THE defeat at Queens Park Rangers was very disappointing as these are the games we must win.

It’s important to get maximum points against fellow strugglers like our opponents last Saturday.

We were the better side in the first half but the goals are just not coming. Danny Ings worked so hard but the chances just didn’t fall for him.

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Charlie Austin showed how to do it when he first set up the chance for Leroy Fer to open the scoring. Then in the 74th minute he scored himself and he really surprised me with his big celebration, which didn’t go down well with the Claret fans who once idolised him.

But he soon got his comeuppance when he got a second yellow card and an early bath for two unnecessary fouls.

I am sure the players would have been very disappointed with this defeat and none more than George Boyd, who worked so hard for the team.

The first half performance was excellent but we have to start taking the chances created because we need the points.

Now that Sam Vokes is getting nearer to full fitness I’m sure the manager will be hoping that Sam and Danny can reproduce the goal scoring form they had in the Championship.

We have been creating chances and I’m sure we will go on another successful run if the pair can start putting them away again.

I have been very impressed with the captain Jason Shackell this season. He has been brilliant and has really taken to the Premier League. He’s been excellent at the centre of defence.

It was a shame to see Stephen Ward get injured against Newcastle last week. He had been doing well in the side and it will be a big blow for him and the team.

The draw for the third round of the FA Cup has taken place and we’re at home to Tottenham. What a tie that is and we are at Turf Moor, so that is to our advantage.

One of my unhappiest memories was to play against Spurs at White Hart Lane. I scored a hat-trick but was on the losing side, with the score 4-3 to Tottenham.

The fellow who was marking me was Alan Mullery. I think we were 2-0 up in about eight minutes.

When I got the first goal he came up to me and said: “That’s a good start.”

When I got the second a few minutes later he said: “My God, that’s even better.”

It was a bit unusual to hear a defender talking to you in that way, and it was a bit of distraction.

There was a cricketer at Burnley Cricket Club called John Richardson who went to that game. John didn’t speak to me for about three months after that because he was late and missed those two goals.