Chris Ramsey admitted a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool – as bad as that was, bore no comparison to the tragedy that greeted the squad in their hotel before the game.
Rio Ferdinand’s wife Rebecca had died of cancer the night before, but the coach insisted it was no reason for the reverse that leaves Rangers needing a miracle.
Ramsey said: “It’s a very solemn dressing room. The players used it as a strength because Rio would have wanted that. But it didn’t have a bearing on us getting a point.
“He’s kept it to himself. He’s not been moping around the training ground; he’s been a man mountain, and it does put things in perspective.”
Ramsey was leaning to one side in the post-match press conference almost as if the weight of the bad news along with the same-old, same-old QPR in the closing minutes had taken its toll.
He said: “I’d rather start the game at 80 minutes and coach it from there. We’ve left so many points on the table from that time.
"On 87 minutes against Liverpool, Hull, Aston Villa, and Chelsea; our lapses in concentration are there for everyone to see.
“We matched them tactically, but that little bit of quality hurts you.”
Nedum Onuoha was sent off in the 82nd minute when he upended Jordon Ibe – his second yellow. But it was the first caution for a soft penalty, saved by Rob Green that got under Ramsey’s craw.
“The first yellow card was a bit harsh, and it was a harsh penalty," the coach added.
“You always run that risk at Anfield in front of 44,000. If you’re the ref you might not get home.”
