Townsend confident of survival

Andros Townsend is relishing the challenge of keeping QPR in the top flight, insisting the west Londoners have enough quality - and time - to stave off relegation.

Harry Redknapp's side followed up last weekend's victory at Southampton with another three points on Saturday, overcoming Sunderland 3-1 at Loftus Road. It is a run that Townsend, one of three different January signings to score against the Black Cats, believes Rangers can continue at fellow strugglers Aston Villa next weekend.

"I don't think we won in my first three games here, but our heads didn't drop because we knew how good we are as a team in terms of the players we've got," the on-loan Tottenham winger said. "We knew once we got that first win we could go on a run. We've got two wins now and hopefully we can carry on doing that."

He continued: "We've got massive six-pointers and that is why our heads didn't go down. We keep saying each game is a massive game and that it is a must-win but as a team we are relishing that."

That attitude was visible for the most part in Shepherds Bush, where the hosts dominated the first half. Steven Fletcher gave Sunderland the lead against the run of play after 20 minutes, but QPR rallied and Loic Remy fired them level on the half-hour mark.

The second half was less convincing but, just as the match looked to be heading for a draw, Townsend scored an exquisite half volley which was matched later by fellow new boy Jermaine Jenas.

"If you look at the team we put out, we had two out-and-out wingers and two strikers so we were going for it," Townsend said. "We came in at half-time and the manager was saying that was the best we had played in the first half and to take it into the second.

"It didn't quite work out that way. It was a bit up in the air, we couldn't get the ball down and play but the goal kind of settled us down and got us on the way to the win."

While QPR's form might be picking up, Sunderland's struggles continue. Martin O'Neill's side have lost four of their previous five league matches, leaving them just six points off the drop zone. "We have to pick ourselves up very quickly," defender John O'Shea said.

"We had a great start to the game but they got a bit of luck for the equaliser - the ball hit the inside of my foot after the lad (Townsend) had mishit his shot and fell right to Remy who tucked it away. We have to front up now. We have a big week and the Norwich game is building up to be massive."