Manager Steve McClaren took the Queens Park Rangers boys to the City Ground to face promotion hopefuls, Nottingham Forest, earlier this afternoon.
With QPR sat in 13th place in the Championship table on 31 points, Forest’s good form saw them in seventh place and just outside of the Play-Off spots, but they were only four points ahead of us in reality, so it was to be a close and contested affair and victory would, of course, bolster the growing hopes within the fanbase of a successful season ahead.
It was a tight game and the hosts had more of the ball, but Toni Leistner gave us the advantage on the stroke of the halftime break as he found the back of the net to make it 1-0. We held on to take all three points and it became the first time we’ve won at the City Ground in our history – 35 attempts.
Speaking to the BBC following the victory, a delighted McClaren explained.
“We all know the history. We know that this is a tough place to come and a very good Forest team, but I thought the players were magnificent. It was an unbelievable result for us and I’m so proud of the players. It was a win against a very, very good team. There was not one outstanding individual. Everyone did their jobs. In the last few weeks, against some good teams, we have defended so well. Joe Lumley made a great save that got us the points, but it was a great team effort which got us the points.”
???? SM: I’m so proud of the players. They were magnificent – from start to finish. #FORQPR pic.twitter.com/XWZOFL3Nyu
— QPR FC (@QPR) December 22, 2018
