Mark Warburton backed his players after QPR’s 2-2 draw with Reading but admitted their defending needs to improve.
The point took Rangers up to fourth but a win would have lifted them second in the Championship.
Jordan Hugill’s deflected goal put them 2-1 up and seemingly on course for a third consecutive victory.
However, their shortcomings at the back were evident again and another lapse led to Sam Baldock tapping in a Reading equaliser after Rangers had failed to deal with John Swift’s corner.
Rangers manager Warburton said: “It’s more (about) the cross coming in.
“It’s too easy to go ‘it’s the defender or the defensive unit’, but the fact was we didn’t stop the cross. You get out and you stop the cross.
“But they’re not machines. They’re human beings and have good days and not-so good days and that’s life.
“What we‘ve got to recognise is that if that’s below our normal levels and we still come away with a point, then we’re not in a bad place.
“To lead twice – to be 2-1 up and then give such a poor goal away – is a kick in the teeth.
“But, if that’s below our best, nowhere near our normal levels of performance, and we still get a point and are sitting fourth in the table, then we’ll take it.”
While Rangers look vulnerable at the back, their attacking players continue to deliver.
Hugill’s goal was his seventh of the season and came after fellow striker Nahki Wells had taken his tally to eight by scoring the opener.
“You’ve got two very experienced strikers both scoring goals. It’s tremendous for them,” Warburton said.
“The team are working hard but we’ve got to work hard to defend our goal better.
“Our goalscorers are scoring goals but when we’re 2-1 up we have to defend our goal better and take the three points.”
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This post was last modified on 23/10/2019