Rangers need to be more professional

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Queens Park Rangers have spent the past few days self-destructing on and off the field, with internal squabbles making more back page headlines than the crushing 3-2 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.

It was a truly devastating way to lose a football match, the visitors’ winner coming after the R’s had fought their way back into the game and looked to be heading for a point, the least their performance deserved.

Yet defensive errors cost Rangers dearly, with two own goals from Richard Dunne and Steven Caulker, the former replacing the soon-to-be departing Rio Ferdinand in a bid to shore up the back four.

Had midfielder Leroy Fer elected to shoot, the score might have remained at 2-2 and the recriminations that followed could have been avoided, but he didn’t, and his dire free kick handed Liverpool the points.

You would imagine that had QPR drawn, or won the game as they had the chances to, manager Harry Redknapp would not have launched into an explosive tirade at Adel Taarabt and his lack of fitness.

By claiming that the Moroccan playmaker is three stone overweight, Redknapp is clearly trying to deflect attention from the fact that his position is anything but secure, and the dismal recent displays.

For a club that ends up being tabloid fodder far too often, it is an unwelcome distraction, and one that completely detracts attention from the desire and resilience his team showed at the weekend.

Performances came from all over the pitch: Dunne, despite his own goal, was superb, Yun Suk-young largely kept Raheem Sterling quiet and Bobby Zamora put on a vintage display until he was substituted in favour of Eduardo Vargas.

The Chilean proceeded, helped by his national team-mate Mauricio Isla playing in his natural position, to score two goals and underline the contribution he can make if given the right service.

Were it not for a string of excellent saves by Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and a goal-line clearance from Martin Skrtel, not to mention Fer hitting the woodwork twice, the Rs would have won.

However, lady luck was not shining on the Superhoops and they must now turn their attention to Aston Villa, and away from the bizarre panto-esque ‘I’m not fat’, ‘oh yes you are’ dispute between Redknapp and Taarabt.

The club released a statement last night, but the damage had been done. As the chairman acknowledged, this most public of rows has been hugely embarrassing for the fans and further sullied QPR’s reputation.

Such pointless distractions would be a major annoyance even at a high-flying Premier League side, but for one desperately trying to avoid being cut adrift at the bottom of the table, they are absolutely outrageous.

Long-suffering supporters can only hope the pair put this sorry mess behind them and concentrate on keeping Rangers in the division by harnessing the hard work the players put in on Sunday to bring about an upturn in fortunes.

You can follow Chris on Twitter @chriskking – and don’t forget to follow @FanZone too for links to all the latest blogs.