Matthew Mills, currently playing for Bolton Wanderers in the Championship is a player who is yet to fulfil undoubted promise. After early career spells at Southampton and Manchester City he established a reputation as a strong defender, firstly with Doncaster Rovers and then Reading. After the Royals came within a game of promotion to the Premier League in 2011 it was a surprise when the Leicester man moved to the club of his birth city, rather than make a step-up to the Premier League.
Mills’ time at the King Power Stadium was soured by a reportedly fractured relationship with Nigel Pearson, who took over from Sven-Goran Eriksson three months into the season, and the centre-back did not feature in the season’s latter months. That inactivity perhaps contributed to his only securing another sideways transfer to the Reebok Stadium. Upon signing for Wanderers, Mills cited the club’s ambition to achieve a quick return to the top-flight as key to his decision in making the move.
At 26, Mills’ best years as a centre-back are in front of him. He is a brave and powerful defender with leadership credentials, borne out by his role as captain at both Reading and Leicester. Mills would relish the opportunity to become an integral part of a Premier League outfit and would add much needed solidity and presence to the R’s rear-guard. His signature could be secured for far less than the £4.5m Leicester paid Reading for him only 18 months ago.
If Redknapp is intent on adding experience to his backline the athletically blessed Sylvain Distin would be an astute acquisition. Distin maintains exemplary levels of fitness through a professional and assiduous approach to his own well-being. The Frenchman is rarely afflicted by injury and can be relied upon to offer unparalleled commitment.
David Moyes is likely to want to keep his centre-back for a year beyond the end of his current deal which finishes at the season’s conclusion, but as aspirations at Everton have tentatively raised, Distin has spent some time out of the team, with his manager known to be searching for a new younger alternative in that position. Redknapp worked with the 34 year-old at Portsmouth and would be safe in the knowledge that the strong and pacey defender is an upgrade on his present choices.
However much the R’s tighten up they need to win matches if they are to drag themselves clear of their perilous predicament. This requires goals and therefore somebody to score them. Strikers are the most valuable commodity in the game and no club is going to be happy to sell an in-form attacker. This is where Redknapp’s savvy will be essential.
Danny Graham was instrumental to Swansea City’s distinguished maiden Premier League season in which he scored 12 goals while operating as a lone forward – as part of a system similar to that utilised by Redknapp. Graham’s impact this term has been restricted by his new manager Michael Laudrup’s fresh ideas not always including the 27 year-old.
Graham’s first full top-flight campaign was as much a breakthrough for him as his club and he will be desperate to ensure his progress isn’t brought to a standstill. As a hard-running striker Graham’s style fulfils Redknapp’s first pre-requisite for any player, that of relentless toil for the cause. He will score goals and Swansea, with a need to sell before they can buy, may be amenable to a deal at an agreeable price.
The name on the lips of everybody when discussing goal-scorers in the Championship is that of Charlie Austin. He has a record of a strike per game in 18 league outings for Burnley this season. Doubts will be expressed as regards to whether the 23 year-old would thrive at the top level. His CV is that of a man who responds positively to every question asked of him.
Austin took the enormous step from prolific marksman for Poole Town in the Wessex League to League One Swindon Town and delivered to the extent where Burnley lured him to Lancashire after just 16 months in Wiltshire. After 16 strikes last term he is defying expectations again this time out.
Some players are born to score goals in whatever environment they are placed and Austin looks to be one of those. He could be a gamble worth taking. If either, or ideally both, Graham and Austin were signed QPR’s prospects would immediately brighten.
These are merely the suggestions of an observer and Redknapp and his army of contacts will be scouring the world for attainable talent. When January arrives it will be fascinating to see the market in which Fernandes ultimately allows his manager to barter.
Redknapp’s reputation as a strong man-manager will have convinced the QPR powerbrokers of his suitability as the right person to drag more from the under-performing squad already in situ at Loftus Road.
Equally vital will be his trading skill. The EastEnder seethes at suggestions he is a ‘wheeler-dealer’ but thrives in that area of the football business. What is certain is that Redknapp will require all the experience acquired in 26 years of management and every ounce of his self-confidence to satisfy the wish of all associated with Queens Park Rangers – that on the evening of May 19th 2013 their club sit outside the bottom three teams in the Premier League.
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