Derry upset by attitude of some players

24 January 2013 18:47

QPR midfielder Shaun Derry was "absolutely gutted" by a perceived lack of effort from some of the club's players earlier in the season.

Rangers came under fire for their failure to win any of their opening 16 Barclays Premier League fixtures. Harry Redknapp replaced Mark Hughes as manager in November and the west London club have now amassed 15 points but remain rooted to the foot of the table.

After avoiding relegation on the closing day of last season, QPR chairman Tony Fernandes bankrolled a number of big-name signings over the summer but some are yet to have the desired effect. When asked how he felt about some of the squad perhaps not pulling their weight, Derry told QPR podcast Open All R's: "Very angry, absolutely gutted - not just angry."

Derry has had a run in the side under Redknapp and recently penned a new contract at Loftus Road, but the 35-year-old revealed he has been upset with the attitude of some Rangers players.

Derry added: "I'm fully aware of the transitional period that the club has been in and is probably still in. What you have to understand is that I arrived as a Championship signing and I still see myself as the same person, regardless of what level I'm playing.

"I appreciate what the game is about, I will never point fingers or go public with my criticism of certain individuals but when you play down there you really do appreciate what you've got when you play at Premier League level.

"When you see characters who have been at the club, and are still there, not appreciating what the game is all about it really hurts. I'm very proud of what I've achieved to play at this level and I will never take it for granted and when you see players taking it for granted it hurts."

Summer acquisitions such as Julio Cesar, Park Ji-sung and Jose Bosingwa are believed to be earning much more than the likes of Derry and club-captain Clint Hill. Cesar has earned plaudits for his goalkeeping displays, while Park has been injured and Bosingwa's commitment has been called into question by a large section of QPR's fans.

But Derry insists there is no ill-feeling from the longer-serving players at Loftus Road towards the new signings, saying: "Hand on heart I don't resent anyone at the football club for what they earn, I know there are guys there that earn an absolute bucket-load, more than I could ever dream of earning," he said.

"Honestly I don't resent them for earning that. What I do get upset about is if they don't work hard to earn that. You have got to work hard for your money regardless of whether you earn £10 a week or £100,000. If they are doing it then the whole team are doing well by it by when they don't put the effort in it really hurts."

Source: PA