Jubilant Holloway declares QPR have ‘cleared a blockage’

Ian Holloway declared that QPR’s 1-0 victory at Reading – their third consecutive league win – was a major sign that things have changed for the better at the club.

Jamie Mackie scored a first-half winner for Rangers, who were barely recognisable from the side which recently lost six games in a row.

Manager Holloway said his team’s new-found spirit was typified by performances from the likes of Joel Lynch, who has a rib injury, the fit-again Mackie and the outstanding Pawel Wszolek.

And there was praise too for youngsters Ryan Manning and Darnell Furlong, who both impressed.

Furlong came in for the ill James Perch, who was sent home from training on the eve of the game but later reported to the team hotel to make himself available for selection – which Holloway believes is another sign of a fundamental change.

“I told them how proud I am,” Holloway said.

“Something has just clicked a little bit and it’s a spirit. It can go as quickly as it came and it’s important we continue it and work together to create something.

“Lynchy played with a broken rib – we found out he cracked or chipped his rib. He would not not play.

“Perchy came to the hotel determined to try and play. So what a change.

“Sometimes you need to clear a blockage from the past to move forward. When your toilet’s blocked it don’t half stink.

“I’ve got Michael Doughty who came on at the end and showed me that, Manning and his willingness to go and do things, and Pawel was man of the match – wow!”

The points lifted the R’s to 15th in the Championship table – eight points clear of the relegation zone. Their recent bad run saw them drop to 21st.

“We went through that awful period and it’s not nice, but I honestly feel there’s a difference already – that oomph,” Holloway said.

“My young lads see Jamie Mackie and Pawel working like that, so who have they got to copy? Nedum Onuoha driving through, Lynchy with his broken rib – wow!

“I know what Rangers fans want and that’s what they want.

“I’m delighted for them. The group is now feeling like a group and I can’t want to add to it now.”