Ramsey hopeful despite another QPR defeat

Chris Ramsey insisted QPR’s display against Southampton suggested they can go on to avoid relegation despite the 1-0 defeat.

With Ramsey and Kevin Bond in caretaker charge following the departure of manager Harry Redknapp, Rangers went close to scoring before the visitors won it with a late goal.

Saints keeper Fraser Forster produced a superb save to deny Charlie Austin and Saido Mane eventually broke the deadlock.

The result meant Rangers remained one off the bottom of the Premier League.

Adel Taarabt was recalled to the QPR starting line-up
Adel Taarabt was recalled to the QPR starting line-up

But Ramsey said: “It gives a lot of hope to the owners and fans to see that at least the players are trying their best to keep us in the division.

“We’ve got 19 points, the team above us have 20 and one or two teams above the line have 20, so if we can put two wins together we’ll end up clear of the relegation zone.

“Every one of the teams at the bottom is in with a fighting chance.”

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle hit the bar in the first half and Ramsey admitted the hosts were fortunate not to be behind by the interval.

“If I’m being honest, in the first half we rode our luck a little bit. Southampton are a good team and created chances,” he said.

“But it is difficult [to take] when you give away a goal with a minute left and you put one in at the other end only to find out it’s been disallowed – very difficult.

“We had some good spells of play but need to tighten up our passing and be more creative in the final third.

“Their keeper pulled off a fantastic save and on another day we could have come away with a victory.

“It’s very difficult when you’re at the bottom and it seems like luck always goes against you.

“But we have to look at ourselves and say that we as a collective have got ourselves in this position.”

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