I was on the bench against Man Utd two days ago – today I scored the winner for my new club
JOE HODGE scored the winner for his new club – less than 48 hours after being left on the bench against Manchester United.
The Wolves youngster, 21, was not used by Gary O'Neil on Thursday evening as the Red Devils sealed a dramatic 4-3 victory.
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Hodge and three other outfield players remained in the Wolves dugout as Pedro Neto looked to salvage a point before Kobbie Mainoo finished in the 97th minute.
The match started on Thursday evening at 8:15 PM and ended just after 10:00 PM.
And at 11.05pm – five minutes after the transfer window officially closed – QPR confirmed they had loaned Hodge out for the rest of the season.
Hodge then drove overnight from the West Midlands to West London to train with his new teammates on Friday.
And after getting to know Marti Cifuentes and his team, the Rs were understood to be heading to Lancashire later on Friday – a 220-mile journey from the TSG training ground in Hounslow to Ewood Park.
Hodge was then named as one of the substitutes when the team news was announced for the championship match at 2 p.m.
Cifuentes turned to Hodge as part of a three-way substitution in the 58th minute.
And just seven minutes later the Ireland Under-21 international headed home in style.
Joe Hodge's hectic 48 hours
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 1
- 7.15pm – Named on Wolves bench against Man Utd
- 8.15pm – Wolves vs Man Utd starts
- 10.17pm – Full time at Molineux
- 11:00 PM – Transfer window closes
- 11.05pm – QPR announce signing of Hodge loans
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 2
- Hodge drives 230 kilometers from Molineux to London
- Training with new QPR teammates at the TSG training ground
- The QPR team travels 360 kilometers to Blackburn
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 3
- 2pm – Hodge named on QPR bench
- 3pm – Kick-off between Blackburn and QPR
- 4.16pm – Hodge comes off the bench for his debut
- 4:23pm – Hodge scores to make it 2-0
- 4.59pm – Full-time at Ewood Park as QPR win 2-1
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That gave the Hoops a 2-0 lead with two goals in three minutes.
And although Sam Gallagher pulled one back for Blackburn, there was no repeat of the late chaos of two nights ago as QPR held on for a crucial three points as they battle to avoid relegation to League One.
Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of admiration for Hodge on social media after his whirlwind few days.
One fan said: “Joe Hodge I love you with all my heart xx”
Another wrote: “What a start to Hodge's career. I'm glad you took the Wolves journey. Thank you!”
A third added: “Could Joe Hodge be the best thing Gary O'Neil has done for QPR since being sent off at Wembley?”
And one end user commented: “Don't fall in love with a borrowed player, don't fall in love with a borrowed player, don't fall in love with a borrowed player… (10 minutes after Joe Hodge's debut) Never leave .”
