Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has urged his players to feel the disappointment from their previous defeat against Southampton and elicit a response in the upcoming clash against Queens Park Rangers.
The Lilywhites fell to their second defeat of the Championship season in the 3-1 loss at St Mary’s last weekend.
Goals by Adam Armstrong (2) and Will Smallbone helped the Saints establish a three-goal lead in the first half, reducing Pascal Strujik’s goal to a consolation for Leeds.
Farke’s side had entered the contest on the back of a six-game unbeaten streak in the league, but their impressive run of form ground to an embarrassing halt on the south coast.
Speaking in a pre-match press conference ahead of the midweek clash against QPR, Farke admitted his side’s performance was not up to the required standard and described the defeat as a disappointment.
“I will never get used to losing games,” Farke said (via Leeds Live).
“Even after our good run, it was still painful. I want my squad to feel that disappointment. No replacement for the winning feeling. All our fans and our club feel the same pain.
“It’s the Championship. After several weeks of good results and performances, it would have been nice to end September without conceding.
“Tough to accept, but we were away from our best performance, all the players.”
The manager also hinted at getting back to winning ways as soon as possible, with the players eager to produce a positive reaction when QPR visit Elland Road.
“Different to Southampton because they had four straight losses before Saturday. We were flying before Saturday,” Farke added.
“One day not at your best, but draw a line under it pretty quick. More the other way around. You can’t wait to get back on the pitch and show a good reaction. Players are self-critical after Saturday.”
QPR travel to Yorkshire with eight points from nine games this season, which places them in the Championship relegation zone.
However, Farke remains cautious of the threat Gareth Ainsworth’s side pose on the counter-attack but is optimistic his side can get the better of the Londoners.
