Stand-in QPR captain Ryan Nelsen says it is time for the players to take responsibility as the pressure mounts on manager Mark Hughes.
Things have not gone to plan for the west Londoners this season, with a summer of hope abruptly ended by a winless start to the season. QPR have started the campaign without victory in any of their 12 Barclays Premier League matches and they prop up the table with just four points.
"When the pressure is on, players have to take responsibility," he told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk.
"It doesn't matter who you're playing, the Premier League is just unforgiving. You've got to earn your right to play and win.
"You've got to be strong mentally and have the confidence to do something in the game at both ends of the park."
That mental strength was far from evident last weekend as QPR fell to an embarrassing 3-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton.
The players' perceived lack of effort against Saints saw the Loftus Road faithful turn on their players, chanting 'you're only here for the money' and 'Ryan Nelsen, he plays on his own'.
"I thought we were poor in both boxes to be honest," Nelsen said of the performance.
"We were all extremely disappointed. You get punished no matter who you're playing in this league.
"The players have to hold complete responsibility for last weekend. When it mattered most, we just didn't stand up."
Source: PA
