Gareth Ainsworth re QPR
I MUST admit it felt like a defeat when we got back into the dressing-room at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
We definitely had the majority of the game, we created the chances to win it and I think that, if we'd gone 2-0 up during the second half, it would have been in the bag.
It just needed one of those chances to go in, but all credit to their keeper - he had a storming game and kept them in it. As a front man, you want to make the keeper work and, every time he was called upon, he did the business.
On the bright side, while the lads were disappointed in the dressing room afterwards, it was a much more positive dressing room than it was at West Brom not that long ago.
We've definitely turned the corner, I'm certain of that - now there are just little things that need adjusting.
Scott Sinclair was a bit quiet on his debut last week against Coventry, which was understandable as he hadn't even met most of the lads before that game, but I think we saw more of what he can do at Selhurst Park.
He doesn't get many goals with his head, but I've got a feeling there are a few more to come on the ground. Hogan did a fantastic job while he was here on loan and in Scott, we've got someone who's well capable of filling those boots.
I know in the past I've been grateful for the international break as it gives me and some of the other lads a chance to shake off niggles and knocks - but I think this one is a bit like a wolf in sheep's clothing! After a fortnight off, we'll have three weeks of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, which is going to really test the squad.
I know some of the foreign lads at the club can't believe that kind of schedule - and I don't think the manager was expecting it either.
In Italy, Tuesday games are pretty rare and they certainly wouldn't have so many all in a row, so it's going to be a test for the gaffer as much as anyone else. I think we'll need to combine some Italian flair with an English mentality in the next few weeks.
Like just about every other Englishman, I'm going to be Ben Sahar's biggest fan this weekend, hoping he and the rest of the Israel team can do us a massive favour in their game against Russia.
Obviously Ben hasn't got as much football as he'd have hoped recently, but this is a chance for him to show what he can do in front of a big TV audience.
Believe me, if he scores the winner, we'll roll out the red carpet for him when he gets back to QPR!
