Joey Barton has taken a swipe at QPR for failing to get enough quality players.
In a thinly disguised attack at ex-boss Harry Redknapp, the Rs captain insists opportunities were missed both last summer and in January to improve the club’s chances of escaping the drop.
Barton claimed team-mates have run themselves to water in the last three home games, but still lost the lot 2-1, the latest setback, a defeat to Everton on Sunday.
The midfielder returned to face his boyhood heroes after a three-game ban to suffer along with the rest, but was blunt appraising a team of toilers on course for an instant return to the Championship.
“It’s difficult to get away from the blatantly obvious facts that statistically we were the worst team in the league virtue of scraping in via the play-offs last season," he said.
“So it demands you have an incredible pre-season and recruit really well. You would have to look at that and make a decision on that.
“The next recruitment window is key.
“Again, you have to look at that and say have we given ourselves the maximum opportunity?
“Everyone put in a shift against Everton, and we’re coming up short.
“Being privy to a lot of stuff that goes on at this football club, but without wanting to name names, the fact we’re in with a puncher’s chance is a minor miracle.
“We’ve given everything, but if we’re not good enough that’s a recruitment issue. For me as a player, all you can ask is you put a shift in. If you end up in the bottom three you deserve to be there, and it comes as a result of 38 games.”
Redknapp quit a day after the January transfer window closed citing medical concerns he postponed on several occasions.
The former manager's solitary deal in January was a loan for West Ham’s Mauro Zarate, currenty sidelined with a knee injury having played a total of 81 minutes so far in four sub appearances.
Even so, Barton reckons Rs nurture hopes of saving themselves.
He added: “We’ve got to play WBA and Villa, but we’ve only got three points on the road. The side nearest us has got seven, so you get what you put in and this league does not lie.”
Rangers escaped on the final day in 2011-12, and although that last match was painful for Barton, sent off at Manchester City, and into exile for a season, the memories rekindle hope.
He said: “Those last six games (in 2012) we dug out performances, and we stayed up on 37 points. 36 points keeps you up this year.”
