QPR boss pleased with second-half response against Hull City
Mark Warburton felt that QPR were too slow on the ball in the first half in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Hull City – but was pleased with the response after the restart.
Marcus Forss’ 26th-minute opener was cancelled out by an Ilias Chair strike with 15 minutes remaining to give the R’s a point after back to back defeats.
Warburton said: “In the first half we moved the ball too slowly. Hull defend well and they work hard, they are very good in their defensive shape and they are going to try to get something from a set piece.
“We were in control of the game but not really threatening them, we lacked a little bit of quality and they nicked a goal.
“They reacted better to the second phase for it, and then we went in 1-0 down at the break.
“I was pleased with the response from us. In the second half we had a far better tempo and were far more dominant, far more in control of the game.
“We were moving the ball far quicker and looked a good team. The players are despondent because they feel it is two points dropped but that is what this league is like.
“Look at the other results today with teams around us dropping points. All we can do is focus on QPR. I was pleased with the second-half performance and now we have to take that into Wednesday night against Blackpool.
“It was a case of getting your ball players into the team. Firstly, Stefan Johansen is our skipper and a pivotal player for us but we have to give players time to recharge and use our squad, and Stefan was outstanding in his response to that.
“In terms of Chris, it’s a case of how do you get your ball players into the team but also have that edge and energy which you need to have to break teams down? In Jeff Hendrick, Sam Field and Luke Amos we have that. We had Chris Willock, Ilias Chair and Charlie Austin up top for that attacking threat.
“We scored a nice goal with a great ball from Moses Odubajo and then the crowd obviously expect us to go and win the game. We were dominant, we were picking up second balls and we looked a good team.
“That was key for me, don’t have another flat performance, don’t go dropping three points. I think the fans saw the team on the front foot which is really key for QPR.”
PICTURES: ROB AVIS