HALF-TIME substitute Ilias Chair delivered a man-of-the-match display as QPR made it back-to-back wins with a 2-0 success at Preston.
Chair was introduced by Marti Cifuentes at the midway point to replace Jack Colback and within 10 minutes delivered a perfect cross which was tapped in by Paul Smyth.
The Moroccan turned provider again three minutes from the end, this time setting up Chris Willock for QPR’s second as the Hoops moved to within three points of safety.
It is not the first time Cifuentes has made an inspired substitution this week, with Willock a key figure after coming off the bench in Tuesday’s 4-2 victory over Stoke.
And the Spanish boss saw his tactical switch pay off once again at Deepdale to cap what has been a memorable few days for QPR’s long-suffering fans.
Cifuentes told Sky Sports: “It was very important to have a good plan for this week, and in that sense in the last game with Chris we had a very similar situation.
“Both of them, Ilias and Chris, are very important players for us but we want them fresh to make a difference.
“I think today again the plan worked very well, not because I’m a genius but because they are very good players. That’s a fact.”
Cifuentes has rewarded his squad with a well deserved two-day break ahead of what will be a hectic December fixture schedule.
When they return, the manager wants to see more end product in the final third, even if he is pleased with the progress shown so far under his stewardship.
The Hoops boss said: “It is important to create chances.
“I think we can still create more and we need to improve in our offensive set play, but at the same time we need to say congratulations to the guys because we are making big improvements every day.
“Since I arrived I see a team that has an identity, that wants to play a certain way of football and we won against a very good team.
“At home they have not been conceding many defeats, Preston.
“For us to get these three points is a massive, massive achievement.”
The game was played in freezing conditions this evening and Chair admitted he was starting to suffer watching as a spectator in the dugout.
He said: “I was too cold today but I’m happy that I got on and helped the team to a big win.
“It’s not only (down to) me, my team-mates need to be there as well.
“Obviously we made the right decisions at the right time.
“Luckily tonight they went in and that’s what we have to keep doing.”
