Why showing QPR 'too much respect' proved costly for Rotherham United

The Millers went down 3-2 at QPR after a dreadful showing in the opening 45 minutes where they trailed 3-1.

They made a better fist of it in the second half but left themselves with too much work to do, just as they did in a 1-0 loss at Swansea at the weekend.

It is a concerning trait for Warne, who knows his side cannot afford to give opposition heads tarts in the Championship.

“In my opinion it was two different performances, the first half was completely different to the second half,” he said.

“I thought in the first half we showed QPR too much respect, which is disappointing because we played an attacking side.

“Out of possession we weren't close enough, tight enough, make enough tackles and backed off their dangerous players. QPR have got some amazing players and their front line is excellent, but we kept dropping into the box rather than engaging high up the pitch and that caused us all sorts of problems.

“In the second half we changed it and went lot more athletic. Then we got the goal and had a couple of free-kicks and I thought we were going to take a point. The second-half performance was different to the first in many ways.

“We have to coach the negatives, but we need to take the positives. It was a very mixed evening.”

Ilias Chair, Bright Samuel and Lyndon Dykes scored for Rangers in the first half, with Michael Smith's first goal of the season briefly drawing the Millers level.

Freddie Ladapo's late effort gave hope to Rotherham, who were also denied another clear penalty when Matt Olosunde was brought down in the box.

“I thought ours was a stonewall,” Warne added. “It makes a massive difference to the outcome of the game, I don't think we got much in the way of official generosity.

“But you have to make your own luck.”

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