Ainsworth hails ‘sensational’ QPR after shock victory

Gareth Ainsworth believes QPR’s stunning victory at Burnley will help cement his relationship with the players.

Ainsworth, the club’s third head coach of a troubled season, had presided over just one win since taking over.

An appalling run of results had left Rangers only outside the drop zone because of Reading’s six-point deduction.

Ahead of the trip to face the champions-elect, who were unbeaten at home this season, relegation to League One seemed increasingly likely.

But the shock result at Turf Moor means one win from their final two matches would guarantee Championship survival.

“It’s a hell of a three points,” said Ainsworth, whose team are away to Stoke next weekend and then end the campaign at home to Bristol City.

“We’re the only team to take three points from Turf Moor this season and that’s big.

“We studied Burnley and looked at what teams had done here, and so we tried something totally different.

“When you put it in place, you just need the boys’ belief, and the boys believed today. They really believed in everything that I’ve asked.

“I’ve got to credit the boys. They were brilliant and got me the result today.

“I’m the third manager at this club this season and the trust levels must be at an all-time low: ‘Can we trust this manager now? There’s been so many come through the door’.

“But that win goes a long way in cementing my relationship with them and the belief that they can stay in the Championship.

“I sympathise with the players. They’ve been all over the place – there’s been three majorly different styles of play and three different personalities – and it takes time.

“These results go a long way to cementing relationships. Thank you, boys. You were sensational.”

Striker Chris Martin scored a late winner after coming off the bench – his fourth goal since joining the R’s in February.

“He’s been magnificent since the day I walked in the door,” said Ainsworth.