Cifuentes left with ‘mixed feelings’ as understrength QPR bow out of EFL Cup

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes felt there were positives and negatives to take from his side’s EFL Cup exit at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Cifuentes made seven changes from the Rangers side that drew 1-1 at Sheffield Wednesday last weekend and was without Jake Clarke-Salter, Liam Morrison, Morgan Fox and Ilias Chair due to injury.

Palace controlled the first half at Loftus Road and were unfortunate to only be one goal ahead at half-time through Eddie Nketiah but QPR were in the ascendency by the time Ebere Eze scored the game’s winning goal after Sam Field had equalised.

“[I have] mixed feelings,” admitted Cifuentes after the game. “First of all, [I am] disappointed because we are here to win football games and we didn’t.

“When I went to the changing room everyone was a bit down because we had big expectations of trying to get as far as possible in this cup.

“The first goal had a big impact on the development of the game. It’s a goal we cannot concede because it doesn’t matter if they set up quick or try to surprise [us], we need to defend much better than we did.

“We had a good period in the second half, that’s what encouraged us to feel that despite the slow start, we could put some pressure and really challenge a Premier League side that came with a strong starting XI.

“I’m proud of the guys because they showed they are ready to contribute and want to fight for this club.”

Cifuentes opted to rest midfielder Jack Colback against Palace after he picked up a shoulder problem in the draw at Hillsborough.

However, it was in defence that the Catalan opted to make the most surprising changes.

Field – who usually plays in midfield – was selected alongside Steve Cook in central defence even though defender Jimmy Dunne was available to play.

“I felt Sam could do well in this position,” Cifuentes explained. “He played really well.

“[Field] being left-footed gives us a different dimension in the build-up.

“It’s true that Jimmy has quite a good left foot as well, but Jimmy has been playing all the minutes since the start of the season.

“Sam got an unfortunate feeling in the game against Sheffield Wednesday and, in some ways, was more fresh [after being substituted at half-time].

“I’m a big believer in fresh legs in these weeks, so it was a decision to try and give Jonathan [Varane] minutes so he gets more into the rhythm of English football and gets to know his team-mates. I’m satisfied with how it went.”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS