QPR fans have reason to get excited
Back in 2007, when Flavio Briatore and his consortium took control of Queens Park Rangers, there were hopes from fans and promises from the owners that QPR would quickly gain promotion and become an established Premier League side. The owners, who have an excess of wealth at their disposal, were mainly made up men who had made their name in Formula One; the richest sport on the planet. Rumours broke out that Zidane would be coming in to manage the club and Luis Figo would be snapped up by the ambitious club, although whether these moves were actually made remains a slight mystery. Although considering the controversy and indecision of the owners since their takeover, it is likely that they did make such audacious moves and the team who had so much promise in 2007, spent last season fighting a relegation battle with a weak squad. The depth and strength of the squad probably had something to do with the amount of different managers the club has had since the takeover, as when Neil Warnock took charge this season, he was the club’s seventh manager in the past three years.
But Warnock’s appointment (despite the fact the club was still in real danger of being relegated to League One) seemed to signal some stability, as now this ambitious side with a bit of cash behind them had an experienced manager at the helm who was used to being successful at this level. You probably know that Warnock did manage to keep the R’s afloat, and even had to come through a tense game against his former employers Crystal Palace, which leads the hoops into the 2010/11 season win a new hope. I believe that this could finally be the year we see QPR as one of the favourites to gain promotion, as on paper they have the right formula to go all the way to the Premier League.
Four top signings have been made by Warnock already and the experienced coach has admitted that he would like to make four more. As well as Leon Clarke and Jamie Mackie, Paddy Kenny has joined from Sheffield United after a difficult season which saw him serve a ban for a failed drugs test and Warnock was quick to take advantage of Crystal Palace’s former financial problems by snapping up the man who captained his former employers, Shaun Derry. What Warnock has tried to do is create a squad that knows how to play a this level and these signings will provide great depth to the squad that was missing last season. The advantage of Derry and Kenny is that they’re both fairly consistent and will give the club more stability that they’ve often lacked both on and off the field in previous seasons.
The fact that there are four more on the way only shows the intent from QPR to finally realise their ambition of becoming a Premier League side and in my opinion they are looking like a good shout for promotion contenders in a season that looks wide open for most clubs. They may have narrowly missed out on Darren Ambrose who would have provided them with that spark that they often relied upon Adel Taarabt to produce last season, but there are alternatives for the club that they will be exploring. The fact is, this is what QPR should have done in previous seasons, by putting an experienced and knowledgeable manager in charge who knows how to play the field. I wouldn’t go as far to say they will win the league, but in truth it is a possibility if these type of signings continue and they are one of my favourites for promotion. What they need to focus on seeing if they can inject a bit of pace in the side, possibly by brokering a few loan deals, and with the contacts and power the owners have I’m sure they could get the men Warnock would want in his side.
4 top signings?????
Derry is past it and our midfield made him look like a non-league player last season, Mackie has pace and may be useful as a winger but seeings as he was bought as a striker with an average of 6 goals a season then I`m not jumping through hoops, Leon Clarke!!!!! Has been awful everywhere he has been and makes a right back look like a prolific goalscorer. Seriously Leon bloody Clarke!!!
Kenny is a bit of quality but not head and shoulders over Cerny.
The way I see it we have lost Taarabt (probably), Simpson and Mahon and replaced them with Mackie, Clarke and Derry, that`s a weaker side than we had last season. Unless we see some properly decent signings we will do well to finish top ten.
I think what Warnock has done is get experience in, Derry is a leader that the team needs and sure he is 32 now but I think if anyone can get the best out of him, Warnock can, and he will want to play for him
Clarke had a poor season, but he was playing for Sheffield Wednesday and he was never really got amazing supply there, he will use him as a big man. Still only 25 so Warnock will want to bring him in so he can prove a point
I think just wait and see, Warnock knows what he is doing and knows the players he wants to work in his system. Taarabt is a blow to lose, but I think it was inevitable that was going to happen. But with all Warnock’s experience I just think he’s getting a team he knows will push next season!
Clarke has 39 goals in 188 appearances over 7 years with 7 teams. It`s not really to do with Sheff Wed, it`s everywhere he`s been. I really can`t see the point of the signing.
I think Mackie could turn out to be a good signing, i think he posseses enough quality as a winger to add something to th team. Derry an Clarke will be in and out of the first team, so they will provide good depth. Kenny is proven at this level and is a much better option than cerny in his last season’s form. Although i agree the signings have been very much under-par, we just have to trust warnock.
I think he;s going for stabillity and experience to help the club, like he said, four more on the way but these four are good signings for the team so they can rotate and always be able to play at least a relatively strong team
Paddy Kenny should be a great signing for QPR, still on 32 so he has plenty of years left in him and he may want to prove a point after missing most of last season
First real english game I ever went to was at the loft. I wish it was easier to watch the championship sides in america. Here’s hoping to promotion, and maybe i’ll make it to a game this season cross the pond.