Source: Team_Talk
Rangers chief hails spirit
A run of nine games without a win recently led to the coach's position coming under scrutiny after just four months in the job.[LNB]But maximum points from games against the promotion-chasing Robins and Swansea have eased the pressure on the former Portugal international.[LNB]Sousa said: "There have been a lot of critics, but now we have had two good results.[LNB]"We have a good spirit and the players believe in me because I always say the same things - because I believe in what I'm saying.[LNB]"During a season, every team has a moment where results are not good. We had that but the important thing is to show spirit and unity, which we did."[LNB]On-loan Tottenham forward Adel Taarabt's late winner kept alive QPR's faint hopes of reaching the play-offs.[LNB]The teenager stole the show along with Spanish midfielder Jordi Lopez, who had earlier put the home side ahead with a brilliant free-kick.[LNB]Former Sevilla man Lopez struck midway through the second half, when he curled a 25-yard effort beyond goalkeeper Adriano Basso and into the top corner.[LNB]Ivan Sproule crossed for Michael McIndoe to beautifully volley home a 77th-minute equaliser from the edge of the penalty area.[LNB]But QPR's lead was restored when the lively Taarabt tucked away Damien Delaney's left-wing cross.[LNB]Sousa said: "In the first half we were very good, showed a lot of effort and were tactically perfect.[LNB]"Bristol City equalised but we showed the right reaction and went back in front. I am very pleased.[LNB]"Two weeks ago people were saying we couldn't make the play-offs. We are still the same team now and I don't want to talk about the play-offs - I am just focusing on the quality of our work."[LNB]The result dealt City a blow in their bid to finish in the top six and manager Gary Johnson admitted that QPR deserved to win.[LNB]"Of course I'm disappointed with the outcome. We didn't do ourselves justice," said Johnson.[LNB]"That wasn't our game we played out there. For some reason we kept lumping the ball forward. It was a poor game for us and I didn't recognise what we were doing.[LNB]"The pitch wasn't great and it wasn't easy to play good football on it, but it's the same for both teams.[LNB]"We didn't deserve anything from the game. We didn't do enough to win it, and that's that. The work rate was there but it was a bit misdirected at times. QPR were solid at the back and deserved this win in my opinion.[LNB]"This result has dented our hopes, but we've got to look to the next game, try to win it and then see how the other teams around us do. Every week it changes in this division."[LNB][LNB]
