Joey Barton has dubbed Queens Park Rangers as the Premier League's "worst team" but has admitted that the team's spirit will help them see off relegation.
QPR are two points from safety, having only won twice in their last 16 games.
The midfielder admits that he is not surprised that the West London club are in this position but believes that they can fight through it and retain their Premier League status.
"On paper we are the worst team in the league - nothing changes that," Barton told Sky Sports News.
"We came up via the playoffs in the Championship, we finished fourth, we stuttered to fourth in that campaign, we rode our luck at times and it was character and the spirit within the group that got us through. Not talent, not skill or an abundance of attacking intent, it was grit and character that got us in the Premier League and it is going to be grit and character that keeps us in the Premier League.
"It is our responsibility to keep this club in the league by hook or by crook. We've got 26 points, five games to go, I still feel our destiny is in our own hands. If we win enough games to deserve to stay in the Premier League then we will stay up, if we don't then we will go down. This league doesn't feel sorry for anyone."
QPR take on London rivals West Ham United this weekend, with a win potentially taking Chris Ramsey's side out of the relegation zone.
Sam McEvoy
