QPR in for 'cup final' smackdown against Plymouth Argyle - Cifuentes makes 'difficult' admission

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes has sent a rallying call to players ahead of a huge Championship relegation smackdown against Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

The Rs will look to bounce back from a hugely disappointing showing against Sheffield Wednesday at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon. Cifuentes was determined to shoulder the blame for his side's performance after full-time but has also asked his players to step up this week.

A win against the relegation-threatened Owls would have put Championship survival in touching distance for QPR but defeat has now put huge pressure on Tuesday's meeting with Plymouth Argyle. The Pilgrims sit 19th in the second tier, two points behind QPR in 17th - another loss could leave the London outfit in freefall with just four fixtures left this campaign.

When asked if his side tends to struggle against the clubs around them in the table, Cifuentes said: "I think we have been a consistent team in being reliable in our performances. It's true that we get some good and some bad results against these kind of teams. It's impossible to expect that just because you play against teams close to you in the table that you are going to win all of them.

"Plymouth, Sheffield today, everybody is fighting for big things. Everyone wants to make the last push and it's important we keep focused and understand it's going to be another final - as it has been since I arrived.

"We put ourselves in a much better position than five months ago, I think all of us would have taken the situation we are in today even one month ago. We need to keep working and be humble, perform at our best and get a result on Tuesday."

Watch - Independent Football Regulator to be brought into law

Plymouth Argyle parted ways with Ian Foster a week ago and beat Rotherham on Friday evening. Cifuentes challenged his players to stay focused on their own performance ahead of the match.

He said: "There will be some changes. After they won against Rotherham they would have been happy with their result but at the same time, at this moment, with a few days in between it's about understanding what they can do but especially what we need to do. My full focus is about understanding the opposition and getting the best from my players.

"I'm trying to get the best from all my players. It's an extremely difficult calendar at this moment of the season having played 45 games with the cup and everything. We have Plymouth and then three days later away at Hull. It's a demanding schedule and I need the best from all of them."