QPR’s battling spirit ‘started in Portugal’ – Holloway

[media-credit name=”©ActionPlus” align=”alignnone” width=”2500″][/media-credit]

Ian Holloway believes QPR’s intense training during a pre-season trip to Portugal has been a major factor in their encouraging start to the campaign.

Rangers’ produced some dismal performances last term but have started the new season well, with a pressing style and noticeably greater work-rate.

Manager Holloway says ordering his players to run up hills in Portugal led to a change of mentality and an excellent team spirit. 

He said: “It started over in Portugal, the difference – the hill work we did. I made them not give in and made them fight.

“They were like: ‘Is this ever going to stop?’. Well, no it ain’t, no. You’ve got to give me everything you’ve got and I’ll give you everything I’ve got.

“It won’t look good at times, but we’ll never give in.”

Holloway’s side face Brentford at Loftus Road in the EFL Cup second round this evening.

He plans to make changes but is currently without the injured Grant Hall, Joel Lynch and Jordan Cousins.

Meanwhile, Linfield’s directors are set to meet to discuss QPR’s offer for forward Paul Smyth.