Harry Redknapp paid tribute to veteran trio Ryan Nelsen, Clint Hill and Shaun Derry following QPR’s 1-1 draw at home to Aston Villa.
Rangers’ failure to win Redknapp’s first home match in charge means they remain bottom of the table and without a league victory this season.
But the manager said: “I couldn’t have asked for any more effort. There was no-one I could look at and think ‘you could have run around more’.
“There was only one team in it after Villa scored. We were the only team creating chances and the woodwork saved them a couple of times.
“It was a bit like the game against Sunderland the other night in that I was pleased with the performance – we just need a win.”
He added: “We’re okay in some positions and desperately short in others. We’re short of front players and centre-halves.
“We’re playing Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen, who came here thinking he would be fourth-choice centre-back and is now the captain playing every week.
“Then you’ve got Shaun Derry, who came on and did a great job. They tried for their life again and are great professionals.”
Derry replaced Stephane Mbia, who was stretchered off following an accidental collision with Villa’s Gabby Agbonlahor in the first half.
Mbia suffered a neck injury that is not thought to be serious and was taken to hospital for precautionary tests.
Rangers also believe a knock suffered by Samba Diakite in the second half will not prove to be serious.
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This post was last modified on 01/12/2012