Cifuentes ‘encouraged’ despite QPR defeat

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QPR boss Marti Cifuentes insisted ​he took encouragement from his team’s display despite the 1-0 home defeat against Southampton.

Rangers remain third from bottom of the Championship and have suffered back-to-back losses, having recently won three matches in a row under the recently-appointed Spaniard.

“I’m disappointed because of the result. We want to win matches and today we were not good enough to do it,” said Cifuentes.


“At the same time, I can feel proud and encouraged about what’s coming because I saw a team that produced a good performance and tried to play positive, attacking football against one of the best sides in the league.

“We made things very difficult for Southampton. We had a good period in the first half and then unfortunately we conceded a goal from a set-piece.

“At half-time we spoke about putting a lot of pressure on them and I think the guys did that excellently.

“Perhaps we lack this clinical part in the last third, because we got in a lot of situations but should have produced more.

“Overall a very positive performance, but when you lose games you can never be satisfied.

“Now it’s time to look forward. I think if we play at the level we did today then we can collect a lot of points.

“I feel quite calm and the most important thing is that the team keeps progressing and improving.”

Chris Willock went off in the second half after picking up an injury – a potential worry for Rangers ahead of some crucial matches over the festive period.

Cifuentes said: “I didn’t talk yet with the medical (staff). I just know that the assessment I got is that he got a knock in his foot or ankle – in that area.

“Now they are assessing him and I’m going to get some news. He’s a very important player for us and I’m glad about his performances, so I’m crossing fingers and hoping he’s going to be ready for the next games.”

Meanwhile, centre-back Steve Cook missed the game because of a minor injury he picked up against Sheffield Wednesday and it is not yet clear whether he will be available for the Boxing Day game against fellow strugglers Millwall.

“He got a small feeling after the game against Sheffield, so we wanted to rotate him,” Cifuentes explained.

“He got this muscular feeling and has been trying, but he doesn’t feel good enough.

“So we’ll see. We’ll assess if he’s ready to play against Millwall, because obviously we need him.”