Michu and Nathan Dyer both struck braces and Scott Sinclair completed the rout at Loftus Road on the opening day of the English Premier League season.

Hughes, whose team just avoided relegation last season, said the heavy defeat would serve as a wake-up call to his players.

"If you're not careful it can be embarrassing if you're two or three behind and you're chasing the game," he said.

"It was certainly that."

Michael Laudrup's Swansea have also been tipped to struggle this season but were impressive, particularly in the second half when they netted four times.

Hughes was making no excuses for his team after the loss and said they needed to improve.

"A number of individuals did OK but the team performance was nowhere near where it needed to be," he said.

"You can make all the excuses you want, but it doesn't wash with me. It's unacceptable and highlights there are players who are not where they need to be.

"We chased the game when we didn't have to. We became ragged and made bad decisions. We're desperately disappointed with that.

"In the end we didn't deserve anything from the game so we have to improve remarkably. We've been riding on the crest of good will, but we fell flat on our faces. It is a wake-up call for us."

Laudrup hailed the victory a confidence boost his team needed to start the season, admitting all clubs carried doubts heading into a new campaign.

"It's just the thing we needed - to start like that," the Dane said.

"Confidence is very important and you could already see it in the players in the last third of the game because everybody - every player and manager and club - starts a new season a little doubtful.

"I also know that Swansea is no longer a surprise to anyone because everybody analysed them last season."