Two Managerial Perspectives on QPR's Ipswich Loss

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QPR Official Site - AINSWORTH: WE GAVE OUR ALL
- Gareth Ainsworth bemoaned the R's failure to find the back of the net, as he tasted defeat for the first time as Caretaker Manager against Ipswich Town.
- Ainsworth had seen his side dominate the first period and hit the woodwork, only for two late goals from substitute Jon Stead to condemn his side to a first defeat in five Championship matches.
- "I don't think anyone here would have had any complaints if we'd have been a goal or two to the good at the break," Ainsworth told www.qpr.co.uk.
- "Richard Wright made an unbelievable save from Martin Rowlands and Lee Cook hit the bar. Dani Parejo had a great free-kick saved too, so it wasn't as if we weren't creating chances.
- "Unfortunately, the difference today was that we didn't take our chances and they did."
- Ainsworth was honest enough to admit that Tuesday night's memorable win over Birmingham City at a snowy Loftus Road also led to their downfall in East Anglia.
- "Playing for 45 minutes with ten men on Tuesday, in atrocious conditions, probably caught up with us a bit in the second half," he said.
- "That's not making excuses - it's an honest appraisal. We looked a bit leggy late on and they took full advantage."
- The 35 year-old also touched upon his sides' failure to defend two set-pieces, adding: "We switched off from two set-pieces and that's disappointing.
- "We pride ourselves on our defensive display and we paid the price for it today."
- Ainsworth - who has now overseen one win, a draw and a defeat - added: "I've had the full spectrum of emotions now.
- "Of course I hate tasting defeat, as do all the lads, but in the cold light of day I'm sure I'll have learnt a lot from the experience.
- "I'm proud to be Caretaker Manager of this Club and we'll go again on Saturday, looking to put today's result to the back of our minds." QPR



Sporting Life - MAGILTON DELIGHTS IN STEAD SHOW

Ipswich manager Jim Magilton hailed super-sub Jon Stead after the striker grabbed both goals to sink QPR 2-0.
- The frontman came on midway through the second half, scored twice in quick succession and then clattered the post with a free-kick.
-Magilton said: "Jon came on and made a big difference.
-"He was particularly disappointed with his performance in midweek (in the 1-1 draw against Charlton). He was very hard on himself.
- "But today he came on and scored two great goals and he could have scored a hat-trick.
- "Overall, our performance was fantastic and we'd been longing for a clean sheet. - - We're becoming hard to beat and that's one defeat in 11 games.
- "We're showing a great work ethic and the boys showed their mettle.
- "We all loving playing on sunny days when the pitch has been manicured, but these were tricky conditions and I thought we adapted very well. The fact we were patient and got our rewards was also very pleasing.
- "Now we've got to keep that resolve and belief going."..

- Caretaker Rangers boss Gareth Ainsworth said:
- "Ipswich took their chances after the break whereas we missed ours in the first half - that was the difference.
- "Richard Wright made a fantastic save to deny us and then we hit the bar.
- "To concede two goals from set-pieces was disappointing but I can't fault the lads' effort. On Tuesday night we played with 10 men for 60 minutes against top-of-the-table Birmingham.
- "There were a lot of tired legs out there today and the midweek game took its toll. The boys faded in the second half and that's understandable because of the effort they gave in that game.
- "But the commitment was still there, which was a big positive, and we know we can score goals."
- Of his own position in temporary charge, Ainsworth added: "We're taking it day by day at the moment." Sporting Life


IPSWICH OFFICIAL - IM SO PROUD
Jim Magilton said he could not be prouder of his players after the two goal win over QPR.
Jon Stead came off the bench to score both goals in the second-half as Blues climbed to eight in the table, four points off the Play-Off places.
"It was a proper game of football. They are a good side and we had to show plenty of resolve and character to come through," the Town boss told Ipswich World.
"I could not be more proud of my players. They were outstanding, everyone of them. They dug in, showed great unity and that will keep us in good stead, excuse the pun!
"Kevin Lisbie worked really hard for us and was unlucky not to score but Jon came on and got the two goals, which will be good for his confidence.
"Richard Wright made a big save for us in the first-half and I thought we defended well, with Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor both having excellent games.
"Gareth is settling in now and there will be much more to come from him as well.
"Overall it was a heartwarming performance. The players are gaining confidence all the time and their work ethic and application is first class." Ipswich


MATCH REPORT

Mail - Ipswich 2 QPR 0 Stead's double inspires Town
- Jon Stead's second-half double inspired Ipswich to a 2-0 win in the Coca-Cola Championship clash with QPR at Portman Road.
It was a tale of two halves as QPR were made to pay for their first-half profligacy as Stead netted twice in three second-half minutes to seal all three points for Jim Magilton's men.
- The former Blackburn and Sheffield United striker was on hand to head home Gareth McAuley's cross in the 73rd minute before again rising above the visiting defence to nod home his second following an Owen Garvan corner.
- QPR dominated the opening period and Ipswich had goalkeeper Richard Wright to thank for keeping them in the game.
- The 30-year-old recaptured some of the form that once earned him an England call-up as he produced a string of stunning saves to keep QPR at bay.
- On-loan Fulham midfielder Lee Cook was in the sort of scintillating form that persuaded Fulham to part with £2.5million last year as his free-kick from the edge of the area rattled the crossbar with Wright rooted to the spot.
- Wright was forced to take more decisive action in the 16th minute as he stooped to make a superb save to keep out Martin Rowlands' downward header, and he then tipped on-loan Real Madrid striker Daniel Parejo's ferocious 35-yard free-kick around the post at full stretch.
- The home side were being played off their own turf by the visitors and Alan Quinn's rising 25-yard shot summed up the home fans' frustrations as the ball ballooned high into the stands
- Temporary QPR player-manager Gareth Ainsworth brought in Damien Delaney for the suspended Mikele Leigertwood after he was dismissed in Tuesday's win over Birmingham, while midweek matchwinner Samuel Di Carmine was again preferred to Patrick Agyemang in attack.
- David Norris returned from suspension to partner Veliche Shumulikoski in the heart of midfield for Ipswich.
- The home side were rejuvenated after the interval and two shots in quick succession from Norris and Jonathan Walters threatened to break the deadlock.
- Ainsworth introduced towering striker Dexter Blackstock for the ineffective Di Carmine but it was the home side who continued to press.
- Striker Kevin Lisbie could only muster a weak effort as the defence opened up in front of him while Shumulikoski's long -range effort failed to trouble Radek Cerny.
- But the Tractor Boys got their reward in the 73rd minute when Stead, who had only been on the pitch for four minutes, headed home McAuley's cross from the left wing.
- And before QPR had time to regroup, Stead doubled the home side's advantage as he rose above the static R's defence to nod home Garvan's 75th-minute corner.
- The visitors were shell-shocked and were helpless to respond as Ipswich continued to lay siege to Cerny's goal as Pablo Counago twice went close and Stead's fine turn and shot came back off the post to deny him a memorable hat-trick. Mail

- See also: Ipswich-QPR match reports.