Field day gets Beale back to business of promotion

MICHAEL BEALE wants all the focus back on QPR’s promotion bid after goals from Sam Field and Leon Balogun kept his side top of the Championship.

Midfielder Field, with a first goal since joining the club permanently, and Balogun – with a debut strike for the Hoops – scored either side of another first-half effort from Nathan Broadhead.

Rookie manager Beale was centre stage last week after being approached by Premier League Wolves. And turning down that oppirtunity triggered an outpouring of support from the home fans.

Beale said: “The approach from Wolves coming so soon surprised and took me aback. But after all the noise last week I want to take myself out of the equation.

“It was all about the three points, and I told the players to win ugly if necessary.

“It has been a bit too much about me this past week, but the fans’ reaction today meant bundles.

“The club took a leap of faith in me, and so did they.”

Latics substitute Josh Magennis hit the bar in the second half – but QPR’s defence held firm.

Wigan manager Leam Richardson said: “There are mixed emotions.

“We showed our competitive nature but at places like this you must do the basics and we conceded two really poor set-piece goals.”

QPR: Dieng 6; Laird 6, Clarke-Salter 6, Balogun 7, Paal 6; Field 8, Johansen 7 (Dozzell (46) 6); Armstrong 6 (L Amos (46) 6), Chair 8 (Richards (89) 5), Iroegbunam 6 (Dickie (64) 6); Dykes 7 (Bonne 90)

WIGAN: B Amos 5; Kerr 5, Whatmough 5 (Edmonds-Green (84) 5), Tilt 5; Darikwa 6 (Aasgaard (72) 6), Power 6, Cousins 6 (Naylor (72) 6), Shinnie 6, McClean 6; Keane 6, Fletcher (79) 6), Broadhead 6 (Magennis (79) 6)

STAR MAN: Sam Field – Engine room of QPR’s midfield capped display with a crucial goal.

REF: Dean Whitestone 7