Nine QPR strikers: Too many, so who's off? HITC on: HITC on Twitter QPR are talking about adding to their attack, with Craig Bellamy and Roque Santa Cruz both linked with moves to Loftus Road this week. But hang on, QPR have too many strikers on their books. At our last count there are nine! So let's have a look at who they are, and who is likely to stay, and who is likely to go. Bobby Zamora Zamora was only signed in January, and scored twice for QPR in 14 starts last season. Despite failing to hit it off straight away, Mark Hughes knows Zamora well from his time at Fulham, and knows how to get the best out of him. At 31 the striker still has much to offer, and with a pre-season behind him will be determined to hit the ground running. Verdict: Stay Djibril Cisse The only slight on Cisse's QPR career so far has been his penchant for getting sent off, but apart from that he looks like he is going to score every time he plays. He scored in the R's first pre-season game, and will likely be the club's first choice frontman when the season kicks off. Verdict: Stay Jamie Mackie Mackie was excellent at times last season, scoring seven goals, including a winner against Liverpool and the header which temporarily stunned Manchester City on the last day of the season. At 26 he needs regular football, and it is doubtful he will be a first choice starter next season. Mackie's future in 50-50, but he is in demand, with Blackburn linked, and we have a feeling he might be off. Verdict: Go Andy Johnson This one is simple, Johnson was signed by Hughes who knows him from his Fulham days, and while the signing may have underwhelmed some fans, the free transfer could be a shrewd piece of business. Johnson needs a fresh start and will look to take his chances. Verdict: Stay Jay Bothroyd Bothroyd signed last summer from Cardiff and was expected to finally set the Premier League alight. He went from terrible to bad and back again last season, scoring just twice, and it is hard to see him as part of QPR's plans going forward. Verdict: Go DJ Campbell A move to QPR was seen as a homecoming for DJ Campbell who made his name with non-league Yeading, but it turned into a nightmare thanks to injury and missed chances when he did play, scoring just once. He needs to play and like Bothroyd there is little chance of that happening next season, and wasn't included on the pre-season trip to Asia. Verdict: Go Heidar Helguson Iceland striker Helguson starred in the first half of the season, and scored eight times in total last year. He may be 34 but he is an uncompromising forward who defenders don't like coming up against. He scored last week in pre-season, and he still has a part to play at the club this season. Verdict: Stay Tommy Smith Like Campbell, Smith was left out of the 26-man pre-season squad, and after making just four starts last season his future at the club looks bleak. He scored the winner in QPR's opening win of last season at Everton, but a move back to the Championship is most likely. Verdict: Go Rob Hulse 32-year-old Hulse made just one league start last season plus one substitute appearance. He played for a QPR XI side yesterday which lost 1-0 to Aldershot, partnered with DJ Campbell, disappointingly failing to make an impact. He is playing for a move away as he is another who needs to move on. Verdict: Go
Tony Fernandes ‏@tonyfernandes 3 0 to qpr. Scored by Mackie. And for all QPR fans we have no no no intention to sell him. He's a QPR man
Hulse, Smith and DJ to go for sure (if we can get rid of them) and Id let JB go too. Smith and Mackie arent really strikers either. Theyve played all but a handful of games out wide.
I sincerely wouldn't worry about our current players being old they are all there for a purpose: stability... we grow the way we are then we will be buying players than with leave us all gobsmacked in the future. Its very clear to me that MH is buying a real resolute core of experience to sustain us this season and I am sure this time next season we will all be looking at some big names
Cant see us getting rid of Mackie as he can also play wide and is a great impact player. Also Bothroyd and Hulse wont leave because they are greedy kits. DJ and Smith will leave with Hulse stuck in the reserves and Bothroyd making about 5 appearances from the bench with maybe a couple of starts in the Carling cup.
it does make me laugh how people say players are rangers through and through when they have been with us a couple of years. players will be gone in my eyes are, dj, betty, hulse, and smith. i dont see mackie going anywhere till jan if at all
Not sure why people are worrying about Mackie...the quote is there from TF for all to see in Finn's post? Feel sorry for DJ and for Hulse a little, but looking at what we now have in quality these guys are going to have to make way. Would be happy for JB to get another crack next season, although cant see him getting too much game time. Always liked Smith, but looks like his time with us may be coming to an end as well. In all honesty I think he offers more than Hogie does. Maybe both should be on the way out...
