Jimmy happy despite Hull’s smash and grab
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink remained steadfast in his insistence that Queens Park Rangers ‘got it right’ against Hull despite seeing his side beaten by a late goal in a dramatic finale.
After six games in charge Hasselbaink is still waiting for his first win, with Adama Diomande denying QPR a point after capitalising on a calamitous mix-up between goalkeeper Rob Green and Grant Hall.
Abel Hernandez had given Hull the lead just after the hour mark when he side-footed home from 12 yards after a lovely chipped pass from the outstanding Mohamed Diame.
There was hope for the QPR faithful with four minutes remaining though as Sebastian Polter headed home after he initially set Matt Phillips away down the left before getting on the end of the winger’s cross.
But joy quickly turned to despair for Hasselbaink when Green collided with Hall after a Sam Clucas cross and Diomande turned home the winner.
“It looked like we were going to get the three points after we scored,” said Hasselbaink.
“There was only one team in it at that moment.
“I think we were unfortunate to lose that game. It was not a game where they hammered us or we hammered them.
“Of course it’s frustrating, but [getting the first win] is not the focus. If you are going to focus on win, win, win, you are not going to get the game right, and you have to get the game right to win. And we got it right.”
In a match desperate for a moment of quality Hernandez’s opener was a welcome relief after Diame made a powerful run from the middle before feeding the Uruguayan from the edge of the box.
And Diomande’s slightly fortuitous goal means a return to winning ways for Steve Bruce’s side in their chase for promotion after going down 1-0 to Preston North End last time out.
“It wasn’t a classic, but at least we’ve seen a bit of resilience and we rolled our sleeves up,” said Bruce. “There’s been a few things said after the last three games.We let ourselves down.
“They’ve got an equalising goal and we’ve gone straight up the other end and scored. I don’t know much about how it went in but it was a great ball from Sam Clucas.
“The goal will be good for Diomande. He will give us something a little bit different. He’s fit and powerful and likes to run in behind. In that respect I’m really pleased for him because it’s been a frustrating time for him.”