FanZone's QPR blogger Chris King feels relegation is now a certainty for Harry Redknapp's big-spending Hoops, who must learn from their errors. When Queens Park Rangers were torn apart by Swansea City on the opening day of the season, it was Michu more than any other player who led the brutal slaughter. The Spaniard ruthlessly carved the R's open, inflicting grave injuries on a seriously-ill patient that supporters were told was fit again and ready to conquer all. Not content with exposing the fundamental weakness of the QPR "project" so foolishly trumpeted by the club in the summer, he returned to finish the job last week. With the high farce of his deflected first goal and the manner in which record signing Christopher Samba was humiliated for his second, Rangers were left gasping for air. There is to be no recovery for the long-suffering Superhoops, but given that relegation is now a cast-iron certainty, there will at least be a sense of release. Analysis of the two sides at the Liberty Stadium revealed one in perpetual crisis and another reaping the benefits of solid management and long-term planning. It hardly takes an expert to guess which is which: while QPR are destined for Championship football, the Swans are gearing up to play in the League Cup final. Some might argue that the two clubs are incomparable because the circumstances are so different, but they need not be, as both were promoted in the same season. While Rangers chose the "spend now, ask questions later" option, Swansea showed a little more intelligence in creating a classy, attractive football team able to compete. Survival by the slimmest of margins last season covered a multitude of sins at Loftus Road: the horrendously engorged wage bill and shocking waste were forgotten. As were the many transfer blunders that may aptly be described as Mark Hughes' legacy and could be included on his footballing headstone, so to speak. Names such as Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Jay Bothroyd, Ji-sung Park, Djibril Cisse and Jose Bosingwa have been utterly inadequate throughout. Motivated by money but without the requisite ability to back up their extortionate salaries, they are part of the long tale of woe that could fill an entire library. Back in December, after an abject defeat away to Newcastle United, manager Harry Redknapp tore into unscrupulous agents and QPR's deeply-flawed transfer policy. Speaking with what one can only assume was a wry, ironic smile, Redknapp spoke of his disgust and fury at owner Tony Fernandes having had his "pants pulled down". Perhaps he was signalling his intentions to do the very same, as since taking over, the former Spurs boss has repeated the actions of his predecessor. Fernandes, for his part, is deeply naive but was caught in an impossible situation in January: leave things as they were, with relegation certain; or carry on spending. He opted for the latter but the £20million gamble has backfired. There is no impediment to the inquest starting early, and people being named and shamed for what has gone on. Supporting this club often brings with it a mix of tragedy, shame, embarrassment and dejection, but the past few months have been notably dismal. From the disgracefully inept thrashing at home to Southampton, to the opening-day debacle and collapse against Liverpool, it really has been an unmitigated disaster. By far the worst aspect of this season, however, was the brazen, barefaced cheek of the summer PR operation, which was nothing but a pack of lies. Barring goalkeeper Julio Cesar, and a few others, almost all of the players signed to replace Neil Warnock's promotion-winning side have been unfit to wear the shirt. Worst of all, loyal lieutenants such as Jamie Mackie, Shaun Derry and Clint Hill were unforgivably cast aside to make way for the new order, and then called back. That all returned without complaint, performing admirably ever since in an impossible situation, is testament to their loyalty, professionalism and true value. Quite frankly, the club does not deserve such dedicated personnel. None befit the greed, short-termism and disinterest that the R's can hopefully soon leave behind. It is only when footage of Rangers' dignified, wholly-deserved triumph two years ago is shown that how far the club has fallen truly hits home. This is rock-bottom. http://www.teamtalk.com/news/19986/8506799/Drop-nailed-on-for-big-spending-R-s
"a cast-iron certainty" ________________________ He should put every penny he has on the 1/4 then............. **** writer.
To much doom? To much gloom? Yeah you're probably right. But I agree with this "It is only when footage of Rangers' dignified, wholly-deserved triumph two years ago is shown that how far the club has fallen truly hits home."
It is not cast iron yet. Probably? Yes. Likely? Yes. Cast iron? No! If it was cast iron, we may as well not turn up for the last 12 games and just give the other teams an easy run. I know it would be incredible if we avoided the drop and it would be incredibly satisfying to give the journos like this fella a thumbs down.
This isn't a "journo" RTID. It's Chris King, a QPR fan blogger and regular writer on LoftForWords. Found it on TeamTalk so thought I might as well post it one here. Usually a good writer re QPR, read lots of interesting articles from him in the past. Though I agree this isn't one of his most inspirational ones And I agree, cast iron it is not. Didn't do it to win any popularity contest
He's just another windbag from LFW. They love the sound of their own voices on that Site. He writes occasionally on QPRNET too. He's a poor writer in my opinion.
A QPR fan?? He is relishing the prospect of relegation too much for my liking. Takes all sorts I suppose. Some valid points of course but terribly easy to be clever in hindsight.
I was waiting for that Norf! Seriously though, anything I write rarely goes beyond two paragraphs. And there's nothing wrong with people writing full articles either. In fact its great, especially Rollers ones and COL's reports. But there's a cut-off point mate. LFW's articles are ridiculously long and drawn out. I know Clive is your mate and I've no doubt he's a top bloke................. ..........But he don't 'alf go on!!
Shouldn't the LFW site worry more about the amount of immigrants that have entered the UK this week? or what tv personality is a 'Peado' or maybe what politician should be 'hung'? that's the usual Daily Mail crap that normally comes out of that site?
Bizarre if this is a QPR fan, he's repeated all those half-arsed mainstream media cliches ('big-spending' bla bla bla) and added some new ones of his own ie. the 'hospital patient'. In fact, if he is a rangers fan, this could well be a wind up....'engorged wage bill'
Although a lot has already been said I don't think you can argue with the article maybe it has hit a few raw nerves but I have always enjoyed his articles and Chris King is 100% QPR. I suppose the truth hurts.
I suppose in a way he is only saying (writing) what a lot of us already think will happen.....but this cast iron rubbish!!!!!....we still have 36 points to play for...ok more like 33 after saturday, but it is still do-able....
Despite his tone there's a fair bit of that article that is spot-on, he's obviously blowing a gasket after the Swansea shambles but there is little to give us any optimism and Harry is going to have to pull some rabbit out of the hat to save us...
Although the majiority of the article is possibly true, I just dont ee giving up yet as an option. like i said the other day...I know I'm gonna die in the end but I dont give up breathing because of it!! We still have a (very slim) chance!
