Boss delighted with QPR win
Burton Albion manager Gary Rowett was a very happy man after watching his team beat Premier League side Queens Park Rangers to seal a place in the third round of the Capital One Cup.
Adam McGurk’s free-kick was the difference between the two sides at the Pirelli Stadium, and Rowett was delighted after seeing his team beat strong opposition.
“It was a fantastic win. They were a top side and they were full of household names and for our players to go and do exactly as we did against Wigan was really pleasing. We created lots of chances and should have been ahead at half-time, but we’re very happy that we controlled the game as we did.
“We didn’t just nick the game with one chance. We’ve scored from one of the six or seven chances we created during the game. It was a moment of brilliance from Adam McGurk and we controlled large parts of the game.
“What you always worry about is if you don’t take one of your chances, a side of their quality will get chances but I don’t think they did. Hoilett went close in the first half but other than that we didn’t have much to deal with. Some of our play had just as much quality and attacking prowess as they did,” he said.
The Brewers dominated the game for large parts and the manager was very encouraged to see the side keep a clean sheet, their fourth from six games this season.
“It’s really encouraging from us. Once again we haven’t conceded and that’s four clean sheets so far. From our six games so far we’ve won five and drawn one so it’s been a very encouraging start and the challenge for us is now maintaining that.
“It was a brilliant goal (from Adam McGurk). I thought him and Dom Knowles were very good tonight and we had to make changes ourselves. Lucas Akins and Stuart Beavon didn’t play tonight and they’ve arguably been our most effective players so far this season,” he added.
The games continue to come thick and fast for the Albion, with a visit to Mansfield Town on Saturday – a game where Rowett wants to see the same efforts as tonight.
“You look at tonight’s efforts and you’d say that we’ll need some fresh legs on Saturday. The lads worked really hard and I was really pleased with their efforts. Mansfield will be a difficult game and what we can’t do is play so well tonight and then not perform on Saturday,” he continued.
The Brewers have been drawn a home to Championship side Brighton and Hove Albion in the next round of the Capital On Cup, and the boss sees it as another good opportunity for his side.
“They’re all difficult games and in Brighton we’ll come up against a good passing side who will shift us around, but it’s a while away yet and it gives us another opportunity for our lads to show what they can do.”