Ainsworth defiant after QPR’s relegation worries worsen
Gareth Ainsworth insists he still believes the return of key players will keep QPR in the Championship.
A 1-0 defeat by bottom side Wigan left Rangers just three points above the relegation zone with seven matches of the season remaining.
Chris Willock finally returned to action and Ilias Chair came on as a second-half substitute, while there were also returns for Ethan Laird, Kenneth Paal and Leon Balogun.
Boss Ainsworth admitted his team are “seriously in a relegation scrap” but declared there was “no panic” and that he is convinced the likes of Willock and Chair will pull Rangers to safety.
Ainsworth said: “I think you saw what Chris and Ilias can give us. They give us composure on the ball, Chris can open a lock and Ilias carries you up the pitch and can deliver great crosses.
“I know they can both score goals and this will be crucial for us going forward
“There’s no panic in me. I know it’s going to come. I know these boys are good enough to win games in this division.
“I’m sure there’s a couple of wins in these next seven games, which I believe will keep us in the Championship.”
05/04/2023 @ 8:40 am
“he is convinced the likes of Willock and Chair will pull Rangers to safety.” – the last time I looked, there are 11 players in a team. What does he expect from the other nine?
Maybe T Block should keep his boots ready after all.
03/04/2023 @ 7:25 pm
Hi yer T Block, Im thinking about changing my handle to Deadangryoap. Im almost giving up the will to live now. For me, season after season we regularly drop off regardless of number of injuries half way through. I firmly believe that whoever Sir Les (bless him) brings in, its always too little too late, the squad know they are not up to it and when they see the playoff places looming, believing they are just not up to cutting it at the next level, settle for the easier task of staying where they are. This season, it looks like they have overdone it (aided by a horrendous injury list) and may go downwards instead. They can always prove me wrong and continue winning next season, but I think the same will happen again (unless we get relegated). It all boils down to laziness – cant be bothered to find another club, if we DO go down, they might be looking earlier than they thought. In my book we only have three/four players capable of the higher level..
03/04/2023 @ 11:35 am
Morning Angry, there’s been some dire performances but it was clear even after the pen that Wigan were there for the taking. The drive and passion and determination to win the ball back and drive at their defence (as per the Watford game) isn’t there.
As for injuries we have always been “crap at Christmas” Is that a squad depth issue, medical issue, physio/rehab issues or a combination of some or all of them ?
I am at a loss to understand it.
03/04/2023 @ 9:10 am
T Block – What DO they have between their ears? as you say, Rob Dickie tried, and got a cold blast for his trouble. After 90 minutes in the cold having to watch that, I was going to say ‘performance’ but that would be an overstatement, what did he expect?. What I cant understand is why, season after season we start off playing well, then pick up a few injuries and slide down the table, often struggling to avoid relegation. Surely, someone must have noticed this before Gareth grasped the nettle, nothing to do with over achieving though, but everything to do with poor/insufficient squad selection/size. He says he will put that right before the start of next season, but isnt that the job of the Dof F?
I cant see where another win this season can come from.
02/04/2023 @ 8:07 pm
So Leon Balogun has decided to “clarify” his reasoning to approaching the support at the end of the game to engage and speak to us ? Really ? How would that be achieved 10 feet from the bottom row of seats surrounded by stewards with the PA system blaring out announcement’s ?
Those of us to suffered at Fleetwood remember Rob Dickie trying the same stunt. Note to the entire team, don’t approach us after a performance like that and expect anything other than straightforward no nonsense abuse ! Head for the tunnel, have a nice hot shower and get chauffeured back to your pad ! We had a 20 minute into town, and a wait for a train on a cold windy platform, with tea in a polystyrene cup, that had more strength in it that the entire defence !
02/04/2023 @ 12:26 pm
Yep – pigs do fly.