MARTI Cifuentes is not weighed down by the pressure of Queens Park Rangers’ Championship relegation fight – in fact it’s just the opposite.
QPR host Preston North End later this evening in front of a sell-out crowd at Loftus Road. The R’s are three points above the relegation zone with three games left.
“I am a strange person, I enjoy the pressure,” Cifuentes said on the club’s website.
“I like when people expect things from us because that makes me my best.
“I am enjoying every day and enjoying coaching the guys, they are responding very well.
“Hopefully now we can achieve what we want to achieve.
“The supporters will be great.
“I know this because they have been great since I have been here. When we have needed them, they have always been there for us.
“We need to make sure everybody understands how important their role is.”
Cifuentes added: “We are now in a crucial moment of the season, we are aware of that.
“For us, it is true that the last games have not given us the results we expected, that’s a fact, but at the same time I am sure that all of us, not only five months ago but one month ago, would have taken the position we now find ourselves in with three matches to go.
“We are three points ahead of the relegation zone with two of the last three matches at home. We are aware of how important the last three games of the season are.
“These are the guys that have taken us out of the relegation zone. It would be a mistake now because of one bad result – not a bad performance, a bad result – to think we need to change eleven players.
After their game against the Lilywhites, QPR face Leeds United at home and FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City away.
“We are just focusing on the next one,” Cifuentes said.
“We have an opportunity to pick up three points against Preston which could be very important for us. Right now, my full focus is on this next game.
“I have full respect for all three opponents, but I also have full confidence in my team.”
