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We Could Well Surprise a Few Teams This Season - QPR Pre-Season Report
Wednesday, 1st Aug 2018 11:45 by HarryFromBath

In the 20th of a series of pre-season reports, HarryFromBath assesses the mood around the Championship clubs by delving into their forums, looking here at how things have progressed at Loftus Road under new manager Steve McClaren this summer. All of the teams in the division will be covered between now and the start of the season.

“I think we will start well but our lack of depth and experience will hit us and we'll finish 16th”, “We will struggle, and it may seem desperate at times, but we have enough talent within the squad and a manager who can get the most out of them to stay up”, “We could well surprise a few this year.”

“We have got a good team and will be more organised than last season.” Expectations for the coming season are muted among Hoops. Although their transfer activity has been very low key, many believe that the coaching ability of new boss Steve McClaren will bring the best out of a small squad.

“Mid-table comfort.” In one recent poll an overwhelming 95 per cent of fans predicted that they will finish somewhere between 11th and 20th this season. Few expect relegation but nobody is getting their hopes up. “I would love a top half finish but would also be happy enough with 13th or 14th.”

“It could be very exciting season watching our young players. We may surprise a few of these big spending teams. I don't us to make the expect play-offs though”, “We do have a very exciting young team. To be fair, we had it last season under Ian Holloway, once he started picking the youngsters.”

Last Week’s Financial Fair Play Judgement

“I wish we’d had a transfer embargo in January before. I don’t see that as much of a punishment, while being able to pay the fine over 10 years makes it easier to swallow”, “We all have our opinions on the fairness of FFP but the undeniable truth is that we broke the rules we had signed up to.”

The club agreed a settlement of almost £42 million with the EFL after an arbitration panel dismissed their claims that FFP rules are unlawful. This includes a £17 million fine, paying £3 million of the EFL's legal costs and shareholders writing off £22 million of outstanding loans.

The club will also be under a transfer embargo for the January 2019 window. The case relates to QPR’s breaking spending limits on their way to winning promotion to the Premier League in 2014, when their wages of more than £75 million made up 195 per cent of their turnover of £38.6 million.

Fans are relieved to see the back of this episode and are happy that the club can now plan for the future. “I don't fully understand how the share part of the deal works but a £17 million fine spread over a decade, alongside a one-time transfer embargo, is the best outcome we could hope for.”

“It will be tough to build a squad in the next few weeks that will have to last the season without any new additions in January, but it is what it is. This season has probably become all about survival now, with the prospect of a fresh injection of cash being more realistic from next season.”

Steve McClaren


“Steve McClaren has arrived at QPR for reasons known only to himself to try and instil consistency and structure following the happy chaos of Ian Holloway. It’s a sign of how far his stock has fallen that a former England manager is taking on a Championship job at a skint club of our size.”

“Steve will find ways to mature the young and motivate the old.” Most Hoops have welcomed the arrival of the 57-year-old former Derby manager who replaced Ian Holloway in May. Fans feel that his coaching ability alongside his brand of attacking football will bring the best out of their squad.

“This is a primarily a coaching job for a man who, for all his failings, is renowned as a good coach.” On the whole I am quite optimistic because I think we now have a manager who will play a system which will suit our quite attack-minded squad. We can’t defend our way to victories this season.”

“One issue McClaren has with his squad is several of the players can play a multitude of roles, but are yet to nail one down. They can play here there and everywhere and McClaren would like that to be simplified down into ‘this is your position, this is your job, you stand there and do that for us’.”

“Consistency and clarity of message is something the club are really after following Holloway’s, at times, wild approach last season”, “I will wait until the first 10-15 games are done before making a judgement. If we lose most of those, this message board will become as toxic as it was towards Ian Holloway.”

A Very Quiet Window

With six departures and only one arrival to date, it has been a tranquil transfer window. Veteran defenders Nedum Onuoha and James Perch were released and have been linked with a number of clubs but are currently unattached, while released winger Jamie Mackie has joined Oxford United.

Former Town striker Jay-Emmanuel Thomas has also been released and is without a club at the time of writing, while left-back Jack Robinson rejected a contract offer to move to Nottingham Forest. Keeper Alex Smithies has joined Cardiff City on a three-year contract for a reported £3.5 million fee.

player imageJET

Reinforcements are needed. “I'm not sure if we need a keeper but we definitely need defenders and strikers. We are too thin and unproven in many areas and it would be a huge risk to go a full season with the current squad without the option of the January reinforcements should we need them.”

“Toni Leistner looks a calm head at the back.” The 27-year-old centre-back is Rangers’ one addition, the free agent having played previously for Union Berlin. “He’s a clear natural leader, great in the air and he can play a bit too. I wouldn't be surprised to see him being given the armband permanently.”

Pre-Season Results

Rangers drew 3-3 with Charlton in their opening friendly before recording wins over Barnet (3-0), Staines (7-0) and AFC Wimbledon (1-0). Two games on successive days against Hoffenheim produced a 2-2 draw and a 3-0 defeat. Their programme concluded with Saturday’s 3-0 win over Union Berlin.

IngramKaikaiLeistnerLynchBidwellLuongoScowenEzeOsayi-SamuelFreemanSmith

Saturday’s starting XI (above) against Union Berlin was set out in McClaren’s preferred back four and three in midfield. Matt Smith played as a target man freeing up space for the mobile Eberechi Eze to exploit. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s pace and Luke Freeman’s deliveries were a threat from out wide.

“We look a really good side. The change from last season is that we are looking dangerous when we go forward. Osayi-Samuel’s pace makes such a difference”, “He’s the best player so far, with great runs and some fine touches”, “Eze is a player to whom we have to give a very long contract.”

“Some very nice passing by our lads, this is nice to watch”, “We are still a bit slow and lacking tempo but playing with confidence. We have a very good foundation to be a well-balanced team”, We will need to be sharp out of the blocks against Preston next weekend because they sure as hell will be.”

“What worries me is that all our defenders are pretty slow”, “We do need some pace at the back. It's one thing I can see us being caught out with this season. Sullay Kaikai has bags of pace but he can sometimes get caught too high up the pitch. None of our centre-backs are particularly fast either.”

Hopeful for the New Season

“I am looking forward to the new season with our kids all playing well. Let’s hope we stay clear of injuries early. I can see that team surprising a few”, “With a new manager and new regime, I would be surprised if the players were anything but up for it. It will certainly be an interesting season.”

“I am losing confidence in a top half finish given the squad depth and sale of Smithies”, “The squad’s depth is something that needs addressing. Assuming we have no new signings in January I have us finishing around the 16th or 17th mark. Hopefully it will be a relatively injury-free season too.”

“Hopefully there are three teams worse than us”, “We have the foundation of a good team. Some of the youngsters, allowing for their lack of quality, play with confidence which can only be good. We may still need reinforcements in our defence as well as a striker, but I am feeling more optimistic.”

Websites

The busiest QPR fans’ website, with some excellent humorous blogs and forum contributors, is our sister site Loft For Words.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



TheJam added 20:54 - Aug 1
Love the loft for words, assessment on us, spot on, funny
1


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