Dowie gets teenage kicks

Dowie impressed by emerging youngsters

By Ashley Marshall   Last updated: 23rd August 2008

Ian Iain Dowie QPR

Dowie: Delighted by performance

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QPR boss Iain Dowie was full of praise for his young squad after a 2-0 win against Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.

Rangers finished with five players under 20 on the pitch after Dexter Blackstock and Emmanuel Ledesma had put the hosts 2-0 ahead inside after 30 minutes.

Dowie admitted it was a joy to watch his latest on-loan stars after Daniel Parejo set up Blackstock's opener and Ledesma grabbed a classy second to seal a comfortable win over newly-promoted Rovers.

Argentinian Ledesma arrived in West London on loan from Genoa while fellow

midfielder Parejo was brought in from Real Madrid, and the youngsters left

Doncaster chasing shadows at times during the first half.

"Emmanuel is a very good player," said Dowie. "It's wonderful to watch him,

he makes your eyes open wide with some of his tricks but he can also do the

simple things well.

"He played his position very well. He played a bit off the cuff last week but

he has responded with a very disciplined display - and he makes the ball talk.

"Daniel has got everything in his locker. For one so young he has got great

talent and he's also learning about the physicality of the game.

Developing

"They are good lads. We've finished the game with five under-20s on the pitch,

there aren't many teams who do that. But we have to give them time to develop," Dowie added.

"They are not going to become superstars overnight. Because Daniel is from

where he is from, everyone expects him to be (a superstar). But he is improving and Emmanuel's discipline was miles better than in his first game. They are settling in but it takes time."

Credit

Rovers manager Sean O'Driscoll felt it was a tough match, especially considering the size and strength of the home side.

"You have to give credit to QPR," he said. "They learned from that defeat at Sheffield United and were much more solid today, they made it difficult for us.

"Eight of their players are over 6ft 2ins so it's not rocket science to say you have to defend properly at set-plays, so we're disappointed with that.

"It's the first physical test we have faced in this division and we struggled

to find a way to get a result."