Holloway remains defiant after derby loss

Ian Holloway remained defiant after QPR’s derby loss at Brentford – their sixth consecutive defeat.

Rangers are still not safe from relegation with two matches of the season remaining, and some fans vented their anger towards the manager as he left the pitch at Griffin Park.

“They ain’t happy and I would expect that. They obviously think we’re not going to stay up,” Holloway said.

Referring to his first spell as R’s boss, he added: “A lot of people blamed me when we didn’t go up as champions, and they certainly blamed me when we didn’t go up in the play-offs, but in three years I put the club back where they had been and on half the budget.

“Anybody who is a real QPR fan, take this one on the chin and take it with dignity; well done Brentford.”

Holloway, who made four changes to his starting line-up, argued that his players failed to carry out his gameplan.

He said: “Unfortunately, with how Brentford play – which is very good I have to say – we missed the opportunities, when we did win it back in midfield, of counter-attacking the way we wanted to.

“I find it hard to believe my people in there didn’t get it and make different choices when we did get the ball off them.

“We tried to do it, kept having a go, and unfortunately goals at the wrong time kill you. If people want to argue with me they can.”