Point is ‘huge’ for QPR, says McClaren
Steve McClaren described QPR’s point at Hull as “huge” after they came back from two down to snatch a 2-2 draw.
Struggling Rangers, beaten in nine of their previous 11 league matches, were staring at another defeat after Jarrod Bowen scored twice for the Tigers in the first half.
But they found a way back, with Josh Scowen’s fortuitous goal giving them hope before Tomer Hemed’s late equaliser.
It extended the gap between Rangers and the relegation zone to eight points and manager McClaren is hopeful they have now turned a corner.
He said: “That was huge. We beat Leeds two weeks ago and I thought that was the turning point but we’ve been disappointing in the last three games.
“Today was big. Getting beat with the last header of the game (against Rotherham) on Wednesday, on Thursday it was very hard to lift the players. But on Friday they were excellent – good response, lots of energy, and took that into the game.
“The key for me was the character. We’ve not always shown that when we’ve been down.
“It’s a result now that we need to take advantage of for the next eight games, not like we did after the great result and performance against Leeds.”
McClaren brought on Bright Osayi-Samuel at half-time for Luke Freeman, who picked up a knock.
The winger caused Hull problems and McClaren’s other substitutes, Scowen and Hemed, hauled Rangers back into the game.
After his ball in towards Nahki Wells caught out keeper David Marshall and ended up in the net, Scowen set up the equaliser by chasing a lost cause and finding Hemed in the box.
“You do it (make substitutions) every week – sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t,” McClaren said.
“When it doesn’t, a lot of fans say ‘Why did you bring him on and why did you bring him off?’.
“I always said that in this management game, with fans and the media you’re either a hero or a bum. But I always think you’re somewhere in between.
“The subs have worked this week. Let’s hope they keep working for the last eight games.”
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17/03/2019 @ 10:36 am
“Point is huge” – I really do give up.
Lets just stop and think. 2 goals down, then a lucky deflection followed by a decent 2nd goal. We are 18th for gods sake, 9 points from relegation and the chairman wants a bender. What plans afoot for the ‘next level’ next season???????????