Critchley defiant as QPR prepare to face Boro
Neil Critchley has insisted he is unfazed by speculation about his future and believes he can turn things around at QPR.
Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Sunderland continued an awful run which has seen Rangers slide from top of the Championship to 17th in the table.
They are now without a win in 10 matches, have won just one of their past 17, and one of their 11 games since Critchley took over as head coach in the wake of Michael Beale’s departure.
There has inevitably been speculation this week that Critchley could lose his job.
But he said: “It’s not something I’m aware of. I don’t look at it.
“I concentrate on what I can control, which is the team, our performances and looking towards the next game.”
‘Tough moment’ for QPR
Critchley added: “I understand the situation that we’re in. I understand that we need to improve results, so that’s my immediate focus.
“It’s a tough moment and the players are feeling it. They need to feel my support. I just see it as an opportunity to learn and get better.
“If you’re in this business and plan to be for a long period of time – which I do, because I love what I do and love coaching and working with players – then you’re going to have these moments.
“It’s important how you respond in these moments. They can determine your future.”
Rumours since the Sunderland game that Critchley was about to be sacked were wide of the mark.
However, his position will be under serious threat if results do not improve soon.
“I’ve had good support while I’ve been at the club. But I’m under no illusions – it’s a results-driven business and the results haven’t been good enough,” Critchley admitted.
“We need to change the situation as quickly as possible and to do that we need to improve certain aspects of our performances.
“It’s not a great moment but we will come through it if we stick together, I’m confident of that.”
18/02/2023 @ 8:52 am
Hi T Block – I can well understand your last paragraph. But everyone is different, its just his style I guess, it doesnt suit everyone and it does look like it doesnt suit the team, on the other hand, pressure affects people in different ways, Im hoping its just his current public persona – if not, then we really are in trouble.
17/02/2023 @ 8:06 pm
“I concentrate on what I can control” Well that’s very little and certainly not the team. Prime example: Leaving Dozzell marking a centre half for a set piece against Sunderland.
“And looking forward to the next game” with absolute dread !
Where is the passion ? Where is the motivation from a manager who believes in what he’s saying ?
The support might have a little faith if you’d said something along the lines of “We are going to fight and scrap for 90+ minutes on Saturday against a team in great form, and anybody not up to that won’t start or will get hauled off by me” “We might get hammered but we are going to have a go!”
You want the support to believe, then believe in yourself. As much get and go as a dead haddock !!
17/02/2023 @ 1:17 pm
I dont think he should go (I dont think any manager should under similar circumstances), although future results will dictate that he probably will. The squad however would remain the same so whoever is in charge faces the same problem. Get a grip, and quickly, regain confidence and start repeating what you managed to achieve earlier in the season – your managers job depends on it, you numbnuts.