Ollie Rathbone says Wrexham’s QPR comeback showed why they are a play-off contender – just as he showed why he is rivalling the very best in front of goal.
Rathbone reckons the 3-2 win at Loftus Road typified the mentality Phil Parkinson has built in the Red Dragons’ dressing room.
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But it was the 29-year-old midfielder who the fans were serenading loudest in west London after his injury-time winner.
It is the fourth league goal this season for Rathbone who missed the first three months of the campaign after a pre-season ankle injury.
And that is despite playing just 266 minutes in the Championship, with two league starts and seven appearances off the bench.
It means Rathbone has averaged a goal every 67 minutes of league action – far outstripping the rest of the Championship top scorers.
It was Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson who highlighted his goals-per-minute ratio as he heaped on praise for Rathbone and fellow goalscorer Josh Windass.
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But Rathbone himself insisted it was what the result meant for the team that was of more importance, saying: “It was a difficult start to the season for me, it felt I was playing catch up a little bit but now I’m feeling good and loving being part of this group.
“We had great run over Christmas with four wins in a row and we were all keen to show it wasn’t a flash in the pan.
“So after a rocky week and up against it at 2-1 down, to get the win is amazing.”
The away win came after coming unstuck at the Cae Ras in successive fixtures, first losing against Norwich before conceding in the last minute to draw with Leicester.
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“I think it shows a lot about the group and the mentality that we were really disappointed with drawing with Leicester who have been Premier League Champions and FA Cup winners not so long ago,” Rathbone said.
“It was a kick in the teeth and we were kicking ourselves for throwing away two points and then, with five minutes to go [at QPR] we’re looking at the clock with a similar feeling.
“But I thought then we showed why we’re in the position we are in the league.”
The win moved Wrexham into the top six for the first time since promotion to this level, but although Rathbone admitted the game could prove a significant moment, he added: “If you get carried away you can easily fall down the table.
“But for now we’re in a great place, the team’s in a really good spirits, the group’s together, and it’s really enjoyable to be part of.”
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