Mark Hughes believes the first five months of his Queens Park Rangers reign were the toughest of his managerial career – despite a poor start to the current campaign.
The 48-year-old is coming under increasing pressure with his new-look Hoops’ side yet to record their first Premier League victory of the season after a disappointing draw with Everton at Loftus Road on Sunday.
Despite QPR languishing at the foot of the table, Hughes insisted that the immediate months after replacing Neil Warnock in January were the most demanding of his coaching career.
“Whatever success I had in the future, and whatever success I’ve had in the past, the job that we did from January until the end of the season was huge and right up there in terms of what I was able to achieve,” said Hughes.
“So I don’t think that will change any time soon.
“We’re still very early in process and we’re still trying to move the club forward. We will do. We’re just trying to get points on the board and settle every one down.”
Hughes also feels QPR have been hampered by injuries to their defenders this season, with the Welshman yet to field the same back four in successive league games.
“We haven’t had the benefit of a settled back four,” he added.
“I don’t think I’ve picked the same back four because of circumstances, and not through choice. I had to pick what I was left with.
“That doesn’t lend itself to continuity.
“If you look at all the teams that have started well, they’ve had a back four which pick themselves week in week out.
“They’ve felt the benefit of that. We haven’t unfortunately.”