QPR striker Dykes ‘guilty of reading social media’

Mark Warburton believes QPR striker Lyndon Dykes has been affected by criticism on social media.

Dykes and fellow forward Macauley Bonne have both struggled in front of goal since joining Rangers last summer.

Scotland international Dykes has scored just once from open play since arriving from Livingston.

And he missed a golden early chance to open the scoring in the game against Barnsley, which Warburton’s side went on to lose 3-1.

Dykes was unable to put away a cross from Todd Kane.

“There’s no doubt that the strikers are guilty of reading social media,” Rangers manager Warburton said.

“They live on their confidence. They want to score goals, it gives him the confidence and strikers are judged on the amount of goals.

“Should he score early on? He knows he should score. Of course he should score.

“He’s a very talented boy having a tough run at the moment.

“But I’ve seen many players go through these runs and come out the other side stronger.”

Warburton admitted his team paid the price for failing to take two early opportunities.

As well as Dykes’ miss, Rangers went close when Charlie Austin fired over after being set up by Stefan Johansen.

“Barnsley are very good at what they do. They’re direct, commit bodies forward and take risks at the back,” Warburton said.

“We had to time our runs and not play to their strengths. In the first 10 minutes we did that and created a couple of great chances. We’ve got to get our rewards.

“We’ve got to be better in front of goal. If you give away set pieces and don’t take your own rewards, you pay the price.

“If you score the goal it changes the game because the opponent then have to come out and attack and we’d have space and are a team that likes to move the ball.”

‘Criminal’

The manner of Barnsley’s all-important third goal also frustrated Warburton.

Rangers were pushing for an equaliser when they were caught out by Alex Mowatt’s long ball, enabling Carlton Morris to race through and score.

Warburton said: “At 2-1 down we’ve got to be patient, make sure we impose ourselves on the game and don’t play to their strengths.

“To then give away a goal like that – we’re attacking down the left and then don’t get into shape – is criminal.”