WARBS: LET’S ENJOY THIS GREAT JO URNEY
WHETHER Queens Park Rangers ultimately scratch their seven-year Premier League itch this season or not, manager Paul Warburton is urging everyone to embrace their promotion push.
Given that the Hoops were widely tipped for a mid-table, or slightly higher, finish this term, they have exceeded expectations by mounting a genuine promotion challenge.
Yet a run of four league games without a win before their nerve-jangling 2-1 home success against Blackpool on Tuesday night created a few murmurings of discontent.
It was something the experienced Warburton addressed in his programme notes in midweek.
“In the last couple of home games, against Hull on Saturday and previously against Middlesbrough, I sensed for the first time a level of anxiety and frustration,” he explained.
Expectations
“The raised expectations are of course understandable, but at the same time we must recognise the nature of this division and the demands and challenges faced by every team.
“There will be blips, poor runs, inconsistent displays, losses of form and so much more. It is what makes this league so fascinating for the neutral and so stressful for those involved with the various clubs.
“I walked into two press conferences and the atmosphere felt as if we had been beaten heavily and were in a relegation fight!”
The former Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Rangers boss went on to point out that if players, staff and fans had been asked at the start of the season if QPR’s position – third pre-weekend – would have been acceptable after more than 30 matches, everyone would have agreed.
After his ten-man side earned a dramatic late victory against Blackpool, Warburton hailed the fans as ‘magnificent’ for their backing on a testing night. It appears his message got through, and he wants everyone of a Hoops persuasion to savour the journey they’re on.
“We just have to enjoy it,” he stressed. “What’s the point of being involved in football if you can’t enjoy it?
“Where would you rather be: You could be at the bottom in a relegation fight, knowing the consequences are people losing their jobs and having pay-cuts, or you could be fighting for promotion to the Premier League – I know where I’d rather be.”
Something else that Warburton is convinced about is that it’s going to have to be a real team effort if the R’s are to upset the odds and win promotion to the Premier League.
Subs George Thomas and Luke Amos combined for QPR’s 89th-minute winner against the Seasiders, with the latter poking home a near-post effort.
Earlier, midfielder
Dom Ball came on at centre-back for the second half after Wolves loanee Dion Sanderson, nephew of former javelin star Tessa, had had a rush of blood to the head late in the first period and picked up a red card for moving his head towards Blackpool’s Reece
James. It was one of the softest headbutts you will ever see, but forced referee Gavin Ward’s hand.
“We are going to need our squad, absolutely,” explained Warburton. “I don’t want to sound prophetic but we spoke to the boys and said there are ten weeks left. Your moment might not be to play every second of every game, but everyone has got a role to play and a contribution to make.
“Dom Ball and George Thomas weren’t in the squad for two or three games, but they showed their quality against Blackpool their contribution was clear for all to see. “Dom coming on and playing out of position at centre-half was tremendous for us – he won headers, won tackles.
“That’s the game. For the Championship you need the squad to contribute. We had to change shape and personnel. To a man, all the boys that came on did outstandingly well. It’s those moments that can galvanise a team, a club.”
One of the pluses for Warburton is that he has got good options in terms of the players he can employ and the formations he can use.
Against Blackpool, he went without a recognised centre-forward – leaving Charlie Austin and Andre Gray on the bench – and attempted to overload the midfield.
The players that came on made a difference and he’s got
a decent blend of youth and experience.
“There’s some good footballers in there but also some good energy and legs - and some steel,” said Warburton. “You have to win your tackles and duels.”
Steel
One player who the 59-yearold knows he can definitely count on towards the sharp end of the campaign is defender Moses Odubajo.
Warburton signed Odubajo from Leyton Orient in his Brentford days and was only too keen to snap him up again after he left Sheffield Wednesday at the end of last season.
More accustomed to playing on the right, the 28-year-old did an admirable job at leftback against Blackpool and,
You could relegation be in a for fight or fighting to the promotion
– I Premier League
I’d know where rather be Warburton Mark
Mo’s got two great feet, he’s quick and he can deal with the football. I’ve got enormous respect for him
Mark Warburton
in the main, kept the Seasiders’ danger man Josh Bowler quiet, though the ex-QPR man did net the visitors’ equaliser.
“Sometimes QPR fans haen’t always seen the best of Mo because he’s been fightng back from injuries, but I know him really well and he’s an outstanding player with so uch to offer,” explained War burton.
“He’s got two great feet, he’s quick and he can deal with the football. He’s a tremendous athlete and I’ve got enormous respect for him.
“At times he gets frustrated with himself when he has perrmance dips but he’s got a big role to play from now until the end of the season.”
Following yesterday’s game at Blackburn, the R’s have a dozen matches left to see if they can apply some pressure to promotion favourites Fulham and Bournemouth.
Only five of those games are at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, which means there are seven road trips to come, including visits to Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Huddersfield.
The Hoops are going to be clocking up plenty of miles between now and early May.
“We love playing at home, but we’re comfortable going on the road - our away record is decent,” added Warburton. “We have to make sure we maximise the points available, try to hunt down as many as possible. There’s more to come from us - we’re in a good place.”
Now he just needs everyone to remember it.