QPR boss blames injuries for derby woe

Neil Warnock claimed QPR’s derby humiliation by Fulham was caused by their injury problems.

The Rangers boss also refused to comment on Adel Taarabt’s reaction to being substituted at half-time during the 6-0 defeat at Craven Cottage.

Taarabt did not stick around for the second half in which Warnock’s side conceded three more goals against a team that had yet to win a league match this season.

Rangers were without Danny Gabbidon and the suspended Armand Traore, whose planned replacement Matt Connolly was ruled out after picking up an injury ahead of the match.

The injury-prone Fitz Hall was also struggling but played because the R’s were short of other defensive options.

“They caught us on a bad day and it was like a knife through butter,” said Warnock.

“We can’t afford injuries like that in the situation we’re in. We were at sixes and sevens at the back and all credit to Fulham for taking advantage.

“Hopefully in a fortnight’s time, after the international break, those players will be back and raring to go. We’ve got to have a full squad to choose from to be a force.”

Warnock also hinted that he regretted the recent decision to allow Nottingham Forest to sign Clint Hill on loan.

Hill would have played in Sunday’s game had he been available to Warnock, who admitted: “We’ll have to reassess players going out on loan because we need to look after ourselves.”