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Jim Delighted With Stead and Performance
Jim Delighted With Stead and Performance
Saturday, 1st Nov 2008 19:31

Boss Jim Magilton was delighted with Jon Stead's match-winning display from the bench as the Blues defeated QPR 2-0 at a sodden Portman Road.

Magilton said: "Jon came on and made a big difference. He was particularly disappointed with his performance in midweek. He was very hard on himself.

"But today he came on and scored two great goals and he could have scored a hat-trick.

"I could not be more proud of my players. They were outstanding, every one of them. They dug in, showed great unity and that will keep us in good stead, excuse the pun.

"Kevin Lisbie worked really hard for us and was unlucky not to score, but Jon came on and got the two goals, which will be good for his confidence.

"Richard Wright made a big save for us in the first half and I thought we defended well, with Gareth McAuley and Richard Naylor both having excellent games. Gareth is settling in now and there will be much more to come from him as well.

"Overall, our performance was fantastic and we'd been longing for a clean sheet. We're becoming hard to beat and that's one defeat in 11 games. We're showing a great work ethic and the boys showed their mettle.

"We all loving playing on sunny days when the pitch has been manicured, but these were tricky conditions and I thought we adapted very well. The fact we were patient and got our rewards was also very pleasing. Now we've got to keep that resolve and belief going."

QPR caretaker-boss Gareth Ainsworth felt his side's failure to take their first half opportunities was crucial: "Ipswich took their chances after the break whereas we missed ours in the first half - that was the difference. Richard Wright made a fantastic save to deny us and then we hit the bar.

"To concede two goals from set-pieces was disappointing, but I can't fault the lads' effort. On Tuesday night we played with 10 men for 60 minutes against top-of-the-table Birmingham.

"There were a lot of tired legs out there today and the midweek game took its toll. The boys faded in the second half and that's understandable because of the effort they gave in that game.

"But the commitment was still there, which was a big positive, and we know we can score goals."


Photo: Action Images



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