Cifuentes praises players after QPR draw

Marti Cifuentes insisted QPR’s players deserved credit for their efforts against Cardiff despite the goalless draw.

The result means Rangers, now without a win in seven matches, remained five points above the Welsh side, who occupy the final relegation place.

A defeat would have dragged them into serious trouble, but they still have breathing space.

Head coach Cifuentes had described the match as Rangers’ biggest of the season and called for a response from the team following their dismal run.

And the Spaniard felt there was that response, even though a low-quality game of few chances produced a stalemate.

Cifuentes said: “I know that perhaps some people will not agree with me because of the result​ and​, especially after the game, all of us are going to be very emotional, but I think that the response was there – the intent is there.”

Paul Smyth had an early effort on goal for the R’s but they faded after the interval and in the end seemed grateful to take a point.

“We were not good enough today to win,” Cifuentes admitted.

“I need to look at myself in the mirror and ask what I could have done better. But the reality is that these players are trying.

“I cannot say that these guys are not running and are not putting all their effort into trying to get us in the position at the end of the season that we want.

“This was a very important game. I felt in the first half we were a bit more dominant and in the second half they started better than us and it was more difficult.

“I will never be happy with a draw. But I value the effort that the guys made.”