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Armand Traore has revealed the discontent inside the QPR dressing room by claiming the Hoops players don’t work hard enough and are not fit enough.

And the Senegal defender called on captain Rio Ferdinand to organise bonding sessions to boost team spirit at the Premier League’s bottom club.

Manager Harry Redknapp admitted after the 2-0 defeat at West Ham that he had to get “a few of them fitter” with Jordan Mutch and Sandro returning from injury.

But former Arsenal full-back Traore suggested the problems run deeper after seven games gone in the season.

“I think we don’t work hard enough, if I’m honest,” he said.

“We need to use the two weeks of the international break to work on our fitness.

“Every week, I say the same things. If there’s one thing we cannot lack, it’s fitness. I don’t think we lack desire. I think in certain areas we lack some fitness and sharpness.

"We need to work on this - and on everything, really.”

The Loftus Road club went down after only two seasons in the top flight in 2012-13, when they failed to win any of their first 16 Premier League matches.

Mark Hughes then paid with his job in November and Redknapp could not keep them up.

This time Redknapp has had the chance to strengthen his squad over the summer and brought in proven Premier League talent in Ferdinand, Sandro, Mutch, Steven Caulker and Leroy Fer.

But QPR have already conceded 15 goals and appear to be facing a season-long battle against the drop.

“I think we need to gel as a team,” Traore added. “There’s a few players that came in. We need to bond. On and off the pitch. If it means going out for a bowling night or whatever.

(Image: Jamie McDonald)

"The captain (Ferdinand) needs to organise this, it’s always good for the team. I think the quality is definitely there. We just need to work on it and get fit.”

Centre-back Caulker even criticised the team's performance during the Upton Park defeat on the club’s own website.

“I don’t think we can look at the game and call ourselves unlucky,” said the England defender. “The reality is they were the better team.

“It just isn’t good enough. We’ve got to hold our hands up to that, and go again against Liverpool. We’ve got a two-week break now where we have to rebuild.”

Adel Taarabt insisted Redknapp was not to blame for QPR’s poor start - but admitted he would rather be playing in Serie A.

“It is easy to blame the manager when you lose but the players have to step up,” said the Moroccan playmaker.

Taarabt, who has been suffering from an ankle injury, spent the second half of last season on loan at Milan but a permanent deal.

“I had a taste of something different last year, playing in the Champions League at a big club “ he said. “That is why I wanted to move. Not because I do want to be at QPR, because it was a big opportunity for me.”

And it's not likely to get much better soon...

QPR’s next five fixtures:

Oct 19: H v Liverpool

Oct 27: H v Aston Villa

Nov 1: A v Chelsea

Nov 8: H v Man City

Nov 22: A v Newcastle