By Ben Kosky NEIL Warnock has demanded more leaders on the pitch as he begins his reconstruction job at Loftus Road. The QPR boss admits his new team have lacked guidance and direction for much of this season, especially since Martin Rowlands and Gavin Ma

By Ben Kosky

NEIL Warnock has demanded more leaders on the pitch as he begins his reconstruction job at Loftus Road.

The QPR boss admits his new team have lacked guidance and direction for much of this season, especially since Martin Rowlands and Gavin Mahon succumbed to long-term injuries.

And now he is calling for some of the more creative players in the squad to mix it when necessary as Rangers start to haul themselves clear of the Championship danger zone.

"There aren't many leaders here and I think we could probably do with one or two with that quality," Warnock stated. "There are some very good players technically and on their day they can be exciting.

"But the lads in the squad will be surprised how much more they can do, the way I play. I'm looking to get a little bit more out of individuals that probably have not contributed as much as they should have done.

"We've got to try and instil a little bit more resilience if we go a goal down - we've got to have some bite and passion and commitment. I love entertaining football, but I like to be horrible as well.

"Skilful players can do that if you channel it in the right way and if they want to. It's amazing what players can do if they want to do it - that's how I see it."

Warnock has confirmed that one of the more combative members of the QPR squad, Mikele Leigertwood, will continue to captain the side for the remainder of the season.

The midfielder is the only current Rs player to have previously worked with Warnock, who signed him from Crystal Palace during Sheffield United's single-year stint in the Premier League.

And Warnock - who returns to Bramall Lane with his new charges on Saturday - has also ruled out making any further changes to the coaching set-up before the end of the current campaign.

Warnock's number two Mick Jones and coach Keith Curle accompanied him from Palace, but reserve team boss Keith Ryan, youth development coaches Steve Gallen and Marc Bircham and David Rouse, who coaches the goalkeepers, all remain in place for the time being.

"We've got to look at what we have and not rush into anything," added Warnock. "Long-term we'd like to change a lot of things on the scouting side, the recruitment side and the youth side.

"I think there's a lot of good young talent around this area and we'll be tapping in to that, I'm sure.

"There are a lot of things we feel we could probably do better, but you go to a club and look at what you've got - you don't work it out before you go there.

"That's the long-term plan from my appointment. It's not just about the first team, I'd like to leave a legacy that the Hoops fans will really be pleased with for years to come."

QPR'S youth team kept alive their hopes of a League Cup final return after beating Exeter City in a penalty shoot-out on Tuesday at Harlington.

Elliott Cox and Christian Nanetti were on target for Rangers in the 2-2 draw and Danny Fernandez then netted the decisive penalty in their 5-4 spot-kick triumph.

Rangers, who were defeated by Grimsby in last year's final, will now take on either Millwall or Peterborough in the area semi-final.