Warburton: QPR substitutions paid off at Reading

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Mark Warburton felt a double second-half substitution during QPR’s 1-1 draw at Reading was vindicated by the way his team finished the game.

Warburton took Charlie Austin and Ilias Chair off and replaced them with Dom Ball and Chris Willock.


Ball was brought on to shore things up in midfield, where Rangers were being overrun.

It had the desired effect and the visitors dominated the closing stages, with Ball and Stefan Johansen missing chances.

Asked about his decision, Rangers manager Warburton said: “I’m not sure why it wouldn’t be the right decision, because we were under the cosh for 15 minutes and then dominated the last half an hour.

“We brought on a ball player in Chris and changed our shape. We had to get to grips and have Stefan (Johansen), Sam (Field) and Dom across their midfield three to stop them playing.

“We did that very well, got Chris on the ball, and absolutely I’m happy with the substitution.

“You have to change it sometimes and the boys have played a lot of football.

“Charlie has gone from not playing much football with West Brom to playing with us and working really hard.

“Ilias is a young player who has played so much football this season. You’ve got to use the squad.”

Lyndon Dykes ended his drought by putting QPR ahead with his sixth goal of the season and only his second from open play.

The Royals levelled 12 minutes into the second half following a mistake by Yoann Barbet.

Andy Rinomhota dispossessed Barbet and sent the ball over the top towards Yakou Meite, who got the better of Rob Dickie and shot through the legs of keeper Seny Dieng.

“The feeling in the dressing room is that we dropped two points,” Warburton admitted.

“We got the goal before half-time and then had a sloppy 15 minutes after half-time, conceded a goal we can’t concede – we’ve got to defend better.

“We then dominated the last 25-30 minutes and created good chances against a very good Reading team.

“But if you come to a place like this and are disappointed with a point then you’re moving in the right direction.”