...from the transfer window, I'm trying to work out what premiership category QPR now fit into with our refreshed squad. Are we: Still one of the weakest in the league and among the favourites for the drop? A more solid outfit than at least several others and should at least be able to avoid relegation? A truly competitive team with mid table expectations and qualification for Europe as a possibility? My take is that we have clearly given ourselves a chance but looking at the spending that took place the entire league has strengthened their squads significantly. Even clubs like Blackburn who many thought were a sure thing for the trapdoor have improved (Scott Dann in their case). So our two steps forward has to be mitaged with one step back in the face of improvements everywhere else. All things considered I'm going for option 2 with fingers crossed that the new intake gel together quickly.
Good question. All things considered, I think we fall into category 1. Despite significant recruitment, I don't think any team that's just played 3 Premiership games in 15 years could possibly be in any other group. 17th and consolidation is always the aim and with our recent quality additions I now feel we've a good chance to do that. Our squad of a week ago would have gone down, I'm certain of that. I see us amongst a group of 6 or 7 Clubs that simply have survival as their aim. That said, we could surprise and finish up table somewhere but as with all newly-promoted sides we're expected to be in the dog-fight.
I would say that we fall somewhere between 1 & 2. It really depends on how quickly a virtually new team can gel. There is a completely different feel about the squad compared with a month ago, when a couple of injuries or suspensions would have been disastrous. I guess we'll have a better idea after the Newcastle game.
2. Not a bad side on paper but we still lack a 15-20 goal a season striker. I think we have enough about us to beat off the last day of the season squeaky ring syndrome but we need to do as the likes of Bolton, Stoke, Fulham et al before becoming a nailed on mid table team. Despite the new ambition at the club anything more is fairytale stuff for now.
Cat 2 for me (although I have blue an white tinted glasses). he players NW has brought in, all have a point to prove to previous employers. Barton will want to prove Pardew wrong for selling him, same appies to SWP and Puncheon will want to prove he is Premier league. Luke Young wasn't a regular under Hollier and is another with something to prove. I can se this gi ving the club the boost it needs at this time, and expect maybe a another 2 or 3 in Jan where I can see one or two leave permanently. I hope Hogan is just loaned out till Jan as I would like to see him given a chance in premier league. It was stated on another thread that he has the build of a young girl..however, take a look at Modric - he isn't exactly built like Arnie.
At the beginning of the season I thought we were completing with 6 other teams to avoid the big R (it's like the Scottish Play, never say it), I think we still are in the same situation. We have most definitely increased our odds of survival but still 1\2 for me until we reach 40pts then the Sky is the limit.
Still Cat 1 for me,it will still be a struggle.Just hope with Barton in the side,the whole team don't end up being Category A's by the end of the season in Wandsworth Nick!
TO be honest, at the moment we could be any of the 3. If the new players rise to the occasion we could be mid table. But that would be if all of them played well week in week out. Unlikely as we are basically a completely new side. I'd say we will probably be safe, but it will be the run up to Christmas that counts. Let's see how we do.
Cheers Northy! Sorry for calling yourself and Brix Nazi's the other day. It was just me givin' it the big 'un as usual. Yis are the best mods I've come across!
I think Cat 1 , 17th or above is an achievement for us this season. Talking about blackburn and scott dann , thats an interesting one for me , their strongest position was CB with nelson and samba. Can't see all 3 of them playing , think they should have strengthened in other areas , wait and see i suppose.
Point 3 before the last batch of new signings we were a team on the up and still see us getting up there. We are seriously that good and we don't see that. Bolton game we were well on top and no one will tell me that the score reflected the match it was a lesson however if we took our chances we would have beaten Bolton no doubt. Everton well i was proved right there we played at spells in control but we got lucky. We didn't get any luck at Wigan but our two away performances shows everyone and any one you knows about football can see that. I repeat again that there are three leagues in the premiership and the middle league is where i see us. We will do it and we will finish 8th which will be as normal a long way off the top seventh and as records show ... look at them! there will be little difference between 8th place and 15th last year that was 7 points!!!! 2 games and a draw difference this is how close the middle has become so why not QPR 8th as a final place why not ... there was only 9 points between 8th and 17th ... still think i am mad? 15th points between 9th and 17th the years before but its getting closer on trend ... Tell me that we won't finish above: Everton, Wigan, Blackburn, Fulham, Wolves, Swansea, Norwich if so we are 12th take in WBA, Stoke, Sunderland, Newcastle it isn't that bizarre we can do it we get in that middle league then why not win it??
Our squad is better, but we still have only a handful of players with Prem quality and proven track records. I think our recent dive into the transfer market has given us a decent chance of staying up. But thats all, a decent chance. There are now 6-7 clubs with very little between them. IMO our survival will depend on two things: 1. Our activity in the transfer market in Jan. (amount of money to spend, and ability to attract top players) 2. The ability of NW to get his tacticts right week in and week out. Although he brings fantastic motivational and leadership qualities to the table, his ability to mix it with the big boys is unknown. He is not a proven manager at this level. If he gets it right IMO we will survive and be placed anywhere between 17-12. If he gets it wrong we are in big trouble.
