Joe Hodge left Wolves late on transfer deadline day to join QPR – and his new manager Martí Cifuentes has praised him after he scored a goal on his debut yesterday.
Hodge was a late outgoing at Molineux, completing his move after Wolves’ 4-3 defeat to Manchester United at Molineux.
Hodge was actually on the bench for that game, but everything had already been organised for him to join QPR and there was no danger of it not happening.
For Hodge, it is a chance for him to go out and play regularly, after a frustrating start to the season.
And things couldn’t really have started much better for him, with Hodge netting on his debut yesterday – and after the game, his manager had some positive words for the midfielder…
Wolves youngster Joe Hodge receives praise from QPR manager Martí Cifuentes after goal on debut
Yesterday, QPR were playing Blackburn Rovers in the Championship.
After taking the lead through an own goal, Hodge – who had come on as a substitute – then struck for the visitors to make it 2-0.
The youngster ghosted into the box, collecting a through ball down the left side.
Hodge then opened up his body, and finished coolly into the far corner. It was a fine strike, and his first goal in senior football.
It was brilliant to see Hodge making a decisive impact despite only being at QPR for all of five minutes, and after the game, QPR boss Martí praised the loanee from Wolves for his contribution.
He said (QPR official): “I’m very happy for Joe. He showed great commitment after being on the bench for Wolves on deadline day to come to London immediately so that he could train with us on Friday.
“He got his reward and played at a very good level during the minutes he was involved. I’m sure that he is going to be a very important player for us.”
A great opportunity for Hodge
Hodge scoring for QPR yesterday was brilliant to see, and somewhat unexpected considering the frantic nature of his move.
To make an impact like that, after only joining the club late on Thursday night and having one training session, is really commendable.
This is now an excellent opportunity for Hodge to further his development. Minutes were hard to come by for him in the first half of the season because of injury and also other options available to Gary O’Neil.
He needed this move and had been vocal about leaving to get game time, and he will now learn a lot playing in the Championship.
QPR are in a relegation battle right now and it will be a good experience for Hodge, and hopefully he can take responsibility and make important contributions in their fight.