Holloway praises players and fans after QPR win

QPR boss Ian Holloway praised his players and the home crowd for showing patience after a poor first half against Sunderland.

Ebere Eze scored the winner at Loftus Road after visiting goalkeeper Jason Steele had been sent off.

Eze, making his first league start for the R’s, impressed again, as did fellow youngster Paul Smyth.

Holloway said after the 1-0 win: “I’m delighted with the crowd, because we didn’t play very well, we didn’t get the right shape that they played and it caused problems – we thought they would be 3-4-3.

“We didn’t get booed off, when lots of time you would, and in the end we saw a young kid’s talent get us something out of nothing.

“Some of the talent I see every day from these young fellas is frightening and to do it in a Championship game when you need to isn’t easy.

“We’ve managed to grind out something. We managed to dig in there. It wasn’t the prettiest, but we’ll take that and I’m delighted the young lad is showing why I’ve put faith in him.”

And Holloway urged Rangers supporters to keep backing the club’s young players.

He said: “What I need is the fans to stick with us, because in some games that stardust won’t show.

“It did in the end, but it won’t sometimes because of the age of them and we need to stick with them.

“Our fans are creating an atmosphere around here that our boys are thriving in. Thank you. Thanks for your knowledge and for your understanding.

“And I believe you’ll get benefits from that in the future.”