Gareth Ainsworth has given his verdict on people predicting QPR for relegation this season
HIGHLIGHTS
- Despite a 4-0 loss to Watford, Gareth Ainsworth believes QPR will improve from last season and survive in the Championship.
- Ainsworth acknowledges his team’s poor performance in the first half, but praises their improvement in the second half.
- QPR’s injury issues and lack of signings in the transfer window may have contributed to their dismal result, putting Ainsworth’s position at the club in question.
Gareth Ainsworth insists his QPR side ‘will be better’ than last season despite suffering a 4-0 opening day loss at Watford.
The defeat came after weeks of pundits and supporters tipping the London club for the drop for the campaign ahead.
A 4-0 loss to Watford only looked to have confirmed what most people already thought about this team.
QPR were 1-0 down within the opening minute of the game, conceding a further three more before half time.
What has Gareth Ainsworth said about QPR’s loss to Watford?
However, that second half display has shown Ainsworth enough to be convinced that this squad has what it takes to remain in the division.
The Hoops’ boss was not happy with the first half performance from his players but credited the team with an improvement in the second 45.
“I am not happy, we were behind after the first minute and sometimes you have to hold hands up and say you weren’t good enough,” said Ainsworth, via the Evening Standard.
“We were not ready for that first half from Watford and we were torn apart at times.
“I thought we looked a lot better in the second half but on the day Watford were much better than us.
“We win and lose as a team, there is no finger pointing from me, it is down to me as the manager to put it right.
“We are favourites for the bottom of the league, but we will be better than we were last season where we scrapped it to stay up.”
QPR are currently struggling with injury issues in defence, which saw Joe Gubbins feature in a league game for the first time for the club.
Morgan Fox was also tasked with stepping into a central role, with Kenneth Paal operating on the left flank instead.
QPR have also had a difficult time in the transfer window, only signing free agents to the team so far this summer.
Paul Smyth, Fox and Asmir Begovic all made their debuts at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon, enjoying a dismal result on their big day.
Next up for QPR is a clash away to Cardiff City on 12 August, where they will be looking to put this poor result behind them with an improved performance.
The transfer window closes on 1 September, so there is also still time to add fresh faces to the squad by then.
