QPR's Loss at Ipswich - Further Reports and Comments

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Sunday Mirror - 4 March 2007 IPSWICH 2-1 QPR Mike Allen At Portman Road

JOHN GREGORY warned his QPR players they face a massive battle for survival after this defeat at Ipswich.
Alan Lee ended the home side's six-match goal drought and John Walters added a second before veteran striker Paul Furlong gave the visitors late hope.
QPR might have been given a penalty in the closing minutes, but their overall performance failed to provide the passion needed if they are to dig themselves out of this relegation hole.
Gregory said: "We don't want to hide behind a poor referee. We conceded two very poor goals.
"We have played with loads of passion, drive and enthusiasm in the last couple of games, but it was missing today.
"I'm not sure some players appreciate the consequences of what could happen."
Rangers have not won since New Year's Day, but came out of the traps fast and were nearly ahead in the opening minutes when Lewis Price was almost caught out by Cook's free-kick.
They had a strong claim for hand-ball turned down by referee Rob Lewis but, having failed to take advantage of the bright start, paid a heavy price.
The warning signs were there when Jon Walters' header brought a superb save from Lee Camp.
But when Gary Roberts delivered his next cross, Lee headed in Ipswich's first goal since he scored nine hours and 51 minutes earlier against Swansea in the FA Cup.
Walters made it 2-0 in the 54th minute with his first for the club after holding off Danny Cullip.
Rangers fans showed their frustration at their team's lack of direction, chanting "We'll never score with one up front."
Gregory finally responded by sending on 38-year-old Furlong, who within a few minutes reacted quickest after Martin Rowlands hit the inside of a post.
Mirror

BBC - Ipswich 2-1 QPR
Ipswich secured a first win after five defeats and a vital three points that keep QPR deep in relegation trouble.
Alan Lee put Ipswich ahead after 26 minutes when Gary Roberts set him up to fire home from 12 yards.
Roberts also provided the second eight minutes after the interval, crossing for Jonathan Walters to steer in.
Rangers pulled a goal back when Martin Rowlands' shot came back off the post and Paul Furlong tapped in and they had a late penalty claim turned down.

# Ipswich boss Jim Magilton:
"It's a relief, but I was confident as we've trained well. It was a case of keeping things simple.
"Confidence comes and goes but you must always maintain a belief in yourself. We've won and now we must crack on.
"Rangers can feel a bit aggrieved but when you are down things tend to go against you. They started brightly but then we gained a bit of composure."
# QPR manager John Gregory:
"Paul Furlong was pulled back but I won't be speaking to the referee. It would be a waste of time.
"Passion, pride and enthusiasm was lacking from one or two of our players.
"It was a bad day for us. We started well but didn't make use of our advantage in the opening 20 minutes." BBC

IPSWICH OFFICIAL SITE
Delight for Jon

Jon Walters was thrilled to have opened his goal account for Town after scoring the second in Blues' 2-1 win over QPR and is hoping it's the first of many.
Alan Lee gave Town the lead in the first-half with a header with Jon extending the advantage with a neat finish after the break. Paul Furlong grabbing a consolation goal for the visitors.

"It feels fantastic to have scored my first goal for the club and I hope it's the first of many," Jon told the Club website.

"I thought I'd scored in the first-half but the 'keeper pulled off a good save and then Alan scored just after.

"I actually think that we played better in some of the games that we have lost recently but in patches we were excellent.

"Once we got the first goal we felt a little more settled; you can tense up a little when you haven't scored for some time.
"We created quite a lot of chances in the second-half without playing particularly well and it will definitely be a big confidence boast for our games against Hull and Southend coming up. We've ended our drought now and we'll go on from here." Ipswich