QPR season preview By James Sloan | August 1, 2012 Having avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, QPR will be hoping of a league finish higher than 17th next May. This coming season will be the first complete one with Tony Fernandes as owner and with Mark Hughes in charge of first team affairs. The financial backing of the Malaysian businessman has seen the arrival of bigger names than the Loftus Road faithful had become used to in their Championship years. Following Hughesâ displacement of Neil Warnock during the January transfer window, an immediate exodus of players began under the new regime. Players with the quality of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora moved to the West London club, strengthening their chances of survival having been fourth from bottom when the new manager was appointed. However, the discipline of some new signings (Cisse and Samba Diakite in particular) led to costly suspensions for key games. France International Cisse, who joined from Lazio, maintained a quite unbelievable record of either scoring or getting sent off in all eight Premier League games that he played for the club at the end of last season. Having shown how valuable he can be, the Hoops will be hoping he will improve his disciplinary record as he was capable of scoring in big games last season â most notably the equaliser in the 3-2 win against Liverpool. Discipline issues are a common theme currently at the club, with Joey Barton sentenced to a 12-match-ban for his antics at the Etihad Stadium on the final day of the season. His attempt to get opposition players sent off â after receiving a red card himself â have resulted in him becoming unavailable until mid-November. The one-time England International is now training at Fleetwood Town, who have just been promoted into the Football League. There is speculation of him moving there on loan and if that move does materialise, then he will be able to serve his ban faster and could return to the Premier League up to a month earlier for Rangers. This could be vital for QPR as Barton did put in some impressive performances for the club last season, when he kept his head and focused all of his efforts on just playing football. The central midfield area does still seem to be a little weak for QPR. With Joey Barton absent for the start of the season, they are left with the ageing Shaun Derry, Alejandro Faurlin (who missed the second half of last season due to ruptured ligaments), the perennially injured Kieran Dyer and the young Mali International Samba Diakite. This is potentially the area that Mark Hughes will look to strengthen the most before the transfer window closes. England Internationals Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson have been reunited at Loftus Road following the latterâs arrival this summer. The pair formed a formidable understanding when they played together for Fulham. The big, physical presence of Zamora often combined well with the pace of Johnson to yield goals. Unfortunately, both of these players have had injury-plagued careers, but if QPR can keep them both fit, the West London outfit should benefit from the experience that these two forwards have playing together. Averaging just over a goal a game in the league last season, the team will be looking to improve on that this term. The midfield is an area that could greatly contribute to a higher goal tally next May. The arrival of Canadian Junior Hoilett is a very exciting one for QPR fans. The winger was a stand-out in a Blackburn Rovers side that amassed only 31 points and who were relegated. However, Hoilett performed consistently throughout the season, ending it with seven league goals. His new employers will hope that he can repeat this goal scoring form and provide a good service for the forwards from the wing when the new campaign does get underway in a few weeks time. The coming of age of Adel Taarabt could be a Premier League highlight of the forthcoming season. The former Tottenham Hotspur youngster has promised great things for a number of seasons so far, but with not much to show for his presumed potential as of yet. Having been the clubâs top goalscorer in their promotion-winning campaign, Taarabt had to wait until March to bag his first ever Premier League goal. His goals in the home wins over London rivals Arsenal and Spurs ended the season on a high for him. Having finally found a goal-scoring touch in the top tier of English football, will this year be the one for the Moroccan International to finally state his claim as a world-class footballer. With the cash beginning to flow more freely at Loftus Road and new acquisitions regularly joining the Râs, this season could be make or break for Jamie Mackie to stake his claim in the side. The Scottish International was influential in some key results during the run-in last season. His winner against Liverpool was a particular highlight. A broken leg resulted in him having to wait until October to make his Premier League debut last term. This time round heâll be hoping for an injury-free 12 months where he can show his full potential in the top flight of English football. A more stable defensive unit will be high on the list of priorities when their league campaign gets underway against Swansea City on the 18th of August. The second worst away defensive record in the league particular needs addressing. The experience imported to the club via defender Ryan Nelsen and goalkeeper Robert Green could be invaluable. The Kiwi central defender has been reunited with his former Blackburn manager Mark Hughes. The Welshman made Nelsen his captain when the pair worked together before and the enjoyed success, taking Rovers into Europe in the process. Having enjoyed a short spell with Tottenham Hotspur, Nelsen has moved across the capital this summer. The 34-year-old should aid QPR in their attempt to climb the table, with calm and controlling presence at the back. Robert Green is more of a seasoned Premier League veteran than last seasonâs number one, Paddy Kenny. The England International will be performing in the top division for a seventh time. He may have made big errors in the past, namely against the USA at the 2010 World Cup, but Green is a decent shot-stopper and his knack of often saving penalties is a great attribute to have. Manager Mark Hughes has also dealt with his former mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson, once again during this transfer window. Last January saw the arrival of Federico Macheda on loan, but injury hampered his number of apperances for the club. This summer has seen Park Ji-Sung (permanently) and Fabio da Silva (temporarily) move to West London. Former South Korea captain, Park, showed his worth to his old employers by consistently being selected and performing against the top sides. The midfielder has had a successful career and is the most decorated footballer from the Far East, having become the first Asian player to both participate in and win the Champions League final during his time with the Red Devils. The Loftus Road faithful will be hoping that Park will have more to celebrate with his new club in the future. Fabio da Silva of Brazil is an exciting young full-back, who will be looking to gain as much first-team experience as possible during his time at QPR. The defender is quick and good with both feet, making him an asset when his team are on the attack as well. If played on the same flank as former teammate Park Ji-Sung, the duo could link up well due to their great understanding of each other. Mark Hughes has a wealth of Premier League wisdom. Having guided Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham to top half finishes in the past, it seems that he is a perfect candidate to carry the club forward in his first full season in charge. Joining partway through a transfer window last term, the former Barcelona striker had limited time to bring in his own players. However, he was successful in keeping the club in the top flight. With more time to have scouted potential signing and with a substantial budget behind him, Hughes should start this season with a strong squad capable of finishing far higher than 17th this time around. But how high can QPR finish this season? And what would owner Tony Fernandes consider to be a healthy final position in the league standings? The serious investment at Loftus Road must make European qualification a long-term ambition for the club that were the best placed London club in the Premier Leagueâs inaugural season. At present they are still a side in transition. This is just their second campaign back in the big time, so for now, consolidation is the key word. Fernandes seems a sensible businessman, which should buy Hughes enough time to take the club as far as he can. A top half finish may be a tad too optimistic, but club officials and fans alike wonât want to wait until the final day in May to discover whether or not theyâll be preparing to play 38 or 46 games this time next year. Mid-table obscurity should be welcomed with open arms and 12th place seems to be a realistic target for them. Follow James on Twitter here
Did anyone else pick up on the bit saying MH taking the club as far as HE can? Suggesting a change of manager when /if we get to top half?
"then he will be able to serve his ban faster and could return to the Premier League up to a month earlier for Rangers." ================================= More poorly researched ****.
I would love to see a few jouno's out of a job as there is no future is reading this summary drivel... people what it now and what to comment and have a voice ... look how our forum has progressed ... and NO there is nothing bad about that IMO
