QPR stun Royle's men

IAN Holloway has promised to take his players out for a party at his fitness coach’s pub once QPR get three more points, which he sees as safety from relegation.

His Rangers side are just six points away from the playoff paces after beating promotion- chasing Ipswich but Holloway refuses to get carried away by their position.

He said: “You have to have targets and the first target is to be safe. Then we will realign our sights.”

Holloway’s side were rewarded for their positive approach after three minutes when they took a surprise and somewhat bizarre lead.

Ipswich goalkeeper Kelvin Davis hit a free kick straight into Paul Furlong’s back as the striker was retreating and Furlong beat him with a 16-yard drive.

QPR’s second goal came when Danny Shittu headed in a Martin Rowland cross.

Blues manager Joe Royle is not getting carried away either after his side’s second home defeat inside a week.

He said: “I have told the players to be strong and stick together. QPR asked us some questions and invited us to come and break them down but we had neither the strength nor the guile to do that.”

George Davis (Sunday Times)