QPR host Leeds United at Loftus Road on Friday night, with their Championship future in their own hands.
Marti Cifuentes, QPR’s head coach, has given a stern warning to his players and other league teams ahead of their match against Leeds United at Loftus Road on Friday night.
A win over the promotion-chasing Whites would secure QPR’s status in the Championship next season. However, it’s going to be a hard challenge as Daniel Farke’s side fights to preserve their place in the top two with Ipswich Town breathing down their neck.
The hosts, whose form has been hit and miss since Easter weekend, go into the fixture as underdogs. However, Cifuentes is determined that his team decides their own future rather than leave it to other results.
Cifuentes asserted in his programme notes that Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town, and Sheffield Wednesday were not his team’s relegation rivals, sending a strong message to supporters.
He wrote, “Our destiny is in our own hands—that’s the message I’ve given the guys.To succeed, we must prioritise our own efforts over those of others.
“In our perspective, we don’t have any relegation opponents; we’re just concerned with trying our best to achieve our goal. There’s a lot at stake in the last stretch, and emotions are strong, but we must be cautious.”
Last time out, QPR defeated Preston North End at Loftus Road, picking up three points. Lyndon Dykes scored the only goal in that game, his first since January, and Cifuentes challenged the striker to find more against Leeds United and Coventry City next week.
He writes, “We were all happy for Lyndon Dykes to score the winning goal. He deserves that moment; he’s a terrific guy and an excellent professional.
“Strikers live and breathe goals, and when they go on streaks without scoring, you must encourage them and make them feel appreciated. It occurs to everyone; goals are the most challenging and valuable aspect of our sport. We need Lyndon to fire on all cylinders again in our remaining two cup finals.”
