Spirit and sense of togetherness was incredible

Last updated : 13 February 2008 By Tony Scholes
De Canio had seen his side take a two goal lead in the first half hour and look set for a fifth consecutive home win, but then witnessed the great Burnley comeback that saw us win the game 4-2. "Maybe, because of the type of football we played in the first half, we left ourselves open and Burnley took full advantage of our mistakes," he said after the game.

"The general condition of the players was okay, but we had a few niggles in the camp and consequently we weren't at our best in the second half. Some of he players were not in excellent condition and this affected how we played, and because of the way we played in the first half we were convinced we would win.

"It is possible that, subconsciously, we were complacent, but we were not able to play our best because Martin Rowlands went off injured, Gavin Mahon was close to being substituted and Hogan Ephraim also too a knock. That had a bearing on our second half performance, especially when we tried to counter attack. We ended up just kicking the ball forward. That is not a characteristic I like and we will work on it.

"This squad has changed a lot and we are still trying to find our best possible team. As I've said before, these things can happen. We have a lot of good players here, but they need time and they need to get to grips with each other's games."

The QPR boss though did have a word of praise for our hat trick hero Andrew Cole. "Cole is a fantastic player and his record shows that, but I've brought in very good players of my own and we will see them progress in time."

Owen Coyle might well have had some concerns over our first half performance but he had to have been delighted at the way his side came storming back to win it. "I thought their spirit and sense of togetherness was incredible and I am delighted to reward the fans who have made the trip.

"It would have been very easy at 2-0 down to fold and end up getting a hiding, but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes we lost two goals, and poor goals from our point of view, but we bounced back in terrific fashion."

The manager heaped praise on his two strikers after they gave QPR a torrid forty-five minutes. On recent signing Andrew Cole: "I was never in any doubt what Andrew would offer to the football club.

"The biggest thing when we sat down before signing him was whether he had the hunger and desire to play at a very high level and I think he's shown that since he came on at West Brom. As well has the goals I think he leads the line so well. His touch and awareness brings other people into play.

"The goals have been terrific but he has been the ultimate professional. On the training ground the players will learn from someone of that stature. The reason he plays at such a high level is because he has looked after himself and is totally focussed on football. Flying down to London we were delayed for four hours at Manchester and nothing phased him. It would be very easy for him with the career he has had to get in a strop but he was focused on the game and so it proved.

"His finishing was superb, but he was helped by his team mates. I've said before it won't be about individuals at this football club though. We are a group."

Cole was joined by Ade Akinbiyi for the second half and, not for the first time, Coyle had words about his striker. "Ade has been terrific for me," he said. "With the career he has had it would be easy for him to be frustrated about not playing.

"I think he is to a degree but what he said to me on Saturday has stuck with me. Ade said to me 'I believe in everything you are saying gaffer and the most important thing is the team'. I think that sums up Ade not as a footballer but as a man and that's the type of people I want at this football club.

I thought he was unfortunate to be left out again and when he came on I thought he summed up the whole spirit of this football club. I think Ade has taken a terrific boost from Andrew Cole coming to the club, as has Robbie Blake and Kyle Lafferty. They all know now that there is good competition for places."