Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Warburton has identified the need to be more clinical as an area his side needs to improve on if they want to succeed, speaking to the club's media team after yesterday evening's Carabao Cup defeat against Sunderland.

Although a late goal was controversially ruled out for offside, QPR failed to get on the scoresheet against Lee Johnson's men despite their home advantage at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and the fact they currently sit 21 places above the Black Cats in the English football pyramid.

It was perhaps a bigger surprise that they were unable to get themselves in and amongst the goals due to the fact manager Warburton opted to start with two strikers in Lyndon Dykes and Watford loanee Andre Gray, instead of going with just one up top like he has at times this term.

Charlie Austin also made an appearance from the bench to try and win the game late on, but this roll of the dice failed to pay dividends and they bowed out after losing the penalty shootout.

Creating opportunities didn't seem to be a major problem for the west London outfit who recorded a total of 13 shots, but only managed to get three of those on target and failed to capitalise, something 59-year-old Warburton says the R's need to focus on improving.

Speaking after last night's clash with the Wearside outfit, he said: "In the second half we created chances but we have to be honest - Saturday was disappointing and again tonight we had to be more clinical.

"The possession was evenly split and chances were slightly in our favour but we have to be more clinical."

The Verdict:

QPR fans would probably be more concerned if the key area they needed to improve on was in defence, but the fact they have top-quality players in Dykes, Austin and Gray should allow them to rectify their lack of potency in front of goal.

This is even without mentioning someone like Moroccan international Ilias Chair who can also chip in with goals and assists, showing his worth recently and recording an impressive 10 goal contributions in 16 competitive appearances so far this term despite showing his inconsistencies.

With this, it's clear they have enough firepower to compete and centre-back Rob Dickie has also shown he can get in and amongst the goals. This team effort will be needed if they want to regain their place in the top six - because their failure to take chances is proving to be costly.

Even at Peterborough United last weekend, a game Warburton mentioned, they had more possession, more shots and more shots on target at the Weston Homes Stadium.

In their bid to get on the scoresheet more though, officials at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium will also need to keep one eye on their defence because they won't want a repeat of their 4-1 hammering at Craven Cottage against local rivals Fulham.