'I don't understand': QPR boss lands EFL dig as Alex Neil delivers Millwall penalty verdict

QPR made two away trips last week.QPR made two away trips last week.
QPR made two away trips last week. | Getty Images
Marti Cifuentes took his side to Swansea City and then to Norwich City in the days after Christmas.

QPR returned to winning ways to bring in the New Year on Wednesday afternoon with a 3-1 win over promotion chasing Watford at Loftus Road.

Marti Cifuentes' side now sit 15th in the Championship after a tough start to the campaign, just four points off the top half.

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QPR and Millwall feature in your Thursday Championship round-up with another set of fixtures on the horizon this weekend.

QPR boss on festive fixture period

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes shared his frustration with his side's fixture schedule over Christmas after a return to winning ways against Watford at Loftus Road on New Year's Day.

The R's had enjoyed a rich vein of form ahead of Christmas, going unbeaten in seven league outings before the 3-0 defeat at Swansea City on Boxing Day. The London outfit then clung on to a point against Norwich City last weekend.

QPR picked up three points against Watford.QPR picked up three points against Watford.
QPR picked up three points against Watford. | Getty Images

The distance covered between those two trips didn't go unnoticed by Cifuentes. He said: “I think we need to put everything into perspective. When I look back at our two games away, I don’t understand why some teams had two games at home and others had two games away, in our case two long away games against good opposition.

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“We know the Swansea game was not good. Against Norwich the first half was very good but the reality is that the team is working hard trying to go through adversities we’ve been facing. I’m very happy with seven points from four difficult games. We need to give credit to the players according to the amount of injuries, to the schedule and the level of the opposition.

“It’s not perfect, I will always ask for 12 points, but the commitment that the guys are showing even on bad days, those guys are working very hard. Today you can see leaders.”

Alex Neil gives verdict on Millwall penalty shouts

It was a losing start to life at Millwall for Alex Neil as Oxford United visited The Den on New Year's Day. The U's picked up a third win in a row under new boss Gary Rowett, having already beaten Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle over the festive period.

Rowett's return to Millwall coincided with Neil's first match since taking the hotseat following the departure of Neil Harris last month. A Ruben Rodrigues second half goal was all that separated the two sides with Oxford United running out 1-0 winners.

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Alex Neil has taken over at Millwall.Alex Neil has taken over at Millwall.
Alex Neil has taken over at Millwall. | Getty Images

Speaking after the game, Neil shared his frustration with the result and gave his verdict on two penalty shouts his Lions side had. The Millwall boss said: "I thought there were two. I thought there was one in Romain and one on [George] Saville.

“So the free kick that Joe Bryan hits and the goalie saves it, Sav gets his body in front, he gets barged through from behind.

“I’d need to probably look at the Romain one a little bit more. I haven’t really seen that back. I thought at the time Romain just sucked him in, skipped past him, and he looked as if he’d brought him down for me. But like I say, I’ll need to look at it back.”

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