Hass: No win but no whinge
JIMMY Floyd Hasselbaink insists the scoreline did not properly reflect his side’s display as QPR failed to win for the fifth consecutive game in all competitions.
The visitors took the lead through Lukas Jutkiewicz before Steven Caulker equalised to send the teams into half-time all square.
QPR dominated the second half but lacked quality in the final third as they failed to convert their chances.
Tjaronn Chery missed two clear cut opportunities while Idrissa Sylla and Massimo Luongo also failed to beat Adam Legzdins when chances fell their way.
Hasselbaink said: “Unfortunately we didn’t score but our display was very good. We had a setback by them scoring first but it didn’t affect us and that was really pleasing to see.
“Second half, I think there was only one team in it, we did very well, we won the second balls, we passed, we were a little bit unfortunate, the goalkeeper made a couple of good saves and a few balls were cleared close to the line.
“I am happy with the performance, that is what it is about, we need to perform like this regularly, you make a string of these performances and you will win games.
“Wszolek did very well. He is getting used to the English game, we think he will improve and get better, he is somebody who is very positive.”
Jutkiewicz opened the scoring for the visitors after a deep cross was nodded across the goal by Michael Morrison, leaving the forward a simple tap in.
But QPR equalised when Caulker nodded home a Chery corner in the 39th minute.
The home side dominated the second half, restricting Birmingham to very little possession and even fewer chances.
First-half substitute Pawel Wszolek was the bright spark for the home side after the break, frequently beating his full-back and delivering high quality crosses into the box.
Chery was the main beneficiary of Wszolek’s play, twice the winger put the ball on a plate for QPR’s number ten, but his first effort was blocked and he failed to beat Legzdins with the second.
Despite a slightly underwhelming performance, Birmingham extended their unbeaten run to five games in the Championship.
And Gary Rowett was happy with a point, admitting Loftus Road is never an easy place to play.
Rowett said: “I wouldn’t say I expected to win, we are in good form and we have been very resolute in the way that we have played.
“We knew we would have to weather a bit of a storm at the start of the second half, and I think it was a combination of QPR’s desperation to get the win, our poor decision making and lack of quality with possession when we did win the ball back.
“We just didn’t play with the same energy, which stopped us getting out and into attacking areas.
“I don’t think they had any real chances, but quite a few long-range efforts which Adam saved and some pressure in the box we dealt with.
“You aren’t always going to play as well as we did away from home at Fulham, as well as we did against Sheffield Wednesday, or Norwich, sometimes you have to dig in deep to extend the unbeaten run away from home which we have done.”