By Ben Kosky MIDFIELDER Liam Miller dismissed suggestions that QPR s change of formation could have played a part in their downfall at Barnsley on Saturday. Rangers adopted a more conventional four-man midfield at Oakwell for the first time since Miller j

By Ben Kosky

MIDFIELDER Liam Miller dismissed suggestions that QPR's change of formation could have played a part in their downfall at Barnsley on Saturday.

Rangers adopted a more conventional four-man midfield at Oakwell for the first time since Miller joined the club, sacrificing Gavin Mahon from their regular central trio to accommodate a second striker.

Asked if the players had struggled to adapt to that change, Miller declared: "No, I don't think so - in general everyone should be comfortable with whatever formation we play and the team knew the system beforehand.

"You can train for it, but on the day we weren't good enough and that's the bottom line. We gave away two bad goals, got punished for them and didn't play as well as we could.

"Everyone's disappointed and I don't know if you can pinpoint why the performance wasn't there, but I know we can play a lot better. The games come thick and fast now and we've got to pick ourselves up."

Next up in QPR's crowded schedule is Saturday's clash with one of the leading play-off contenders, Sheffield United - whose manager Kevin Blackwell watched the Rs' defeat at Oakwell last weekend.

Miller played under Blackwell during a spell on loan at Leeds three years ago and knows the experience of the Blades boss - who guided the Elland Road club to the play-off final that season - could prove significant in the run-in.

"I'm sure he'll know what's required," said Miller, whose contract at Rangers will take him up to the end of the current campaign. "But there are a lot of teams up there challenging and Sheffield United are just one of them.

"It'll be a big game, but we're at home and we've got to make that count. If we play to our qualities we're a match for any team in the division."

Once again, the Republic of Ireland international was the fall guy when Rs boss Paulo Sousa opted to shuffle his pack on Saturday, making way for youngster Romone Rose early in the second half.

In fact, Miller has so far completed only one of his seven matches in a Rangers shirt to date, although the midfielder insists there is no question of a stamina problem.

"Fitness-wise I feel fine," he added. "You'd have to ask the manager whether it's been a tactical thing or whatever.