Paul Trollope insists Cardiff City need to focus on the home front after they crashed out of the League Cup on Thursday night.
The Bluebirds are out of the competition even before England’s cricketers have completed their series against Pakistan after losing 1-0 after extra-time at League One club Bristol Rovers.
Chris Lines fired home a stunning 30-yard winner to leave Trollope still looking for his first win as manager, following the opening Championship draw at Birmingham City.
Cardiff now have two home games in the Championship – against QPR on Sunday and then Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday night and Trollope says: “Our home form and the home feeling has to be right.
“It’s a condensed period but a good one for us with two home games – they are coming thick and fast.
“We are very keen to get off to a quick winning start at home to QPR and then to back that up with another on Wednesday because that creates a positive feeling.
“I felt we had good, decent strength at home last year – we need that again and then hope we can then pick up enough on the road.”
Trollope believes Rangers will be contenders for promotion under manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“Jimmy is putting his stamp on it now. It will be a tough game, like most of the games in the division.
“They are in the group that feel they can really have a crack at the play-offs – but that probably goes for two thirds of the clubs in the Championship. It’s going to be tough.”
In a game of a few chances at Rovers, Lines smashed in the only goal with five minutes to go to set up a second-round tie against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
For Trollope, it was a disappointing return to the side he managed for five years from 2005-10.
