Danny Simpson: QPR gave us a wake-up call

Oct 2 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

He said: “There’s still such a long way to go. When you come back from one-nil down when you don’t play well - those are the points that go a long way.

“We didn’t lose and the good thing about this league is that straight away we’ve got a chance to put things right. We can’t be dwelling on that performance – on Saturday we’re at home again and we’ve got the chance to put it right before the (international) break.”

Hughton has been impressed by Harewood’s start to a three-month loan spell on Tyneside and, with the Aston Villa man in line for his first start against Bristol City on Saturday, Simpson is also convinced the striker will prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.

Harewood’s equaliser was the first time he had scored a first team goal in 18 months, but Simpson is convinced he can be prolific in the black and white stripes.

He explained: “We just know that he’s going to score. Look at Wednesday night, you just knew he’d come and score. We’re looking good up front – even though Shola is out.

“I have played against him in training and he’s strong. I marked him the first training session since I came back from injury and he’s big, strong and powerful – he looks to roll you and try and put you on the back foot. He was trying to rough me up.

“He’s got so much good experience, he’s desperate to play and score goals and I feel like he’s desperate to be here. He doesn’t want to come here and sit on the bench.”

He continued: “That first goal will help. Strikers want to get their goal early and it will mean a lot to him to score his first at home. I didn’t know it was 18 months since he scored. I’d not have thought that the way he’s looked in training or the games.

“I don’t think he had any nerves because he’s so experienced, but it’s nice for him to get the ball rolling. He can look to get some more for us now.

“In this league it’s nice to have experienced players around us. I know Marlon will come in and help out Andy and Nile – they’re still young lads and they’ll pick up little things from him I think.”