http://www.footballfancast.com/2012/07/football-blogs/do-qpr-now-represent-a-genuine-threat? I read this article and interesting to see the comparison being drawn with Newcastle of last year. Some on this board secretly (and not so secretly) believe we may be about to set off on one of our best seasons for some time. I am hoping (as I do every July/August), but would be happy to be top 10 come May and have reached 40 points by Feb/March. It's about building as far as I am concerned. Some interesting debate follows article.... any not606ers on there?
Loved the first comment by DublinRanger - he's got us down for top 4, minimum. Was that you, Swords....? Slightly over optimistic article for me.
We are a genuine threat - for 12th or 13th. Keep it realistic lads and lasses. Many City bought success with half a billion quid. We have bought low mid table success, perhaps low top half if we have a great season. Not bottle half empty, just realistic I think.
At present with only 1 potentially prolific goalscorer in Cisse I would say around 10th would be about right. Newcastle had both Cisse and Ba who cost much more than our strikers and were lethal in both halves of the season. We have not spent much money despite what all the lazy journo's seem to be writing. I would be happy with an improved finish (12/11th) and look to kick on again next season. You have to really look at the price that top 8 teams spend on players to recognise we are a long way off that. I hasten to add it does look at present that we might be a genuine threat to Spurs/Arsenal in the transfer market in a couple of seasons, however baby steps for the minute suits me fine. It of course could all go tits up, W R QPR remember!!!! Really looking forward to this season though and might be our best finish since 92\93!!!
I have though recently that with a bit of luck with injuries and suspensions, etc, we could climb to the dizzy heights of 8th. Without that luck it could easily be 16th. 12th is probably a reasonable shout. Whatever, it beats relegation!
Mid table likely and perfectly acceptable to me. It would be great to see steady progress: imo, we've already done amazingly well over the last couple of years.
I reckon we will be hard to beat and with the uncertainty of other clubs i believe we can get a top ten place. Saints Reading Norwich for relegation WBA,Swans,Wigan,West ham,Villa,Fulham to struggle Sunderland,Stoke, same as usual Everton,Newcastle need to have an average season We really do have a great chance this year to finish quite high.
I'm not even going to read that article. I hate these idiots losing the run of themselves. Then they wonder why other fans are starting to dislike us.
Lets not build our self up too much we only just stayed up and team still needs time to gel. As long as we stay in the premier for another season i’ll be happy!
I'd be delighted with a top end of the bottom half finish. Mid table obscurity sounds fantastic to me, I'd be more than happy to just be safe with a few games to go and not have to endure the nightmare end to the season we just had, I don't think my heart could take it. People who are thinking we are going to be challenging like Newcastle did or even for a Euro Cup place are getting beyond themselves. If we improve on last year, and I think we will, and over the next couple of seasons continue to invest in the squad and the club as a whole, then who knows, a Euro Cup place is possible? However, it would take hundred's of millions to get anywhere near a Champions League place. I think like most long serving R's fans, thinking about where we've been, to where we are and to where TF wants to take us, I couldn't be happier.....
Having secured their top flight existence on a dramatic final day, Queens Park Rangers have wasted no time in recruiting new players as they attempt to establish themselves in the Premier League. With a wealth of new signings, an experienced manager and a group of owners who seem far more in tune with the club’s ambitions, the West London side’s future is looking as bright as it’s ever been but given the competitive nature of England’s top division and potentially limited financial resources, the Hoops may find it difficult to continue their meteoric rise. With that is mind, can QPR realistically challenge for Europe this season or should their expectations be more reserved? It should be said that while QPR may not be Premier League powerhouses, any team can muster a decent season and the unpredictability of football means punching above one’s weight is certainly possible. It all boils down to how the side is put together and in Mark Hughes the club have a leader with a decent managerial pedigree who has brought in some experienced talent. The recent signings of Park Ji-Sung and Ryan Nelsen offer a wealth of knowledge to the squad and will help curb the over enthusiasm of young stars like Adel Taarabt and Armand Traore. Other aspiring quality, like Fabio Da Silva and Junior Hoilett, has also been brought in to complement the side and a quick look at the history books shows a rapid improvement in the current squad from the team that started last season’s 0-4 opening day humbling against Bolton Wanderers. With such vast improvements comes a renewed ambition, but Hughes must blend his various new arrivals into a cohesive unit if they are to continue their progression. The club’s potential is certainly evident but there are other factors that may hinder their development. For starters, they are not the first team to make a host of new signings, but often too many fresh faces can struggle to work together effectively. The manner with which QPR start next season will illustrate how far they’ve come, but often sides that essentially try to buy an entirely new team find it takes time for players to build a strong understanding of each other’s games. The influence of senior figures like Nelsen and Park will be vital but the former Blackburn defender is nearing the end of his career while the South Korean is not exactly a vocal leader despite captaining his national side. With controversial characters such as Djibril Cisse and Joey Barton coupled with inconsistent talents like Taarabt and Shaun Wright-Phillips, the club needs disciplined, controlling figures in charge to counter the other more difficult personalities. Certainly QPR now have a side that could beat anybody on their day but can they maintain a high level of performance over an entire season? Given Newcastle United’s surprise heroics last season, QPR can take heart from the fact that so-called ‘lesser’ sides can still compete with the league’s top dogs. The difference in quality between the mid-table pack and the European challengers is clearly quite substantial on paper but there is evidence to suggest that such differences can be overcome by solid tactics and good team spirit. Newcastle have set a tough example to follow but it’s certainly an excellent incentive for teams looking to break the Premier League’s established mould. Considering Rangers have a good manager and a strong squad, it would appear the main stumbling block on their path to success will be financial implications and the issues connected with running a sustainable business model. This may seem strange given the wealth possessed by the club’s owners but FIFA’s Financial Fair Play rules insist teams must be spend within their means and this leaves Tony Fernandes and Amit Bhatia in a bit of predicament. Loftus Road’s limited capacity of just 18,360 does not recoup enough income for a club looking to challenge the league’s top sides and regardless of however many sell-out crowds they attract, they will not earn enough money to continue spending the way they have been. The new regulations mean big money investments from billionaire owners cannot be relied upon in future, so the club will have to earn their own crust and will find their purse strings progressively stretched if they cannot find a bigger stadium and maximise their income. Essentially QPR have taken a gamble and invested big on their current squad before the new rulings curb their spending power. If it pays off and they qualify for Europe then the risk will have been worthwhile, but it’s unclear how they can continue such a swift rise when the times comes that they are unable to invest in better players. They have a good setup at the club and their on-field matters are looking fairly rosy, but their impending financial concerns will be heightened if they cannot maintain their increasingly difficult standards, so the club must ensure they remain sustainable by staying in the Premier League and finding a new home. The current situation may be bright but it remains to be seen if their future will be quite so dazzling. Can QPR qualify for Europe or are they just another big spending mid-table side? Will they be happy with a top ten finish or should they be aiming higher?
For those who can't link - I cut in above. I think we will be a good cup side. I think that we would struggle above 14th but not worry about staying up. We do need reputation above cash - people apparently did not come to us because of ambition not cash.
The spending now to beat the FFP rules doesnt make sense to me, most of the contract were only 2 years and they were all old players whos contract probably wont be renewed. Wed have been better off buying younger players to get round that rule.
I read a Man City fan explain that the way around the rule was to have your owner's company be part or all sponsors of the club - -so Man City are sponsored / owned by the Emirate govt or something? This is back to the 60's version of sponsorship.
"Can QPR qualify for Europe or are they just another big spending mid-table side? Will they be happy with a top ten finish or should they be aiming higher?" That annoys me and annoyed me last year, "Big spending", exactly how much have we spent this summer??? £2.7m on Park, £3.5m on Diakite plus however much the tribunal comes up with for Hoilett? So, so far we've spent £6.2m, compare that to Southampton - £11m, Reading - £6m, West Ham - £6m, Norwich - £4.5m and WBA - £4.5m. It's hardly BIG spending is it??
With so many new players I don't think we will be in a position to judge until after the first few competitive games. There is way too much pessimism here however. Both Fulham and Everton have made Europe with an average investment in recent years. No reason why we can't set our hopes that high even if we fail.
