Birmingham boss bemoans ‘soft’ QPR goals

​Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett was unhappy about both goals his side conceded in their 2-0 defeat at QPR.

Dutch midfielder Tjarron Chery netted the opener 10 minutes before half-time and Junior Hoilett scored from the penalty spot four minutes later after Sebastian Polter had been found by Michael Morrison.

“The first goal we conceded was a bit soft. Chery has had four ​or ​five touches and we didn’t get near him,” said Rowett.

“I also felt the penalty was a bit soft. Polter sees Morrison coming and leans into him and he goes down.”

Birmingham created chances in the second half but were unable to find the net and have now scored just two goals in their last five matches.

“I spoke a lot to the players before the game about the mentality and what we do so well away from home, which is to be hard to beat and very hard to play against,” Rowett said.

“I don’t want to take credit away from QPR, because they were good value for their win, but I have to say that 40 minutes in the first half was the poorest we’ve been in terms of energy and drive.

“We were much better in the second half and maybe if we’d have taken one of our opportunities it would have been different.

“But we didn’t show enough drive and desire to get anything out of the game. Our biggest strength is our work​-​rate and drive, and today it didn’t happen.

“We looked a little bit lacklustre and if you come to anywhere away from home you need to be stronger mentally to get anything.”