GARETH Ainsworth says today’s abject first-half display at Watford is one he ultimately accepts responsibility for.
The injury-hit Hoops’ defence was undone after just 33 seconds when Tom Dale-Bashiru put the Hornets ahead.
Imran Louza made it 2-0 with a long range effort on 20 minutes, but there was worse to come for the shell-shocked travelling contingent before the interval.
Matheus Martins added Watford’s third with a 38th minute header and then Vakoun Bayo struck five minutes later.
Watford effectively declared and spared the visitors anymore embarrassment in the second period, although the boss was keen to point out the buck stopped with him.
Ainsworth told qpr.co.uk: “Thank you for the fans who stuck around to the end.
“And to those who didn’t, I totally understand.
“It’s the first game and we’ve lost it heavily. I’ll take full responsibility for that.
“I know it’s going to be tough this season and I’ve learned a lot today.
“We’ve got to get better. We’ve had heated discussions in the dressing room afterwards but we’ve got to stick together and go again.”
QPR went into today’s game on the back of last weekend’s heavy 5-0 pre-season rout at Oxford.
And Ainsworth admitted they couldn’t have possibly made a worse start at Vicarage Road after Dele-Bashiru struck so early on.
The manager said: “We were ripped apart in the first half.
“Conceding after a minute doesn’t help. We have a plan and when they score so early, they take control and get the upper hand.
“We let Watford have way too many shots on goal and didn’t do the fundamentals right.”
Ainsworth also spoke to BBC London and told the broadcaster he remains determined to prove the bookies and numerous doubters wrong about QPR’s prospects this season.
The manager said: “Watford looked a really good outfit and we don’t know if we have just played a promotion favourite or whatever.
“We have got to be more solid.
“First half we weren’t good enough, but second half I thought the shape changed and made us more competitive.
“We are billed as finishing bottom of the league and we have got beaten 4-0.
“Everyone is getting it right so far, but we are going to buck this trend and start winning some games.”
