Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway felt his team’s performance would have made the late Ray Wilkins proud as the Hoops beat Sheffield Wednesday 4-2 on Tuesday night.

The hosts had the perfect start as they netted three times in the first 15 minutes through Paul Smyth, Jake Bidwell and Idrissa Sylla, then Sylla added a fourth to put the game to bed just eight minutes into the second half.

Having lost 4-0 to Hull on Saturday, Holloway was delighted with his players’ response and he applauded the solid performance.

“It was a great bounce back after the weekend,” said the Hoops’ boss. “It's been a tough few days, but tonight we bounced back from Saturday and for the first half, we really put on a show.

“We put them under massive pressure in that period. We made brave decisions and the players that came in made a real positive start to the game.

"I'm delighted for Idrissa Sylla. It's great that he's back fit and amongst the goals. We flew out of the blocks. It was a sensational start.

He added: “Then when we had to in the second half, we really dug in. The back four and Smithies really stood up to the test in the second half.

“It was a bit nervy at the end but we were worthy winners.”

With the family of QPR legend Ray Wilkins watching in the stands, Holloway expressed his pride at the display his players put on and claimed the result made the tribute even sweeter.

“Ray would’ve been immensely proud of that opening spell,” said Holloway.

"It's a very fitting evening for our football club to show how we feel about him and his family, and to show the world of football how we feel about him - because we feel he was ours.

“What he did for us in the dressing room I will never forget. There are some major people in your life who are immense and they don't even realise it. He was one of them.

"I'm really proud of his family being brave enough to go out there tonight and I'm bursting with pride about how my lads went about their work. I'm so proud of our club tonight.

“I know he'll be smiling up there. I was absolutely honoured to have known him, let alone have played with him and for him.”