QPR boss Ainsworth lines up loan deals
QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth is keen to add loan signings to his squad in the final couple of weeks of the transfer window.
Rangers have signed six players on permanent deals this summer, bringing in Paul Smyth, Ziyad Larkeche, Morgan Fox, Steve Cook, Jack Colback and keeper Asmir Begovic.
Ainsworth said: “These last two weeks of the window we’ll be looking at loans because there’s still a couple of positions I would like to strengthen.”
In terms of possible outgoings, Rangers have not yet received approaches for any of the first-team squad despite speculation over the futures of Ilias Chair, Chris Willock and Sam Field.
There remains an expectation, though, that there will be solid interest in Chair before the window closes.
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Ainsworth puts worst week of career behind him after Cardiff win
Gareth Ainsworth explained how he overcame the most trying week of his career to steer QPR to a 2-1 win at Cardiff City
The R’s suffered an opening day 4-0 defeat to Watford, with the former Wycombe Wanderers manager taking full responsibility for the loss.
His side bounced back in the Welsh capital thanks to goals from Sinclair Armstrong and Kenneth Paal to claim their first win of the season.
“The last week has been the toughest of my managerial career,” he said. “But I said to the lads before the game, ‘This is where our season starts.’
“We totally changed our approach during the week, we really did.
“I have to hold my hands up and say that I set them up against Watford in a way that I believed we would win and I had to check myself, and ask myself what I need to do to get the best out of these players.
“How do we need to play to get the best out of them?”
Ainsworth chose a different tack when lining up against Cardiff City, who drew 2-2 with Leeds United in their opening game of the Championship season.
Former Nottingham Forest defender Steve Cook got his first start for his new side in a back three that allowed for more creativity after the R’s produced only one shot on target against Watford.
The experiment paid off when Paal, operating as a wingback, doubled QPR’s lead in the 65th minute after Armstrong had put them ahead in the first half.
Ike Ugbo got a goal back for the Bluebirds on 78 minutes to tee up a nervy finish, including 10 minutes of added time.
QPR are up to 16th in the table after picking up their first points of the season, with Ainsworth enjoying the debates surrounding where they will finish the campaign.
