Gareth Ainsworth apologizes to QPR fans after Blackpool smash: ‘It was unacceptable’

The west Londoners were 3-0 down in just 15 minutes on a nightmarish night at Bloomfield Road against a side long since slipped into the bottom three after winning just one of their last 19 games.

It quickly got QPR back on the ground with a bump and renewed their own fears about relegation after a 1-0 win over Watford on Saturday – their first under new manager and club legend Ainsworth – put a damaging five-loss streak in episode ended.

Rangers could still be in a fight for survival just seven points from the relegation zone after a crushing defeat that leaves them 19th.

“I have to apologize to the fans because it was an unacceptable performance overall,” said Ainsworth, the former Rs midfielder and longtime Wycombe boss who was appointed last month to replace the sacked Neil Critchley.

“I’m not worried because we have a lot of good players in the dressing room but Blackpool beat us and I just didn’t see that coming ahead of the game.

“We looked nervous, we looked weak but we all need to get over it quickly. I expected the lads to do a lot better than them against Blackpool so this result hurts.

“I just wish I could put my shoes on and go out myself. I would have defended those set pieces better. However, it’s up to me to resume the boys.

“I feel a bit like stepping on broken glass but we will go back until the end of the season and then prepare for next season in the Championship.”

Additional reporting from the Press Association.