After avoiding the drop last season, hopes that QPR would make some progress up the Premier League table were high.
After avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, hopes that Queens Park Rangers would make some progress up the Premier League table were high.
A number of high profile signings including Real Madrid midfielder Esteban Granero, Marseille’s Stephane M’Bia Jose Bosingwa and Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar had made their way to Loftus Road, enticed by Tony Fernandes’s millions and the chance to play first-team football.
Spending well over £20m on a clutch of experienced players, R’s fans expected them to avoid a relegation struggle this time round.
Sadly, things haven’t panned out too well for QPR this season.
Rooted to the bottom of the league, they have yet to win a game, and have had little encouragement.
Given the talent at their disposal, the expectation was for them to be comfortably in mid table, but fact that most of the new squad have failed to gel with those already there, not to mention a lack of presence up front have cost them so far, and may do so come the end of the season.
Scoring goals has been a serious problem for QPR recently. Of the striking options that Mark Hughes has available, Andy Johnson picked up an injury early on and won’t return to full fitness for some time, while Bobby Zamora’s previous form in the top flight has been patchy at best.
As for Djibril Cisse, spending £4m on a striker who only scored four times in a year for Lazio proves that he’s maybe not the man to turn to when in search of a goal. Perhaps Hughes could have spent some of his money on better, less injury-prone strikers instead of loading up the midfield.
The odds on QPR getting relegated with football at Ladbrokes Sport are 11/10, which sounds about right.
However, there are still plenty of games to go, and the home game against Southampton this weekend is crucial for both clubs, as the Saints are also in the relegation zone.
There have been few things for QPR supporters to be encouraged about. However, the form of the obscenely talented Adel Taarabt and relative stability in defence show that there’s something to build on.
Despite that, it’s possible that Hughes could be gone if results don’t start to improve anytime soon. It’s unknown who may replace him, but whoever may take over from the Welshman has a tough task on their hands.
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