NEIL WARNOCK says the disappointment of defeat against Manchester City has been softened by more evidence that his team are 'improving all the time.'

Rangers played their part to the full in Saturday's tea-time thriller at Loftus Road, and with a little more luck would have got something from the game rather than a 3-2 defeat.

“It probably surprised a few people the performance today, but we are improving and we think we can get even better than that – given the drive that the lads have got,” said the upbeat QPR boss.

“We've only been together a few weeks and we've obviously got to improve the squad in January.

“When the chairman [Tony Fernandes] sees us play like that, it must give him encouragement to support us in January.

“We got some indifferent press against Chelsea, but I think today put that to bed, really. It shows if we all play to our strengths, we can give anybody a game – and I think we can do that away from home as well.”

Warnock added: “I think the result's diabolical.

“It's a cruel game sometimes. You don't always get what you deserve. We've made three mistakes in 90 minutes against the best team in England, in fact probably the world at the minute, and we've got punished every time.

“But obviously, we've got to look at the performance as well. We had enough chances and I thought we played really well and I'm really pleased with the lads, apart from the defending for the goals.”

Warnock did say his side will have to shed some naivety, however. The QPR manager pointed to a key moment when Jamie Mackie appeared to be tripped, but stayed on his feet rather than tumble in the box for a penalty.

“We scored two, hit the post twice and it would have been very interesting if Jamie Mackie had gone down when he was inside the box,” Warnock said.

“He got touched and I asked him: 'What do you think would have happened at the other end, son? They're good at it without being touched. It's honesty that Jamie's got there.”

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