End of Season Summary and Awards

For the one man and his dog who read this blog, I thought I might as well do a post on how I think this season has gone for the R’s, giving credit where it’s due and a look towards the future.

2011/2012 Season Summary

I still can’t believe we have survived in the English Premier League. It’s extremely close but we’ve done it, a big sigh of relief can be heard around West London and attention goes towards next season where optimism is in abundance.

If I had to choose one word to sum up our season then it would be Turbulent. We had the drama of the FA Court case at the end of last season which threw our Championship trophy winning and promotion party in jeopardy. Once that was resolved and we could party, it was soon quashed with Flavio Briatore coming back on the scene, forcing Amit Bhatia to step down.

Manager, Neil Warnock lost an alliance in the board room and was forced to prepare for the Premier League on an extremely tight budget. Cue the likes of Kieron Dyer, Danny Gabbidon and Jay Bothroyd coming in on free transfers, with the only transfer funds made available going on DJ Campbell.

Many felt it wasn’t enough and it was proved right when Bolton turned us over 4-0 on the opening day of the season, although a 1-0 win at Everton came at a surprise.

The news that Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone were going to sell the club to business and racing tycoon, Tony Fernandes came as a delight to Rangers fans. Finally we were rid of the drama and facade of the previous owners, and with Fernandes, he was someone who understood the club and fans.

However, it ended up coming as a detriment to Neil Warnock. When Fernandes came in with a pot of Gold for Warnock to exploit on the transfer market, it was Fernandes who was aiming for the bigger named players.

The likes of Joey Barton, Anton Ferdinand, Luke Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Armand Traore came in, giving all of us a real sense of optimism that we could stay up in our first Premier League season for 16 years.

Despite some good results, like the 3-0 win at Wolves, the 3-2 victory at Stoke and of course the 1-0 home win over the scum, Chelsea, there just wasn’t something quite right.

No win in 10 games sealed Warnock’s fate and he was sacked. Fernandes had a chance to appoint a Manager who matched his high ambitions and Mark Hughes came in, in January.

The transfer window allowed us to sign more players to the squad too, Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse came in for around £10 Million, breaking transfer records for the club, with Nedum Onouha, Tay Taiwo and Samba Diakite also joining.

This compounded why I describe our season as Turbulent. A horrible pre-season, combined with a takeover of the club just before the transfer window shut, 5 players signed and put straight into the first team who failed to gel with the squad by January. Then a change of Manager, and another 5 players joining the squad, I’m surprised we survived at all.

But it is fitting that it was the players that were key in our League winning season last year that came to the rescue with Clint Hill, Jamie Mackie, Shaun Derry and Paddy Kenny all putting in fine performances.

It was after we had gone 7 games without a win under Mark Hughes from the end of January to mid March. This meant that our run-in to the end of the season was against a host of sides within the top 8 of the League and everyone was writing off our chances.

I suppose it was typical of QPR to do it the hard way, but that’s what we did. Being 2-0 down at home to Liverpool was set to be the nail in the coffin, but 3 goals in 15 minutes changed it all around, the belief was lifted and we went on to make Loftus Road a fortress.

Home wins over Arsenal, Swansea, Tottenham and Stoke all came to count as we ended up surviving by 1 point, above Bolton Wanderers.

Bolton fans could be unhappy with the two goals they conceded to Stoke on the last game of the season, but if Clint Hill’s goal at Bolton had rightly been given back in March, we would’ve gone into the last game on 38 points, with Bolton already relegated on 34.

We may have done it the hard way but justice has been served.

Player of the Season

Clint Hill – I did not think he could do it in the Premier League, and so did Neil Warnock when he was loaned out to Nottingham Forest. But I always felt that he had more to offer us at Centre Back, than at Left Back and was glad he was given another chance to prove his worth. He’s been a rock for us in Defence when it mattered most in a season where the likes of Fitz Hall and Co cost us dearly with terrible Defending.

Goal of the Season

I loved Taiwo’s free-kick at Sunderland and Jamie Mackie’s header at Man City but I have to go with Mackie’s winner against Liverpool at home just for the importance of that win. A special mention also to Djibril Cisse’s debut goal for us at Villa Park and Adel Taarabt scoring against Arsenal were also superb skill and technique.

Signing of the Season

Mark Hughes – in a season where we’ve signed over a dozen players, I think the best is the Manager, Mark Hughes. Whilst he didn’t work miracles straight away like Martin O’Neill did at Sunderland, it was clear that he brought a host of changes to the way players trained and set up for matches compared to his predecessor.

Hearing Shaun Derry on the QPR podcast, Open All R’s, he said how Warnock was more of an ‘off the cuff’ manager whilst Hughes was more technical in preparation and tactics for each game.

Whilst Warnock was able to get a few wins with his go up and at them approach, I doubt we would’ve gone on to win as many games as we did if we had kept him on as manager. That’s why Hughes has been the best signing, although Djibril Cisse and Samba Diakite are close picks (despite their red cards).

The Future

In my last post, I mentioned the news of the club winning the bid to take over Warren Farm with plans to build a Premier League standard training centre and youth academy, which is fantastic news for the club and it’s future.

Today, we see the new Home and Away kits revealed for the 2012-2013 season which have not gone down well with the Rangers faithful. It appears Lotto have striked again with generic and boring style of kit designs.

Firstly, many fans feel that Hoops on the Home shirt are too thin which is true and odd but it’s going to happen from time to time. I remember us having thin Hoops for the 2001/2002 season under Le Coq Sportif.

My complaint with the new kit is the away top, which looks like something Middlesborough have used as their home kit in the last 10 years. I understand we had a Red and White 3^rd kit this season but the fact it was in Halves, goes back to the 1970’s.

To have a Red kit with white is just not QPR to me and I think it’s horrid. I bet you that Lotto have this style of kit for many of their other Clubs they produce kits for all over the World. It’s boring and generic.

Apparently, Tony Fernandes has said that we’ll have 3 kits with Hoops for the 2013/2014 season which makes me think that these kits with Lotto were already in place before he took over the club.

Speaking of next season, many fans are asking if Taiwo and Diakite will be joining the club on a permanent basis following our survival. No news has been given yet but they’d both be great additions to the squad.

It’s no news that a large bulk of the QPR squad will be cut this Summer to free up wages and squad spaces, but just who will make the 25 for the 2012/2013 season?

Personally, I think we need cover in the central areas of Midfield and Defence. Paddy Kenny needs competition for a place between the sticks too.

I would be happy for us to cut loose Joey Barton from the ranks but I can’t see this happening. I also can see us letting DJ Campbell go, although I really hope we don’t.

I feel Campbell has been extremely unlucky this season with injuries and hope he can give Cisse and Zamora competition for a place up front next season. On the flip side, I’d be happy to see Jay Bothroyd leave.

There’s also optimism over Armand Traore for next season, I feel he could be used as a left winger, rather than a left back. His cross for Mackie at City was exceptional, as well as another assist earlier on this season in a similar position and move.

We also welcome back Ale Faurlin from injury. The thought of him and Diakite bossing the midfield next season is certainly one that feels me with optimism for the new season.

COME ON YOU R’S! 

Jonathan Walters is a Queens Park Rangers legend!

It only truly sunk in today that Queens Park Rangers will be playing Premier League football next season. Yesterday provided so many mixed emotions that by the evening I felt completely drained with a sense of relief and almost disbelief that we managed to do it, by the skin of our teeth.

Despite the game being live on SKY SPORTS I did not fancy relying on a dodgy internet feed to source me the live action so in turn watched SKY SPORTS NEWS break all the action down through excited punditry.

Firstly, the fact no one gave us a chance in getting anything from the City game is a huge testament to the 10 players in QPR shirts yesterday that did the unthinkable and came back from a goal down to lead 2-1 until the 90^th minute.

I hope that Jamie Mackie and Clint Hill have both cemented places in Mark Hughes’ 25 man squad for next season with their superb performances during this turbulent campaign. They are both true professionals who have raised their game and given there all, I hope they know how much the QPR fans, especially those who pay their money to watch us week in and week out, treasure them for their efforts.

On the flip side, Joey Barton’s antics could’ve seen him burnt at the steak at Loftus Road if Jonathan Walters hadn’t scored two controversial goals for Stoke City at home to Bolton Wanderers. I heard reports that Peter Crouch was high-fiving our players at full time when we beat his Stoke side 1-0 and it was he who earned the penalty that Walters smashed in, to send Bolton down and keep the R’s up.

People have said that the QPR players were told the Stoke-Bolton game finished 2-2 and so they stopped defending with their lives and City came back into it, but I don’t believe that’s true. I think it was a case of exhaustion; Manchester City had 44 shots on our goal yesterday eventually we were going to tire.

If Walters hadn’t have made it 2-2 and we’d have gone down, I could see Tony Fernandes sacking Joey Barton for his actions, I don’t think QPR fans would’ve accepted him back in the side. However, now we’re safe, I expect us to over look the situation if Fernandes and Mark Hughes want him part of the squad for 2012/2013 season.

However, I believe Carlos Tevez should have seen red too, which would’ve been correct. Barton was wrong to retaliate to the Argentinean striker and whilst I don’t condone his actions afterwards, in terms of evening things up, trying to get one of the opposition’s players to react and also get sent off was smart.

But Cheaters never prosper. #AshleyYoung

 When news broke that Barton had seen red all belief had been drained out of me and I was thinking ahead to a season back in the Championship. Although it ended up putting City off their stride and allowed us back into the game. At the time I was praying for Stoke City to come back against Bolton.

Djibril Cisse and Jamie Mackie both took their goals superbly, plus a special mention to Armand Traore for his work and cross down the left flank. I can see Hughes using him as a left winger for next season like a Gareth Bale.

The R’s manager was adamant in his post match press conference that the club will never be facing another relegation battle whilst he is in charge. I hope he is right; it’ll be great for the club to have a pre-season with some foundations in place unlike last summer.

The club announced that they’ve successfully won the bid for Warren Farm and will be building a Premeir League standard training complex on the site fit for the 2013/14 season. This is fantastic for the club to move us forward, and it’s also touching that I had played on this site for QPRnet.com against a Brentford fans team back in 2003.

Back to the last game of the season and although we were leading 2-1, the fact we lost and only stayed up because of a 1950’s keeper pushing goal from Jonathan Walters makes my jubilations subtle and my sigh of relief even stronger. It’s also ironic that Walters turned down a move to our club when Neil Warnock attempted to sign him at the beginning of the season. A player I would’ve liked to have at QPR after seeing him do damage against us for Ipswich on a few occasions.

If Clint Hill had his goal stand at Bolton earlier this season it’d have been a totally different story. Hopefully this fight for survival has created a strong bond between this QPR squad and although many feel that Hughes will be having a clear out in the summer, the core that remain added with returning players from injury like Ale Faurlin and some welcome signings, we could have a much better season come May 2013.

Come On You R’s!

Shot Through The Heart And You’re To Blame, You Give QPR A Bad Name…

Sunday 29^th April was not a good day for me. Having watched the Rangers get ripped a new arsehole at Stamford Bridge, I was then caught in a downpour of rain, confined to separate trains than my other half due to a ticket error then sat next to two Chelsea fans in their 60’s who had broader Yorkshire accents than Mick McCarthy. This was all compounded by getting into a Taxi and going flying across the vehicle when the seat gave out from under me.

Still, this day could’ve been worse, I could’ve been one of those who paid £55 to sit in the away end at Stamford Bridge and watch 6 arrows go flying into QPR hearts at the hands of Chelsea and alleged Racist John Terry. No wonder some fans started to take their anger out on the stadium.

I was actually pleased that Chelsea went through against Barcelona as I expected them to take their eye of the Premier League which would allow us to turn up at Stamford Bridge and give them a proper game. Instead, the whole Rangers team was as transparent as the down pour over SOUTH WEST London yesterday afternoon.

There could be many parallels made to the 6-0 defeat at Craven Cottage earlier this season. The way the 11 Rangers players rolled over, were out classed, out played and the way the QPR fans still managed to out sing the Home support.

Sure, Frank Lampard appeared to be offside and blocking Paddy Kenny’s eyeline for Danny Sturridge’s extremely early opener, it just made things worse. Yes, we were also missing the likes of Samba Diakite and Adel Taarabt but I doubt either of them would’ve made a huge difference.

Chelsea came out on the pitch yesterday at 10 feet tall, whilst the QPR team were as tall as our mascot on the day (literally, did you see Joey Barton standing next to him?) when most fans expected Chelsea to be caught nursing a hangover from their Champions League victory, instead it was the Rangers taught a Premier League lesson.

Despite the January signings and a new manager, not much has changed since the embarrassing defeat at Fulham and the defeat yesterday. It’s clear that, this QPR team has lost all the chemistry and team spirit that was earned with winning the Championship last season and replaced with a bunch of talented individuals.

Pre-season cannot come soon enough, regardless of what division we are in next season.

We don’t have any sympathy either. Non-QPR fans scrutinise us over the whole Faurlin-FA fiasco last season and the fact we were only punished with a fine and not a points deduction, whilst this season we’re scrutinized for trying to secure our Premier League future by spending money.

However, if Tony Fernandes had bought Swansea or Norwich in late August from owners who had disrupted the whole pre-season of the club, they would’ve spent money too given Fernandes’ ambitions and cheque book.

We’ve always started this season on the back foot and whilst we may have had some bad luck that’s gone against us this season it does not tell the story after 38 League games.

The hammering at Chelsea was so bad, I do not know if we can beat Stoke City next week. And even if we did, we then have to go to Manchester City, who potentially need to win big to secure the League title.

I am hoping that, the likes of Joey Barton, SWP, Anton Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Luke Young, Nedum Onouha and Djibril Cisse all have a clause in their contracts that say their contracts are terminated if the club are relegated.

It is a crying shame that the joy of winning the Championship and achieving promotion to the Premier League last season has ended in such a disastrous season. The 1-0 win over Chelsea in October is only a consolation to me, and the last few home victories are appearing to be in vain.

Much like the 1995/1996 season, we’ve just not been good enough throughout the campaign.

Whether we stay up or not, I hope the players that will be in QPR jerseys next season learn from this season, especially the Fulham and Chelsea away games and put up a better fight next season. For 15 years we’ve been waiting to play those West London imposters and they’ve both turned us over.

No more Gary Bannister hat-tricks or Fulham being a 4^th Division side. Chelsea are one of the big boys now, and nothing like they were when we played them in the 1980’s and 1990’s. They could actually be the first London club to win the European Cup. (C’mon Bayern Munich!)

Fulham are a fully established Premier League side, who’ve got more European pedigree than us after their Europa League runners-up spot a few seasons ago.

With Tony Fernandes, we could actually catch-up with Fulham within a few seasons and with a new stadium, even challenge Chelsea on an even playing field eventually. For now, we have to lick our wounds and be patient.

C’MON YOU R’s

Its Squeaky Bum Time For QPR Fans…

The R’s continued their impressive home form with a 1-0 victory over out-of-form Tottenham Hotspur at Loftus Road last Saturday evening. Whilst it may have been a great time to face Spurs, it was still going to be a scrappy and tough London derby like they usually tend to be.

However, the similar game-plan that worked to beat Arsenal and Swansea was applied again. Letting the opposition have lots of possession in their own half but closing down in numbers in the final third. We actually look like a coherent defensive unit (at least at home) which seemed inconceivable a few months ago.

We did have a lot of luck in this game, Adel Taarabt’s free-kick should’ve been saved by the superb Brad Freidal but his positioning and his wall allowed Adel’s accurately curled shot into the back of net. I wasn’t complaining.

It was rather fitting that it was Adel who got the winning goal against the side that seemed to disregard his talent. Hopefully this buried a hatchet in Adel’s closet and he can grow mentally stronger from now on.

His sending off late on in the game, was a disgrace. Referee Mark Clattenberg (who I remember sending off a QPR player against Crewe for something similar about 10 years ago) was at fault. The fact he didn’t issue the red card after Adel’s booking, proves that the Referee forgot he had booked Adel. If he had remembered, I believe he would’ve just gave him a verbal warning.

Being down to 10-man however just played into our hands, with a 1-0 lead we were even harder to break down and it was fortunate that Spurs had no target man to find and were forced to try and pick through balls into the box or shoot from long range.

It’s great to see Paddy Kenny back in form in the R’s goal. Whilst some were critical for the goal he conceded at West Brom, he has looked back to his best and the form he had shown at the start of the season.

Relegation Run-in

At the time of writing, Bolton Wanderers won their game in hand with a 2-1 victory at Villa Park which leaves them still in the relegation zone on 33 points, but just a point off Wigan and us with another game in hand.

A win in that game in hand for Bolton (at home to Spurs) would see them on 36 points, level with Aston Villa and would see Wigan drop into the bottom three on goal difference with the R’s just resting above.

With Wolves already down at the bottom, it could be Blackburn next to join them as they have a rather tough final 3 games. They travel to Spurs on Sunday and I can’t see Spurs continue to suffer defeat after defeat here.

Next Rovers are at home to Wigan and then away to Chelsea on the final day of the season. We may actually want Rovers to beat Wigan, which will put them on 34 points and lose their two away games.

It’d only work for us, if we beat Stoke City at home ourselves. The result would put us on 37 points, which at present is 1 point better off than the Villa.

Villa’s last 3 games are away to West Brom, home to Spurs and away to Norwich. With the Baggies in a recent run of form and Spurs looking to change their fortune, they could go to Norwich on the final day needing a win to stay up if the likes of us and Bolton pick up wins.

Bolton, themselves play host to Spurs and West Brom in this run-in whilst also playing Sunderland and Stoke away. I can see them picking up a win from one of this games but hopefully nothing else, for our sakes.

Wigan are at home to Newcastle this weekend in a game which we hope the Toon Army can win because their next two games are against Blackburn and Wolves, no better opposition for a team fighting for survival.

One win for Wigan in their last 3, like one win for the R’s in our last 3 would put both clubs on 37 points. If Villa fails to win again this season and Bolton win one game in their last four, they and Villa would both be on 36 points and relegation will be decided on goal difference.

At present, out of the bottom 6 clubs, Villa have the best goal difference with -16 and QPR in second with -18. I don’t think we’ll pick up any points from Chelsea or Manchester City because our away form has been so terrible under Mark Hughes, I can’t see it changing against two sides in the top five of the EPL.

That leaves one last phenomenal home performance against Stoke City, a very physical side and not one like Arsenal, Swansea and Spurs. If Hughes chooses to keep an unchanged game plan against Stoke, it might not be able to work.

Perhaps we may have to call-upon Heider Helgusson once again with him and Zamora up top against Stoke could give us some leverage against their competitive defence.

Firstly we go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday looking to rain on their Champions League parade. I said to one QPR-friend yesterday that Chelsea going through could play into our hands on Sunday. Winning a one-off game in the final could be an easier route into qualification for next season, hopefully they’ll be tired and we can cause an upset.

There’s also the chance of John Terry and Anton Ferdinand squaring off once again with the court case still on hold until the season is over. Let’s hope justice prevails on and off the pitch.

COME ON YOU R’S

P.S.

On a side note, I would like to wish the QPR Under-18′s the best of luck this weekend as they travel to Peterborough with the chance of winning the Youth Alliance South East Conference title. Head of Youth, Steven Gallen has done a fantastic job at the Club not renown for producing talent from the youth ranks.  

Hopefully Gallen will be staying at the club despite the appointment of Mike Rigg as the clubs Technical Director. Rigg is to look to recruit youth players with high potential that can break into the first-team as Tony Fernandes wants QPR players with the club in their hearts. Great comments and also great PR.

Gallen’s side could win the title with a draw or defeat if Brighton lose at Aldershot. The side which features the likes of Frankie Sutherland, a player who I think could break into the first team if he builds on this seasons success. Again, COME ON YOU R’S

Going Down With the Wolves

QPR proved on Saturday that they’ll be dancing with Wolves all the way to the Football League for the 2012/2013 season after they suffered a 1-0 defeat away to West Bromwich Albion. Last Wednesday’s emphatic victory at Loftus Road over Swansea has appeared to be a false hope, especially for the players who may have thought that they’d already done enough to fight off survival.

Whilst we were fortunate that Blackburn went down 3-0 in Wales at the weekend, Wigan managed the unthinkable by winning 2-1 in North London last night. But it’s not the first time they’ve beaten Arsenal away in a relegation run-in and now the little Lancashire club sit comfy on 34 points in 16^th.

We may be out of the relegation zone ourselves but Bolton Wanderers have two more games in hand over us in which they only need 4 points out of that’ll probably seal our fate. That is unless we cause some miracles and win at least three out of our last four fixtures.

The two home games, this Saturday against Spurs and then against Stoke in a few weeks time will be vital. Two wins here will put us on 37 points, but with the great form Wigan are in and the games Bolton have in hand over us, I can’t see that being enough. The only positive is our better goal difference.

It means that we need to get points from Chelsea or Manchester City, tough tasks but not totally unthinkable. It helps that we travel to Scumford Bridge after they would’ve played Barcelona twice and Arsenal in between those European games. Hopefully they’ll be very tired and jaded, ready for us to pick them off if Mark Hughes gets his tactics right.

The former Wales manager faced critics after the 1-0 defeat in the Black Country for his poor tactics, however, why would he want to change a side that had been showing some good form of late?

His post match comments sum up the game, the team failed to show enough intensity that was required to win the game. Whether it was too many games too soon, given the victory over Swansea only 3 days prior and also playing with 10 men at Old Trafford 6 days prior, may have had an effect.

Still, it was disappointing that we couldn’t control this game like we did in the 2^nd half last week. In my post-victory blog post I said that the West Brom game is the second half to that Swansea fixture and a victory is the only result we should think about.

A 1-0 defeat was an extremely bitter blow to take. I could not believe some of the tweets from QPR fans after game saying that we will still stay up and the result does not matter so much, I hope you’re right but I feel you’ll eat your words in a months’ time.

We had a few chances in the game, but managed as many chances as the home side, who are safe in mid-table for another Premier League season.

It has made me question the whole set-up at Rangers. Do we really need the likes of Anton Ferdinand, Joey Barton and Bobby Zamora? Big wages and supposedly big names for ‘little old QPR’ I really don’t know anymore.

If we do go down, I’d be happy to see the likes of Shaun Derry, Clint Hill and Jamie Mackie stay because at least you know you’re going to get an honest performance out of them, week in and week out.

As for the next games, Spurs looked beatable as they crumbled at Wembley. There slow defence and weak midfield is there to be bullied by the likes of Zamora, Diakite and co. But on the flip side, Bale and Lennon running at our defence is just as frightening.

This game could be a thriller, as long as we get 3 points, I don’t care if the winner comes off the referees backside.

COME ON YOU R’S

And The R’s Are Staying Up

It appears I have taken a page out of Joey Barton’s book with the lack of updates on this Queens Park Rangers blog lately but it certainly gives me great pleasure to be making this update off the back of an emphatic win over Swansea City at Loftus Road last night.

My arse was firmly on the Sofa as my kind Spurs-supporting mate brought his Laptop around in the evening so we could watch SKY SPORTS on his SKY GO account. This was a risky business however, considering that the several times this scenario has happened previously this season, we have always lost. It made me think he was a bad Omen, but not after the 3-0 victory. The game against Tottenham in 2 weeks will be very interesting.

One thing Mark Hughes has got right is turning Loftus Road into a fortress and the victory against Swansea and also Arsenal has certainly increased the odds on our Premier League survival this season.

The Arsenal game, which I listened to on the Radio, was perhaps even better than last night, considering that we did not really expect to get any points from the game. Maybe we could sneak a draw, but considering the Gunners turned up on the back of 7 straight wins, didn’t fill anyone with blue and white hooped blood with confidence.

I had been vocal about the Swansea fixture, saying it could be a potential banana skin if the players take the game lightly because it’s not one of the “big teams” but I thought the attitude of the Rangers players last night, was exceptional.

The first half, was a little edgy but it is what you expected. The pressure was on the QPR players’ heads is massive and you could see how nervous the players were within the first 30 minutes as Swansea treated the game like a pre-season friendly or a training game passing drill.

However, we were patient and kept it tight in our own half, and a few pot shots at goal could’ve seen us take the lead sooner. Equally, Swansea missed a few chances in front of our goal too.

For me, Joey Barton had his best game in a QPR shirt last night and it was fitting that it was him who opened the scoring just before the Half Time whistle, a perfect time to score considering the Swans had dominated possession.

It gave me confidence for the 2^nd half and it was also great that it was Jamie Mackie and Akos Buzsaky who got the other two goals in the game. Mackie’s work rate is phenomenal, whilst Buzz put in a great midfield performance including a few tasty tackles.

Overall, the team performed well and you could see the confidence grow and grow during the second period. I was shouting for a 4^th, a 5^th and a 6^th goal so that our Goal Difference is even greater but it just wasn’t to be, despite having a number of chances.

The more we attacked, the more the Swans looked like they’d already landed on their close season summer holidays. Let’s hope the likes of West Brom and Stoke City have the same attitudes when we play them.

I see the Swansea game as only the first half as we travel to the Hawthorns this Saturday in a game that we should be looking to take all 3 points. Yes, there is no easy game in the Premier League but West Brom’s good form of 2012 looks to have evaporated and it would be great time to go for the attack and win the game out right.

The Baggies are on 39 points and I can’t see any team from the bottom 5 getting more than 37 with the remaining games. We’re on good form, the confidence is high and with Tottenham and Chelsea coming right after, we need another 3 points just in case we fail to take anything away from those London derbies.

SKY highlighted the fact Jamie Mackie was marginally offside for his goal last night, which I found a little apathetic considering how blatantly Ashley Young was offside in the build up to the Penalty and Red Card at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The fact Shaun Derry’s ban stood, astonished me. Yes, you can see his hand up on Young, but it wasn’t enough contact for Young to go tumbling over like he did. The United player conned Derry, QPR and the Referees.

I feel that the FA should’ve reversed the red card, considering that the build-up was an obvious offside anyway. It feels like we got punished in three fold, the offside not given, a Red card and a Penalty, which they scored from. How is any of that fair? The rules of the game need to be reviewed.

Combine that with the Clint Hill goal that never was at Bolton, relegation this season would leave a bitter, bitter taste in my mouth. Wigan too can feel such bitterness, with both Chelsea goals they conceded at Stamford Bridge being offside. Then Victor Moses’ header against United last night being ruled out for a foul on the United keeper, which was extremely minimal contact. If Wigan hadn’t won that game because of that decision it’d be a travesty but the Gods were on the side of justice.

The manner in which Derry acted to his sending off was extremely professional and a testament to a Gentleman he is. I am proud he is a QPR player.

The remaining fixtures are interesting. We’ll be looking to take 6 points from the West Brom and Stoke games, whilst the three games against Spurs, The Scum and Manchester City are a lottery.

Two more wins would see us on 37 points. Blackburn would need 3 more wins this season to match that, which they could do against the likes of Norwich, Swansea and Wigan but I just can’t see it.

Bolton on the other hand have games in abundance, with the Spurs game this weekend called off because of the FA Cup semi-final, plus the Villa game away which was called off post-Muamba incident.

Both clubs can win their remaining games, but they also face Tottenham, a side desperate for points so they can stay in Champions League contention. I know we also play the Spurs, but the fact it is a London derby puts a very different spin on it.

I honestly think 37 points might not be enough, perhaps 38 or even 39 points just to be sure. Could we get a point from Spurs, Chelsea or City? I just hate this part of the season where you’re hoping the other teams around you lose.

Before the Arsenal game, there wasn’t much optimism and we were resigned to Relegation. Today, every QPR fan, will be actually starting to think, we can stay up!

COME ON YOU R’S!

Are We West Ham In Disguise?

Comparisons between Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United are becoming more apparent throughout this season. The Hammers from the East side of London suffered relegation from the English Premier League last season making too many mistakes or having a lot of bad luck, depending on your perception.

The new owners coming into Upton Park looked to bring some stability to the club. Despite finishing 9^th the season before, West Ham just about survived relegation under Gianfranco Zola and the new board sacked the Italian and replaced him with Avram Grant.

Performances didn’t improve under the new manager and reports suggested that the board had approached Martin O’Neill behind closed doors to become the new Hammers boss, despite not yet sacking Grant. O’Neill turned them down and the board had little choice but to keep their current manager.

Like the Summer, the January transfer window saw the Hammers sign a number of additions to the squad, albeit on Loan but they were names on the team sheet that were great on paper but in the end failed to keep the club in the top flight.

This is where I start to draw comparisons. Our excellent come back against Liverpool on Wednesday gave us all something to shout about in a season of extreme contrast to our last.

It also papered over the cracks, for 70 odd minutes on Wednesday we were dominated by a Liverpool team who need finishing practice and they had plenty of chances to score and kill the game off.

Our team on paper, like West Ham’s last season looks good enough to stay up but football is played on grass. In fact, I remember West Ham having a similar result last season at West Brom when they came back from 3 goals down to draw 3-3 and went on to win the next two games.

However, that was to be their last wins of the season and went onto record 7 losses and 2 draws in their remaining fixtures.

QPR players spoke of how the win against Liverpool is going to spur the team on to better results. The fans were hoping of a change in fortunes and the media were highlights both factors.

It wasn’t to be, already 1-0 down by half-time it was evident that our biggest problem this season has always been the defence. Whilst Bendtner’s header was good, he took his opportunity from the QPR defence ball watching.

Anton Ferdinand turned to Taiwo, who turned to Onouha, who probably turned to Kenny, all looking to see who was at fault. The fact is, there should have been better anticipation.

It hurt me to watch Wigan win at Anfield on the same day because throughout the game their players were throwing their bodies on the line in front of the ball. The type of defending and commitment we really need this season.

Of course Djibril Cisse’s red card did not help the team but even if we had 11 players on the pitch, I don’t think we would’ve got a result. Now the Frenchman misses 4 games bringing it a total to 7 games suspended since his arrival in January.

Yes, Cisse was an idiot to let his passion get the better of him but on the flip side, he has been scoring goals. I also love how he motivates his team mates, something that’s been missing a lot this season. Two footed tackles and pushing players in the chest however are two things he should know he can’t do at this level.

Taiwo’s goal from a free-kick was impressive but the player had previously been caught short for the 3^rd goal we conceded.

There is a feel of too much, too soon at Loftus Road this season. New owners, new managers, new players during our first season back in the Premier League for 15 years and I’m now resigned to the fact we will be one of the three to be relegated this season.

And there is not much sympathy for us either. Other fans would find enjoyment in us being relegated for a multitude of reasons. A lot of fans want to see us fail because of the big signings we started to bring in the club, expectations were raised for people to shoot us down.

It’s not helped that Norwich and Swansea have secured their Premier League status by doing things the “right way”. Buying Championship players over Premier League experience like we did and playing good football. However, people forget that both clubs have had a better structure in place for a few seasons compared to the chaos at Loftus Road.

Others want to see us fail because of the whole Neil Warnock/Mark Hughes fiasco. Whether Warnock would be doing a better job now is not up for discussion, but the fact Hughes hasn’t done much better is coming under scrutiny.

Hughes also brings a lot of haters in our direction too. Fulham fans dislike him for ditching them after a season and were even critical of the type of football he got them to play.

Others hate Hughes because of his arrogance and attitude, thus more enjoyment to see QPR fall on their arse this season.

Obviously staying in the Premier League would be most beneficial. It would allow Hughes to have a proper pre-season with the squad and some type of game plan and direction will be in place. Since he’s come in, he’s had one thing to focus on, survival with a squad of strangers to pick from and to blend into a winning formula against sides who’ve had many seasons of stability.

Relegation on the other hand, would be a bitter pill to take but not as much as it was back in 1996. We are in a much better place to take Relegation now as a club, with Tony Fernandes in control, we’ll have a financial cushion to make a go for a promotion the following season.

The question now is, who will go and who will stay if we do go down? It’s likely Hughes will stay, resigning would only detriment his managerial CV but I wouldn’t put it past him going.

Joey Barton has said he’d stay, like he did with Newcastle but what about the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Anton Ferdinand and Bobby Zamora? Not to mention many other players on big wages in the squad. Will it be a mass clear out or a group of players determined to get us back up?

With Bolton winning yesterday, we go into next weekend’s game at home to Arsenal desperately needing 3 points. If Bolton and Blackburn both pick up 3 points and we lose, it could create a 6 point gap between the bottom 3 and the rest.

Arsenal have won 7 on the bounce and despite Loftus Road being a narrow pitch, they will surely rip our vulnerable defence to shreds.

The weekend after that, we travel to Old Trafford.

By the time we play Swansea at home, we would have probably suffered 3 back to back defeats. I can’t see us getting anything from the Arsenal and United games, even if the opposition get players sent off.

And even if we beat Swansea and also take 3 points from West Brom, it will all be too little too late.

Saying that, I do have that sense of hope, somewhere still inside of me that thinks we can do it but it is getting smaller and smaller as the season goes on.