Shaun Derry believes a 'massive' win against one from three title contenders over the next month could save QPR's season.

On the other side of the coin, Derry reckons a string of defeats starting with Liverpool on Sunday, followed by Chelsea and Manchester City, with Aston Villa in-between, might signal the beginning of the end.

And Derry should know.

The former Rs stalwart is convinced a 3-2 win over the Reds in March 2012 that brought his last league goal saved Hoops from the drop that season. Now Notts County manager, he keeps in touch with Rs and revealed a muted vibe in the camp.

A word in you ear: Harry Redknapp instructs Derry

“I spoke to (manager) Harry (Redknapp) last Friday, and he’s down at the moment because of the results, but still focused on getting Rangers up the table,” Derry said.

“He’s always been in a situation where he’s been at the top end of a table with his teams because he’s a good manager. When you're losing you’re the number one target, and they need to find a win pretty soon, if I’m honest.

“The thing with the Premier League is that because you’ve only got 38 games a season, the likelihood is you’ve got a week to hurt after a bad result. In the Championship you might have a game on the Tuesday where you can bounce straight back.

“You don’t want to have two or three consecutive losing weeks, because you’re down in the doldrums with each other.”

Getting stuck in: Norwich City's Alexander Tettey feels the Derry force with Clint Hill looking on

Nearly a year ago, Derry took on a County side destined for relegation. But several irons out of the fire later his team is a point from a play-off spot in League One.

The midfielder was known as a hard trainer, but was barely surprised Redknapp lambasted the squad as ‘unfit’ after the 2-0 defeat to West Ham last time out.

“All players are selfish, and anyone who says different is a liar,” Derry added. “You have to work that selfishness into a team structure.

“I was left out of QPR teams for up to 15 games in a row, but you must always have a level of professionalism and fitness.

“There was a type of player in the Championship like me, Clint Hill and Jamie Mackie and a different sort of player in the Premier League when I was there.

“I always made sure I did an hour-and-half session on a Saturday night or a Sunday if I hadn’t played, so that in my mind I was ready for training on Monday.

“It worked for me but every player is different.”

Keep up to date with all the build-up, matchday and post-game reaction to QPR v Liverpool right here on GetWestLondon.