The Road to Recovery : How relegation may have saved QPR

By John Howell. Queens Park Rangers last stint in the Premier League could be crudely defined as ‘you get what you pay for’. With an influx of uninspired stars out for nothing more than a big pay day, the London side barely avoided relegation on the final day of the 2011/2012 season, and slumped into the Championship a year later. Even Harry Redknapp’s mid-season arrival and a further slew of big money transfers could not save them. Redknapp was brutally honest in his outlook for a season outside the top flight and a long road back was predicted for the R’s.

QPR’s doomed Premier League voyage is a cautionary tale to both promotion new boys and prospective lower league sides searching for the promised land: money doesn’t always equal success.

Chairman Tony Fernandes splashed cash on both fees and wages in the hope of bringing success to Loftus Road. High profile signings such as Djibril Cissé, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ji-Sung Park, Esteban Granero, and Christopher Samba all came through the doors.

These so-called stars and more could not save the side from relegation, turning in wretched displays week after week and damaging reputations in the process. Fans were glad to see the back of Jose Boswinga, a two-time Champions League winner universally derided for his abysmal turnouts. The full-back now plies his trade far away in Turkey.

Redknapp’s dour expression was a regular fixture in the Loftus Road dugout throughout 2013. The 67-year-old looked like he’d rather be anywhere else.

Nothing much changed during the first half of last season, but by hook or crook, the Londoner managed to pull his side by the scruff of the neck back into the Premier League at the first time of asking via the play-offs.

It’s now QPR’s time to learn lessons from others.

Hull City and Crystal Palace are shining examples of what promoted clubs can achieve on a modest budget with proper planning.

Both sides invested well upon entering England’s top league and have managed to establish themselves amongst the bigger boys. Both know how to win games by playing to their own strengths, whereas Rangers tried to take many teams on and failed.

Under Redknapp, QPR have started to regain the stability that Hull and Palace now possess. His no-nonsense approach to management will see his players perform to the highest of their ability in this league or swiftly find themselves out in the cold. Sink or swim.

Investment’s have been shrewd – quality, not quantity is what the former Spurs boss has gone for this time around.The arrival of England’s Rio Ferdinand and Steven Caulker will bolster the defence, whilst Jordan Mutch will provide creativity in the middle of the park. A sticking point is whether the prolific Loic Remy will stay to supply goals. With time to spare in the transfer window, the French striker may still move on to a Champions League side.

In comparison to Burnley and Leicester City, Rangers look best equipped from the promoted sides to stay up. Redknapp has been in this position so many times he has a wardrobe full of t-shirts – he knows what it takes to stay up and this time he has a full season to meet the target.

It really could go either way for QPR; it all depends on the mindset of its playing members. A new season and a new squad, with the right attitude, QPR could be set to stay.

Will the new signings at Loftus Road be enough to ensure an atmosphere of stability for QPR this time around? Can QPR  become an established top-flight club, emulating the likes of Southampton and Crystal Palace?

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