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Harry Redknapp is facing growing opposition from inside QPR amid criticism of the team’s preparations for last Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, according to sources.

Club insiders say the Rangers boss suffered a player backlash after making the unusual decision to allow his men the option of either travelling to Sheffield by team bus on Monday or of heading up by train on the morning of the match.

The issue is believed to have come to a head in the dressing room at Hillsborough when players reacted to Redknapp’s post-match criticism by voicing anger at what they saw as poor travel arrangements and ­preparation for the game.

Redknapp’s grip on power has become increasingly tenuous since Sunday Mirror Sport revealed a fortnight ago that he will leave Loftus Road by mutual consent this summer if the club fail to win promotion to the Premier League. The 67-year-old travelled to ­Sheffield by train on the morning of the match with the majority of his team – although around six of them, including Richard Dunne and Bobby Zamora, had gone by up coach the previous day.

(Image: Michael Regan)

The rest of the players met either at the club’s Harlington training ground on Tuesday morning or at St Pancras station for the train journey.

Club insiders say that when Redknapp ripped into them after the defeat, he received an angry response from some players.

Owner Tony Fernandes is determined not to sack Redknapp before the end of the season, despite a sharp slump in form which has seen their automatic ­promotion hopes vanish.

But other directors are believed to have advised him to remove Redknapp sooner rather than later.

QPR recently announced losses of £64.5million for last season’s Premier League relegation campaign. Under fair-play rules, they could face a huge fine if promoted back to the top flight or a transfer embargo should they remain in the Football League.

Many Rangers players are believed to be unimpressed by training sessions since the departure of first-team coach Steve McClaren.

Joey Barton and Clint Hill had a heated exchange after Richard Dunne’s sending-off, although the two players insist there is no ill-feeling.

QPR chief executive Phil Beard admitted on Twitter that the performanace at Wednesday had been ‘simply not good enough’ and ­apologised to the club’s ­travelling fans.

“The players were given the option of travelling up the night before or on the morning of the game,” said Redknapp after yesterday’s 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.

“The club doctor and physio said it was ­important that some of them who have had injury problems, such as Junior Hoilett, Bobby Zamora and Richard Dunne, travel up the night before.

“They were keen to do that anyway, and the team coach was laid on to take them up.”