With a 1-0 defeat to Preston North End at Deepdale for Queens Park Rangers as we opened the 2018/19 Championship campaign, the fall out from the result was pretty inevitable really.
It was a poor performance and there was no hiding from that – the hosts dominated chances and possession on the day but there were some small crumbs of comfort for QPR fans that manager Steve McClaren will be desperate to build on.
đź“ť #QPR boss Steve McClaren wants to see his players 'release the shackles' following 1-0 loss at Preston.
▶️ https://t.co/sbd3UufrNh pic.twitter.com/mC0H94EfXQ
— QPR FC (@QPR) August 4, 2018
Whether those crumbs of comfort are enough to change the season and change the direction fans feel we are moving in, after only one game has been played, remains a debate though.
McClaren himself told the Official Site in his post-game press conference that clearly the side ‘didn’t do enough’ to get a result from the match but for however bad we may have been at points, maybe I’m trying to be positive, but when you look at the stats a positive is they only got three efforts on target so there is a base to build from.
đź—Ł #QPR boss Steve McClaren chose to remain positive following our #PNEQPR defeat, also admitting that his team didn't create enough chances at Deepdale.
▶️ https://t.co/2OINGzb9V4 pic.twitter.com/4jPozOShkI
— QPR FC (@QPR) August 4, 2018
“You can have all the games in pre-season but you really find out about your team in the first match of the season. This was always going to be a very difficult game and we lost it on a set-play. We defended quite well and Matt Ingram only had one save to make but we didn’t do enough to win the game.”
We had chances of our own, even if they were at a premium and McClaren felt that we needed to take the ‘shackles’ off in our play – more confidence, greater belief – call it what you will.
“We need to release the shackles and go and play like we know we can.”
Fans had a different take on things as they took to social media to express their disappointment and thoughts at what the game really showed.
Great travelling support #YouRsss #QPR ????⚪️⚽️
— Akshay Vara (@ThatGuyAkshay) August 4, 2018
Home now. One defensive lapse cost us. Thunk team needs a few games would like a cb or Hall fit for season
— Russell Margerrison (@mkhoop) August 4, 2018
Err No ………….
— Neil Houlihan (@unclebuckQPR) August 4, 2018
We need to start the game at the 1st whistle, not 20 or 30 minutes into the game. We also need to concentrate during the WHOLE game, but ESPECIALLY the first & last 5 minutes of BOTH halves. ????
— Seaside Ranger ???? (@dealbythesea) August 4, 2018
How can anyone at that club no money or not not see we need a cf !! How the fuck we supposed to progress or get a tad better with them attacking players will be the same year after year and get worse we r in big shit one game in or not
— Dean Avery (@DeanAvery87) August 4, 2018
up against it from day one. #qpr away form continuing as normal. sack the manager but The players are not good enough. #league1 bound.
— AJE (@Mr_GreenJuice) August 4, 2018
Think we may need a striker to score some goals only club in the championship at the moment who haven’t scored
— jim burchall (@jimburchall) August 4, 2018
Could've got more, …….might need more than 2 shots in 90 mins don't you think?
— fishfinger1000 ❌ (@fishfinger10001) August 4, 2018
