Warburton savours ‘sweet’ QPR win

Mark Warburton says QPR’s last-gasp win over Bristol City was the perfect way to end 2021. 

Rangers, who were without the injured Andre Gray and Ilias Chair and could only name five players on their bench, were poor for much of the game against the lowly Robins, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, before Yoann Barbet rose to head home Stefan Johansen’s corner in stoppage time.

“One of the boys after the game was moaning that we didn’t play well, but the last time we played them we played really well and had something like 27 shots, had 78% of possession, but lost the game 2-1,” boss Warburton said.

“Tonight we were way below our best but to come away with three points is very pleasing.”

Sam Field played his first 90 minutes since April and Warburton said he and Luke Amos deserved credit for their performances after spending so long on the sidelines.

“I mentioned those two boys in the changing room. Dom Ball too, who was on the bench but didn’t come on, but has not been able to train and been on antibiotics for a chest infection,” Warburton said.

“Luke and Sam were tremendous, we got 90 minutes out of Charlie (Austin) – all over the park we deserve a lot of credit.

“Lee Wallace should not have played tonight if I am being truthful. I had to take him off after an hour to try and keep him for Sunday at Birmingham. At the moment we are just juggling.

“It was a very pleasing win, and to do it in front of the away end – I didn’t expect so many QPR fans to be here if I’m honest – it’s a tremendous effort to get here just before New Year’s Eve with no trains back to London.

“To get that result in front of the fans and to show that desire is really sweet.”