Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton has criticised his players for being too naïve during Wednesday's 3-1 defeat to Swansea City.

Despite starting the game well, the Hoops fell behind at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium as Bersant Celina gave the visitors the lead after being set up by Andre Ayew.

Although the R's eventually equalised in the second-half via a Jordan Hugill header, defender Yoann Barbet brought down Jordan Garrick in the penalty area three minutes later which subsequently allowed Borja Baston to fire home his fourth goal of the season.

Swansea then sealed all three points by adding a third goal in the 80th minute of the clash as Ayew provided a sumptous cross for substitute Sam Surridge who headed past Hoops goalkeeper Joe Lumley.

Having witnessed his side lose 2-0 to Bristol City last weekend, this latest setback sparked a considerable reaction from Warburton.

Speaking to the club's official website, the Hoops boss said: "We can't be that naïve.

"It was pretty much nip and tuck and then we gave away a really soft goal.

"We looked very good in the second half.

"We had chance after chance after chance, and we then get the goal.

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"In a respectful way, we thought there was only one team who was going to win.

"We looked very strong.

"Then four of five minutes later we gave away a really naïve penalty.

"One player has gone between two defenders, we have five or six players around the ball and we lunge in, giving away a really soft penalty.

"As a group of players you win together and lose together but we have got to learn together that you have to be more clinical in front of their goal and take more care in front of ours."

The R's will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to the Jacks when they host Wigan Athletic in the Championship on Saturday.

The Verdict

After starting the 2019/20 campaign in a positive manner by beating Stoke City, the R's have since gone three games without a victory in the second-tier and thus it is not surprising that Warburton has issues a word of warning to his players.

Although it is still far to early to suggest that the Hoops could struggle to compete in the Championship this season, they simply cannot continue to falter in-front of goal.

Therefore, to try and find a solution this particular issue, Warburton may have to shuffle his pack at the weekend against Wigan.