9:46am Friday 8th April 2005
By Mike Flynn
QPR manager Ian Holloway says he can’t fault the effort of his players after one point from two home matches all-but ended their hopes of playing Premiership football next season.
Rangers could only manage a 1-1 draw against strugglers Gillingham on Tuesday, three days after losing 3-1 to Sunderland.
That leaves Holloway’s side seven points adrift of the play-offs with just six games left and the manager is almost ready to concede defeat.
He said: “I think the fat lady hasn’t finished singing yet but she’s certainly got the mic in her hand.
“It’s getting a very tall order and I’m a little short bloke. I’m not sure if I can still see it but I’m so proud of my boys.” Holloway refused to criticise his players for their performance against Gillingham after they were booed off at half-time.” He said: “I am delighted with the lads. You can feel the disappointment around the ground.
“I couldn’t have asked for much more.
“I thought the performance second half was absolutely terrific.” They went behind after just 17 minutes when Michael Flynn broke through the middle and, as Simon Royce came darting out of his goal, he slotted it into the net.
Rangers were nearly on level terms immediately but Gills keeper Jason Brown acrobatically denied Paul Furlong.
Kevin Gallen had Rangers’ best effort of the half when he controlled the ball on his chest, turned and fired just over.
But Mamady Sidibe came close to giving Gillingham a two-goal cushion when he was released down the left and drove the ball across the face of goal.
The hosts were level nine minutes after the break when Gallen fed Lee Cook and his cross was buried from close range by Furlong.
With the crowd now roused, Rangers looked like they would finish the job off and they should have profited from a goalmouth scramble on the hour mark.
Cook swung the ball across from the right and picked out George Santos in plenty of space. His shot was parried by Brown and Gallen’s follow up was blocked by Flynn on the line.
The midfielder also kept out a third effort from Adam Miller.
Holloway said: “I asked my lot for passion, desire and I felt we almost had too much of it. I think there were four times in the first half where four of my lads challenged together.
“They’ve got to learn that it’s fine to show me that desire but to use their brain as well. Take a bit of heat out of it.” Next up for Rangers is a visit to Sheffield United on Saturday.
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