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QPR boss Mark Warburton talks up Ilias Chair's progression

QPR boss Mark Warburton talks up Ilias Chair's progression
© Reuters
The midfielder scored twice against Birmingham.

QPR manager Mark Warburton declared that Ilias Chair is getting "better and better" after his brace secured a 2-0 win over Birmingham.

Rangers have long had high hopes for the Morocco international, who was signed in 2017 and dons the club's number 10 shirt previously worn by greats Rodney Marsh and Stan Bowles, and more recently Ebere Eze.

"What you can't be in that position is predictable. You can't be a one-trick pony where you drop a shoulder and go," Warburton said.

"Opposing players would pick up on that. Players will study you and see what you do.

"He's recognising that – recognising where he can get on the ball, where he can half-turn and hurt the opposition.

"Then it's about trusting your technique and honing that technique, which he does every day when he trains.

"I'm pleased for him. He's got international football, so a lot on his plate to deal with, but I think you're seeing a player get better and better."

Rangers lost their previous three Championship matches and have been defensively vulnerable, but this time they stood firm – albeit with help from an appalling early miss by Tahith Chong.

Warburton admitted: "It was good to keep a clean sheet. Teams will look at us and say 'They'll score one or two but they're vulnerable'. We can't be vulnerable.

"It was almost like they expected us to score but were going to give it a go themselves and see if they could expose us.

"We stood up against a physical approach and dealt with that. We looked more solid and more cohesive."

Birmingham boss Lee Bowyer bemoaned the miss by Chong when the match was goalless.

Troy Deeney nodded Jeremie Bela's cross back towards the on-loan Manchester United youngster, who misdirected his header into the arms of keeper Seny Dieng. It was the Blues' only effort on target.

Rangers had another let-off before taking the lead when Deeney was unable to get to Ivan Sunjic's low cross.

"We had two massive opportunities to score and then they get the goal," said Bowyer.

"We started really brightly and caused them problems, asked questions of them and didn't take the chances when they came.

"The only difference on the night was Chair, who was clinical in front of goal and caused us problems. But I think if we score one of those two chances then it is a different game.

"We have to be more clinical in front of goal. It's another chance we've missed from inside the six-yard box.

"It concerns me because we work hard at finishing. To have one on target – that's been our problem.

"That stat is not good enough. We had opportunities and asked questions of a good team – and we were away from home.

"Before their second goal we were also causing them problems. Then we switched off at the back and they scored again."

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How you voted: QPR vs Birmingham

Queens Park Rangers
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Draw
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Birmingham City
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West Bromwich Albion manager Valerien Ismael pictured on September 14, 2021
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Fulham27176473254857
2Blackburn RoversBlackburn28157645301552
3Bournemouth27147643241949
4Queens Park RangersQPR2714674031948
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom27129634201445
6Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2812883733444
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2812793829943
8Middlesbrough2712693126542
9Coventry CityCoventry2611783530540
10Luton TownLuton2610883832638
11Stoke CityStoke27115113229338
12Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2510693332136
13Blackpool27106112832-436
14Millwall268992729-233
15Preston North EndPreston268992933-433
16Bristol City2896133649-1333
17Swansea CitySwansea258892832-432
18Birmingham CityBirmingham2888123042-1232
19Hull City2785142331-829
20Cardiff CityCardiff2665152847-1923
21Reading2784153351-1822
22Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2655162353-3020
23Derby CountyDerby2781182626014
24Barnsley2628161741-2414

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