Warnock: I’m in the dark over QPR job
NEIL WARNOCK says he has been given no indication of whether QPR’s win over Leeds will be his final match in interim charge.
Rangers are keen to appoint a new head coach before Thursday’s game at Reading, with Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink currently the club’s preferred choice.
Warnock said: ‘We’re looking forward to the Reading game, but I can’t tell you what will happen before then.
‘I’ve not been involved in the process, and I’m sure when there’s something to tell me the owners will do so. At the moment I’m just trying to get smiles on people’s faces.
‘The Championship is a unique league, unlike any other league, but I’m sure they’ll have taken quite a lot of things into consideration when looking for someone.’
Charlie Austin, who has been nursing a calf problem, scored the only goal of the game with his first touch after coming on as a substitute.
Rangers struggled to create chances before Austin’s header from a corner by Alejandro Faurlin – his eighth goal of the season and his team’s first goal in five matches.
‘We haven’t got a lot of goals in the squad, we know that,’ admitted Warnock, who gave a full debut to 20-year-old winger Michael Petrasso. ‘That’s why I went with the team I did, moving Junior Hoilett inside and bringing young Mikey in.
‘We knew Charlie couldn’t play more than half an hour, but I always thought we were going to create a chance for him. We know Charlie will always score goals. He was disappointed not to be involved at Middlesbrough last week and has enjoyed training this week.’
Leeds manager Steve Evans said he understood the frustration of his club’s fans, but insisted he will turn things around if he is able to make signings when the transfer window reopens in January.
Evans was barracked by the travelling supporters and they again chanted for owner Massimo Cellino, who was at the game, to sell up.
Evans said: ‘It hurts, but they’re entitled not to pull any punches.
‘We were disappointing in every aspect of the team. We can’t be waiting until the last 10 minutes to get the ball down and pass it and create chances.
‘We’re a long way short of where we need to be. This is a famous football club that has had world-class stars. It’s a privilege to represent this club, and we need to show work-rate and desire.
‘I don’t think we have that many good players, and we certainly don’t have many very good players at this level.
‘But when I get tools in my toolbox, I’ll be more than right to go to work. I’m convinced about that.
‘When there’s freedom to sign players permanently, I believe players will want to come to Leeds United.
‘Liam Bridcutt turned down other clubs because he wanted to play for Leeds, and others will feel the same.’ grabbed the decisive goal early in the second half.
Brighton manager Chris Hughton said: ‘Bobby has a certain know-how, and he knows what he can’t do. But he is not missing a lot of chances.’
Solly March had given Brighton the lead, but it was quickly cancelled out by Jon Toral.
The 34-year-old Zamora won it when he steered the ball home after a shot from March was parried by Birmingham’s former Brighton goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak.