Chris King on the stark differences between the preparations for this season and last, and the optimism currently sweeping the QPR support base.

Less than a year ago, perhaps due to the identity of the Queens Park Rangers manager, a group of players newly promoted to the Premier League were on their pre-season tour. It was journey that took in footballing giants of the south-west such as Bodmin and Tavistock, and one could perhaps argue that it wasn’t the best preparation for the gruelling season that was to come.

Fast-forward a year to the present day, and the Rangers squad has landed in Malaysia in a flurry of publicity and excitement. Whether or not this particular tour of duty will prove to be good preparation or merely a PR exercise, its value as the latter should not be underestimated.

What Tony Fernandes is attempting to do with the QPR is admirable – the signing of Ji-sung Park, besides making genuine footballing sense on the pitch, is nothing short of inspired off it. Talk of the new 45,000-seater stadium and a host of ‘middling to big name’ signings meanwhile, around the time supporters are renewing their season tickets, is also a master class in the art of show and publicity. Unsurprisingly, despite finishing seventeenth last season and at times being more akin to an on-going bout of torture, fans are more than ready to part with more than £700 in order to reserve their seat for the R’s revolution – which by the way, will be televised.

However, there are still a few issues needing to be addressed. The lack of a recognised left back, for instance, could end up being Rangers Achilles heel come August. One can only hope manager Mark Hughes has learned from Jamie Mackie’s goal at the Etihad Stadium, to take just one example, precisely the value of playing Armand Traoré in an advanced left-sided role. For the 22-year-old is not a defender; at least, his strongest characteristics are attacking, while he lacks the basic positional awareness and defensive inclinations to remain solid further back. With Park on one side and Traoré on the other, Rangers could have genuine width next season, plus the option of bringing on Jamie Mackie for added impetus late on.

Strikers remain somewhat of an issue – the addition of Andy Johnson from Fulham appears to point towards a reconstitution of the Lilywhites’ strike-force from 12 months ago. While it makes sense to try and facilitate a reversal of fortunes for Bobby Zamora, who has hardly set the world on fire since arriving from Craven Cottage in January, only a fool would displace Djibril Cissé from the starting XI in order to do this. A 4-5-1 system remains the most likely format for the new look QPR, with arguably the strongest midfield line-up the club has had for a decade and a half. With Adel Taarabt having signed an extended deal and Alejandro Faurlin likely to be available for next season, Rangers at least won’t suffer from the same inability to keep possession that was so evident at times last season.

It is hard not to feel extremely excited about the coming season and what could be in store for the R’s. Barring the extremely poor form that blighted the club from the beginning of December to the end of February, in which Rangers picked up a mere five points, it was by no means an abysmal top flight return. It even looks likely that for only the second time since 2006, the club might be able to go through an entire season with the same manager. Naturally, expectations have risen in accordance with the bright new dawn at Loftus Road, and it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect the club to be avoiding relegation quite comfortably. Or at the very least, ever so slightly less dramatically than the heart-attack inducing final day of the season just passed. Bring on Swansea City.

Tweet @chriskking, @loftforwords

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ozexile added 00:31 - Jul 17 I think Hughes will start Traore at left back. I guess he thinks that with such a strong midfield there won't be half as much pressure on him. Or failing that can't fabio slot in there??
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BrazilNutR added 00:52 - Jul 17 isn't Fabio a left back?!
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Danthehoop added 01:10 - Jul 17 I thought we'd brought Fabio in to play left back with Traore as cover/options further up the pitch. The concern is what are we doing at right back? Young seems to be on his way out the door and Onuoha was solid but nothing beyond that last season. Having said this I am very optimistic about the upcoming season, only a couple more pieces of the jigsaw to complete...

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derbyhoop added 09:03 - Jul 17 Warnock takes all his teams to Cornwall. So expect Leeds to pitch up there is the next week or so. Meanwhile, we are off on a tour, whose primary purpose seems to be to open up commercial opportunities, ahead of football preparation. It's difficult to comment on the quality of the opposition we will face in the next 3 games but it is the start of pre-season and a good bonding exercise in an area where people are obsessed with the Premier League. Even if the football is not that competitve, it will be worthwhile. All the expectations are that we will be comfortable in the forthcoming season, and that's what I expect too.

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fakekerby added 10:06 - Jul 17 We don't have a left back? We have Traore, Hill and now Fabio. Strikers are an issue? We have Zamora, Cisse and now Andy Johnson, as well as Heidar as back up.
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francisbowles added 11:19 - Jul 17 This afternoon might provide some clues as to the formation, although I would expect us to play in different styles, sometimes depending on the threat of the opposition or whether we are home or away. I would also expect almost everyone to get a run today, as the humidity will probably be very high, and we may not yet be acclimatised to the weather or time change. This tour is a gentle starter and great exposure for our club. The matches in Germany will be more pressurised on the pitch and will be a more advanced preparation for the season. Unless we sign another right back then I think that Onuoha will start there and Fabio probably is guaranteed a certain amount of game time and will be our left back. I hope that we are a bit more adventurous this season, when we can be, and that we utilise the attacking talent that we have.

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johann28 added 14:31 - Jul 17 Agree - exciting times. Full backs are definitely something of an issue, tho. When we signed Traore, a life-long Pompey follower (just imagine that for a second and count your blessings) told me he was 'good going forward but can't defend'. I posted that on here at the time and on the forum and got described as a 'troll'. Nothing has changed from what I've seen, and whilst an attacking left-sider is welcome, I respectfully suggest that any manager would hesitate before playing AT and Traore together. Hill presumably isn't going to pay LB, and both Onuoha and Fabio seem something of a 'work in progress' about them to me, so it's a bit concerning. Looking forward to seeing the mighty Rs in Germany :)

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onlyrinmoray added 09:31 - Jul 18 I dont think Onuoha is a right back he is a central defender We have a bit of history of playing central defenders at right back remember Mancienne
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Cornish_oooRRRR added 16:34 - Jul 18 'It is hard not to feel extremely excited about the coming season' Slightly gloomy article considering
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devonranger added 20:47 - Jul 18 I CANT GET MY HEAD AROUND SOME FANS,
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devonranger added 20:53 - Jul 18 I CANT GET MY HEAD AROUND SOME FANS,we have just signed 6 international players either retired or trying to restablish them selfs,this season we will see how good a manager MH is, START BELIEVING ,TOP TEN 4 ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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