‘There are too many games’ – Rangers head coach Cifuentes looks ahead to hectic festive period fixture list

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is looking forward to his first experience of festive football in England but suggested that most managers would like a less busy schedule for their players.

Rangers begin a run of four games in 10 days on Saturday against high-flying Southampton before making trips to both Millwall and Ipswich Town ahead of a New Year’s Day fixture against Cardiff City at Loftus Road.

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.

“It is a very special time in English football so I’m looking forward to experiencing it,” he said.

“To play so many games in this short period of time there is a risk of injury and [lack of] freshness, I wouldn’t say that it is the best-case scenario.

“I’m thinking as well about the supporters and giving them the best quality game possible. But it works for everybody. It is part of what English football tradition is. We just need to try to do our best and I hope we can use the squad in a smart way to avoid long-term injuries, so the players can deliver, and we can pick up as many points as we can.

“If you ask all of the managers in the world, I think we would agree on only one thing… there is too many football games at this level and at higher levels.

“When you check the schedule compared to 20 years ago it’s crazy. I’m thinking about the guys who play Champions League and international games. There are international players who are covering a lot of miles, travelling around.

“Playing four games in 10 days can definitely affect the quality [of games]. Football is a sport that you can not recover from properly in 48 hours. It’s impossible. But I understand that it is a business. Some people probably think that it is better to have a lot of games and a lot of attendance and so on.

“I do think it’s possible to find a balance that protects the players. Supporters, coaches, everybody…we are important but without the players there is no game.”

Cifuentes has not yet named an unchanged starting line up from one game to the next in his eight matches in charge, preferring a policy of rotation.

This has seen key players surprisingly dropped to the bench at times, but the Spaniard believes his approach has paid off so far.

“We are one of the teams in the Championship that have less injured players right now,” said Cifuentes.

“When we approach such an important period of the season, to have a squad that is available is going to be the difference between taking more or less points.

“I do it because of this and because I trust the players. It is about them taking their chances knowing that they can start games.”