Dave took three Loftus Road points as a belated birthday present on Saturday, telling the press afterwards of his admiration to the team's effort against a physical QPR.

"The lads worked hard today and everyone was on top of their game, which is what I was looking for from them," he said. "My lads put in a good shift and they needed to, because if they hadn't then QPR would have beaten us. They tried to beat us into submission but it didn't work.

"Any win is satisfying and we played pretty well. QPR tried to beat us up and the lads stood up firm and never folded against a big, physical side. The two up front did well and Paul Parry gave them problems and something to think about. It was also good to see Steven MacLean score. I'm pleased for him and he could and should have scored another one as well.

"It was important to get a result here, because otherwise the temptation might have been to put the new signings in before they're ready. That's the kind of thing I've never done and wouldn't want to do now. The new players have got to be fully fit and right to play.

"I don't mind putting Jimmy and Robbie in the dugout, but the other lads have got to do the business. I've left out big players before as a manager - and Jimmy and Robbie have been on the bench before in their careers. As a manager you just make the decision you believe is right. If you're banging the goals in, how can you leave your strikers out?

"We've worked hard this week after the defeat last weekend. We are in the first throws of the start of a very long campaign. Everyone stood up to be counted and we never gave up."