distribution will need some work in training, but too often there was no player available to play the ball out of defence.
Prutton - 7: worked very hard playing out of position with little cover in front of him from Dyer. Had little chance to go forward, but made some strong challenges at the back.
Powell - 7: had a difficult afternoon against a muscular QPR attack, with little help from the referee. Made some important interceptions under pressure.
Lundekvam - 6: not the best afternoon's work from Claus, although he did provide a calming influence at the back. Struggled to deal with the QPR long balls that rained in.
Higginbotham - 5: a difficult afternoon for Danny on his return from injury and he didn't look 100% match fit. No lack of effort, but showed wayward distribution and was unlucky enough to concede the penalty.
Dyer - 4: an afternoon to forget for Nathan as he was denied any space to work with on the narrow pitch and was frequently muscled off the ball. Had some joy when switched to the left, but was replaced at half time by the manager.
Quashie - 6: another all-action display from Quashie who got stuck in on his return to his former club, but failed to assert his usual dominance on the game next to the quiet Oakley. Unlucky to see his penalty come back off the post.
Oakley - 5: a quiet game from Oakley who failed to get on top of a strong QPR midfield with him and Quashie often outnumbered. Showed some neat touches and good skill on the ball, alongside the occasional wayward piece of passing.
Walcott - 6: was well shacked by the QPR defence who clearly had a plan to deny him space and double team him whenever he got the ball. Still had Saints best effort in the first half and his electric run helped set up the penalty. If indeed he goes to Arsenal next week, it will be a great shame not to see this great talent develop.
Belmadi - 6: not at his most effective in a free floating role in midfield. Showed his usual skill on the ball, but the QPR pressing left him with few options on the ball.
Blackstock - 5: had to play a very difficult lone striker role against much stronger defenders. Needs a strike partner to get the best out of him and spent most of the game getting clobbered going for headers. His time will come again.
Substitutes
Fuller - 6: came on for Dyer at half time as Saints sought to get on top of the QPR defence. Tried hard but little came off for him with his two different strike partners failing to read his knock downs.
Jones - 5: nothing stuck for the big man as he frequently conceded possession, usually up against two defenders. Also failed to link up with Ricardo Fuller.