Source: Team_Talk
Strachan savours first victory
Boro's 5-1 thrashing of QPR, the club's first ever win at Loftus Road, lifted them to sixth in the table.[LNB]Leroy Lita netted twice with Dave Kitson, Gary O'Neil and Mark Yeates also scoring in a resounding triumph.[LNB]Strachan said: "I'm going to enjoy this victory. I saw it coming because we had played well against Peterborough and Crystal Palace.[LNB]"We created chances in those games and in this one we scored with our chances. Goals lift you and deflate the other side.[LNB]"Our target has been to get into the top six and if you can do that, you can then see if you can catch the big boys."[LNB]Yeates rattled the bar from 30 yards before on-loan striker Kitson steered O'Neil's free-kick into the corner of the net.[LNB]Boro went further ahead four minutes into the second half. David Wheater's header from O'Neil's left-wing corner was handled by Ben Watson and Lita stepped up to smash home the resulting penalty.[LNB]That prompted Rangers manager Jim Magilton to make a double substitution, sending on Rowan Vine and Patrick Agyemang.[LNB]Within a minute Vine found space on the left and crossed for Agyemang to score from close range.[LNB]But any prospect of a comeback was crushed when Mikele Leigertwood gave the ball away and Lita cut in from the left before shooting past goalkeeper Radek Cerny.[LNB]O'Neil made it four by scoring from the rebound after Lita had fired against the post and Yeates completed the rout with a 25-yard drive which flew into the bottom corner.[LNB]Strachan added: "I wasn't surprised at Lita's performance given the amount of energy he puts in and Isaiah Osbourne produced a real man's performance in midfield and showed everyone what a good player he is.[LNB]"QPR can count themselves a bit unfortunate because the ball went for us today and we scored at crucial times.[LNB]"But we've worked hard for that. I believe that if you work hard you will eventually get something and it's finally paid off."[LNB]The result was a major disappointment for Magilton, whose team have won once in six matches.[LNB]Magilton said: "We were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply and we came up against a good side who really clicked in this game.[LNB]"If you give the ball away against good sides, you'll be punished. We've handed out a few beatings this season and now we have to learn from this beating.[LNB]"It's all about learning lessons. It's wonderful to play expansive football and get the plaudits, but it sometimes takes a result like this to learn about your character.[LNB]"Let's see what we've got against Watford on Monday night. I will expect a response and so will the supporters - and so too will the players.[LNB]"This was, I hope, part of a learning curve for this group of players. We certainly need to do better."[LNB][LNB][LNB]
