Bullish Hughes predicts Rangers revival
Manager Mark Hughes predicted struggling QPR will soon hit a purple patch despite their failure to see off 10-man Everton leaving them rooted to the bottom of the table.
The 1-1 draw at Loftus Road, where Steven Pienaar was sent off just after the hour mark, means Rangers are still awaiting their first league win of the season.
But Hughes insisted he and his players are not feeling under pressure and are convinced their fortunes will change.
He said: “I’m sure none of you saw any kind of desperation in our play. We still did some good things and created chances.
“It’s just not falling for us at the moment but we take comfort from the fact we know we can compete in this league. We’ve shown that against the top sides.
“We know we’re going to have a period where results go for us. Everyone has a frustrating period and we’re having ours now. Once we get through it, that’ll be the end of it.
“There are still areas we can work on and we will do that. But I’m pleased we put in a performance that showed people we’re a decent side.
“I know we’ve got enough quality to win games. Things will turn around. We’re convinced of that.”
Rangers enjoyed a huge slice of good fortune early on, going ahead when Junior Hoilett’s shot deflected in off Everton’s Leighton Baines after only two minutes.
But luck went against them – and some all-too familiar shoddy defending was again evident – when an unmarked Sylvain Distin headed against the post and the ball rebounded into the net after hitting keeper Julio Cesar.
“We got an early reward and we had talked about starting well as we haven’t done that,” said Hughes.
“We’d conceded early goals and thankfully we addressed that, albeit we then let ourselves down on a set play.
“We need to do better than we did. We shouldn’t be allowing a big, powerful centre-back to have a free header.
“But we’ve done well and are disappointed not to have three points on the board. The emotion we’re all feeling is frustration.
“I think we showed our football’s good, we’ve got width and try to get our technical players to take people on.
“The guys in the dressing room are really disappointed because this was an opportunity. Against 10 men you hope to go on and take the game away from them, but Everton dug in.
“On the balance of play I think we did enough to win the game. We still kept belief and tried to play in the right manner, but Everton defended exceptionally well.”
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