Warburton pleased with QPR’s attacking options

Mark Warburton says Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Reading showed the importance of QPR having attacking strength on the bench.

Trailing 3-1 with 13 minutes remaining, Rangers fought back to claim a point with all three of Warburton’s second-half substitutes playing a major role in ensuring the side remain unbeaten this season.

Albert Adomah set up fellow substitute Andre Gray for a debut goal to reduce the deficit to 3-2 before George Thomas, introduced five minutes from time, helped create the equaliser for Stefan Johansen with a driving run from the halfway line.

Adomah, who also played an integral part in another come-from-behind draw against Barnsley last month, is yet to start a league game this season and Warburton admitted the veteran wide-man wants to play more, but may have to settle for a role as an impact sub.

“Albert is a top lad, a top professional,” Warburton said.

“Don’t get me wrong when I say this, but when games start there is a lot of heat.

“Subs come on at certain times, and I am not just talking about Albert, I mean in general, and the pace of the game has died a little bit and that is when you use your subs wisely.

“Albert was excellent when he came on, he did so well against their full-back and the defensive unit.

“But sometimes it is about some players almost sacrificing themselves to take the heat out of the game and then the subs come on.

“As a centre-forward Charlie Austin can work (defenders) really hard for an hour without really getting a kick and Andre (Gray) or Lyndon (Dykes) then can come on and have more freedom and space.

“It’s about the squad. you can’t just rely on 11 players, you need your 22.

“Albert wants to play more football, they all do. They are professional athletes who want to play on the pitch.

“But in this division you need a squad and Albert is a big player within that.”

Gray made an immediate impact with a his goal following his deadline day arrival from Watford and Warburton said he is delighted with the striking choices available to him.

“Andre is a player I know well and he won’t mind me saying this, he will frustrate the hell out of you at times,” he said.

“He will miss from a yard and then he will score a 30-yard screamer off his weaker foot.

“But what he has got is pace, power and timing of runs and he can terrorise defences.

“When we signed him from Luton (at Brentford) he was raw but hungry and he hasn’t lost that hunger.

“To have Charlie’s prowess in the box, to have Andre’s pace and power and have Lyndon Dykes, who will be back on Tuesday, we are blessed with options up top.

“I might start all three with Chris Willock or Ilias Chair behind them, I may start with one I may start with two, but there is no doubt we have some options.

“Forwards are asked to work really hard against tough defences and at Reading Charlie did the work for Andre and he got the rewards.

“But the first person to congratulate Andre was Charlie Austin and that speaks volumes about him as well.”