Rs are full of regrets
By NEIL GOULDING at the bet365 Stadium
MARK WARBURTON was left frustrated after QPR’S play-off bid was virtually killed off with defeat at Stoke.
The Potters, who were without boss Michael O’neill after hip-replacement surgery in midweek, dominated the fixture throughout and coasted to victory.
Jacob Brown’s 13th league strike of the season proved enough to separate the two sides as he rifled home from close range moments before the interval.
The Rs hit the post through a George Thomas header but failed to hit the target.
Defeat means Warburton’s side are now six points adrift of sixth spot with only two games remaining.
“I talk a lot about having no regrets in what you do, and if you leave the pitch with no regrets then you can hold your head high. Maybe they need to feel that regret,” noted the QPR boss.
“You have to learn, and you can’t sit there and accept what’s going on.
“We have to learn and take responsibility and be better both individually and collectively. There’s still a lot to play for. We have a responsibility to the QPR fans.
“We’ve got two games to beat last year’s points total and we’ll see then where that leaves us, but it is frustrating because the team were in a really strong position and we’ve let ourselves down.”
Assistant Stoke boss Dean Holden said: “It was good to get a 90-minute performance at home, which we’ve not done enough of.
“It was a pleasing day all round, but the big frustration is that it’s five wins from seven and it’s too little, too late.
“We’ve got to finish as high up the league as we can now.”
STOKE CITY: Bursik 6; Wilmot 6, Jagielka 6, Harwood-bellis 7; Smith 6, Allen 5, Baker 7, Sawyers 7 (Clucas 82), Tymon 7; Brown 7 (Campbell 90), Maja 6 (Fletcher 75, 6).
Subs not used: Bonham, Chester, Vrancic, Philogene-bidace.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS: Westwood 7; Barbet 6, Dunne 5, Sanderson 5, Mccallum 6; Dozzell 6, Field 6; Chair 6, Amos 5 (Adomah 57, 6); Dykes 5 (Austin 57, 6), Thomas 7 (Gray 70, 6).
Subs not used: Mahoney, Kakay, Ball, Hendrick.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jacob Brown. The Potters’ talisman proved the difference again with an impressive display.
REFEREE: Andy Woolmer 7.