Countdown to the Premier League: Previewing QPR Published on August 12, 2012 by Matthew Wood · 1 Comment Queens Park Rangers are barely recognisable from the team that coasted to the 2010/11 Championship title. Since then, the club have changed owners, changed the manager and changed the playing personnel considerably. Former Manchester City and Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is now in charge at Loftus Road and after surviving on the very last day of the 2011/12 Premier League campaign, the manager promised the club would never face such a situation again under his stewardship. Amongst the seven new additions that Hughes has brought in over the summer are keeper Rob Green, Junior Hoilett from Blackburn and Manchester Unitedâs Park Ji Sung. Here is what the guys at Clean Sheets think⦠How will QPR fare this season? Matt Wood: Theyâll obviously do better than last season. Their squad is far too good to be anywhere near a relegation battle. Expect a mid table finish. Rohil Daya: Avoiding relegation was massive for Mark Hughes and his boys. Now the club can really kick on and establish themselves as a steady Premier League club. With the players Sparky has bought so far, the ârâ word should not be on their objectives for the season and a mid-table finish should be a good result. Alex Hams: The relegation dogfight of last season should be a distant memory for QPR, who have added much quality to their squad over the summer. Park Ji Sung will bring experience, and Junior Hoilett is a real coup, considering the other clubs reportedly interested. It may be tough to bed in the sheer amount of fresh names arriving, but thatâs a headache Iâm sure Hughes will be happy to have over that of the final few games of last season. Mid-table is the aim, and who knows, even a little cup run is possible. Is Mark Hughes in danger of losing his job at any point this season? MW: Yes. A poor start to the season could mean Hughes is the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season â expecially after his promise that things will improve substantially this year. RD: The sacking of Neil Warnock was not expected when it came last season so we know Tony Fernandes is not afraid to make big decisions. With the money spent on the squad in the close season, if the club find themselves close to the bottom three by Christmas Hughes would be in real danger of losing his job. AH: Hughes will be under considerable pressure now, with a much stronger squad, so if results are poor come December he could be gone. Who is the one player QPR could do without? MW: Is there any other answer to this question apart from; Joey Barton? RD: The fact that Kieron Dyer got a one-year extension has never stopped baffling me but Iâm going for Jay Bothroyd. He had a successful time at Cardiff in the championship but he has never really cut it in the top division. He failed to make an impact last season and with the array of strikers the club has currently got he could find chances limited. AH: Joey Barton. Liability. Which new signing will invigorate QPR? MW: Junior Hoilett is a really exciting player and was Blackburnâs best player last season alongside Yakubu. Perhaps a tad selfish on occasions but very creative and has a devilish shot. RD: Park Ji-Sung. With his energy and quality on the ball he really is a top signing by Mark Hughes. The way Sir Alex spoke of him at United says a lot about the player and his character. Despite being over 30 now he has a lot to give and will significantly improve this QPR side. He should be one of the first names on the team-sheet when he is fit. AH: Robert Green gets a hard time from fans, but he is a full England international, and that doesnât happen by accident. One player from QPR to put in your Fantasy Football team this season⦠MW: Dijbril Cisseâs goalscoring record for QPR was very good after his mid season switch from Lazio. At £6.5m, he might be a decent bet in a three man attack. RD: Djibril Cisse scored whenever he was on the pitch for the club in the second half of last season and at £6.5m he is a very good option for a striker. AH: I have a hunch that Adel Taarabt may come good this season, and at £6m, there are far worse options.
