QPR’s Harry Redknapp: We’ve still got a big chance of beating the drop

Harry Redknapp believes Queens Park Rangers still have “a big chance” of avoiding relegation from the Premier League this season despite losing his unbeaten record as Hoops boss.

QPR were narrowly beaten by out-of-form Newcastle United at St James’ Park last weekend, bringing to an end a run which saw Redknapp’s men pick up seven points from a possible 12.

The west London outfit welcome Steve Clarke’s high-flying West Bromwich Albion to Loftus Road on Boxing Day as the R’s look to narrow the gap on 17th-place Southampton.

And Redknapp, who replaced Mark Hughes in November, remains confident about QPR’s prospects of survival ahead of a decisive run of fixtures over the festive period.

“We’ve still got a big chance,” he told QPR’s website. “That was our first defeat at the weekend since I’ve arrived.

“We defended for our lives and looked like we were going to come away with a good point which would have been vital.

“We didn’t quite make it but we’ve got two big games at home to come and we’ve got to try and pick some points up out of those now.

“If we can do that and bring one or two [players] in Janaury then we’ve got a chance. If 40 points is the magic number then really you’re looking at hitting top six form.

“But it can happen. You can go on a run and do that. We’ll give it a good go. It’s going to be hard but I still believe we can do it.”