Author: Dan Evans

Their cause was helped by a red card shown to Southampton substitute Shea Charles in the 88th minute, but Cifuentes’ side’s best opportunities to draw level had come and gone by then.

Cifuentes, who has previously enjoyed time off over the Christmas period during his time managing in both Spain and Scandinavia, confessed to having mixed feelings as he tries to guide QPR out of the Championship relegation zone.

The west London club are in the Championship relegation zone, two points from safety, and were only able to sign free agents in the summer due to the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability rules (formerly Financial Fair Play).

Here are Dan Evans’ takeaways from the game at Hillsborough.

Here are Dan Evans’ player ratings from Hillsborough

Rangers conceded twice in the closing stages to lose 2-1 at Hillsborough, meaning they missed the chance to escape the Championship relegation zone for the second time this week.

The Republic of Ireland international had previously featured exclusively as a substitute for Cifuentes before Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Hillsborough.

Rangers took the lead in first half at Hillsborough when an Ilias Chair effort was deflected into his own net by Bambo Diaby but their four-game unbeaten run came to an end courtesy of goals from Bailey Cadamarteri and Anthony Musaba.

The Spaniard saw a three-game winning run come to an end in midweek when Rangers were held to a 0-0 draw by 10-man Plymouth Argyle at Loftus Road.

Cifuentes could be seen pointing to his watch on the touchline as the minutes ticked away and Plymouth goalkeeper Conor Hazard was eventually booked for taking his time over a goal-kick in injury time.

Rangers missed the chance to extend their three-match winning run and move out of the Championship relegation zone.

Dan Evans provides his QPR player ratings after tonight’s 0-0 draw against Plymouth at Loftus Road.

Following Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Hull City, supporters at Loftus Road have now seen more victories in the past two weeks than they had witnessed in the 13 months beforehand.

Here are Dan Evans’ player ratings from Loftus Road.

Here are Dan Evans’ four takeaways from Loftus Road.

Armstrong came off the bench to partner Lyndon Dykes upfront in the 67th minute at Loftus Road, with Rangers already a goal to the good thanks to Chris Willock’s first-half strike.