Defender James Perch is expecting QPR to respond in style when Cardiff City arrive at Loftus Road this Saturday.

A 2-1 defeat against Preston North End last Saturday ended a mini-revival for the Hoops which had stretched to two wins.

But Perch, who made a return to the starting line-up after an injury to Grant Hall, believes there were more than enough positives during the loss at Deepdale.

Speaking to www.qpr.co.uk he said: “It was nice to be back out there playing, albeit we didn’t get the result we all wanted.

“It’s always frustrating when you’re on the bench and not in the starting XI.

“To play the 90 minutes was good, but to lose the game was hugely frustrating because I didn’t think we deserved to lose.

“We defended well but we need to be better, because we want to keep clean sheets.

“We looked decent going forward, especially in the first half but when you get chances like we had, especially away from home, you need to take them.”

Luke Freeman’s second yellow card for an alleged stamp compounded Rangers’ misery but Perch saw things differently to the referee.

“I thought the red card was soft, very soft,” he said. “He might have caught him but there was no intent or malice.

“I think the referee made it worse than what it was to be honest with you.

“We’ll miss Luke against Cardiff, because he’s been brilliant since he came in.”

It was a point that his manager Ian Holloway was in agreement with.

He said: “I know Luke Freeman and I don’t think he put any weight on it. He’s tried to ride the tackle and not hurt anybody.

“Apparently the ref didn’t see it, the linesmen didn’t see it and the fourth official’s made an absolutely outrageous call and said it’s a second yellow.

“If it’s a stamping and it’s a deliberate stamping which he clearly says he saw, why isn’t that a direct red which we might be able to appeal?”

Saturday’s game against the Bluebirds will see former manager Neil Warnock return to west London. And Perch is looking forward to the confrontation.

“I played here under Neil during his last spell and really enjoyed it,” he said.

“You know what you’re going to get with Neil Warnock’s teams. He’s old school and I’m from the old school era.

“I’m sure he’ll get a warm reception from the Rangers fans.”