Dykes a bright spark for Hoops
WARBURTON PLEASED WITH NEW STRIKER’S FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE
SATISFIED QPR boss Mark Warburton was pleased with his players in the club’s first pre-season friendly, and on new striker Lyndon Dykes he declared: “I was delighted with him.”
The Rs beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 in the team’s opening workout and Warburton was impressed.
Dykes was on target while there was a goal from Ilias Chair and an own goal from Paul Osew at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
Warburton told the club’s website: “I wanted to get valuable minutes into the players.
“I was delighted we got 45 minutes into some, and 60 into others, and a lot of the younger players got 30 minutes as well.”
Seny Dieng played the full game in goal, while Joe Lumley and Liam Kelly were not named in Warburton’s 21-man squad.
The Rs boss said: “Joe and Liam both wanted to play, are desperate to be number one and they’re hungry for the shirt, which is the way it should be.
“But I needed to see Seny. We needed to see how Seny got on, so it was a very simple decision to give him the 90 minutes.
“I wanted to see his distribution, how he commands his box and how he communicates with the players. You need that level of competition.”
New arrivals Dykes and Thomas got 60 minutes and 45 minutes’ action respectively, and the pair combined for Dykes to net his first goal for the club.
Asked about his new number nine, Warburton said: “I was delighted with him.
“He was physical, linked up play well, ran the channels, was selfish when he had to be and was unselfish equally when he needed to be. I was delighted with Lyndon and George Thomas.
“It was their first time at the stadium, first time wearing the shirt, and I think they enjoyed the experience.
“Now I am looking forward to seeing how they develop.”
There was also no place in the matchday squad for Ebere Eze, who was present at the ground.
“There is a lot going on with Ebere,” Warburton said.
“He has been lauded by many football people and did exceptionally well for us last season.
“But, being brutally honest, he’s an asset.
“Ebs knows that’s how football works and that assets have a value. If that value is met then that asset moves on.
“But he is a QPR player, he is a very talented boy and a pleasure to have around the group.
“The right thing to do for Ebs, with lots going on, was to look after him.”
QPR will commence the new Championship campaign on September 12 at home to Nottingham Forest in what will be their sixth consecutive season in the second tier.
The Rs will have to wait until November for their first London derby, with Watford visiting on November 21, and games against Brentford and Millwall come before Christmas.
Swansea will be the opposition at home on Boxing Day, while the season concludes with the visit of Luton Town.
■ Brentford will kick off their Championship season with a trip to Birmingham City, followed by a home clash with Huddersfield Town.