Recently, QPR fans have broken into two main camps. The first is the all-singing and dancing ‘How-Can-You-Not-Be-Happy-With-Playoffs-After-Last-Year?!’ and then there is the more cynical ‘We-Should-Be-Walking-This-League-With-The-Money-We’ve-Spent!’
I’m not sure what camp I’m in to be honest, although I am fully behind any fan that pays their money week-in week-out to complain, criticise and boo their team if they want. Fans work hard for their money and if they aren’t happy with something they should be vocal any way they want.
Despite Harry Redknapp playing down expectations and constantly reminding anyone that will listen about the overhauling job he had to go through in the summer, with the resources available Rangers should be doing far, far better than they actually are.
We have completed the signing of Ravel Morrison, and he should look to give us something different – mobility would be a start. But it’s another loan, another signing because we aren’t as prepared as we should be. An eighth loan going signing slotting into five places which means that other players will have to drop out. It will be another loan fee too - loans aren’t freebies, you do have to pay a fee to get them into the club so this can work out pricey too.
Rangers need to accommodate Niko Kranjcar, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Will Keane, Kevin Doyle, Tom Carroll, Modibo Maiga and the Brazilian Dellatorre. I’m not sure there would be many – if any - that you would want to sign at the end of the season on permanent deals.
You can then add to that list Javier Chevanton, Danny Simpson, Oguichi Oneyewu, Yossi Benayoun, Richard Dunne, Aaron Hughes and Gary O’Neil to show that Redknapp has resources and money that other Championship clubs could only dream of.
Add the Championship’s best two players last season – Matt Phillips and Charlie Austin – costing a combined fee of £10m and this unbalanced, expensive and ageing squad is ready.
There’s also been call for Loic Remy to play in the play-offs, but it feels like cheating going out and signing Morrison just because we can, playing a world-class striker to get out of a league which, let’s be honest, is pretty dire would be even worse.
Whatever Redknapp says, it will be a crime if QPR do not get promoted this year with the players at their disposal and the money spent. If we do get to the play-offs and have to play the teams around us – which our record against leaves a lot to be desired - can you imagine the likes of Kranjcar and Assou-Ekotto sitting in the changing rooms at Wembley thinking how they are about to play the biggest game off their life?
On another note, great credit must go to QPR for the day they laid on for supporter Tony Mills at the weekend. Tony’s Special Day was incredibly moving and it put Rangers’ dismal form in the league into context.
Huge credit must go to the QPR media team and especially Joey Barton, who is doing well to win fan’s hearts back, after he travelled to Tony’s family home in Eastbourne to deliver the tickets. James Mills, Tony’s son, originally tweeted Barton explaining the situation and Barton got the ball rolling. Social Media being used wisely.
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