Ian Holloway admitted that he struggled to keep his emotions in check before his first match since returning as QPR as manager.
Holloway was given a hero’s welcome by the home fans at Loftus Road, where his team beat Norwich 2-1.
It was an eventful return for Holloway – Tjaronn Chery missed a penalty after Norwich’s Martin Olsson had been sent off in the first minute, before goals from Conor Washington and Sebastian Polter followed.
“To get that welcome, I felt emotional. What joy,” Holloway said at his post-match press conference.
“When I heard the ‘Hoops’ song being played, I had to steady myself in the tunnel. It’s my favourite song and I didn’t want to go out there with a tear in my eye.
“Then, it was so bizarre. I’ve never seen an incident like that so early in a game and then we missed the penalty.
“After the flat line I’ve been living, what a reintroduction! I feel like I’ve been on one of those rides at Disneyworld.”
Rangers endured some uncertain moments in the second half, particularly after Steven Naismith pulled a goal back for Norwich with 13 minutes remaining.
“We got a lot of things wrong and I could see a lack of belief after Norwich scored. We stopped passing and using the extra man,” Holloway admitted.
“But I was looking for character and I know we have it. Long may that continue.
“To win games at this level you always need a bit of luck. All teams will have minutes (of pressure) no matter how many players they have on the pitch.
“Phew. We’ve got the three points and now I can show them. Because that’s what you do; you do it, you review it, and then you redo it.”