A good bit of business...
A good bit of business..
After the Summer transfer window you would have thought QPR would be in a better position than they are. With thirteen additions to the QPR squad and some big names and experienced players QPR find themselves rooted to the foot of the table.
I believe there is only one man to blame for this and that is Mark Hughes, given the fact that the Board and Chairman finalise the deals, Mark Hughes was trusted to bring in the best players available to the club, but just like when he managed Man City he doesn’t know what to do when he has a load of money to spend. Remember Mark Hughes signed the likes of Robinho and Jo for Man City who cost the club over £60 million in total. That’s right, remember Jo... because I sure as hell don’t. Mark Hughes wanted to bring in new players who he believed could be challenging for a mid table place this season, but that backfired, with thirteen new faces trying to gel in the team.
It disrupted the passion and the morale in the dressing room, the side that escaped relegation last season showed fight and determination throughout the season, escaping on the last day of the season with the likes of Heidar Helguson notably putting in week in, week out Premiership quality performances. There was no need to bring in thirteen players, a couple at max. Heidar should have been given another season this time round and would have been a key player to help out the likes of CIsse and Remy. Another couple of players that come to mind are Tommy Smith and Akos Buzsaky; arguably they aren’t starting eleven players but are good squad players and are an asset to the team if you want to bring them on in the last twenty minutes of games.
You only have to look at the likes of Swansea and Norwich who have stuck by the Championship promoted team, with just adding a few players so that the team’s morale isn’t disrupted at all.
I scratch my head at the fact of the signing of Ji-Sung Park, when this signing happened I was over the moon and buzzing, as I have seen what this fella had done at Man United. Within minutes of the signing, he was given the Captaincy; a player that just comes into the squad gets given automatic Captain... that’s like being promoted from trolley boy to checkout supervisor in minutes... oh wait... Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Adel Taarabt, three names that stand out who deserve the Captain’s badge. All these three players have been key and all three give 10/10 performances each week. The Ji Sung Park deal was just a good bit of shirt sales business and to make the club a name for itself in Korea and possibly boost Fernandes’s Air Asia airline. I am not blaming the Chairman one bit here, but when Park actually performs well and even attempts to make a mere reserve team performance each week, then this might have been a good deal.
Right that’s enough talking of what was, now it’s what is and let’s move forward. The January transfer window, was according to the Rangers fans, a quiet one. You can’t please some people, with the likes of Christopher Samba signing from Anjhi, Loic Remy signing from Marseille, and finally Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend signing on the deadline day. Rangers fans still scratching their heads and unhappy. Again, what do you fans want, another seven players brought and having to fit in the squad? Harry believes only a few players were needed, possibly the addition of Peter Odemwingie would help but let’s not talk about that, I could ramble on just like the Star Wars saga goes on and on.
Andros Townsend was a great bit of business, signing on loan until the end of the season, this bright, talented left sided winger has what Rangers has been calling out for since the release of Lee Cook. Townsend got thrown straight in at the deep end with a start at Norwich on Saturday. He was so impressive, strong and quick and tormented Norwich throughout. Possibly noted as my man of the match, coming close with a few efforts, but denied by the Norwich keeper.
Jermaine Jenas, another great addition perfect to sit in alongside Derry or Granero with Mbia just behind. Jenas is another talented bright young footballer who if he stays fit, which is a big ask, I believe will make a perfect replacement for Joey Barton, as since his absence QPR fail to have that holding midfielder and Jenas is perfect for that role. Many of you ask why loan Faurlin out? Faurlin hasn’t been the same player since he has come back so sending him out on loan is the best idea, hoping when he can come back he is the same Ale Faurlin we had in that prolific Championship season.
Now summing up with the two transfers I was most excited about, Christopher Samba to start. Christopher Samba has been a target for QPR for ages now and to finally have him is a joy to behold, both in his own box and the opponents, Chris towers over everyone with his Tyson like stature. He is an outstanding defender and is a perfect replacement for Ryan Nelsen who has been a great servant to the club in his short time here. Christopher Samba is a better Dan Shittu in my eyes who has just that bit more than big Dan had. With Christopher Samba a perfect defender to have alongside Clint Hill and Julio Cesar in the Rangers goal I can’t see QPR conceding too many goals for the remainder of the season, touch wood (touches head repeatedly).
Now onto the position that QPR fans go on and on about; the striker. The signing of Loic Remy in the January transfer window was phenomenal, his vision and drive in front of goal is outstanding, and scoring on his debut against West Ham he showed ease with the finish. Loic can play upfront on his own and with Adel Taarabt providing the service; I can see many more goals to come. Saying this, somehow if we could play another striker upfront with him like Bobby Zamora whose holdup play is second to none, would be perfect for the French international. Loic, who has reportedly been ruled out for a couple of months, but nothing official has been confirmed, needs to get on with it. Fans were crying out for another striker. But I believe with Zamora back at full fitness, Bothroyd and Mackie are adequate to do the job. Rangers have sorted out the defensive side; they just need to turn chances into goals.
All in all what a great January transfer window. In Harry we trust and COYRRRRRRRRRRS!
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