Warburton backs Lumley after ‘outrageous’ criticism of QPR keeper

QPR manager Mark Warburton savoured the 2-0 win over Preston and praised Joe Lumley for his response to “outrageous” criticism of the goalkeeper. 

Ebere Eze scored both goals as Rangers secured a first victory in eight matches – and their first clean sheet of the season.

Lumley has been guilty of some costly mistakes and admitted in an interview this week that he had been affected by abuse on social media.

But he was excellent in a much-needed win for the R’s and produced a fine second-half save by diving to his left to keep out a powerful strike from Billy Bodin.

“He’s 24 and in goalkeeping terms that’s very young still,” said Warburton.

“These guys take a lot of abuse on social media which I think is outrageous. You might say ‘don’t read it’, but at 24 they’re going to read it.

“I think our genuine fans, if they knew the abuse some of our players get, they’d be mortified, they really would.

“He’s come through a couple of mistakes and showed his quality. He was outstanding for us today.

“He’s learned from his mistakes, has stepped up, the crowd supported him and I’m delighted.”

“The save he made late in the game, low to his left, was a world class save.”

Eze’s brace took his goal tally for the season to nine and further enhanced his growing reputation.

The England Under-21 forward scored at the second attempt after being set up by Geoff Cameron and added a second from the penalty spot after Marc Pugh had been tripped by keeper Declan Rudd.

“He was very cool and he’s now scored nine goals,” said Warburton.

“We’ve got Ebere, Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill, so we’ve got front players scoring goals which is what you need.  The clean sheet also takes the pressure off the defence too.

“I’m very pleased. Preston are a good team and it was a good performance and result for us.”

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