How Millwall can secure Championship play-off spot while Marti Cifuentes confronts QPR future

The Championship season has just one round of fixtures left to play, but it appears that the QPR squad may already be on the beach after being on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing to Burnley at Loftus Road this weekend.

Marti Cifuentes’ side had once looked to be potential party crashers on the play-off spaces but fell off dramatically with a poor run of form in recent months that left a relegation dogfight a greater reality. With safety now confirmed, it could be a messy end to the campaign with a trip to Sunderland next after that Burnley defeat.

On the other side of London, there’s still plenty to play for with Millwall one of several second tier teams still licking their lips at the prospect of a Championship play-off space.

Alex Neil critical of Millwall performance against Swansea City

Millwall have kept their noses in the race for a play-off spot with a 1-0 home win over Swansea City on Saturday afternoon. Reacting to that match, Lions boss Alex Neil told Southwark News: “I’ll be honest with you, it wasn’t my most enjoyable ninety minutes. I think we can play better. That’s the first thing. But, certainly first half, we had numerous opportunities to score and we did, but equally to score more goals.

“You could sense the nervous tension in the stadium. I thought the fans were in fine voice and brilliant, and I think in a certain way that really helped us. But in another way, it meant that we lacked a little of composure in terms of taking the first passes and releasing the ball quicker.

“I think it’s difficult when you’re a player in those moments because you can’t hear yourself think. So [getting] information to each other becomes a bit a problem at that stage. But let’s be honest, today was all about getting the result and getting closer to giving ourself an opportunity and a chance for next week. I believe the results have went in our favour again.”

That win left Millwall seventh in the table, level on points with Coventry City in sixth. To secure a place in the play-offs, the London outfit must finish the season above Frank Lampard’s side - but can also catch Bristol City and be caught by Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

How Millwall can confirm a Championship play-off place

If Millwall beat Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, their potential play-off place will depend on results when Coventry City play Middlesbrough at home and when Bristol City host Preston North End - the Robins have a game in hand against Leeds United on Monday night and will have their fifth place spot confirmed if they win that.

If Millwall do beat Burnley, they need Coventry City to either draw or lose to Middlesbrough. If the Midlands side also beat Boro, Neil’s side would have to make up a goal difference of four in their victory to climb above their rivals. If Bristol City lose to Leeds United and either draw or lose to Preston North End, Millwall will confirm a play-off place with a win of their own.

If Millwall draw on the final day, a Coventry City defeat will not be of use, as that means three points for Boro. That situation would lift the North East side to be level on points with Millwall, but Michael Carrick’s men have a superior goal difference. Blackburn Rovers could also leapfrog Millwall if points are shared with Burnley, but would need to beat Sheffield United themselves.

A Millwall draw and a Coventry City draw would mean no play-offs for the Lions due to goal difference.

Marti Cifuentes confronts QPR future

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes has faced questions over his future at Loftus Road once again after seeing his side hammered by Burnley on Saturday. The Catalan coach has had to manage a side blighted by injury this season, something he has shared his frustration about, and was this week linked with the vacant West Brom job.

The Express & Star named Cifuentes as a candidate for the vacant roles at West Brom and Norwich City with the coach well respected in the Championship for his calm work at QPR in the face of difficult circumstances. When asked about his future at the weekend, the boss told West London Sport: “I said before that as long as I’m wanted, I’m very happy.

“In any case I am very calm about the job I have done and the fact that we have achieved what were difficult targets. I’m an ambitious person in the sense that I always push myself. I always want to improve.

“I have a contract and I want to keep improving. I enjoy my job here, enjoy English football, and am ready for more.”

QPR went down after just nine minutes with Josh Cullen opening the scoring for the Clarets. Zian Flemming then added a first half brace before Jeremy Sarmiento was also at the double following the break.

Cifuentes said: “That doesn't define us, what happened today. And I want to apologise to the fans because that was not the end of the season at home that we wanted.

“So I'm extremely disappointed. It hurts deeply in my heart because I wanted to finish this season, a difficult season, the way that we have done, always fighting, always trying our best, some days playing better football, some days with more accuracy, but today it was really bad.

“I was pretty clear with the guys about what I thought about today's performance, about what is required to go again against a very good team in Sunderland that will be preparing for the playoffs. We need to make sure that we improve on everything, on everything that we have done today. I'm sure that the fans that come will support us as they did today and we need to give them something back.”

In other news, QPR beat Blackburn Rovers to transfer & deploy ex-Chelsea man in starting XI next season if rumours are true.