After what can only (politely) be described as a piss poor season, let's see what hopes we have for next year. Me? Mid table and after the debacle of this season, I'd be happy with that.
Clueless defence, lightweight midfield, patchy upfront, half-baked manager and fantasist owner = relegation...
If we are as we are now with with Ferdinand, Holloway, the same or similar players, and little or no investment from the owners in some decent players, I expect we'll be relegated before April.
The reason for posting this so early is because I am interested to see how our individual thoughts will change as the closed season progresses.
I would love to see QPR challenging for promotion next season but at this moment cannot see it. Olly has got a massive summer task ahead of him, bringing in some new players and getting rid of others. He also needs a pre-season to get his message across. I am disappointed that we were literally one win away from being relegated. Hopefully the financial fair play saga will be finalised so we know what penalties we face, then it will at lest allow the board to provide capital for Olly to invest. Right now I would settle for mid-table - ask again in August and I may have a slightly different answer for you.
You will not be alone there Ninj. I am guessing that I will change my vote a few times before the season starts.
Right now , if we only get the same type of players then I think we will be in a similar position. Listen Ollie isn't stupid (?), he will know the type of player he needs, whether or not he will have the cash to splash is a different matter. Despite what others will say imo we need a decent spine Smithies, Hall,Freeman,a goal scorer. Then build around.Sell to generate some cash and then go hunting. Just change something to give the fans some hope !
Smithies and Hall are good enough a spine at the back I agree. But Freeman looks as lightweight as the rest of our midfield, I think we need someone with more strength, speed and experience in the centre of midfield supported by one or two of the current ones. We also need a 20 goal a season striker, a better RB, LB, an experienced CB, and a quality wide Left player. All these need to be players at top end of the Championship level. Freeman for example is good at low end Championship level.
Too early to say, glad to see the end of last season, things can only get better as the Labour Party once said and look at them now....
In 2005/6 we finishe'd 21st with 50 points. Despite the 8 point cushion I recall feeling that had the season gone on a bit longer we might have been for the drop. Holloway was manager and replaced by Waddock leading to a long run of managerial.changes. It seemed that was a low point that brought about changes that led to our promotion just 5 years later. PaladInni was chairman. Eventually we ended up with Warnock and a certain Adel Taraabt whose 19 goal season helped to the PL. It seems to me we're at that low point again. Whether the same magic can be worked remains to be seen. The alternative is most unwelcome!
Because we've got such a good track record with previous Champions League winners..... #lessonslearned