BONNE BACKS R’S TO GET IN TOP-SIX MIX

MACAULEY BONNE stressed QPR can still play a part in the promotion race as his manager offered clues to both clubs’ tepid starts.

Rangers’ blunt 0-0 draw with Birmingham means both sides remain winless since the opening day.

Barren Blues still haven’t scored from open play and while the Londoners have little cutting edge themselves, boss Mark Warburton put no goals in both sides’ last three games down to the punishing pandemic schedule.

But following the bore draw, new striker Bonne (above) told fans: “We can still be right up there, of course we can.

“We’re only seven games in and it was at this point last season that I was near the top of the table with Charlton.

“We ended up getting relegated so I know a start means nothing. This division is unpredictable, of course promotion is there for us.”

Warburton said the limp showing was down to a constant run of “a game every three days” and says he isn’t surprised the Championship is producing fewer goals this term.

Boss Aitor Karanka refuses to release the handbrake despite Birmingham so far only scoring from penalty-kicks.

Fans were far from impressed by his post-match comments saying he would “rather draw 0-0 than draw 5-5.”

Wing-back Kristian Pedersen said: “You can’t compare the team now to the end of last season where we conceded so many goals. There’s still a lot of improvement in us. We are one of the better sides defensively but need to make the goals come.”

QPR: Dieng 7, Kakay 7, Dickie 8, Barbet 7, Wallace 6 (Hamalainen 29, 7) Cameron 7, Adomah 5 (Willock 69, 5) Chair 6, Osayi-samuel 7, Bonne 6, Dykes 6 (Ball 69, 6)

BIRMINGHAM: Etheridge 7, Roberts 6, Dean 8, Friend 7, Colin 6, San Jose 6, Sunjic 7, Pedersen 8, Leko 6 (Jutkiewicz 62, 6) Gardner 6, Hogan 6 (Sanchez 77, 6)

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