Source: Team_Talk
Warnock thrilled with opening win
Warnock, who quit Crystal Palace to join Rangers this week, masterminded a 3-1 win over the promotion-chasing Baggies in his first game in charge.[LNB]Had every managerial change at Loftus Road had this effect, Rangers would be at the other end of the table.[LNB]As it is, Warnock, the club's fifth new boss this season, was satisfied they now have a little more breathing space above the relegation zone.[LNB]And his message to his new players, who have been crying out for some stability at the club, was simple. [LNB]"I told them to smile," he said. "I said to enjoy it. They get paid a fortune to play football at a great club, I told them to do what they've done all week and enjoy it."[LNB]Warnock may still be in the getting-to-know-you stage with his players but they flew out of the blocks against shell-shocked Albion.[LNB]Jay Simpson pounced on a mistake from goalkeeper Scott Carson to fire them ahead after 13 minutes and Matt Connolly finished a flowing move for the second five minutes later.[LNB]Chris Brunt pulled one back before the break - Rangers have now not kept a clean sheet in 24 matches - but Carson was at fault again when Akos Buzsaky's 35-yard free-kick bounced over him and in off the post to secure only Rangers' second win in 12 matches.[LNB]"We've only had a few days together and it's a matter of them finding out what I'm like and what I want from them," added Warnock.[LNB]"In fairness, they have all taken it on board. I think my first day was a bit unusual for them but that's how I get to know my lads.[LNB]"It's nice to start off with a win but I told them beforehand this game was not going to define the next few years.[LNB]"And I still don't know who scored our first and third goals!"[LNB]Defeat was damaging for Albion, who slipped below Nottingham Forest into third place and are now nine points behind leaders Newcastle.[LNB]Boss Roberto Di Matteo admitted Carson's blunders were costly but was unhappy with the display as a whole.[LNB]"It's a team performance. We made individual mistakes but it is 11 people on the pitch," he said.[LNB]"We started badly and, against any team, when you give away two goals in the first 20 minutes, it becomes very difficult to win.[LNB]"We said we needed to keep solid in the first 20 minutes - but we did exactly the opposite. They were terrible goals to give away."[LNB][LNB]
