TONI Leistner believes this QPR side are capable of playing far better than they showed against Preston on Saturday afternoon.

The R’s lost their opening game of the season 1-0 at Deepdale, a game which saw summer-arrival Leistner wear the captain’s armband.

And the towering centre-back pulled no punches as he assessed the display following the final whistle in Lancashire.

“It wasn’t our best performance – even though we defended well,” he told www.qpr.co.uk.

“The goal we conceded was crazy. The free-kick came over and it was a bad goal for us to concede. It shouldn’t have happened.

“I think we can do better – we can play a better style of football. We showed that in pre-season but we couldn’t show that against Preston, unfortunately.”

Steve McClaren handed the captain’s armband to Leistner and it was a responsibility he was honoured to accept.

“I’m really proud,” he said. “I’m a new player who has only been here for five or six weeks, but it gives me a lot of pride to captain this football club.

“The manager has told me that he feels that I’m a leader and I hope that I can lead the team on to great things on the pitch with my performances.

“I will always give 100 percent in every match.”

After a solid pre-season campaign for the team which included an impressive draw against Hoffenheim and a 3-0 win over FC Union Berlin, Leistner admitted: “Preston play a high-pressing game and we didn’t do what we’ve been practicing on the training pitch.

“But I think next week we’ll play a better style of football.”

The R’s host Sheffield United on Saturday, and Leistner added: “I think we’ll show a better performance.

“We’ll train hard and I’m confident we can win the game.”