‘Outrun and outfought’ – QPR boss delivers verdict on 5-0 pre-season thrashing at League One side Oxford

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth lamented his side’s performance after they suffered a 5-0 defeat at League One side Oxford United in their final pre-season test ahead of the 2023-24 Championship campaign.

The west Londoners played a strong side – consisting of Asmir Begovic, Lyndon Dykes, Ilias Chair and Chris Willock – but were blown away by Liam Manning’s Oxford side.

QPR kick off their Championship campaign at Watford next Saturday.

“I told them it wasn’t good enough,” Ainsworth told QPR’s YouTube channel.

“That’s not a good enough performance from QPR. For as good as we have been in recent weeks, we totally lost our way today.

“Nobody stops you from working hard, winning tackles, and being a man out there – I didn’t see that today.

“We have been outfought and outrun by Oxford. They are two things that you can’t put down to anything else other than your personality.

“We’re up against it. I’m glad we have had a right kick up the backside on the last day of pre-season.

“I’m pleased with where we are in some aspects, but that wasn’t good enough.

“I want to make sure that next week that is totally reversed. It’s not acceptable for a pre-season game and it definitely won’t be acceptable in the league.”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS