QPR’s seven-match unbeaten run was brought to a sudden halt on Boxing Day at Swansea City, with The R’s being comfortably beaten 3-0 on the road, without even registering a shot on target.
QPR had been in sparkling form coming into this game and saw their league position go from rock bottom to midtable after conceding just three goals in seven games, a run which stretched back all the way to the beginning of November.
But Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes was left far from impressed when speaking to The Ealing Times after that impressive run came to an end in embarrassing fashion at Swansea, with the play-off chasing home side able to wrap the game up within 33 minutes:
“It was definitely a disappointing performance,” especially the first half, he said. “We knew that Swansea are a team that start the game strong and we spoke about the importance of repeating the first half against Preston, but definitely it was not good enough.
“In the second half the players showed some pride and of course it is easy to say when a team is leading 3-0 probably they did not push as much as they did in the first half, but at the same time I want to value this.”
“We cannot just accept that we have such a poor first half as happened here, but all credit to Swansea, they were at a really high level and played fantastic football“
The R’s travel to Norwich City on Sunday, before home matches against Watford and Luton Town end their festive period. They are now six points clear of the relegation zone, and will be hoping that yesterday’s result was just a one-off and they are not dragged back into the relegation battle.
“I have been saying for a while that I know this is how the Championship is and games like this, especially after a good trend, can happen.
“We just need to make sure we recover quick and move on quick. I am looking forward to seeing what the reaction is.”
“I don’t want to blame the players because those players had a fantastic trend of seven games“
“No excuses, we try to find solutions and move on.”
Swansea batsman Liam Cullen took his tally to eight goals this season, with a 16-minute brace, before Portuguese midfielder Goncalo Franco added a third goal just after the half-hour mark.
Writers View
I think Marti Cifuentes is definitely right to criticize his players following a poor performance after such an impressive run in the league where they were flying. But all in all, you have to view the last month as a real success overall when you consider the change in league position.
The next three games will be crucial to make sure they do not get sucked back into a relegation scrap, something that they have become way too used to in recent times, midtable would be a good, stable finish for them and Cifuentes.
