Hughes left frustrated

QPR manager Mark Hughes is disappointed at the number of points his side have managed to pick up since his arrival.

The Rs are in danger of an immediate return to the npower Championship and only lie above the drop zone on goal difference.

QPR have won only once in six games under the Welshman’s leadership, including Saturday’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to west London rivals Fulham. Indiscipline once again cost QPR as debutant Samba Diakite was sent off and Hughes admits his side must turn things around.

“We understand [we have got a tough run-in],” the former Fulham manager said.

“We have just come through a period where we hoped to get more points than we have been able to. That is a disappointment for everybody.

“If you don’t keep people on the field of play, it makes it really, really hard to win.

“We have got to help ourselves and once we do that we’ll come through this and we’ll get points on the board, but it is a case we have to do it sooner rather than later.”

While QPR are in trouble, Fulham now stand 12 points from the relegation zone thanks to an early winner from Pavel Pogrebnyak. The victory was only the Cottagers’ second away win this season and one the players enjoyed, according to left-back John Arne Riise.

“The atmosphere was brilliant,” he said.

“We were ready for it and we knew the fans were too, so we’re glad we could give them three points and probably a very good Saturday night.’’