Steve McClaren delivered an honest and scathing assessment of his side's dismal defeat against struggling Hull City yesterday.

His Queens Park Rangers side were 2-0 down in double quick time at the start of the first half and ended up on the wrong side of a 3-2 defeat.

The loss means they remain eleventh, missing a fine chance to keep the pressure up on the top sides and McClaren admitted his side simply hadn't been good enough in front of a packed Loftus Road.

“We were desperately disappointed but that is our second defeat in ten games,” McClaren told www.qpr.co.uk.

“The basics weren’t right. You can’t concede three goals at home and expect to win. We didn’t defend right, win the second ball or duals. What we’ve been doing in the past we didn’t do well today and we were punished."

His side now face a tough run of three games against sides vying for Premier League promotion. They travel to Elland Road on Saturday, host Middlesbrough on December 15th and then face Nottingham Forest before Christmas.

The Verdict

This was a big chance missed for Queens Park Rangers, but it perhaps gives them a more accurate picture of where they are as a promotion contender.

They've been on a good run and defied many of the critics with their league position, but they're not a top six club. By losing this game, everyone at Loftus Road will have been reminded of that.

As for Hull, this was three vital points and come May, they'll need every point they can get.