"It's a strange old feeling being a QPR supporter, the only club who can bring you euphoria and a heart attack all in 90mins". This is what was said to me by a supporter of 40+ years, sitting in the stands one freezing morning in January 2013. Qpr were playing Sheffield United in the cup. Austin started up front, Hoilet on the wing, Caulker and Ferdinand at the back. Harry in charge of course- I'm sure you know the result. 3-0 to Sheffield United, stadium empty on 80mins. A prem league side beaten by a league 1 team on a budget of about £2mill.
Fast forward 2 1/2 years, only two players from that starting lineup exist in the squad today. Caulker and the boo boys favourite- Henry. The players on high wages have been sold, replaced by young, energetic players who want to succeed. Our 20 goal a season striker has gone to a bigger cub and the others plying their trade elsewhere. Out of all those players only one you could say has kicked on- baring injuries and setbacks. So what gives us this pipe dream that we are a club who should be playing in the premier league, or dominating the championship every season we get relegated. It's this throw money and fix it idea that's unfortunately crept into some of the modern day supporters. What happened to being patient, achieving what the board have set each year- finish mid table, stabilise the squad, build a core of 5-6 players, bring in a few additions in the window, make a profit on someone who can go on and achieve at a bigger club. Build on the previous season and then push for promotion. This doesn't exist at QPR plain and simple. We finished 12th last season! Whoever got the idea we were going to be in the top 6 this year is delusional!! We beat Leeds 3-0 on opening day so what, Charlton won their opening day fixture last year and look where they are! For the record they played us opening day.
Now look where we are, we were crying out for youth, crying out for players who love the club and play for the badge. Our last window proved that. We bought decent, hungry players which are taking time to gel and now we're kicking off! The manager has to go, tottenham les this, Fernandes that. Rinse and repeat. The same fans calling for their heads every single week. Do something then? Walk into W12 Monday and say, "that's fine les, JFH, Hoos i'll take it from here". Nope.
The board know what they're doing, they gave JFH a chance and still will. Yes his tactics are bad, very bad and he's well out of his depth but the board know that, they're making calls and sourcing the next person for the job. Fernandes knows what QPR means to the supporters and so does Les! They did get the appointment wrong, but they tried something different and it's heading the right way. It might take 2-3 more appointments before we get it right but at least it's a step away from the old days.
Personally I think whoever comes in next needs to be proven at championship level someone who takes zero shit from his players and the fans. A worker, Burnley have it right. Someone from the mould of Dyche, Warnock, Warburton. Someone who knows what our strengths are and brings the entertainment back.
But then it'll be then again, same old story- new manager given 5 games by the fans. |  |
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