MX23RW : Monday, December 23 02:42:02| >> :120:13253:13253:
[monks data]
QPR logo
Championship | Gameweek 7
Oct 24, 2020 at 3pm UK
Loftus Road Stadium
Birmingham logo

QPR
0 - 0
Birmingham


Dickie (18')
FT

Aitor Karanka not concerned about Birmingham City's goalscoring woes

Aitor Karanka not concerned about Birmingham City's goalscoring woes
© Reuters
City have still to score in open play this season following their goalless draw at QPR.

Birmingham manager Aitor Karanka insists he is not worried about his side's failure to score in open play this season.

A 0-0 draw at QPR extended a frustrating run for both teams but Karanka believes there are positive signs.

"I am not concerned at all. The main thing for me is to have a committed team on the pitch," he said.

"We are building and we know we have the quality to score goals.

"I am a manager who prefers to draw 0-0 than 5-5 or 4-4. A clean sheet means commitment.

"With this commitment and more regular time together, we will score goals and when that happens these draws will be wins."

But Karanka did regard the stalemate at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium as two points dropped, given that the visitors were on top for much of the game.

"We lost two points because we should have won this game," he said.

"But we had chances and it was a good performance, so it's another step forward.

"We played more offensively, had good chances and showed consistency on the pitch. Another clean sheet is important.

"When players are committed, everything is easier. The group we have here is amazing – everyone is committed and it's easy to manage them when you know you have a committed team on the pitch and the bench.

"I prefer to look at the good things – and the team are playing well."

QPR manager Mark Warburton was encouraged by his team's improved second-half display but felt they could have been more direct.

Like Birmingham, Rangers have gone six matches without a win and failed to score in their past three.

Warburton's side were on the back foot for most of the first half but went close to scoring early in the second when Bright Osayi-Samuel's shot was headed off the line by Blues captain Harlee Dean.

From the resulting right-wing corner by Ilias Chair, Lyndon Dykes' header bounced up and clipped the top of the bar.

And Chair had a late chance to break the deadlock but fired wide of the far post after Osayi-Samuel had pulled the ball back for him from the right-hand side.

"It was poor in the first half, if I'm honest," Warburton said.

"We didn't move the ball with any real intensity or purpose and we looked a bit lacklustre.

"We didn't mix it up enough and didn't deserve anything in the first half.

"The second half was much better and we moved the ball a lot quicker. We created chances in that second half and it was much better from us.

"Birmingham always pose a threat. From set-pieces they've got real physicality, so we're pleased to keep a clean sheet.

"But we must get the ball towards the other end. We were trying to walk the ball into the net – score too perfect a goal.

"Sometimes you just need to flash the ball across, get a nick on it and get something.

"It's a tough programme of fixtures at the moment. You just rest and then get ready for the next game."

ID:419665: cacheID:419665:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4683:
Written by
P A
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Boro boss Neil Warnock on September 11, 2020
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Cardiff City vs. Middlesbrough
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe20135243222144
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham21126331141742
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield20123534181639
5Stockport CountyStockport21106534221236
6Lincoln CityLincoln218762825331
7Reading209473030031
8Bolton WanderersBolton199462829-131
9Barnsley218672930-130
10Mansfield TownMansfield198472322128
11Charlton AthleticCharlton207672319427
12Blackpool207672931-227
13Exeter CityExeter208391922-327
14Stevenage197571517-226
15Leyton Orient207492320325
16Peterborough UnitedPeterborough2073103837124
17Wigan AthleticWigan206681918124
18Rotherham UnitedRotherham196581921-223
19Bristol Rovers2064101829-1122
20Northampton TownNorthampton2156102134-1321
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge2045112035-1517
23Burton Albion2026121732-1512
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury2033142141-2012


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!