Mbia: We have hope

Stephane says performance at Sunderland shows R’s have the fight for relegation battle …


QPR’S goalless draw at Sunderland on Tuesday night was proof that Rangers have the stomach for the relegation fight that lies ahead.

That’s the verdict of midfielder Stephane Mbia who featured in a defensive central-midfield role for Harry Redknapp’s first match at the helm.

The Cameroon international played in front of the back four, with Samba Diakite partnering Esteban Granero in the centre of the park.

The decision certainly paid dividends with QPR looking strong as a unit, so much so that they recorded their first shut-out on their travels for 14 months.

“It was a good performance,” Mbia told www.qpr.co.uk. “We played well together and we wanted to win this game. It has given us hope for the future.”

Despite the R’s disappointing start to the season, the likeable 26 year-old insists he is delighted to be with the club following his summer switch from French giants Marseille, where he spent three years.

“I am very happy to be here with QPR,” he said ahead of Saturday’s game against fellow-strugglers Aston Villa. “I believe we have a good team and I am looking forward to this weekend.”

Mbia produced arguably his finest performance in a Rangers shirt at the Stadium of Light in midweek, but he insists more is to come.

“I feel I will get better and better,” he explained. “I have played centre back, right back and midfield. My best will come when I have stability in my position.

“Is midfield my preferred position? I don’t mind. What’s important is that I help the team. I want to work hard for everybody, and the team is more important than anything else.

“I want to do my very best for the team and for the coach, in training and in matches. I want to see us winning games. I don’t like to lose. When I lose I am not happy. All the players are the same.”

QPR face a tough challenge in the coming months as they look to retain their top-flight status. Mbia is fully aware of the difficulties he and his team-mates face, but is ready for the battle.

“The Premier League is very difficult,” he admitted, “but we want to win on Saturday for the fans.

“We haven’t won all season and this annoys me. It hurts. But it is a challenge and I want to help my team. I want to give everything, I want to give all my heart to this challenge.”

http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/301112-mbia-we-have-hope-514021.aspx

 

Like him, good player.

 

My favourite part

“Is midfield my preferred position? I don’t mind. What’s important is that I help the team. I want to work hard for everybody, and the team is more important than anything else."

 

For me M'Bia has been our top signing of the Summer. Apart from his Red Card, his attitude, hard work and talent has been second to none. Class player.

 

Me too. He's been very good the last 2 games in particular I think.

 

Agreed. I think he is going to be a great player.

Any chance of Mbia doing a press conference in french in a broad cockney accent to balance things out with Joey?

 

Good one

 

Good attitude by the look of it.
It did make me laugh though when we saw him ask some guys the way to the ground at about 15 mins before kick off against Reading. I know he was on a ban but we did chuckle.