QPR assistant manager Mick Jones believes the club can only flourish in the Premier League this season if boss Neil Warnock receives the full support of the board. Jones defended the limited transfer budget available to Warnock, insisting the Rs boss’s track record in the transfer window proves he is still capable of pulling off some astute signings in the coming weeks. But just days after Warnock revealed he was under instructions ‘not to spend transfer fees this summer’, with potentially only just over £1m available, Jones pointed out that, as with any club, the owners and management must work together. Jones told the Times: “Every manager needs backing, if you don’t get backing then you can’t be successful. But Neil’s never been a big spender in the transfer window. I wouldn’t say it’s a frustrating time, it’s part and parcel of football.” England international Jay Bothroyd and Premier League veteran Kieron Dyer have both been snapped up on free transfers by Warnock, who is now attempting to recruit two more free agents, former West Ham centre-back Danny Gabbidon and Jason Puncheon from Southampton. But the impending departure of prize asset Adel Taarabt looks set to leave a gaping hole in QPR’s midfield, leaving Warnock with some serious work to do ahead of the new season. However, Jones says the acquisition of England international Bothroyd, who was Rangers’ main target this summer, highlights Warnock’s ability in the transfer window, and he believes the manager will show similar tenacity when it comes to filling the void left by the Moroccan international. “Jay [Bothroyd] was our number one target this summer, I’d say that Neil Warnock had been monitoring him from last January,” added Jones. “At times last season he was brilliant. I know a couple of other Premier League clubs wanted him, so we’ve done well to get him. “It looks like Adel’s going to go, but to be honest that’s something we’ve had to face up to since the end of last season. “Nineteen goals, you can’t argue with that. PSG are one of the richest clubs in Europe right now, and you can’t ignore the sort of money they are offering.” This week Warnock turned his attention to Gabbidon and Puncheon, with Wales international Gabbidon joining the Super Hoops’ squad for the pre-season trip to the West Country. Puncheon, who impressed last season with relegated Blackpool, will also sign if he can agree personal terms, while Warnock has also handed a trial to Ipswich keeper Brian Murphy. “We have to carry on as before with the budget I’ve agreed with Flavio [Briatore]. I’m still looking to strengthen all over the pitch – I’d say we need a striker, a centre-half, possibly another midfielder and certainly another goalkeeper,” said Warnock.
Hmmm... 'carry on as before with the budget I’ve agreed with Flavio...' S'pose that's one way of putting it.
"Neil's never been a big spender in the transfer window...". But then Neil's never been in charge of a Premier League club with 3 multi-millionaire owners so you might assume his approach would have been slighty different this time round. Neil's not spending because Neil's got nothing to spend. This is probably the most depressing piece from a very depressing summer thus far. Until the window closes (along with our PL hopes) I still hold on to my fantasy that this is all just a huge bluff to keep expectations of selling clubs under control and that we can expect to see a glut of high profile signings as the season begins. Nurse, are you sure I had my medication today?
I've asked this one before but nobody answered!! So I'll try a cheeky second time . During Warnocks only other appearance in the Prem with Sheff U, how much was he given to spend that summer because he very nearly pulled it off? Was it on a shoestring like now?? I think that particular campaign could be a good marker for us.
end of the day, you've got to work with what you have been given. This still suggests that the lack of a transfer budget is because the goons want to sell, and do not want to invest any more, sorry, any money into the club but sill expect "boutique football" OR they want to get rid of NW. If a new manager is brought in at say December or Jan, and then given a transfer budget then we are supporters will have to make our voices heard because it seems to me at the moment, even if we all said we could have a vote of no confidence in them, then the goons would still stay put. I am only hoping that after Bernie's Germany tax fraud trial, that we as fans also ask for the premier League to investigate how the club is being run and managed as it would appear to me to have potentially two owners who could potentailly both have fraud charges next to their names. As so far as Paladini goes, just think of guns in the boardroom Finally, he's a thought Under Wilkins, he was given the Ferdinand money which basically was wasted on Zelic, Osbourne (disappointed as he was quite a good player) and Hateley. Now I know that so far Dyer, Webber and Murphy aren't exactly the names we were expecting, but I still expect at least 1 maybe 2 will be better purchases than the Wilkins trio
As soon as the Premier League get involved so would the FA. So let's give the twats at both the PL and the FA the ammunition to get Ecclestone and Briatore out. However, in doing so they will destroy the club. They will find a way of either docking points, or relegation and docking points the next season. Warnock would be distraught and so would most of the players. Their own fans trying their damnedest to f**k the club up - even more than Ecclestone and Briatore are doing now. The legal wrangling would go on for a couple of years. E & B would have to sell, but there would be arguments about to who and at what price. Look out League 2, here we come.
I find this very depressing. A budget of £1 million, if true (which appears to be the case), is totally unrealistic and less than any other Premiership side. If NW fails to work a miracle, he'll get sacked and we'll be even worse off. After the euphoria of promotion, we ought to be celebrating but the mood, quite rightly imo, is black. I'm going off to get myself a drink.
Still think NW is hanging in there in the hope of a Mittal takeover. If he gets sacked after bad results in the first few games, what kind of manager would take the job on with the resources Neil has had to work with? Anyone worthwhile would run a mile...
