Queens Park Rangers boss names the one Bristol City player that impressed him

Michael Beale has identified Jay Dasilva as a key player for Bristol City, and that preventing him from getting forward was vital to Queens Park Rangers’ victory.

QPR ran out 2-1 winners at Ashton Gate, as two first-half goals from Stefan Johansen and Tyler Roberts ended the Robins’ three home match unbeaten run.

By instructing Ethan Laird and Kenneth Paal to play high and wide, the R’s hoped to stop both Dasilva and Mark Sykes from getting any attacking freedom and make sure they stuck to their defensive work.

Dasilva has been a constant attacking threat for Nigel Pearson’s side this season and assisted Nahki Wells for the opening goal in City’s previous home match – a 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

However, the Hoops’ efforts to nullify the Englishman came good on the afternoon.

“Dasilva is a boy that I know really well,” he said.

“I signed him at Chelsea as an academy player and I didn’t want Dasilva anywhere near the final third because of his crossing that you saw second half, so I tried to get Ethan to take him back.”

Beale’s plan proved effective, as the 24-year-old largely struggled to get forward to provide service for the likes of Wells and Tommy Conway. The threat of Sykes was also well managed, as the pair of wingbacks had an afternoon to forget.

The QPR gaffer also made clear his admiration of City’s forward line. Nigel Pearson’s side have scored in all 13 matches in all competitions this season, with an average of just over two goals a game.

“I’m really respectful for Nigel’s front guys,” he said. “Weimann, Conway, Semenyo and Nahki, whom we know well.”

Wells spent two seasons on loan at QPR from 2018-2020, where he contributed 20 goals and nine assists in 66 Championship matches.

“We didn’t want to give them any space today and I thought we did that. I thought they played down the sides of us but never played in front of us which was part of the game plan.”

The Robins managed just two shots on target all game, their lowest tally so far this season.