Cifuentes hails subs’ impact after QPR win again
Marti Cifuentes hailed the impact of Koki Saito and Alfie Lloyd after the two substitutes played starring roles in QPR’s 2-1 win at Hull.
With Rangers struggling, boss Cifuentes sent the pair on early in the second half to try to attack down the sides of the Tigers’ defence.
Lloyd did exactly that to create the opening goal, darting into space on the right and then setting up Kenneth Paal before the Dutchman fired home.
And Saito produced a brilliant moment of skill on the opposite flank before smashing in the second goal from an acute angle.
Cifuentes explained: “It was difficult for us to challenge the back line.
“The way Hull press, it’s about beating this and then you get a big space to accelerate and run in behind.
“We understood that better after the substitutions. It was about getting the runs. Alfie and Koki gave us this energy and I’m very happy for them.”
It was QPR’s fourth Championship in a row.
Bottom of the table less than two months ago, they have now lost just one of their past 13 league matches and are ninth – a mere four points away from the play-off places.
“We know wins give you confidence, but we need to keep pushing. We have been on the other side,” Cifuentes said.
“What’s important is to keep believing, keep working at what we do and be humble. Eighteen games left – we need to keep pushing.”