Gareth Ainsworth Looks Back and Looks Forward!

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Gareth Ainsworth - Kilburn Times Step on the Gaz

IT feels like we've had a very long season, but maybe it's ended at just the right time.

Another game would have killed us - we'd have been missing Rowly and Damion as well as the other four key players who are injured and I don't think we can replace so many at the moment.

That's why we need five or six quality players before next season, people who are experienced at this level or higher and I know the gaffer is working hard on that.

Sunday's game was a bit like Norwich - it turned on a sending-off and it was always going to be hard for 10 men against the best team in the league.

Up to then, we'd had the better chances. I was right next to the referee when he sent Rowly off and he had the yellow card in his hand, then the linesman persuaded him to change it for a red.

I don't think it was ever a straight red, but there wasn't any point in appealing it - and maybe the way to look at it is that we got hammered by West Brom with 11 men earlier in the season, so that shows how far we've come.

The vibe around QPR is so different now. There always used to be talk about 'this could be our season', but I think people firmly believe we have a chance when it all starts again in August.

It was great to see a full house at Loftus Road for the West Brom game - and I felt very proud to be a QPR player when I saw the way our fans were applauding West Brom at the end.

It was a gesture that they reciprocated when we did our lap of honour and that's good to see because there are a few clubs where fans aren't anything like that.

We need our supporters to keep filling the ground next season. If they turn up in droves it'll help us get results and I'm sure if we win games they'll come back for more - it works both ways.

Finally I'd just like to say well done to Rowly for his Player of the Year awards - he's my best friend at the club and the recognition he's had this season is thoroughly deserved.

And again - thank you to the fans. Their support has been unbelievable ever since I joined the club.

I'm doing my UEFA B coaching course during the summer, but I've still got plenty of playing to do.

There's more to come from Gareth Ainsworth - and much more from QPR. Kilburn Times