As if the first week back at work after the Christmas break isn't bad enough QPR extended their winless run with two further defeats at the weekend. Chris King is not a happy man.

Queens Park Rangers have won once at home all season. Admittedly, said victory was a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea , the sweetest of results, but it was secured with the hosts being decidedly second-best. Neil Warnock’s side were dominated by Andre Vilas Boas’ nine men, and in many respects lucky to emerge with the three points.

Since, and even prior to then, it has been a tale of missed opportunities, profligacy and acute defensive vulnerability. Rangers have let in 11 goals in five games at Loftus Road , and vital lessons have not been learned. The R’s still have a worrying tendency to concede late on; West Bromwich Albion’s equaliser came in the eighty first minute, Norwich City’s winning goal in the eighty third, and Sunderland’s just a minute from time. It doesn’t matter what happens, you never get the sense that Rangers will net more than once or twice, and the opposition always appear potent, virile and dangerous on the break.

QPR have even begun to be dominated by opponents in terms of possession; the Canaries enjoyed 60% of the ball in the first half, even struggling Sunderland had 55% throughout their smash-and-grab win. Attacking-wise, the R’s are largely impotent. Devoid of the aerial ability of Heidar Helguson, enjoying nothing less than a footballing renaissance begun by Warnock’s arrival in W12, Queens Park Rangers would have scored just 12 Premier League goals. In 20 games.

This indicates a rather serious problem, and one which, at least in this writer’s opinion, will not be solved by Federico Macheda’s arrival on loan. However, some would argue that it doesn’t really matter how much money Warnock has it his disposal, it needs to be spent correctly, and his signings thus far have proven themselves, in many cases, to be less than superb. Take Joey Barton for instance. Made captain immediately as he arrived, the tempestuous, mixed-up lost soul has flattered to deceive in almost every game. His use of set-pieces is atrocious, and on far too many occasions Barton has been utterly anonymous and bypassed by players who theoretically at least, are half as reputable as he. Further to this, there is a belief amongst some supporters that players’ wages ought to reflect their performance level, rather than past reputation.

In the case of Joey Barton, the latter is definitely, and sadly the case. It seems there is a rather bizarre rule at Loftus Road that the biggest ego in the club at any moment in time must be afforded both the captaincy, and the role of set-piece taker. Whether they are suitable for these equally vital positions is irrelevant. The only times when QPR have appeared dangerous from set-pieces over the past few matches have occurred when Barton has been physically prevented from carrying out his pre-ordained job. Adel Taarabt was desperately unlucky not to score against Norwich , his inch-perfect free kick striking the post after John Ruddy got a vital hand to the ball. As soon as Alejandro Faurlin took over corner duty away to Swansea we suddenly had variation, balls that cleared the first defender, and our formerly dormant aerial threats were awoken from their slumbers. Yet still, even when the “eureka!” moment has passed, Warnock persists with the status quo, which has time and again failed to bear any fruit.

Indeed, it appears that the former Sheffield United hothead has his favourites amongst the current roster of players. Favourites who repeatedly escape any criticism and constantly enjoy the unreasonable backing of the manager, at least publicly, in a deeply unfair system based primarily, as far as this writer can see, on reputation. On a number of occasions last season, Matthew Connolly was lambasted by the Yorkshireman for his allegedly sub-standard performances. But herein lies the lesson for Warnock: if you set a precedent by openly criticising somebody, you must persist with this direct route, and nobody ought to be immune from fair critical assessment.

After all, the gaffer really set his stall out in the direction of honesty and clarity when he called Armand Traore a “disgrace,” claiming that the 22-year-old Senegalese defender had “let everybody down” after being sent off during the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa. Warnock added that he was looking to “fine him as much as I can,” suggesting the existence of a zero-tolerance attitude towards indiscipline and, by extension, mistakes in the camp. Accordingly, Shaun Wright-Phillips ought to have been berated by his manager for the winger’s appallingly-sloppy pass, which led directly to Robin Van Persie’s winning goal at the Emirates. In a similar vein, Barton ought to have been expecting both a private and a very public verbal colonic in Warnock’s post-match interview after he was sent off against Norwich, costing the R’s a vital point (or three).

Barton did little wrong, and was extremely hard done by. Nevertheless, a captain with his experience, and a penchant for winding up opposition players and veering wildly away from the manner in which decent supporters want to see the game played, should have known better than to square up with Bradley Johnson, whose role was essentially to push the QPR skipper into making a mistake. Job done, you might say.

But still, the midfielder receives nothing but blind loyalty. He has received no public scrutiny from the man whose interview technique is akin to a child in a sweet shop. To hear the manager of your team repeat the phrase “oh we’re just happy to be here, it’s a great league” as his side misses yet another golden opportunity to move clear of the drop zone, which we are currently just two points off, let it not be forgotten, is irritating to say the least. As for double standards, why not ask Adel Taarabt? After all, the admittedly petulant Moroccan is perennially a target for his mentor’s scathing Northern tongue.

It must be said that without Warnock, QPR would not be in the top flight. That is unquestionable. But it seems that, in less than a year, we have become rather sanitised, almost harmless. Rangers have long been rather toothless from an attacking perspective, but even last year’s rock-solid defence has dissipated. In recent games the most lacklustre of forwards (Nicklas Bendtner anyone?) have looked to be able to make whatever mediocre pairing is mustered at centre half week after week look scared and at times inept.

Other teams play with grit, pace and determination, battling on to the final minute in search of the margin between glory and failure. Rangers, on the other hand, play with lethargy, timidity, and have a penchant for error which is costing them, dearly. Any break is immediately quelled by that most depressing of moves in football, the pass back to defence. This would be acceptable, were the possession statistics right; they are, however, anything but.

It seems that even the most explosive of players are restrained by the system currently being employed at Loftus Road , and unsuccessfully tried further afield. On the occasions when he is seen fit to lead the line, and the group in favour of this is diminishing by each match, Jay Bothroyd invariably ends up on the wing, centring the ball to himself. Wright-Phillips almost seems afraid to take defenders on, a move on which his entire career to date has been founded. It would appear as though many of the serious questions Warnock may have had to face have almost been “postponed” in view of the January transfer window, that wonderful “get out of jail free card” Tony Fernandes has generously thrown the stricken blue and white ship, in an attempt to keep it afloat. However, come February, if results don’t improve, Warnock’s media mentality may not be enough to shield him from a few home truths.

The success with which Swansea City and Norwich have adapted to the Premier League in comparison to QPR is staggering. Both look at ease, able to keep possession, and achieve results at home, both of which the R’s have been incapable of doing. Paul Lambert looks every inch a Premier League manager, and despite the shamefully unsporting way his team sets out to play, as evidenced in the latest encounter, the Canaries will almost certainly stay up. Swansea too, appear likely to avoid the dreaded trapdoor. Their defence is watertight, based around an incredible ‘keeper in Michel Vorm.

In many ways, Vorm is little better than Rangers’ own stopper, Paddy Kenny. The problem, however, lies in the brittle spine which has manifested itself in recent weeks. Even when the fight-back from 2-0 down was completed against Sunderland , it took nothing less than an effective set piece – which Queens Park Rangers were bereft of despite having a grand total of eight corners – to undo all the players’ hard work.

Even star performers such as Alejandro Faurlin are flawed. The Argentine has taken to the Premier League like a sun-seeker to the south of France , yet when in space on the edge of the box, he looks almost afraid to shoot. A few games ago, when having an effort from distance, Faurlin almost apologised for his daring and selfishness in shooting at goal, as if such a scandalous act is against club policy. After all, we rarely have players in the box when the ball is delivered, a problem which can’t fail to have escaped the boss' attention, so why not have long shots? It isn’t as though the majority of Taarabt’s strikes last season were incredible efforts from distance, is it?

The worst part of all, however, is that Warnock’s obstinacy remains, even if his passion and anger, which has brought a fair amount of success over the years, appears to have evaporated amidst the Premier League media circus. It is inevitable that once again Warnock will devalue the FA Cup by fielding a line-up that will succumb with ease to the form, confidence and home advantage of the MK Dons. And for another year, Queens Park Rangers will have failed to advance further than the third round of the world’s oldest cup competition. Does this matter? Well perhaps not; some might argue that we need to rest players, and “concentrate on the league,” for in this day and age, glory and competition have long since been slain by the overriding importance of money. But this attitude is actually rather archaic and deeply misguided.

We have taken two points from a possible 24. Without a win since Stoke City away in mid-November, confidence levels in the squad must be at rock-bottom. Warnock may disagree, but blooding an entirely second-string side against the Dons this weekend, and them being predictably torn apart by a team whose confidence levels must be sky-high, for the sake of “resting” our key players, will do more harm than good. It will place inexorable pressure on the Newcastle United clash a week later, which already looks like a bridge too far for this beleaguered West London outfit, a million miles from the cocksure league winners they were just over half a year ago. I'm by no means suggesting that the most prized of first-team possessions ought to be wheeled out, like lambs to the MK Dons’ slaughter, on Saturday. Far from it. But a team featuring the likes of Cerny, Andrade, Bothroyd, Smith, Hall and Orr will, if it’s even possible, boast less confidence than the tattered, nervous starting eleven.

And, wishful thinking aside, players do read the Sunday papers, they do notice when a pattern begins to form, and it will not have escaped their attention that, with the margin of error so tight in the Premier League, confidence becomes not just desirable, but indispensable.

Tweet @chriskking

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SonofNorfolt added 23:58 - Jan 4 Too harsh some of this criticism son. Barton did absolutely nothing wrong against Norwich in a game we WOULD have won. You're assuming we'll put out a second XI at MK, I don't think we will. Perhaps a change in fortune will begin on Saturday, because much of what has gone on recently is unfortunate.
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carlosthebulb added 00:18 - Jan 5 I too would give Barton a little bit more credit, but I really had to check again who wrote this because I could have sworn it was me. Bang on the money.
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ozexile added 00:25 - Jan 5 Good article. I don't know if we have a plan to get out of this! Games are slipping away alarmingly and the constant chopping and changing is doing us more harm than good. Surely Jones and Curle need to question Warnock and show other options or are they just yes men who want to keep their job? Football is so easy, just put out your best team in their correct positions in every game. If that isn't good enough or doesn't work then resign.

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RangerKIK added 00:31 - Jan 5 Good article Chris. I just can't figure out what has happended to the exciting and decisive team who played Newcastle, Wolves, Man City earlier in the season. What's changed? Wonder if Adel will get the Captaincy back now Joey is out. I for one would love to see Andrade play on Sat. We need someone young and fearless to add some speed into our attack. As I posted yesterday we are really in a fight again now. It's such small margins at this level but with our poor set pieces and as you said our fear of shooting our percentages just are not high enough.

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QPR1882 added 00:44 - Jan 5 Queens Park Rangers have won once at home all season. Admittedly, said victory was a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea , the sweetest of results, but it was secured with the hosts being decidedly second-best. Neil Warnock’s side were dominated by Andre Vilas Boas’ nine men, and in many respects lucky to emerge with the three points. I THOUGHT WE WERE 1-0 UP WHEN THEY HAD THE 1st SENT OFF......MY MISTAKE ?????? HENCE 11 V 11....DOMINATED ? SURLEY HH SHOULD HAVE MADE IT 2-0

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RangersAreBack added 01:02 - Jan 5 Let's not get it twisted, the comments on Barton are largely a red herring. From top to bottom, this article is a long yet reasoned criticism of Neil Warnock: - underperforming signings - favouritism towards certain players - poor handling of Adel this season - pandering to Joey's ego - constant tinkering with the formation - lack of adventure by playing 1 up front at home against mediocre opposition even though Neil promised attacking football - strategy of virtually throwing matches against the top 6 in the vain hope we'll beat the teams around us evn though we've won only 2 matches against teams from 9th downwards - refusal to accept responsibility for shocking results since November - blind faith in the January transfer window even though it's a notoriously difficult period for top clubs to attract quality players at the right price, let alone one hovering perilously close to the relegation trapdoor That said, it is probably too late to replace him. That should have been done weeks ago to give the new manager a reasonable chance to plan for the transfer window. Just look at Sunderland go now.

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Antti_Heinola added 01:15 - Jan 5 way OTT as usual. you can't even see why NW might treat players differently. Poor.
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RangersAreBack added 02:47 - Jan 5 Treating players differently behind closed doors is one thing but publicly slagging off certain players whilst not saying boo to others is a recipe for disaster. Last year Warnock mollycoddled Adel and asked his teammates to bite their tongues but this year he allows Barton to slate him. Warnock often demands consistency from referees yet gives no thought to behaving consistently himself.

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MelakaRanger added 04:56 - Jan 5 Rangers Are Back. I agree. I have said for many weeks now that Warnock is our problem. The Premiership is beyond his skill set but many see him through rose coloured glasses Yes look what Sunderland have done. Its not too late................just yet.
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snanker added 08:03 - Jan 5 For sure the pressure is on but I agree with Warnock that at the moment we cant take a trick and seem to have trod on one black cat too many. Its such a fine line in the prem but if we can get a break or two I think there are more than 3 worse sides in the league than the R's. We need to be a bit more supportive and keep the faith than this synopsis articulates. Give it until the end of this month at least before becoming too judgmental.

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MickB added 08:07 - Jan 5 Certainly not free scoring at present. Helguson will hit a dry spell at some stage and Mackie probably hasn't got the technique to repeat last season's feats. I didn't like the signing of Barton and would rather see Akos in that role. But you are perhaps focusing too much on Warnock's faults with an argument based mainly on speculation about his relationship with the players. Maybe you are right but, relegation or not, Warnock has many strengths and done more than enough to deserve to see out the season.

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corse added 08:17 - Jan 5 well said. good article.
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N12Hoop added 08:52 - Jan 5 Overall good article, but, firstly, have you forgotten how poor Tarrabt was at set pieces: corners that never beat the first man, free kicks that ended up in Row Z etc. I'm not saying Barton is much better, but he certainly isn't worse than Taarabt and in Tarrabt's first few games this season before Barton took over, he was dreadful. Secondly, I'm getting fed up with all these references to Barton's wages when, so far as I am aware, no one knows factually what they are. I would have thought it highly unlikely that we are paying him £4m p.a. (or has this figure been quoted by a reliable source?)

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qprmick added 09:25 - Jan 5 Although I think this article is just a regurgition of everything that has been kicked to death on the message boards. One point, has any supporter actually met Neil or written to him to ask what he can do to improve the deadball taking? IMO we were always going to struggle this season and if enough people get in touch with Neil to voice their opinions, it might just help. PS pretty good free kick from Joey's successor. I hope we can defend his freekicks.

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westolian added 10:44 - Jan 5 N12Hoop - totally agree about Adel's set pieces last year and yet all of a sudden people have short memories. Abit like Faurlin's long range shooting - we moaned non stop about that last year as well The players NW brought in having 10 days notice was nothing short of a miracle and yet peoples expectations are that we are a top 10 side - laughable Ah well !
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QPaRmchair added 10:49 - Jan 5 Good article, I've been saying all the same things for the past month. However, I've also looked on the other side of the fence too and tried to see how, if possible, Neil Warnock not had an easy job. I think it goes all the way back to his appointment at the back end of the 2009/2010 season, he was able to get rid of all the loan signings and sign some trusted professionals who boosted the squad (Kenny,Hill,Derry,Smith) and was able to get the best out of Adel Taarabt and Jamie Mackie. Despite dominating the Championship last season, I believe that we had an enormous amount of luck during the course of the season. But I do believe in the saying that you make your own luck and whilst the likes of Taarabt gets all the praise for last seasons victories, I think more credit goes to our defense who kept 24 clean sheets during the course of the season (which is incredibly impressive). I've not been quiet about this point since the summer, when Kaspers Gorkks was sold and Matthew Connolly was seemingly being replaced by the likes of Danny 'injury prone and recently relegated' Gabbidon and Fitz 'I've lost my ability to defend' Hall. It always seemed strange why Gorkks was sold, with him and Connolly making the most appearances at the heart of our defence last season but I only suspect that it may of been over Warnock's head that he was sold rather than the manager not rating him for the Premier League. However, it was clear that we needed to strengthen the squad in pre-season and Warnock had to do so on a shoe string budget whilst dealing with the uncertainties and terrible organisation by the owners at the time. Our pre-season wasn't the best of preparation but NW got lucky with Fernandes coming in to take over the club just in time for some last minute signings. It's no doubt the famous 5 that came in at this time were all quality players compared to those we already had but in a sense, it also shot NW in the foot with having to blend 5 new personalities into a squad that had just won promotion. Since then it's clear that NW is still trying to work out a formula/formation/game plan with this new/changing squad of players, whilst also trying to get results. It's a tough job to do this during a season, nevermind a season in the top flight, a league that NW has only ever had 1 season in before. However, saying that, NW was able to blend new signings made in the summer of 2010 into a Championship winning team, so perhaps we need to have more faith? It's clear that there are ego's in the dressing room that has disrupted the apple cart. Joey Barton and Adel Taarabt for one, there's something there that does not seem right but how great for the squad will it be for these two players to work in unison. When the new signings came in, we actually looked like a very decent attacking outfit with games against Wolves, Newcastle and Villa but have since dramatically lost this enthusiasm. What Warnock needs right now is personalities as well as abilities. Someone who has the professionalism of a Derry, Kenny and Hill, but also has the ability to compete in the EPL. As much as I criticize Warnock, yes he deserves it, I also feel he deserves the benefit of the doubt considering what he's had to deal with. Paul Lambert at Norwich is still riding high on the momentum of two back to back promotions. Brendan Rodgers joined Swansea who already had a good and steady set up under previous managers like Martinez and Sousa. Warnock's had a turmoil of a time here at Rangers, different owners, different leagues. It's never been settled. I feel that we're going to have to scrap our way to survival this season and finally once the storm settles in pre-season, Warnock can actually take a breather and start putting together a TEAM.

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daveB added 11:04 - Jan 5 The article was a bit harsh imo, Warnock knows how to deal with players some need a kick up the backside others need an arm around the shoulder which is why he treats Traore, Connolly and Barton differently. I think his formation ias fine as well, we usually have 3 or 4 very attack minded players in the side playing in the final third so saying we only play with one up front is just not true. I think QPR fans need to start realising that the teams we are calling weak have been in this league for years and have far more experience and better players than we do. This first season was always going to be tough and thats how it's proving to be. Sadly I don't think our fans have the bottle for the fight ahead and white flag has been waving for a few weeks.

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adhoc_qpr added 11:54 - Jan 5 There is plenty of blame to be shared around for the performances and results this season - Warnock certainly, the players definately, injuries and referees too. It looked like we were going to adapt well to the prem intially, but that hasn't proved the case. If Blackburn muster a home win against poor travellers Fulham and we get nothing from Newcastle away, we will midway through Jan in the bottom 3. This season is now a scrap to finish 17th, nothing else. Warnock, the players and hopefully some new signings will have to raise their game and hope for a bit of luck.

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probbo added 13:00 - Jan 5 Listening to NW, the concern for me is the belief that buying more players in Jan will solve all our problems. You can buy as many players as you like but if you can't get them playing as a team, a formidable unit, defending well, creating and executing chances, then it makes no difference. You end up with a disparate group on individuals, which arguably is where we are at present. In this respect, the focus has to be on the manager's ability to motivate and also his tactical nous, which with respect to NW, has been lacking on more than one occasion in the Prem this season. The other problem is its difficult to get players in Jan if they sense the team might go down or the manager will get the boot, unless they are sourced from outside the Prem and genuinely want to play for the Club. Of the teams promoted Norwich have been by far the best this season - they pass the ball well and whoever they play against, they look up for the challenge. The same can't be said for the R's (first half v Spurs a case in point). At this moment i'd be happy with survival, then try and build a more solid unit over the summer. Whether its NW or someone else at the helm, we'll have to wait and see. Like in 95, you look at the fixtures and wonder where the points are going to come from but lets hope we break this poor run soon and get some confidence back. Over to you NW. Finally on Barton, he was unlucky with the sending off but his performances have in the main been average. He needs to step up and start justifying that £80k pw salary.

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johann28 added 13:48 - Jan 5 DaveB is entirely right. We are NOT doomed - what is needed is a shoring up of the defence (one of the keys to success last year and THE key to survival in the prem), with solid replacements for Gabbidon and Traore the priority. 'Bottle' definitely required, from manager, players and fans alike.
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LambournR added 14:19 - Jan 5 Overly negative article. This combined with his previously articles shows that Chris is definately a glass half empty person. We have problems but the second half against Norwich showed that we are not miles away - we had the better chances and just need that bit of luck. Disappointed that there are so many "Warnock's positioned is in doubt" articles doing the rounds today by lazy hacks looking at the Christmas results. The team need our support more than ever now - and we are due some luck.

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newgolddream added 14:24 - Jan 5 Some excellent points Chris and after our recent run, home truths are what's required. Was thinking before the Bolton game last night that there are 3 worse teams in this division than us. Now not so sure now and remember our record against the bottom 3 is shameful. Losin to MK Dons on Saturday will not help the situation either so heres hoping we can start our recovery asap and keep this club in the Premiership.

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GroveR added 15:35 - Jan 5 We've got problems for sure but I'm starting to get a bit sick of people constantly comparing us to Norwich and Swansea. The only thing we have in common with either club is we got promoted last year. And for what it's worth I couldn't give a fiddlers about the cup game vs the Dongs. Call back Vine, Dave, Rowlands and the rest of the loanees we can't shift out and make them play it.

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shooters47 added 16:08 - Jan 5 I actually cannot believe some of the things I am reading here. Did anybody really think that we would be above where we are at the moment? If Norwich and Swansea were below us would that make it ok for everyone? 18 months ago we were going down to Division 1 for gods sake. Get a grip!!
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probbo added 16:57 - Jan 5 While staying in the Prem is key, it would be nice for the R's to have a long overdue run in the Cup. It's a shame the Cup has lost much of its lustre over the years - I shall remain ever grateful to my dad that we were at Wembley in '82. And we should have won the replay too! It would be nice to go back one day.
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