‘We cannot throw our work in the bin’ – Marti Cifuentes claims there is more to come from QPR after they end losing streak against Coventry

QPR head coach Marti Cifuentes is expecting his side to continue improving after a 1-1 draw against Coventry City moved them off the bottom of the Championship table.

Rangers are still without a win in seven games but a second-half goal from 18-year-old Kieran Morgan ended a run of four consecutive defeats.

Cifuentes’ side were markedly better than in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to struggling Portsmouth despite falling behind to an early Haji Wright goal.

“I would not be here if I did not think we would be able to improve,” said the Catalan. “Today I think we did better things than in the last games.

“It was not perfect, far from it. We know that. We know we need to improve in many areas of our game, but I do see players that want to play for this team.

“I saw fantastic support. The fans at the end were really appreciating the effort that the guys did today despite not being able to win the game and this is the kind of atmosphere that we want to build.

“We are the ones that need to promote and engage the fans to create this atmosphere because it makes us stronger. All together we create something.

“This season the start is not as good as we wanted but we cannot throw all of the work we have done in the bin.”

“We played against a good team despite what the table says, they have quality on the bench and an experienced manager.”

Rangers reacted well to falling behind, as Wright pounced after the home defence had twice failed to clear their lines at the end of a counter-attack.

Morgan’s strike was one of only four efforts on target, as good approach play was not matched by a cutting edge in attack.

The young midfielder, who arrived at the club in the summer after leaving Tottenham, grabbed the headlines but Cifuentes was keen to praise a number of his players.

“Very happy for him,” he said. “He played really well last game [against Portsmouth].

“I’m happy for him because of the goal. He’s a humble boy, he will keep working. Hopefully it will be the first of many. But I’m very happy for Koki [Saito] as well. He had to come on after just eight minutes in not an easy situation and did a fantastic performance.

“I’m happy for Jonathan because he knew he left us in a difficult situation against Blackburn [after getting sent off in the 2-0 defeat]. He played 90 minutes today and was player of the match, he did a really good job for the team.

“We cannot expect he will be player of the match in all the games. What I know is that he’s a young player that comes from a different way of playing and a different environment but he’s training well and showing big commitment to the group.

“We know he has qualities that can go really well in Championship. It’s not about just one performance, it’s about going again and again and again. That’s what we’re going to do, to try and get more performances and even better performances than today.”

Kenneth Paal was forced off early on against Coventry with a thigh injury while Michael Frey missed the game entirely due to a calf problem. Both players will be assessed before Saturday’s trip to Burnley.