QPR manager Chris Ramsey insists his side will cling to the very last semblance of hope in their fight to stay in the Premier League but admits events over the weekend have put things in perspective for everyone.
Just hours before the 2-1 defeat at Liverpool, which dramatically reduced their chances of avoiding the drop, it was announced QPR defender Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca had died from cancer at the age of 34.
"It does put things into perspective. There is a very solemn atmosphere in the changing room for both reasons," said the QPR manager.
"The players have run their socks off and come away with nothing again but the events of earlier have put things in the right context.
"The players used it as a strength. Rio would have wanted that and requested that but I wouldn't say it had a bearing on why we didn't come away with a point.
"Everyone will tell you, as a man, he has been absolutely fantastic. He has come in and trained, kept it to himself, not been moping or had the world on his shoulders, he's talked to the young players, he has been a man-mountain.
"We only have good things to say about him and the way he has conducted himself.
"Our thoughts are with him and his family and we hope they can pull together and find strength at this tragic moment."
Defeat left Rangers seven points from safety with just nine to play for and they head to Manchester City next weekend.
Asked whether it was almost impossible to avoid the drop Ramsey added: "Yeah, but the word 'almost' is what you need to cling on to.
"The fans can see what the players are trying to do. We are not going out with a whimper.
"We hope we can muster up three more fantastic performances to get those nine points and make the last few weeks interesting."