QPR boss laments ‘silly goals’ after Wigan defeat

QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth says his side must stop conceding “silly goals” after they lost 1-0 at bottom-of-the-table Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Shaun Maloney’s side took the lead in the sixth minute after a clumsy challenge inside the penalty area from rangers defender Leon Balogun allowed Max Power to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

Wigan held on for the rest of the game to pick up their first win in eight Championship outings.

QPR have only won once – a 1-0 victory against Watford – since Ainsworth was appointed as Neil Critchley’s successor.

The defeat left the west Londoners just three points above the bottom three.

“I was desperate for a good start and for us to be solid,” Ainsworth told QPR’s YouTube channel.

“It was a crazy goal. It was a punt from their box, which we don’t defend well enough. We give the penalty away – we have to make sure we lock up better than that.

“Second half, we really took the game to Wigan. You’re always chasing the game, especially after being 1-0 down after four minutes. We can’t keep conceding silly goals.

“That’s been the story of the whole season. We have conceded so many silly goals and easy goals against us.

“We will learn and work really hard. I know the players are frustrated, but the players are frustrated, and I’m frustrated.”

PICTURE: ROB AVIS