McClaren so happy to see real steel again
STEVE McCLAREN saw his resurgent QPR side go within a coat of paint of a last-gasp win at Birmingham.
A lifeless game sparked into life when Rangers captain Toni Leistner, a free signing in the summer from Union Berlin, headed against the post before a scramble saw the hosts survive.
It was nevertheless a welcome point for McClaren, whose side have picked up four points from two games following thumping 7-0 and 3-0 losses to West Brom and Bristol City.
McClaren said: “The squad is looking totally different compared to what it did three weeks ago. We have signed five quality players.
“The squad looks better, stronger and we have worked a lot on organisation and discipline.
“I think we are a good team with the ball but we needed to develop that steeliness without, especially away from home. If we keep clean sheets we’ve got players who can score.
“Apart from the result and not scoring, that’s as good an away performance as I’ve seen for a long time from the team.”
Birmingham were indebted to keeper Lee Camp for denying the visitors three times during the second half.
Earlier, Leistner could and possibly should have opened the scoring before the break but sent a powerful header over the crossbar whilst unmarked after meeting Luke Freeman’s free-kick.
Birmingham manager Garry Monk was down-heartened by the listless display of his team which keeps them in the bottom three.
“We feel frustrated. We want to get our first win,” said Monk.
“We know that in the six games we have done more than enough, especially in the previous games to get those wins, but it was a very scrappy game with a lot of free-kicks.
“When I look back at the six games there are so many positives.
“We are frustrated that we could not get the win but we will work now over the international break and make sure we improve.”