QPR coach Paulo Sousa has defended his decision not to take off Gavin Mahon during Saturday’s 3-1 defeat against Ipswich.
Mahon was booed by some of the home fans, who also barracked Sousa for keeping the midfielder on the pitch and instead withdrawing Liam Miller.
“I wanted to keep a physical presence in midfield,” said Sousa, who vowed to stick by Mahon after his dire display.
"It (the booing) is normal, I can understand it,” Sousa added. "It was not a good game for Gavin but we can count on him in the future."
QPR went ahead after Wayne Routledge tricked Ben Thatcher and crossed from the right for striker Samuel Di Carmine to score from close range.
Ipswich levelled 11 minutes later, when Jon Stead got in front of Matt Connolly to collect David Norris' deflected shot and bundle the ball past Lee Camp.
Rangers were outclassed in the second half and Ipswich went ahead in fine style when Pablo Counago robbed Mahon and went past Connolly and Kaspars Gorkss before curling the ball into the corner of the net.
It was an excellent strike and the goal that sealed Ipswich's win was arguably even better. Jon Walters drifted into the area vacated by left-back Damien Delaney - who had just been substituted as Rangers chased an equaliser - and brilliantly controlled Alan Quinn's crossfield ball before firing beyond Camp.
