Chris Ramsey's QPR side have won five of their 15 Championship games this season

Queens Park Rangers head coach Chris Ramsey says he faces a "massive challenge" to turn the club into Championship promotion contenders.

The R's, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, have lost three of their last five games and are six points off the play-offs in 13th.

"At the moment we are going through a little bit of a hard spell," Ramsey told BBC Radio London.

"I am up for it. We need to ensure we keep doing what we believe in."

Ramsey was originally tasked with consolidating QPR in the second tier following the drop and made 11 permanent signings over the summer.

However, last month the west London side revised their ambitions, with director of football Les Ferdinand targeting a return to the top flight. external-link

"It is a massive challenge. I am up for it and the main thing is when you are going through these hard times you have to take a look at people who have been in hard times before and come through it," Ramsey said.

"We have been very frugal in our spending and we have recruited for a project which has slightly changed.

"We've changed direction from what we decided at the start of the season and so the expectations are a little bit higher.

QPR director of football Les Ferdinand (left) told Ramsey to 'step up his game' last month

"Any team coming down always looks for a period of consolidation to keep the club on a steady footing before attempting to get back to former glories.

"Now the players, in their heads, and the whole club would expect to be there or thereabouts near the top at the end of the season."

After Rangers were beaten 1-0 at Derby on Tuesday night, Ramsey said any manager would expect to be under pressure when he is not winning and cited the current struggles of Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

"I don't think any coach comes into a job and just does brilliant all the time," he said.

"We can see bigger and better people than me are in the papers lately under pressure - people who have won trophies and European Cups.

"The important thing is to keep trying your best to do what you believe in."