Gareth Ainsworth on Wycombe Wanderers' fourth successive defeat

Gareth Ainsworth returned to Loftus Road earlier this week for the first time since leaving the Hoops back in 2009 but fell to a 1-0 defeat.

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After a moment of brilliance from Chris Willock who breezed past two Chairboys defenders and provided a low cross that ricocheted into the path of Illais Chair who was able to bundle to ball home.

Ainsworth labelled QPR’s goal as “soft” but admitted that a cheap goal can be all it takes to be on the wrong side of a result.

The boss believes that his side is learning a lot this season and knows that the first goal is crucial especially in the Championship

He said: “The goal is too soft for me to concede.

“And once we do that, then QPR can shut up shop second half.

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“If it's 0-0 at home, they're probably thinking we're still going for it.

“We've got to make sure that we can get the first goal in games, make our opportunity counts.

“We keep plugging away, we keep learning every week, we're learning a lot.

Staying in the Championship is still Ainsworth's priority but the Wanderers boss hopes the experiences this season will help his side in the future despite the league they are playing in.

He continued: “We do need to get the first goal and then we can take control of games.

“It's so important at this level but quality players are important at this level as well.

“I've got a team of youngsters learning their trade but I'm so proud of them.

“Whatever happens this level is fantastic to be at.

“We want to stay here. We want to come back here, whichever one it is but we're learning plenty while we're here.”

The Chairboys sit 12 points of safety

Even though Wanderers have not been finding the back of the net in recent games, not having goal scorers isn’t a problem that Ainsworth fears as he knows there are goals in the squad.

He added: “We've got goal scorers in the team, We know that.

“We've got the record league goalscorer, we've got Uche Ikpeazu who's firing and we've got Scott Kashket who can find goals.

“But at the moment, we're just shy of that”

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However, Ainsworth was unable to fault his players' efforts as they prepare to host another former side of the Wycombe manager, Preston North End.

He said: “But again, efforts, great performance levels.

“I'm just so proud of the boys, you know, we're performing at the best we can perform at this level.

“It's just coming up short, I can't ask anymore, but we'll go again Saturday.”