Michael Duff insisted there are “positive signs” for Swansea despite them not winning a league game since he took over as boss.
A 1-1 draw at QPR, who rescued a point with Lyndon Dykes’ stoppage-time header, continued a frustrating start to Duff’s reign.
They are third from bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table after seven matches.
Duff, who took over during the summer following Russell Martin’s departure for Southampton, said: “It’s frustrating for the players and for me but there were positive signs.
“In the first half-an-hour we were good and that’s how I want it to look. We need to build a foundation.
“I know it sounds silly, but the stats will tell you that teams are not playing through us and we’re creating chances. You have to start with that.
“We’ve had a couple of false dawns, but today we showed spirit and character and the shape was good.
“I’ve said to the players that if we can guarantee that shape, togetherness and spirit then we’ve got the foundations. It’s about sticking to the process.”
A win for the Swans would have been a much-needed boost following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by arch-rivals Cardiff.
It would have also eased the pressure on Duff, who is already feeling the heat from frustrated fans.
“The Saturday game magnifies it because of who it is,” he said.
“We’ve explained to the players why it happened. We worked on things and then they do their own thing. That doesn’t work.
“But today we stuck to the task. That was a positive, but we’ve got to win games.”
QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth was not content with the result despite the late equaliser.
Ainsworth was convinced Josh Ginnelly’s early opener should not have stood and that his team deserved to win the game.
“No, I’m not happy. The Swansea goal is handball,” Ainsworth said.
“The referee missed it and the assessor has said they couldn’t see it without VAR – but his hand’s out.
“The rub of the green’s going against us at the moment. We deserved more from that game.
“I will add, though, that we must hit the target more. We must work the opposition keeper more. We’re creating chances and we need to take them.
“Lyndon’s header was that moment of brilliance in a game where we should really score more goals.
“We’ve got to be better at getting on the end of things. But we are creating chances and that’s a good thing.
“At the final whistle you saw seven or eight boys just collapse on the floor because they’ve emptied the tank again.
“Disappointed we didn’t get more out of tonight, but it would have been an absolute travesty had we not got that point.
“We’re creating plenty of chances but we’ve got to start finishing them off now.”
Marti Cifuentes hails impact of Ilias Chair from bench in QPR win at Preston
QPR boss Marti Cifuentes was thrilled with how Ilias Chair channelled his frustration at not starting by creating both goals in the 2-0 win over Preston at Deepdale.
Struggling Rangers have now won two in a row for the first time all season, under recently-appointed boss Cifuentes, who feels his side are starting to find their feet.
And it was the half-time introduction of Moroccan international Chair that made the difference at Deepdale, as the midfielder set up Paul Smyth and Chris Willock in the second half.
The manager said: “I spoke to Ilias at half-time and told him we desperately needed fresh legs out there.
“He wasn’t happy that he hadn’t started the game of course, but that’s what I want.
“I want players here who are disappointed to be on the bench.
“He’s got lots of really strong attributes and he was terrific. I felt confident at half-time that he could contribute.
“The identity of the team is really coming on.
“It’s great to be winning, and though it is small steps at this stage of the season, I can see real progress since I came to the job.
“I’m not looking at the league table at the moment.
“It’s far too early for that.
“Maybe in April we’ll look and see where we are, but for now, it’s just about trying to pick up as many points as possible.
“The team is performing well right now, and we don’t necessarily have to be dominant all the time.
“I’m pleased that I can see a clear picture now of how we want to play.
“I’ll be using all the players, and that can be the difference as we move further into the season.”
Preston missed the chance to move back into the top six as they slumped to a third straight loss, despite Ched Evans having the best chance of the opening stages, tamely shooting straight at Asmir Begovic from Mads Frokjaer’s cross.
Duane Holmes also looked lively for Preston, but one of his dangerous crosses was just beyond Will Keane as neither side could find a way through on a bitterly cold evening.
The introduction of Chair proved the difference, his dangerous in-swinging cross poked home from close range by Smyth.
Freddie Woodman then denied the Moroccan a goal of his own, but he ensured they would come away with all three points, crossing for the unmarked Willock to seal the deal three minutes from time, leaving Preston boss Ryan Lowe with plenty to ponder.
He said: “It’s a tough one to take.
“Both teams were a little bit flat I thought, especially in that first half, but we needed to raise our game maybe 10 or 15 per cent, and we just didn’t do that over the course of the rest of the game.
“They raised their game in the second half, and this is what happens.
“Overall we’re all very disappointed, but I’m scratching my head a bit right now.”
Paul Smyth and Chris Willock goals earn QPR victory at Preston
Paul Smyth and Chris Willock were on target as new QPR boss Marti Cifuentes secured back-to-back victories with a 2-0 win over Preston at Deepdale.
Rangers had struggled in the difficult conditions in the opening 45 minutes, but goals from Smyth and Willock were enough to secure a second straight victory for the first time this season.
Preston, meanwhile, missed their chance to move back into the top six thanks to a third straight loss.
After Cifuentes had indicated before kick-off that he felt the game ought to have been called off, both sets of players did appear to be treading somewhat carefully during the uneventful opening stages.
It was North End who fashioned the first half-chance after 15 minutes.
Mads Frokjaer’s out-swinging corner-kick was eventually worked out towards the unmarked Ched Evans, only for the Welshman to guide a disappointing shot straight at grateful keeper Asmir Begovic.
Preston were looking the more enterprising of the teams, with Duane Holmes looking particularly lively. Will Keane just could not stretch to meet one of his dangerous crosses.
The hosts were definitely looking the most likely to force any kind of breakthrough, with Rangers rarely threatening at all as the game edged towards half-time.
Whether the wintry conditions had been a factor was debatable, but Cifuentes’ men finally caught a sight of goal in the 38th minute.
Midfielder Willock made a decent run towards the edge of the Preston box, but saw his strike roll harmlessly past the far post.
At the other end Evans saw a shot blocked, and by the end of the opening period both goalkeepers had been largely spectators on a bitterly cold Lancashire evening.
Preston opened more purposefully after the break. A smart corner routine saw Ben Whiteman find skipper Alan Browne, only for his shot to be blocked.
Rangers replied with Smyth guiding a glancing header narrowly off target.
The much-needed breakthrough soon followed from Rangers.
Smyth made no mistake this time, darting into the six-yard box to poke home sub Ilias Chair’s dangerous in-swinging cross.
Chair was inspired, and minutes later lashed in a shot which forced Freddie Woodman into a competent stop.
Preston, who were humbled 4-0 at Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, had lost their way, and they were certainly not helped by Holmes’ poor attempt from a free-kick with 25 minutes left.
Rangers sub Elijah Dixon-Bonner drove an effort narrowly wide as his side sought a potentially victory-clinching second goal.
And Rangers deservedly got their second in the 87th minute.
Chair was the provider again, crossing in for an unmarked Willock to slot home comfortably.
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