McClaren admits QPR changes backfired

Steve McClaren praised Grant Hall and Alex Baptiste but admitted QPR’s fringe players failed to impress in the Carabao Cup defeat at Blackpool.

Rangers boss McClaren made nine changes for the third-round tie at Bloomfield Road, where Jordan Cousins was sent off and the League One side eased to a 2-0 victory.

The visiting supporters made their disgust clear at a truly dismal showing.

And McClaren said: “It was very disappointing. We made nine changes from the team on Saturday and that’s what happens when you use this cup for the squad – we’ve got talented younger players.

“In previous rounds we’ve done that. Against Bristol Rovers and Peterborough the risk worked, we won.

“But in this one we came up against a very tough Blackpool team who from the first minute to the last dominated the game. It didn’t work tonight.

“It was a frustrating night for everybody. I was frustrated on the bench. The players were frustrated on the field and of course the supporters were frustrated.

“But that’s the risk when you make nine changes and you play the fringe players.

“The younger players in there especially are very disappointed because they have high hopes of progressing into our team and in football.”

On a positive note for Rangers, Hall completed the full 90 minutes.

Hall, who is working his way back from a long-term knee problem, had a decent game alongside Baptiste at centre-back.

“I think but for Grant Hall and Baptiste, who I thought were excellent, we didn’t do ourselves justice,” McClaren said.

“The big thing is that Grant Hall has come through 90 minutes.”