Holloway insists changes frustrated Derby
Ian Holloway felt the time of the first goal was all-important in QPR’s 2-0 defeat at Derby.
Rangers, still without an away win this season, conceded in the final seconds of the first half for the second successive game.
Manager Holloway named strikers Idrissa Sylla, Conor Washington and Matt Smith among his substitutes and asked David Wheeler to lead the attack.
His team did not muster a shot on target until the 90th minute, but Holloway insisted his changes had a positive effect.
He said: “It (the first goal) knocked the stuffing out of us – the manner of it, at that time of the game, when you’re on the edge of their box and you give it away.
“It’s bitterly disappointing because I think our gameplan was working. We were frustrating them and their crowd were turning on them.
“They couldn’t play their normal pass and move and that was down to what we did.
“I felt the change of tack – the slightly different shape that we had – made it a lot harder for them to play their open, expansive game.”
However, Holloway was unhappy with his team’s performance after they went behind.
Derby dominated a one-sided second half to seal their victory – and QPR’s third loss in a row.
“The manner of it in the end is not what I’m about and not what the club’s about,” Holloway said.
“We needed the second goal, they got it and after that I’m absolutely fuming, so I’ve had a word with the players.
“Where was the running? Where was the pressing? Where was the energy? Where was all of that oomph that we’ve shown week in week out?”
