Ainsworth spoke to VAVEL ahead of QPR’s showdown with Southampton make the trip to Vicarage Road today to face Watford, as they begin their 2024/25 EFL Championship campaign this afternoon.
After narrowly avoiding relegation last season, the R’s will be looking to ensure they do not have a similar run to the second half of that campaign.
They went on a run of gaining just one win in all competitions in 21 games, would saw the club looking down at the wrong end of the table.
However, they have done business in the window ahead of today’s game in a bid to improve the situation at the club. Paul Smyth returned to the club after an incredible League Two promotion campaign with Leyton Orient, which saw the fellow Londoners win the league title.
Experienced players Jack Colback and Asmir Begovic also joined the club ahead of the opening weekend.
Morgan Fox completed a move from Stoke, whilst Ziyad Larkeche joined the club after his release from Premier League side Fulham.
Many usually ignore pre-season when it comes to indicators of what is to come of your side ahead of the competitive season.
Despite this, QPR go into this game on the back of a 5-0 loss to League One side Oxford United, which caused frustration amongst the QPR fanbase.
When speaking to VAVEL, Ainsworth was frustrated with the result and it expecting a response from his team.
“It’s only a friendly but it is still a game that you want to win, I don’t care what game it is,” he explained.
“It’s a kick up the backside for the boys. I’ve told them where they went wrong.
“We might all point fingers at a very young defensive line, but who was helping them out.
“There’s a few lessons been learnt this week, which I think will be vital for the season.
“Five-nil wasn’t acceptable to me. I’m hoping the boys will react in the right way.
QPR have injury concerns coming into today’s game, with Jake Clarke-Salter and Jimmy Dunne both looking as though they will miss out.
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