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‘My legs won’t get there – I’ve been punished’ admits honest Hill

QPR defender Clint Hill has admitted he can’t cut it as a Premier League left-back.

The 33-year-old played in the centre of defence for much of last season and ended the campaign as Rangers’ player of the year.

Fabio is out injured.

And after being given a torrid time during recent defeats against West Ham and West Brom, Hill concedes he has been exposed in a position he no longer feels totally comfortable in.

He was outpaced for both of Albion’s first-half goals at The Hawthorns and was replaced at half-time by Armand Traore, who has been nursing a hamstring complaint.

“I’ve got to that age now where I know my limits,” Hill explained.

“I’ve been punished a few times because my legs won’t get there at this time in my career.

“I’m trying to do a job because we’ve had a few injuries with Fabio and Armand. He’s come in so hopefully he’ll be alright now.”

Despite a summer of more big spending, Rangers go into the international break bottom of the table and without a league win this season.

They are also yet to win away since Mark Hughes took over as manager in January.

An influx of players, several of which have arrived from overseas, has been touted as a reason for the team’s dismal results.

But Hill said: “I don’t like using that as an excuse. Everyone plays football no matter what league, language or country you come from.

“There’s still the same white lines, ball, a goal and 11 men. It’s very frustrating because if you look at the team on paper you think you should be higher.

“We’re surprised where we are, but there’s no given right that we should be any higher. The league doesn’t lie.

“We haven’t performed to anything like the standards we set in pre-season. I don’t know why that is – it’s just not going for us. All we can do is regroup and go again.

“The higher you go the more you get punished for individual errors and mistakes. As soon as we cut them out I think we might start getting decent results.”

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This post was last modified on 11/10/2012

David McIntyre

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  • He has done enough. I think it would be better if Traore could fully recover by the next match.

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David McIntyre
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