Ex Newcastle United and Sunderland veteran hailed as 'fantastic' after controversial QPR goal
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QPR midfielder Jack Colback received praise from head coach Marti Cifuentes following a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday evening at Loftus Road.
The hosts took the lead after just five minutes through Michael Frey but John Eustace’s side found a leveller shortly after half time thanks to a Tyrhys Dolan penalty. QPR then found a winner through Colback, to bounce back from two defeats to Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.
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Hide AdThat goal proved controversial with the ball appearing to run down the arm of striker Alfie Lloyd in the edge of the box before falling to Colback. The midfielder lashed home a shot which: Aynsley Pears could not keep out despite getting a hand to the strike.
The R’s remain one of the EFL’s in-form teams with a stunning run of form over December and the New Year. Having looked destined for a relegation battle, the west London outfit are now just three points off the play-offs in a tightly-packed Championship table.
Ex Newcastle United and Sunderland man praised by Marti Cifuentes
Before defeats to the Owls and the Lions, QPR had only been beaten once in the Championship over their last 13 outings. The R’s next face Coventry City away on Tuesday, February 11.
Speaking after the game, Cifuentes praised Colback for his influence on the side. He said: “It was a fantastic goal, showing his quality. We have been waiting for him to be back from injury and now he is on his way to get more minutes, to show his experience and that is very important for such a young team that we have right now. I am very pleased for him.”
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Hide AdQPR are making a name for themselves as a team that prioritises youth under Cifuentes. Former Tottenham Hotspur academy star Kieran Morgan is enjoying a breakthrough campaign at the age of 18 years old. Meanwhile, former Chelsea man Harvey Vale and Spurs loanee Yang Min-hyeok also arrived at Loftus Road in January.
Colback joined QPR in 2023, following a three year spell with Nottingham Forest, on a free transfer. The midfielder is a product of the Sunderland academy and went on to become a first team regular for the Black Cats.
The midfielder is one of few players to play for both Sunderland and Newcastle United, joining the Magpies in 2014. He won the Championship with Newcastle United in 2017 and also helped Nottingham Forest to promotion via the play-offs in 2022.
Colback adding experience to QPR in the Championship
Colback signed a two-year contract with QPR in 2023 but the Championship side does hold the option to trigger another year. Speaking about returning to the second tier with the club following time in the top flight with Forest, Colback said: “I’m happy and excited to get going. It will be nice to get the training kit on and get out there with the lads. I’m excited to be part of what the manager wants to do here. It was an easy decision.
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Hide Ad“This is a tough league, it’s relentless. I am well used to that and prepared for it. Success in this division takes a lot of work, you have to be ready to do the ugly side of the game. That’s the difference between the two levels in terms of the Championship and the Premier League.
“There’s a difference in terms of the tactics, too. In this division you will come up against teams who want to play football a lot, and you will come up against teams who will be in your face and more direct, which is something you don’t get as much in the Premier League.”
In other news, QPR added two future stars to their Development Squad on Deadline Day in a late flurry of transfer action.
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