Manager Ian Holloway has called on Queens Park Rangers to build on their confidence as we face Sunderland this weekend.
Having put in some decent performances in recent weeks, Holloway knows six points from the last seven games isn’t really a fair reflection on our efforts and with frustration for everyone, he’s looking for the side to build on the confidence we can take from those showings but turn them into results over October.
Speaking to the Official Site as he met with the media earlier today to preview the game, Holloway explained.
‘It has been a very frustrating time. We are all disappointed with our recent points tally and feel pretty aggrieved that we haven`t taken more of the opportunities we have made. I have had phonecall after phonecall from people who know the game who said how well we played against Fulham. But that doesn`t make me feel any better to be honest!’
QPR go into the game at the Stadium of Light looking for a first win on our travels and that’s a record he’s looking to set right this weekend.
‘We have got to get about our business – we need to get more points on the road. We have manged two from five games so far and that`s pretty criminal considering how we have played, but we can`t blame anyone else. It`s down to us. We have got ourselves in front in a lot of those games – Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff, Middlesbrough – but we haven`t shut the games down. We are looking at doing something else this weekend, a slight tweak. I believe it will work. What we have to do is build confidence.’
One thing that has pleased him though are the chances we’ve been creating, but he obviously wants our conversation rate to improve.
‘When you miss the chances you`re creating, it puts a lot more pressure on your backline. Everyone needs to work on their finishing – even our goalkeeper went forward and headed wide! So I`ve spoken to the lot of them about taking their chances in front of goal. In all seriousness, the midfield need to add a few goals. When you haven`t got a 20-goal-a-season striker, you`ve got to spread them around the team. At the minute we`re getting in but not taking our chances. I`m sure that will come.’
With players away on international duty, he admitted that had hit preparations for the game but that’s something we have to deal with.
‘We only got our international lads back on Thursday so we`ve really only had one day to prepare for this game which isn`t ideal but we have to get on with it. Sunderland have been struggling at home but we know it is still a tough place to go to. Simon Grayson is a fantastic manager, always very combative. But what we need to do is go there and assert ourselves and feel confident about what we can do.’
Massimo Luongo, Ryan Manning, Conor Washington, Pawel Wszolek and Idrissa Sylla have returned from international duty without issue, but Grant Hall, Steven Caulker, Nedum Onuoha and James Perch remain out.
