Evans blasts United players after QPR loss

The Whites struggled throughout the clash, with the Loftus Road side dominating the play. A lack of options up front looked likely to hand Leeds a reprieve, Rangers struggling to turn their control into clear cut chances.

However, the introduction of striker Charlie Austin made the difference. Austin showed the instinct that convinced QPR to fork out £15 million for him in the first place, latching onto a corner kick and heading past Marco Silvestri to score the only goal of the game.

Leeds created few chances after the opener, and aside from a spell at the end of the game when some crosses into the box caused panic but no danger, given the absence of a ready and waiting striker, they never looked particularly likely to equalise.

Evans was clear about his disappointment with the performance.

He said: “At this minute the players don’t befit the supporters. This is where it is. In totality, not in terms of individuals. We’ve got gifted individuals.

"How we did not score at the end is why we do not score a lot of goals - it’s because we do not have a six-yard box striker.

“Young Alex (Mowatt) needs to give us so much more. (Stuart) Dallas did in that first half as well. We changed it around and that’s when we got in the game. It’s a long way short from where we need to be.

“When you get poor performances you break them down and then you question who should be in the team. There aren’t many disputing that Charlie (Taylor) should stay in. I was pleased with some parts of (Liam) Bridcutt’s play.

"Their only goal today has come from a set-play. Somebody did not do their job, and the Queens Park Rangers boys defensively have done their jobs today."

Evans also said that he needs new players to be able to push Leeds forward.

“You can only work with what you’ve got. There’s a lot of honest supporters behind that goal. They can only work with their tools. When I get opportunity to get my toolbox sorted out, I’ll be more than alright for them.”

The head coach also admitted that he had read the players the riot act after the game.

“It’s the loudest I’ve been,” Evans said, “The angriest I’ve been. They’ve been left in no uncertain terms that if you want to play for Leeds United, you have to perform. There’s a responsibility of playing properly for Leeds United. This is a famous football club that’s had world class stars represent the shirt.

“They’ve let themselves down. I don’t believe in this nonsense about letting managers down. They let themselves down and the supporters. If there had been 6,000 tickets here we’d have sold 6,000 tickets. That’s who they’ve let down.”