Marti Cifuentes praised his QPR side’s character as they dug deep to claim a 2-1 win at Hull on Tuesday night.
After a goalless first half at the MKM Stadium, the Londoners took the lead in the 64th minute as Kenneth Paal fired home following a superb last-ditch block from Alfie Jones. Koki Saito doubled the visitors’ advantage six minutes later, lifting the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle.
Hull pulled one back through Joe Gelhardt but QPR had enough about them to secure their fourth straight win in the Championship and move to within touching distance of the play-offs.
“I was happy for the three points but I want to give a lot of value to the players because it’s a difficult game away,” Cifuentes said.
“Hull has changed a lot since we played them earlier in the season, the way they play and their approach is really different. It’s challenging, especially on a pitch like it was today, it was not optimal to play football.
“It wasn’t easy in a week like this when we saw the calendar, to play away at Plymouth and then Hull in the same week. It’s an incredible amount of miles but I think the guys responded really well against a difficult team to play against.
“We know that wins give you confidence but we need to keep on pushing. We have been on the other side, 12 games without a win, so it’s important to keep working and keep believing in what we do.”
Hull have won three of their last seven Championship games under Ruben Selles but this result ensures they remain perched on the edge of the relegation zone.
However, supporters have been heartened by the club’s January transfer business with four signings made and more to come.
“I know we are very close to some of them, they were here tonight and that means that eventually they’ll be available, the club will make an announcement if it’s official tonight or tomorrow,” Selles added.
“Really I was just focused on the game and the football and the things I can do today.
“I don’t think it’s a big setback, we came to try and win the game and we make a poor performance and the opponent was more clinical than us. We need to take it, we need to recover, prepare the game on Thursday and on Friday try to get the points and be competitive [against Sheffield United].
“That’s where we are and that is what we’re going to do. If we have any extra players like it looks like there’s going to be then try to make them available for the game and go again.”
