Matt Smith has said he feels Queens Park Rangers’ second half performance in the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers was up there with our best showings of the season.
Heading to the Molineux QPR did lose the game two one against the run away Championship leaders, but Conor Washington’s 51st minute goal following the restart changed the tone of the match and with a touch more luck on the day we could’ve walked away with a point having given the Champions-elect a really good run for their money.
Speaking to the Official Site with the players back in training this week, Smith admitted first half it looked like it was going to be another long day for QPR, but second half we did ourselves credit.
‘We`re all a bit disappointed not to come away with at least a point. I thought our second-half performance was terrific. Wolves caused us a lot of problems in the first half, particularly down their left-hand side, and we found it difficult. They could have been out of sight. But credit to the lads for keeping it to 2-0. At half-time we said if we get a goal we can make it very nervous for them and that`s exactly what we did. I thought we played really well. It`s an odd thing to say after a defeat, but I thought our second-half performance was probably up there with best 45 minutes we`ve played this season.’
Although everyone was disappointed in the dressing room at not being able to do quite enough to take a point for our second half efforts, Smith explained that seeing a visible sigh of relief from the hosts was a positive they’d take from the game given the form Wolves have exhibited all season long.
‘You could tell they were relieved to come away with all three points. Against a side like Wolves who are used to having lots of the ball, we contained them and really imposed ourselves on them. We had plenty of chances, it`s a shame one didn`t drop for us. We`re disappointed as we felt we were worthy of getting at least a point on the balance of our second-half performance.’
Smith also had a personal reason to be happy with the second half, he was introduced at the break as our performance levels went up and he could’ve got himself on the scoresheet as he volleyed over the bar moments after Washington had found the net.
‘I was pleased with my performance. I just tried to impose myself physically and hope that it could upset their rhythm, which I think it did. I had a chance which I snatched at, which is disappointing. We had a couple of other half chances too which had we taken, things could have been different. We can be very happy with our two performances in three halves against the league leaders.’
