Les Ferdinand: QPR director of football stresses club must be patient

Les Ferdinand (right, alongside QPR co-chairman Tony Fernandes) played for Rangers between 1987 and 1995

Queens Park Rangers must be patient as they seek a return to the Premier League, according to director of football Les Ferdinand.

The R's, relegated from the top flight in 2015, are 13th in the Championship, four points off the play-off places.

"We know what we are trying to achieve and where we are trying to go," Ferdinand, 49, told BBC Radio London.

"We are in a society where everybody wants everything overnight. Sometimes that doesn't happen."

QPR finished 12th last season, having sacked Chris Ramsey in November and replaced him with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Rangers were in the play-off places at the start of September but have slipped to mid-table following a run of two wins in nine league games.

"We started the season well and everyone was optimistic and enthused by that, but unfortunately there has been a downturn in performances," Ferdinand added.

"If you are going to gain stability or continuity at your club, you need a bit of patience.

"I know that is difficult for supporters at times but it is vitally important we keep a level head about it all."

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has led QPR to five wins from 14 Championship matches this season

Hasselbaink 'the right man' for R's

Rangers' previous spell in the Premier League, from 2011 to 2013, was characterised by big spending on transfer fees and player wages - such as the £12.5m signing of defender Christopher Samba on a reported £100,000 a week.

Following relegation in 2015 Ferdinand said the club's strategy was "badly wrong" and he is keen to stress the R's - and Hasselbaink - are now working under tighter financial constraints.

"At this moment we are not in a position to throw that sort of money at players," Ferdinand said.

"There has to be a period of stabilisation at the club. That is the period we are in right now, frustrating as it may be.

"We'd love to be in the position where we could throw the money that was thrown before, but we are not.

"We brought a young manager in from League One who we felt was the right man to take the club forward. We still believe he is the right man and everyone is backing him."