Harry Redknapp left QPR limping (in both senses of the word) after resigning due to a serious knee injury on February 3rd, leaving them struggling in the relegation zone. Despite his best efforts on deadline day, he couldn’t add to a squad with the worst defence in the league and an over reliance on Charlie Austin for goals. QPR have never really got into their stride since returning to the premier league and without a manager like Harry Redknapp at the helm, I rate their chances of staying in the league as slim at best.
On paper, QPR’s summer signings suggested a much more thought-out strategy for premier league survival than Mark Hughes’ attempt in 2012; signing the likes of Eduardo Vargas, Leroy Fer and Steven Caulker among others. However, none of these players have put in consistent performances this season, and most disappointingly, star signing Rio Ferdinand has failed to make an impact….. or even hold down a first team place.
Without a manager or new additions to the squad in January, QPR will get relegated if nothing is done, FACT.
So where do they go next?
- Tim Sherwood is reportedly being lined up as Harry Redknapp’s replacement for the remainder of the season, definitely a step in the right direction. His energy kick-started Spur’s season last year after replacing Andre Villas Boas mid-season, breathing new life into players on the fringes of the squad such as Nabil Bentaleb,. Andros Townsend and Emmanuel Adebayor, and the same will be expected of him this time around.
The task of keeping QPR in the league would be tough for any manager, especially considering that Tim Sherwood only has half a season of managerial experience under his belt. However, the only other manager out of work with genuine pedigree is Harry Redknapp, so it seems as Sherwood’s going to have to be the man for the job.
- The next step would be to take a risk, A BIG RISK. QPR have a player training with their youth set-up who has over 80 Premier League appearances, the highest level of trickery and played Champions League football last season. His name….. Adel Taarabt.
Since signing from Tottenham in 2009, Taarabt has more than paid back the £1 million it cost QPR to sign him. His performances in the 2010-11 season in the Championship single-handedly took QPR to the premier league with an impressive 19 goals and 16 assists, winning Championship Player of the Season in the process. However, he has never shown this type of form for QPR in the Premier League and reportedly came back overweight after loan spells at Fulham and AC Milan last season.
Taarabt’s ability alone warrants a recall to the team and with QPR’s desperate situation, he is a Risk Worth Taking!
For QPR to stay up this season Tim Sherwood will have to hit the ground running like he did at Spurs and Adel Taarabt will have to produce the same kind of form he did in the Championship…. both of these events could and MUST happen for the West London club to avoid relegation.
Do You Think QPR Will Stay Up? As Usual Comments Are Encouraged!
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