Cifuentes sees continued progress as QPR defeat the Swans

Martí Cifuentes was a happy man after QPR left South Wales with three more points in the bag yesterday afternoon that completed a perfect Easter weekend for them after their win on Friday against Birmingham.

Steve Cook’s second half goal proved to be the scoring difference between the two sides on an afternoon where the Swans barely seemed to get out of second gear and the R’s took full advantage of that to move six points clear of the relegation places and just one point behind the Swans.

Speaking after the game to the press therefore it was no surprise that the QPR boss was in positive mood as he addressed the result which he said was against a Swans side that “is so demanding mentally”.

“That shows the progress of the team, the togetherness and the hard work that the guys are putting in is paying off,” Cifuentes said.

“We didn’t have much time to recover after a tough game on Friday, we had to push until the last minute and while this type of game can give us a lot with a late winner, it also takes up a lot of energy.

“So to recover and play today against a team that is so demanding mentally, because you have to stay so focused, I am very proud of the guys.”

Cifuentes rang the changes with five changes from his side that had beaten Birmingham on Good Friday and addressed that “Football is not difficult, it is an easy sport but it is so complex because there are a lot of things that can affect the games.

“Today was a combination of things. The first is the schedule, two games in three days, we know that at this stage of the season you notice more the fatigue, not only physically but mentally as well.

“For the players, it is not easy. It is so demanding. But, at the same time, we have this togetherness and I have strong belief in all the players.

“The fans are playing their part.  I am happy when they sing my name but when they do I understand it is for all the staff and all the hard work they put in, as well as the players.

“Football belongs to the players and I don’t have any intention to change that.”