QPR boss Ian Holloway said he doesn’t feel like a “useless, hopeless new manager” after his side perfectly nullified their third-placed opponents in a 1-0 victory at the Madejski Stadium.
Jamie Mackie’s first-half strike was enough for all three points and handed the R’s their third win on the bounce after a disappointing initial period under Holloway.
The boss, now in his second stint with the club, praised his side’s efforts in Berkshire and highlighted their ability to stop Reading’s regular fluency as integral to their success.
He said: “I felt that’s as good a working performance and understanding the tactics and stopping someone that I’ve managed to create with anybody.
“People think I’m an attack minded coach but sometimes you’ve got to stop them because they’re a little bit better at doing things.”
Holloway went on to commend his side on denying Jaap Stam’s outfit the space often afforded to them which has allowed them to rise up the Championship table.
Reading had won their last three league matches before their FA Cup humbling at Old Trafford last weekend but their good form was dashed by a Rangers side steering themselves clear of the bottom three.
Holloway continued: “Their fans weren’t happy but they couldn’t find the spaces they normally find. A lot of people did that to me when I was at Blackpool.
“Onwards and upwards but I’m absolutely delighted with everybody at the club even down to the people who serve our dinners they’re absolutely spot on. So now I don’t feel such a useless, hopeless new manager.”
