ROHL’S BOLD MOVE PAYS OFF FOR OWLS
DANNY Rohl felt his “bold decision” to make major changes to his Sheffield Wednesday side had paid off as they claimed victory over fellow strugglers QPR.
Goals from Djeidi Gassama and Antony Musaba gave the second-from-bottom Owls a the victory at Loftus Road and a huge boost in their battle against relegation from the Championship.
Rohl made five changes to his side in the wake of Monday’s defeat at Middlesbrough.
“We changed a lot,” he explained. “For me it was clear after the Middlesbrough game that we could not just continue and hope that something changes.
“I think some people will be surprised today to see all these changes. It was a bold decision from my side. I cannot just continue and hope. I want to see a reaction and I saw a reaction.
“We played very well and did well as a team. I’m very happy. There are five games to go and we have a chance.
“Everybody was ready for this fight and that is our job. Do it – and do it until the end and we have a big party at the end of the season. Keep going and we have a big party at the end. It is our job and this is what I demand. With the right mindset and attitude we can do it.”
Wednesday could have gone ahead in the first half had Josh Windass not missed a sitter. The forward contrived to nudge the ball past the far post from a yard out after being set up by Ian Poveda.
The Owls then suffered another setback when the lively Poveda, who had been causing Rangers problems, was taken off just before the half-hour mark after picking up what looked like a hamstring injury.
But his replacement, Gassama, was also a thorn in QPR’s side and scored the opening goal after 59 minutes, weaving his way into the box, going past Sam Field with ease, a touch of good fortune going his way when Issac Hayden’s attempted clearance cannoned off the Frenchman and into the net.
Lucas Andersen almost equalised when his fierce strike hit the bar, but otherwise Rangers struggled to create any clear-cut chances prompting
Hoops boss Marti Cifuentes to make a triple substitution, sending on Morgan Fox along with forwards Lyndon Dykes and Paul Smyth. QPR still struggled to create any real opportunities but one did fall to Jimmy Dunne, who headed over from Chris Willock’s cross.
Dunne headed over again late on, this time at the far post from a cross by Ilias Chair, but Wednesday were generally comfortable and scored again in the final seconds to seal their well deserved win.
Starman Gassama was again involved, this time darting down the left and finding Musaba, who blasted sharply past keeper Asmir Begovic.
Rohl has radically improved results for the Owls, this being his 13th win in 33 matches since inheriting a side who had not one of their first ten games this season.