'I've been in tougher situations' - QPR boss Marti Cifuentes offers honest confession after Portsmouth defeat

Marti Cifuentes offered a humbling and transparent overview of his side’s performance as QPR suffered a 2-1 loss to Pompey at Loftus Road.

QPR’s last win came at the end of August with defeat to Pompey marking their fourth consecutive loss. However, the Spanish head coach remains full of confidence that his plan can come to a successful execution as the season progresses, as he remains clear of the necessary improvements that must take place.

Speaking to the media after the full-time whistle, Cifuentes said: “Football is about quality. Football is about scoring more than the position.”

Kader Dembele put his side one goal up after just nine minutes. However, Pompey’s Freddie Potts soon but the two clubs back on equal playing fields before Callum Lang was able to double the lead from the spot in the second half.

“We got a good start to the game, easily could have been two or three nil up and then we made a mistake - it’s a game changer”, Cifuentes admitted.

“Second half we were on the way to build that momentum then we conceded again. The way we attacked the last 30 minutes was not the best way but I understand it’s not easy. To get results, keep calm, it’s not easy.”

When asked whether anything could have been done to prevent such defensive errors that cost the Hoops yet another win, Cifuentes remarked: “I’m not a fan of talking ‘what if’. 

“Football is about mistakes and we made two individual mistakes that cost us two goals and that’s the realty. Of course I’m disappointed about the performance but I’m not the one that will just throw everything and complain and point fingers. 

“I spoke with the players now and we have two ways to face this tough situation. We accept what we are, work harder and accept the critics, its the nature of football and we accept that we need to get better. Or we just start to point fingers and then it will become a lot more difficult. 

“The way I am as a manager and the way I am as a human being, I have a clear decision of how to act in those moments. 

“In the summer I was speaking about expectations, it’s going to take a little bit of time, I have not changed my approach, I don’t think it is c**p or whatever. 

“If everyone wants to think that then I have to respect them. But I am very calm about how the guys are working, about their commitment. I’m aware of what we need to improve. And what I achieved last season and what I achieved this week, it’s not enough, it’s about the next game.”

“The full focus is now on what we could have done better today. Taking full responsibility because at the end of the day I am the manager. “

The most recent result puts QPR 24th in the Championship - a similar position to where the club were when Cifuentes came in as head coach 12 months ago. However, the Hoops boss remains full of confidence that he can turn the situation around quickly.

“My feeling that when I arrived (at Loftus Road) it was really tough. I want to think that the team has a higher bottom level than what we’re showing now and it’s about improving. 

“I have full confidence in those guys and I believe. I know as well that this league the dynamics can change pretty quick. I’ve been coaching in five different jobs, I’ve been in this job for 20 years, I’ve been in tougher situations.

“We need to be careful in our assessment. We need to improve very quickly”

One player that will not have pleased the fans today was Morgan Fox whose defensive errors cost the Hoops both their goals, with a poor tackle on Lang resulting in the offending penalty. However, Cifuentes remained resolute on not attributing blame and said of his defender: “I trust Fox, I trust him a lot. 

“He was brilliant for us last season, very professional. Probably today he will not be happy but I’m not the guy that will come here and to point to him. We had the opportunities to kill the game and we didn’t - we could have attacked better. 

I take full responsibility. If Fox didn’t perform well today it’s because the manager didn’t prepare him enough. If Fox didn’t perform well today than it was because the manager wasn’t good enough.”