A long hard season ahead for QPR
In May jubilant celebrations rang around Loftus Road as QPR returned to the Premier League, however all has been rather quiet over the summer, leaving little of the celebratory air around the place remaining.
QPR’s owners have stated that they are committed to strengthening their status as a Premier League club and building for a future in the top division, but they have shown little to no ambition to stay there. To be fair to the owners, they did take a very weak team and save them from sliding down the leagues, but they now seem to have woken up to costs of running a club in a recession and the difficulty in competing in this league. It appears that they are now not willing to put any more money in, and that Neil Warnock and the players will be on their own if they want to stay in the Premier League.
Neil Warnock was reportedly told that there was no money to spend this year, even if Adel Taarabt was sold, which is not really ideal preparation for a team preparing for a team who face a tough season in the top flight. It looks now as if they have managed to keep hold of their star Taraabt, which is absolutely key for them for the season ahead, however, this seems like one positive of a rather gloomy summer, as the lack of investment over the close season has been alarming. The only players who have come in, have done so on a free – Jay Bothroyd, Danny Gabbidon, Kieron Dyer – it seems that the owners-despite being some of the richest men in football-have no desire to stay in the top league.
Of course QPR fans have to be realistic, and they wouldn’t have expected massive transfer fees or wages to be thrown about, but they must have expected at least some sort of investment. The clubs original targets have gone to promoted rivals or slipped away, which is simply frustrating. Of course it is key to be sensible in the Premier League, but the owners seem to be showing absolutely no desire to dig into their pockets or spend the promotion windfall.
To compound matters, QPR are now charging top dollar for the fans to see their team play. The cheapest seats at Loftus Road this season are £47, with some as high as £72, and season ticket prices are up 40%. A lot of the long term fans have been totally priced out of seeing their team next season, which just seems beyond. How can they put the prices up by that much when they are showing no ambition to even stay in the league? The owners and fans have got what they wanted, Premiership football, but has it come at the expense of the heart and soul of the club?
There are troubled times ahead for QPR, a lack of investment, lack of new players, lack of support for the manager from the owners, and the rise in ticket prices will surely serve to alienate fans and the owners even further. If the side want to stay in the top flight then everyone will need to pull together, but unfortunately it seems as if the owners are not willing to do their part, and ultimately this could affect the whole atmosphere at the club and their season ahead.
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What a load of old tosh, we have kept Adel Taarabt, aquired Jay Bothroyd, with DJ Campbell soon to be announced.
Long hard season ahead my backside.
You R’s.
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Tony Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 5:55 pm
It will be a long hard season think we will have a decent 11 and home games will be important but once we have injuries and suspensions we will find it tough. Still think we will have just about enough to stay up, but Taarabt will be so important as will Bothroyd and DJ if he comes
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Lauren Rutter Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Any QPR fan who thinks it won’t be a long hard season, is clearly deluded.
Also any QPR fan excited about the signing of Jay Bothroyd is laughable. He’ll spend more time on the floor than he will doing anything beneficial for the side.
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tony Reply:
July 28th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
you are dead right in all you wrote….I’ve been afan for over 50 years and was born on Loftus rd…..I’ve backed them heavily to go down at 7-4 and to finish bottom at 13-2……..If something doesn[t change soon we have no chance !!!!!…..I remember 68-69 when we only won 4 games and was at Man U when we lost 8-1……Deyavu ????????/
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Agree wholeheartedly with the author. Gazza with the greatest respect DJ Campbell and Bothroyd are Championship quality like the rest of our team. I doubt many teams will be scared at facing the likes of Sean Derry or Clint Hill. We need to sign Premier League quality or we are doomed.
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Lauren Rutter Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
Thanks. I agree the signings are Championship quality, they will struggle to make a difference in the prem.
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Totally agree with R’s and the author. We are missing the boat and Taraabt on his own cant carry us. I agree with Wilkins that Adel needs to change his ways if he is going to be any use to us in the Premier League. Afterall Tottenham didn’t get rid of him for any other reason other than his unwillingness to be a team player. Getting excited about Bothroyd and Campbell is laughable.
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Lauren Rutter Reply:
July 27th, 2011 at 7:02 pm
Exactly, any Cardiff City fan will tell you Bothroyd is nothing to get excited about.
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