Marti Cifuentes reacts to QPR boo boys after big Middlesbrough loss | OneFootball

Marti Cifuentes believes he's still the man to save QPR's season, following a dismal 4-1 loss to Middlesbrough.

Queens Park Rangers' woes continued on Tuesday night, as Marti Cifuentes' side was thumped 4-1 at home by Middlesbrough. This left the R's sitting second from bottom after 14 matches, with just a single win and a measly ten points to their name.

Despite the humiliation on their home turf, the Spanish manager remained adamant that he could get his side out of this rut. After succeeding Gareth Ainsworth last year, the former Hammarby manager steered the club clear of relegation, winning the hearts of the fans in the process.

Sadly, Cifuentes has been unable to replicate what was shown last season, as his side hasn't tasted victory since 29th August. With the R's becoming further and further adrift at the foot of the table, it will need to be sooner rather than later if the Spaniard is to turn things around.

Middlesbrough thumping reopens old wounds

After two solid defensive displays earned the London-based club two good points against high-flying Burnley and Sunderland, fans may have thought that the R's were beginning to turn a corner on the road to recovery. However, this hope was completely squashed on Tuesday evening, as Middlesbrough steamrolled their way to an emphatic 4-1 victory at Loftus Road.

The Superhoops had begun to address their defensive woes over the last couple of weeks, keeping consecutive clean sheets against opponents who were fighting at the sharp end of the table. Due to an ongoing injury crisis, the R's had to field a makeshift defence with Jimmy Dunne at left-back, and Sam Field alongside Steve Cook at centre-back. Two quick-fire goals from Riley McGree and Tommy Conway put Boro two to the good, ten minutes before half-time.

Though the R's were back in with a shout after an Anfernee Dijksteel own-goal, Emmanuel Latte Lath and Dan Barlaser added another two goals with minutes left to seal what was an excellent night for Michael Carrick's men. Boos were audible around Loftus Road after Oliver Langford brought proceedings to an end, as the disgruntled QPR fans voiced their opinion on their team's performance.

The supporters were keen to see if their side could build upon the two resolute defensive performances, but all hopes came crashing down thanks to this result. With injuries piling up, and their previous problem of being far too open at the back, things are looking pretty bleak for the former Premier League side.

Cifuentes urging supporters to stick with the team

As mentioned above, boos audibly rang out at full-time, as 14,000 disgruntled supporters weren't afraid to show what they made of the performance of their side. Following the defeat, manager Cifuentes urged the supporters to stay with him and his team, despite how tough times are at the moment: "Hopefully they see a team that is trying their best," he said.

"Unfortunately, so far it has not been enough, so I think it is fair that they are not happy in this moment.

"No one is [happy]. I'm not a happy manager, the players are not happy to get the results that we are getting at the moment." The 42-year-old has been left disappointed with the way his side has started the season, as an optimistic summer transfer window suggested things may have been looking up for the Hoops.

However, Cifuentes believes that the lack of togetherness could be the difference between last season's success, and this season's woes: "But the only solution is to stay together. Because that was, I think, the main key of our success last season in a very difficult situation," the QPR boss stated.

Although there is no sign of where this situation may end, Cifuentes remains defiant and firmly believes that his team can get out of the sticky situation they find themselves in. The R's boss has rescued the London club from a relegation fight once before, and he remains fully confident that he can do it once again.

When the Spaniard was asked after the game if he believed that he was the right man to turn around the club's poor run of form, Cifuentes said: "I'm always confident, 100% confident."

He then continued: "I think that I've been in situations like this in my career and I always succeed, so if someone expected that this would be an easy season, I think it was wrong."

Life doesn't get any easier for the R's, as they head to Elland Road on Saturday, taking on a Leeds United team that is flying. However, should the Hoops avoid defeat, they will be hoping to use the confidence as a springboard for getting themselves out of the rut they find themselves trapped in.