PROPER CHARLIE
Warburton hopes Austin can get stalled Hoops motoring
QPR boss Mark Warburton wants Charlie Austin to give his side’s misfiring strikeforce a lesson in finishing after the Hoops were made to pay for a string of missed d opportunities.
Macauley Bonne and Lyndon Dykes both missed two gilt- edged chances, , before being dumped out of the FA Cup by extra-time goals from Fulham’s Bobby DecordovaReid and Neeskens Kebano.
Austin’s return to QPR, on loan from West Brom for the rest of the season, was announced 60 minutes after the final whistle and the striker (circle) is likely to be joined by three more additions this month.
“People like Charlie have a proven track record,” said Warburton. “They have been around for a long time, scoring goals consistently and young players learn from those people – the mentoring role from senior players is important as well.
“I hope we can add three or four names. With the relentless programme of games, if you haven’t got the depth, you pay the price. “We are very light in terms of squad numbers. We need to add some experience to it.”
QPR did not win in December and their only g goal in open play in their past six matches came from an own goal. Against wes west London neighbours Fulham, they created plenty of chances but failed to take them.
“It’s important to get the goals that our football deserves,” said Warburton (above). “At the end of the day, it is all about the scoreline. It doesn’t say ‘0-2 but they played well’, it just says ‘ 0-2’.
“We’ve got young guys who have come in and are adjusting to the level. If you are not creating chances, it’s a worry. We are doing that but it is irrelevant unless you put the ball in the net.”
Manager Scott Parker made changes to his side but saw Fulham extend their unbeaten run to five matches in their first game since Boxing Day after a Covid outbreak.
With the team not playing, Aleksandar Mitrovic attended a New Year’s Eve party along with Crystal Palace’s Luka Milivojevic.
But the Serbia striker played the full 120 minutes and Parker said: “We dealt with the matter internally. He understands my position, but we have moved on.”
QPR: Dieng 7, Dickie 6, Cameron 7 (Masterson 90), Barbet 8, Kane 6, Ball 6, Carroll 6, (Bettache, 82), Osayi-Samuel 6 (Hamalainen 90), Chair 7 (Thomas 82), Bonne 5 (Kelman 73, 6), Dykes 6
Rodak 7, Aima 6, Ream 7, Kongolo 6 (Hector 67, 6), Tete 7 (Odoi 90), Onomah 8, Reed 7 (Kebano 78, 7), Bryan 8, Cavaliero 5 (De Cordova-Reid 67 8), Mitrovic 6, Loftus-Cheek 6 (Robinson 90)