QPR captain Joey Barton insists the R’s players have to ‘take the blame’ for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor.





In a key clash between two sides embroiled in the scrap for survival at the foot of the table, Rangers were undone by two soft goals, as Sean Dyche’s men triumphed in front of their own supporters in Lancashire.





The result saw Rangers drop back into the bottom three in the Barclays Premier League.





Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk, Barton lamented the R’s showing, commenting: "There's no getting away from it – if you defend as shockingly as we did, you're going to get punished at this level.





"Fair play to Burnley, they took their chances.





"We knew exactly what they were going to do – they play very direct, the front-two are a handful and the midfield four squeeze in – but we didn't defend properly.





"We were on top at 1-1, they went quite nervy for a few minutes, but then we gifted them another goal.





"The festive season's over - but not with the way we're defending at the moment.”





He added: "You can't give teams helping hands like we did with their two goals.





"The manager is as frustrated as anyone.





"It's the players that have to take the blame - that's the reality of being a professional footballer.





"There were a few fans voicing their frustrations at the end, which doesn't help anyone, but it's understood.





"It's a testing time for us. There's no hiding place. We've got to pick ourselves up from this.”





Manchester United are next up for Harry Redknapp’s side at Loftus Road next weekend and Barton added: "There's no easy way out - we've just got to get our heads down and graft.





"I've never been in a side that's so good at home and yet so poor away.





"Psychology must have something to do with it, but I don't really feel that.





"We're trying our best, but at the moment it's not good enough.





"We've got to improve against United, that's for sure, and then focus on the next away game.”



