QPR boss Ian Holloway dropped Kazenga LuaLua for the 0-0 draw against Burton for failing to turn up on time for training on Friday.
The on-loan Brighton winger, whose father recently died, was left out of the matchday squad for the game at Loftus Road.
Holloway said: “I had a player who didn’t turn up on time yesterday. We might have needed him today, but I’ve got to teach him.
“If his head’s not right after losing his father then I’ll support him through that, but it’s time to go back to work.
“You’d better go back to work, because that’s what your dad would want. You’d better be on time son.
“That didn’t always happen here – people were allowed to come in late and come in when they liked. I don’t like that.”
Rangers remain unbeaten at home in the Sky Bet Championship this season but endured a frustrating afternoon.
They struggled to create chances even after Holloway made a double substitution at half-time, bringing on recent signing Bright Osayi-Samuel for his debut and target man Matt Smith.
“It was the worst first-half performance I’ve seen,” Holloway said.
“We played into their hands. We’re notoriously rubbish at QPR at beating anyone we’re expected to beat.
“I made what I thought were positive changes. Did it work? Nearly. We pinned them in in the second half and had more and more chances.
“I’m pleased with the clean sheet – we could easily have slipped up. They could have counter-attacked with the pace they’ve got.
“I’m happy with the boys. We kept trying. It’s not always going to be pretty.”
Burton manager Nigel Clough felt his side could have won the game.
For all Rangers’ possession, Albion’s Sean Scannell went closest to scoring when he fired against the post in the first half.
Clough, whose team lost their opening three league matches but have lost just one of their last six, said: “Over the course of the game it’s a fair result.
“But when the opportunities are there, whether it’s in the first five or 10 minutes or whenever it is in a game, you’ve got to take them. That’s what the best teams do.
“It’s difficult when you’re under pressure like we were in the second half. Therefore, in the first half, when you sense there’s a bit of space and time to play, make the most of it.
“It’s still a good point, but if we could have got that goal in the first half then it really gives you something to hang on to and then they might push even more men forward and we can exploit them on the break.
““When you lose your first three then it’s a good recovery from that point on.
“We’ve proved since then that teams are going to have to work hard to score against us.”
This post was last modified on 23/09/2017