Warburton praises ‘top class’ Lumley after QPR win

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Mark Warburton praised Joe Lumley after restoring the goalkeeper to the QPR line-up against Coventry.

Warburton’s side won 3-0 at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, where Lumley featured for Rangers for the first time since their defeat against the same opposition in September.


Lumley was replaced after that game by Seny Dieng, who has been outstanding this season.

But with Dieng having been on international duty with Senegal this week, manager Warburton opted to select Lumley.

“Seny had an eight-and-a-half-hour flight and got back mid-morning yesterday. We’ve got to look after him,” Warburton explained.

“Joe has been preparing outstandingly well. I can’t talk highly enough about Joe. He was ready to play and it was the right thing to do.

“Joe is a top class goalkeeper who has had to watch Seny play very, very well. He’s had to be patient.

“He works tirelessly every day on the training pitch and we saw his quality today.

“I’ve got no problem using Joe at any time.”

Lumley was virtually a spectator for large periods of a game Rangers dominated.

They went ahead through Chris Willock’s header in only the second minute and there was no way back for Coventry after Michael Rose’s own goal.

Ilias Chair had three good chances before eventually sealing the win with a goal midway through the second half.

“We were good for long periods and particularly in the first half an hour we moved the ball well against a good team,” Warburton said.

“We played with real purpose. The only criticism is that we’ve got to be more ruthless in front of goal.

“You’re two up against a good team but you should really be out of sight by half-time.

“We’ve got to recognise that. We had big chances and need to finish them off

“Ilias had three one-on-ones and they’re the moments we’ve got to take.

“In that first half an hour we were very good, but you need to get your rewards when you can and then move on from there.

“But overall it was a very pleasing afternoon’s work. We had good headers and crosses coming in and they couldn’t get near us.

“I’m really pleased with the squad and the way the players have been working hard.”