Hughes staying positive despite loss

Under-fire QPR boss Mark Hughes was pleased with his side’s performance despite posting their ninth straight game without a win.

QPR created their fair share of chances but were again found wanting in front of goal in a 1-0 defeat at Stoke to remain on the bottom of the table with just four points.

Charlie Adam’s second-half strike was all that separated the sides but Hughes felt his men controlled much of the match.

“We keep on having the same conversations game after game,” Hughes told Sky Sports.

“We controlled the game for large periods and created good chances, but when those moments come you’ve got to take them and if you don’t, being the away side you’re going to be under pressure a little bit.

“The way Stoke play, they will put the ball into the box and it was a shame for the guys at the back, who were magnificent today. They stood up to the challenge really well.

“They made a mistake on the goal and allowed a free shot, but up to that period, in terms of play and getting the ball down, our passing and moving was good in that respect.”

Stoke manager Tony Pulis was pleased his side could register a second win of the season along with a clean sheet, despite not playing at their peak.

“We’ve played really well this season and not got results, and today was much more of an even game,” he said.

“But we’ve got the result and the result was the most important thing today, to give us a little bit of confidence and get that monkey off our back.

Pulis said his side must turn the Britannia Stadium into a fortress for visiting sides.

“Our home form has been terrific again, if you look at the results we’ve had,” he said.

“And it’s another clean sheet for us at home, which is brilliant because this place has to be a fortress for us.

“We are trying to evolve the team a bit in some ways, but that takes time and we have to make sure we pick points up along the way as well.”