Bircham: Our ill discipline will cost us dear

Marc Bircham is worried that Queens Park Rangers’ tendency to self-destruct will cost them promotion.

Ian Holloway’s side had only themselves to blame for last night’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton, losing a one-goal lead and their discipline as Terrell Forbes was sent off for head-butting.

A damaging defeat was compounded by injuries to Forbes (calf) and Clarke Carlisle (kidneys) that saw both defenders end the evening in hospital, but the team’s growing ill discipline is the greatest cause for concern. Forbes, who retaliated after being fouled, is the second Rangers player to see red in three games this season.

Bircham said: “The only thing that will stop us going up is ourselves. We’re our own worst enemies and that was proved last night. We let ourselves down with our discipline again. We don’t mind getting booked for tackling, but dissent and retaliation is ridiculous. We’ve not got the biggest squad and it could punish us.”

Holloway will spend the week seeking reinforcements for his threadbare squad, and on this display one can see why. After Gino Padula put them ahead with a free-kick, the visitors struggled and Leon Knight, on loan from Chelsea, punished them with two goals.

Holloway said: “People who expected us to run away with promotion have got to think again. Brighton will set the standard. You can tell they’ve had a spell in the First Division.”