QPR 4 Barnsley 0: Comedy of errors, moans Robins

He said: "It was a kick up the backside and not what we expected. It's disappointing, because I think we're better than that.

"We were slightly unlucky, but when we conceded the first goal we started looking like we felt sorry for ourselves. Then, in the second half, it was just a comedy of errors. There were basic defensive things, like tracking back, that we didn't do.

"At times we did look like we'd get back into it. We hit the post and should have had a penalty when there was a blatant handball by Fitz Hall.

"QPR are a fancied team and in some ways this is a good game to get out of the way. But I think 4-0 is a harsh scoreline, because it wasn't that kind of game.

"(QPR manager) Neil Warnock said to me after the game, 'Don't be too hard on your lads, because Adel Taarabt was the difference. If I hadn't signed him, that wouldn't have happened'.

"We tried to contain Taarabt but he's very clever. It's hard to stop him unless you go man-to-man, and then that would give QPR more space, so it's difficult."

Taarabt's languid style can make him stand out from other players, but former Sheffield United manager Warnock admitted: "Twenty years ago I wouldn't have taken Adel Taarabt. But I've said to my players to look at the good things he does and not the bad. We have to find a way of using that.

"When I came here last season he'd already been bombed out by the two previous managers. But I spent a lot of time with him and have to say I enjoyed working with him.

"I said to him that sometimes I'd drop him, or play him on the wing, and I didn't want him stamping around or throwing his shirt when he was substituted.

"He's got real talent. He thinks he should be playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona, and I've told him that if he sticks with me he can get there. At the moment, they wouldn't touch him with a barge pole."

QPR: Kenny, Orr, Hall, Gorkss, Hill, Ephraim, Derry (Leigertwood 79), Faurlin, Taarabt (Parker 77), Helguson (German 83), Mackie. Unused substitutes: Cerny, Clarke, Connolly, Borrowdale.

Barnsley: Steele, Hassell, Shackell, Doyle, McEveley, Hammill (Morales Neumann 76), Foster, Lovre (Butterfield 86), Devaney (Hume 46), Colace, Gray. Unused substitutes: Preece, Dickinson, Boulding, Potter.

Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight).

Welcome to the Yorkshire Post's exciting match-day service, called Match Centre. Here you will find minute-by-minute updates, stats and team formations. Plus reports from every game in England, from the Premier League down to the Blue Square Premier.

Simply select your game from the pull down menu, then click on the 'i' information button on the right of the fixture and it will give you access to everything you need to know about your team.

So if you can't make it to a game, head for the Match Centre and we will give you the best seat in the house. Click the link below.

For the latest team news, score and commentary from your team check out our new Match Centre