The clubs captain has much to answer for performance wise this season, whether he club return to the second tier or not. But beyond that, the likes of Anton Ferdinand and Shaun Wright-Phillips, arguably not Warnock-type buys, have played well in big games this season. Then to be sacked just before he’s able to add much needed defensive and forward talent – QPR’s hierarchy should hang their heads in shame. It’s all very well sitting with the fans for a week Mr. Fernandes (or should that be Mike Ashley), but don’t treat them as idiots. They know you really wanted to be a few miles East in the Upton Park directors box. And they know your heart will be in Melbourne this weekend for the start of the Formula 1 season, not on the forthcoming vital game with Liverpool.
Has Mark Hughes brought greater tactical awareness to QPR? Sure, they played well at Bolton in a game they should have led in (a debate for another day), but when Hughes changed the team tactically to force a goal by bringing on Mackie and Buszacky, it was clear that nobody knew where they were playing or how they were meant to break the opponents down, leaving a gaping hole for some admittedly crafty play to allow Klasnic to score the winner. Has he created togetherness in the camp?
Well, it would seem that many of the players who would sweat blood for Neil Warnock are out, and the new ‘champagne-boys’ (as I heard a QPR fan call the new arrivals on the radio) are in. And what of Adel Taarabt (or Tara-but as Warnock would say)? Sure, he hasn’t scored this season and has proven that he will forever be in the ‘Huckerby-Corridoor’ (also known as the ‘Chopra-Chasm’ and the ‘Harewood-Hangar’ [feel free to ass you own!]) of being too good for the Championship, not good enough for the Premier League, but when they need a moment of magic in front of the home fans, their bond has been enough in the past to see the moody Moroccan raise his game.
The proof will be in the pudding, as they say, but with QPR having a run in of unbelievable difficulty; it looks like being opportunity wasted for the West Londoners. One win from a comparatively easy run of fixtures is not a good omen for Hughes, with the likes of United, Arsenal, Tottenham et al on the way… perhaps they could use an inspirational figure to galvanise the dressing room, alongside the (I can only assume) ironically nicknamed ‘Sparky’… maybe they can get that new Leeds boss for a few games?
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It was down to one poor decision but not the one you mention. It was a disallowed onside goal at home to West Brom when the score was 1-0. Had it ended 2-0, Rangers would have gone to 8th in the table. But it ended 1-1 and Warnock never won another game as Rangers manager. It shot our mental confidence to pieces We needed that win against West Brom as we Liverpool and Man Utd in the next 2 matches and had just lost away at Norwich the game before.
Such a lack of insight into the team. Nonsense.