QPR boss Marti Cifuentes insists he never doubted Chris Willock would rediscover his best form.
QPR manager Marti Cifuentes expressed unshakable confidence in Chris Willock’s resurgence, shedding light on how he revitalized the star player. Willock, in his rejuvenated state, secured the opening goal in QPR’s 2-0 triumph over Hull City, delivering a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area. This marked his third consecutive goal and contributed to QPR’s third consecutive victory.
Since Cifuentes took over from the dismissed Gareth Ainsworth, QPR has lost only one of their six matches. Previously considered the talisman, Willock faced neglect under Ainsworth’s management. Ilias Chair, another key playmaker, also encountered challenges.
Cifuentes, not surprised by Willock’s display, emphasized his belief in the importance of both Willock and Chair for the team’s success. He expressed satisfaction in seeing Willock regain confidence and recognized the player’s elevated performance, making it challenging for opponents to dispossess him.
Cifuentes acknowledged Willock’s growing influence in the team’s offensive third and predicted increased goal-scoring based on his quality and potential. When questioned about assisting Willock in reclaiming his top form, Cifuentes emphasized the importance of providing playing time, building confidence, and creating strategic game scenarios. The manager highlighted the straightforward approach of placing talented players in pivotal positions on the pitch, asserting that positive outcomes naturally follow when such players are close to the goal.
On the opposing side, Hull City’s manager, Liam Rosenior, admitted that his team suffered consequences for their mistakes, particularly evident in Willock’s goal scored during first-half stoppage time, following Hull’s loss of possession. Despite an impressive start to the season, back-to-back defeats caused Hull City to fall out of the playoff positions.
Rosenior acknowledged the team’s progress but emphasized the need for pragmatism in crucial moments and understanding the context of the game. He pointed out a pivotal moment where Hull had control but conceded a goal just before half-time, altering the dynamics of the match.
The second goal for QPR occurred after pressure from Sinclair Armstrong forced a mistake from Hull goalkeeper Ryan Allsop. Willock seized the loose ball, setting up Chair for a composed finish. Rosenior urged his team to play but acknowledged the need for better decision-making in crucial situations.
He refrained from blaming players for mistakes but stressed the importance of learning from them, expressing confidence in the team’s potential if they can eliminate errors. Despite being a young team that learns on the job, Rosenior emphasized the strong foundation in their style of play.
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