“I’ll take 2-1, but if I am really being critical we should have won by more.”
That was the view of Head Coach Paul Lambert after the first win of his Wolves tenure against Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road.
QPR skipper James Perch was sent off for two yellow cards towards the end of a tightly-contested first half, and Wolves took advantage with an impressive second half performance with goals from Dave Edwards and Helder Costa, and plenty more chances besides.
But Joel Lynch pulled a goal back in the last minute, and Wolves had to come through seven minutes of added time before emerging with all three points.
“I am delighted to win the game and thought we deserved to win the game,” said Lambert.
“We had chances to put the game out of sight including several one-on-ones.
“The way we played the game from start to finish was good considering we are just in the door.
“It is great to create chances – but even better if you score.
“I thought we should have scored.
“We just need to show some more composure and we would have done.
“Bodvarsson had a chance, Helder, and Doc as well.
“We scored two really good goals with a great move and finish from Dave and a brilliant run from Helder.
“I’ll take 2-1, but if I am really being critical we should have won by more.”
Lambert was pleased to see his team “stay strong” in those added minutes when QPR swept forward in search of an equaliser.
“What happened at the end comes when they score a goal and have the crowd behind them,” he said.
“That would never have happened if we’d taken our one on one chances.
“But it is a good win from what is always a difficult place to come.”
Lambert opted to play a front three of Ivan Cavaleiro, Nouha Dicko and Helder Costa and was pleased with their attacking threat.
“Helder has probably hit the ground running more than Ivan,” he said.
“They both have a talent, but the culture here is different from them coming to a new country.
“They have a wee bit to learn as they are young guys in a new environment in one of the most difficult leagues with the number of games.
“There is a lot more to come from them.
“The two of them were a real threat tonight and that is why I picked them.
“And I was pleased with Nouha as well, who was also a threat on the night.”
That is a win, a draw and a defeat from Lambert’s first three games in charge, and he is hoping the victory at Loftus Road can provide a positive platform for what lies ahead.
“The club has had a really hard start and then changed manager and you have to come in and try and make it a better feeling,” he said.
“Four points so far, including two away games, is a decent start.
“A point away at Preston was a good start.
“We lost against Sheffield Wednesday who are a good side who I think will be in the top six but we were in the game against them.
“And tonight I thought we deserved to win.
“I was also delighted for the fans tonight.
“We let them down on Saturday when there was nearly 30,000 of them.
“It was great to win tonight.
“They travelled a long way and have to go back for work tomorrow and it’s good to send them back with a smile on their faces.”
Lambert, who also revealed he is still hopeful of reshaping the squad in January, said that keeper Carl Ikeme, who came off in the closing stages, had suffered an Achilles injury.
“Carl just felt his Achilles, and hopefully it is not too bad,” said Lambert.
“I thought he was great tonight after missing a few weeks.
“But I am lucky because I think the club has two really good goalkeepers.”
