Redknapp ‘encouraged’ despite another loss

Harry Redknapp insisted he was “encouraged” by QPR’s performance at Stoke despite yet another away defeat.

Stoke’s 3-1 victory means Rangers have now lost all 12 of their away matches this season, with 11 of those defeats coming in the league.

They remain one place off the bottom of the table, but manager Redknapp believes there are signs they are turning the corner.

He said: “I’m encouraged by it. I know where we are and what we need to do. I still think we’ve got every chance.

“I still think we’re capable of getting out of trouble. We’ve played better away from home in the last six or seven away games.”

Two first-half goals by Jonathan Walters put Stoke in command and he completed his hat-trick in injury time as QPR, who pulled a goal back through Niko Kranjcar, were pushing for an equaliser.

“We made individual errors and it costs you,” Redknapp admitted.

“For 22 minutes I was thinking Stoke were having a bad day and then suddenly we lose possession and are 1-0 down. That changes everything.

“At 2-1 at half-time I really felt we could go on and win the game. I said to the players ‘I wouldn’t take a draw, I feel we could win’.

“In the second half we battered away, we just couldn’t get the goal. If we had I think we would have gone on and won. Let’s be honest, they were hanging on for grim life.

“The third goal came when I’d left four people up the field because there’s only two minutes left. Suddenly it’s 3-1 and looks as though you’ve been well beaten, but that wasn’t the case.”

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