Football fans rarely reach a consensus on anything, but it feels like everyone wants QPR to go down this season. This is a difficult subject for me to address because my brother in law is a QPR fan – Darren, sorry man, nothing personal in this. But, every time relegation comes up, I always hear people saying “I really hope QPR go down”.
QPR never used to be so unpopular. Their 70’s team is talked up as one of the most stylish and entertaining sides of its era. And, while Loftus Road isn’t to everyone’s taste, I’ve always enjoyed as an away day. It’s an intimate venue with all the stands very tight to pitch. A proper old football ground. So, how did the West London club become so universally loathed?
The players
QPR have binged on players with every passing transfer window, massively inflating their wage bill in the process. And yet, they have failed to significantly enhance their team.
The fact that QPR still field players like Clint Hill and Sean Derry says much about their failed transfer policy, if indeed there ever was one, during the past two seasons. It’s not that Hill and Derry don’t deserve to play; anyone can see why they still feature when you contrast their efforts with the risible contributions of some of their more recent arrivals at Loftus Road. The problem is that after all that money spent, Hill and Derry are still required.
Jose Bosingwa’s refusal to sit on the bench for QPR earlier this season was a new low in the exploits of Premier League mercenaries. Bosingwa is an unexceptional fullback and he is paid £80,000 a week. Eighty thousand pounds. This event perfectly epitomised the problems within QPR’s squad created by the panic buying of successive managers. You can be certain Hill and Derry aren’t picking up a salary anywhere near that figure that.
You don’t need to watch QPR for long before it becomes glaringly obvious that some of their players simply don’t give a shit. And then there was that story about the drinking session in Dubai. What this means for the unity within the squad is another matter, but that’s where the manager comes in.
The managers
It’s easy to forget the ever unpopular Neil Warnock was QPR’s manager until January 2012. No one likes Warnock, but he didn’t really have time to get on everyone’s nerves before he’d been replaced by Mark Hughes, one of the most life-sapping characters in the game. Hughes’ perpetual misery was enough to leave you asking yourself some pretty fundamental questions about your choices in life. Christ, he was miserable. His sacking felt like a mercy killing. And then there was ‘Arry.
It barely needs saying that Harry Redknapp divides opinions. Regardless of his methods, the fact that he has achieved some relative success in his career should not really be up for debate. But, the hailing of Redknapp as some sort of Harry Houdini-type character, charmed with the gift of leading clubs to great escapes, has been clearly proved to be bollocks. If it were true, QPR would not be seven points adrift of safety – the gap was six points when Redknapp took over. He has been given resources but has failed to get results, and the media, in particular the BBC Match of the Day team, are now unsure where to cast the blame. I don’t think Redknapp can be judged too harshly – this is a debacle not entirely of his making – but relegation will sure end the myth of Harry the miracle worker.
Celebrating City’s win
I’ve heard a lot of Manchester United fans express their loathing of QPR supporters for celebrating City’s title win at the Ethihad last season. Their point is that it had nothing to with QPR, so why should their fans care either way if City or United win the league. Logic suggests that by expressing their joy at City’s triumph, they are also showing their joy at United’s failure. I don’t know if this is fair. After all, QPR had just had their survival confirmed at the end of a very long afternoon, so were probably feeling pretty jubilant. But, it is a bit weird to celebrate the opposition scoring. The only possible scenario where it might be acceptable is when you know a goal will deny your rivals a trophy. So, United fans, and that’s quite a lot of fans, will enthusiastically cheer QPR’s return to Championship football, should it happen.
The endless waste
QPR are not the first team to waste a lot of money and they won’t be the last. But, while it may be pointless trying to apply the current economic context to the ridiculous landscape of Premier League football, it’s impossible to ignore entirely. We are in a recession, after all, and money is more precious than ever. Now, I don’t care that QPR are bankrolled – lots of clubs are – it’s just that they’re just getting such a pitiful return on their outlay. It’s actually infuriating.
Tony Fernandes appears quite content to shovel money onto a bonfire. When asked about the potential impact of relegation, Fernandes simply stated that they’d have to come back up. At this point someone needed to throw a bucket of cold water over him, give him a slap in the face, and shout “FOR GOD’S SAKE, MAN!” But, they did not, and another shovel went on to the fire. I wonder, if the price of gas keeps rising maybe we can all just burn Fernandes’ money instead?
With clubs like West Brom and Swansea punching well above their weight without paying Christopher Samba £100k a week, will relegation prompt a change in course? The last five years in QPR’s history suggests not. Sadly, this club is a case study for how to lose money in football if you’re rich and impatient. Hopefully there will still be a football club at the end of it all.
How many fucking times? SAMBA ISN’T ON £100K
how much is he on?
Samba is on 65k and Boswinger is on 45k!! Oh, and we celebrated because we knew before Citeh had scored that we were staying up, therefore no one could give a monkey’s about the final result!
Learn your facts before you write such useless drivel.
I believe that’s exactly why City scored the winning goal: the Blackburn game ended a minute before the QPR game, and the QPR players were distracted by the good news. This lapse allowed City to score what was, by then, a meaningless goal from QPR’s perspective.
AND NO BODY CELEBRATED CITY SCORING. Fuck me this is poor writing.
Exhibit A:
I think the Ashley Young factor might have played a role here. Lots of rangers fans didn’t want to see him win a title after ‘that’ dive at Old trafford which resulted in Derry walking. Personally however I was gutted we conceded after holding out for so long against an amazing front line.
But anyway, blaming rangers is ridiculous in my opinion. Utd dropping points against, Everton, Wigan and crucially City was obviously more critical than ranger conceding a third in a game no one expected them to win anyway. Thats not a dig at utd fans, I quite like utd (bar mr young), its just telling it how it is.
most of the people that hate QPR are the Prawn sandwich Brigade of MU.
They were pissed off they could`not get the corks back in their champagne after they found city had beaten QPR
Today, my lazy, sloth, ugly, fat and boring of a wife got out of bed without moaning. If that can happen then may be QPR could still survive!!!
Exhibit B: http://qprreport.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=31487&page=1#258452
lol ok fairpoint but it was cause we had already been confirmed to stay up, so on one hand the final result didn’t matter.
Why do people like you slag off Tony Fernadez for spending HIS money.? Thats right it,s his to spend as he wants to. How come you don,t say the same crap about Mansour ,Abramovich The Galzers or the faceless yanks that own Liverpool. As for Neil Warnock ,your are right ,He is not liked by prats like you .But he is loved at Loftus Road. In My Opinion you are just another bandwagon jumper. Keep your Biased anti QPR views to your self.
Thanks, I am critical of other clubs, and I don’t have a problem with Fernandes spending his money, but the club will now be utterly dependent on him to cover their huge losses, especially if they go down. I don’t think that is a healthy position for any club to be in.
When Fernandes came to QPR money needed to be spent. Not just on players but on the ground, Training ground and various other things. There are plans for a new stadium being talked about, and also we are in deep discussions about a new training ground. Plus the papers that reported the debt we are in, failed to mention who the clubs creditors are. Tune talk and Swordfish Investments, companies which are owned by Tony Fernandes and the Mittal family respectively
Do you not know that QPR have NO external debts .Any money owed is to the owners by the owners . Also Tony Fernandez is not the only oney behind the club .Have you ever heard of Lakshmi Mittal .He is one of the richest men in the world {about double Abramovich,s wealth}and part owner of QPR . So there are no financial problems
I haven’t suggested that QPR have financial problems at the moment. But, your club’s financial viability is now entirely in the hands of Fernandes and Mittal (yes, I have heard of him). That’s fine, but it means you are entirely at their mercy, as Chelsea are to Abramovich (hence he can hire and fire as he pleases, and no one can challenge him). I don’t think that’s a very desirable scenario for any club, but if you like it, then good for you.
Having Fernandes calling the shots is certainly a more desirable scenario than the days of fans walking around outside the ground with buckets, begging for loose change just to keep the club going. We have basically been skint for all but about 5 years of our 131 year history – I think we’ve earnt the right to spend a few quid. You’ll be saying we’re the “new Portsmouth” next…..
Poor write up. You really need to find out facts before you write. Everyone thinks they know about the goings on at QPR, when infact all you know is what the press write. And Papers will never write stories just to sell their papers will They.
in my opinion Warnock should never have been sacked……also i feel and you should never have compiled such a pathetic excuse for an article. We have rich backers who can do whatever they choose with the cash…in all walks of life you have to take a step back to move forward again….the plan is long term and not solely hinged on staying in the premier league……the article is insulting to the owners intelligence….seriously!
Ah, so relegation was part of the long-term plan. Fair enough.
Just like a lot of gutter press,total codswallop mate,you really do need to study QPR,
and watch them play every minute from the start of the season to see where things have gone wrong.
The moment we were a sit back and keep your shape,oh and whilst doing that allow the opposition to casually pass the ball around for fun,instead of pressing them to regain possession,in doing so increasing their confidence,Fulham being a classic example.
What happens when we actually pressure the opposition,we actually have done well,
in the 2nd half v Fulham,in both games v Chelsea,where all players put themselves on the line for 90 mins,and i am sorry to say in a lot of games where the damage has been done.
Yes some players were not pulling their weight,but the stupid let’s buy a whole new team approach and then play one striker up front at home,give the opposition lots & lots of respect,instead of playing to your own strengths,this my friend is where MR.MARK HUGHES IS TO BLAME,with his “OUR LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE
WASN’T SO GOOD TODAY” rubbish clueless excuse,which he repeated like a stuck record,week in week out,until he managed to rip the spine out of what can be one of the most exciting football teams to watch in this country,even now there is never a dull moment watching THE R’S!.
Got to admit i stopped reading your blog,when you started spouting off about the Dubai unproven lies,we have a top top chairman,and board, Mittals and decent managerial team at last,but oh what a mess MR.HUGHES left!
ENUFF SAID!
I don’t like Mark Hughes either, but I think “what can be one of the most exciting football teams to watch in this country” might be overselling your team a little bit.
Sad, lazy, judgemental, assumptive, journalism. What a horrible indusry to work in if this is what you are happy to put your name to, I fear for your soul. x
Strangely enough the people I speak to that support other teams seem to quite like QPR and the only mistake Tony Fernandes made was believing the hype that Hughes was a manager who knew what he was doing.Its sad how some people revel in other peoples misfortune what sad individuals they must be.
It is sad, but it’s pretty common in football and it’s usually short term. If QPR do go down it will all be forgotten pretty quickly.
Just as a piece of advice.. for future articles you might want to check the facts, rather than just regurgitate the drivel the like of The Mirror produce.
I’m all for debate and will accept criticism towards my club – we know more than anyone that QPR have made a lot of mistakes since coming back to the Premier League. Yet the core of this ‘article’ is based around personal opinion and hearsay. Why not look into the ‘real’ reasons? Why not actually gather opinion to see if your headline is actually true and not just a personal wish?
At the end of the day this article show that this is ‘just another schoolboy blogging site’. Good luck with that.
Internet comments make me happy. And sad. Then sleepy.
I happen to live in brighton and work in crawley, no-one i know hates qpr. Yes i got grief after 12 million pound man chris samba had a knightmare against fulham, but thats just banter that i would have given to anyone else. You need to ask yourself why does everyone dislike man utd, why did everyone dislike liverpool in the 70s/80s. Blackburn when they won the premiership.Why do fans dislike chelsea. Jealousy. They have what they wish there club has, money/ success. Maybe getting relegated isnt part of the plan, but its good to know we have owners who wont just quit and are in for the long term. How many chairman and owners do you know get a shout out at every game. Im hoping it will do us some good with west brom and newcastle fine examples. We are qpr. We’ve been through a lot worse than being relegated from the premier league. As the fans sing every week ” rangers till i die”.
I think the comment about pride in the shirt was never more evident than on Tuesday night when QPR were 3 nil down before half time. My sons U10 team could have played better. The fans talk about Redknapp like the second coming and I guess I don’t see it. The excuse he can only work with what he has is a cop out. A great manager can get more out of players than they know they can give. Anyway down or up, I think everyone concedes this year has been a disaster for QPR.
Michael you do realise that seconds before City scored their 3rd against QPR that our fans had just found out we had stayed up. Thats what they were celebrating not City’s goal.
I take it you fancy yourself as a journalist and you should get a job at the Daily Mail as they are QPR haters as well and also copy everything they read without finding facts and let’s face it everybody who isn’t a United fan hates Fergie anyway!
Tony Fernandes is the savior of QPR , no one has made a reference of those formula 1 tycoon half wits who totally embarrassed the club with that horrible TV documentary they participated in. What a disgrace.They are to blame for our predicament by not allowing Neil Warnock invest in premiership quality players in the close season of 2011. They both sold the club onto Tony when the transfer window was closed giving Neil Warnock no chance of building a team, then Mr charisma bye-pass Hughes in. He has also played a big part of our current situation. For the record I hate the premiership this in my view what has epitomized what’s wrong with top flight football. Thiers a Scottish manager of the England’s biggest club who don’t give a monkeys toot about England and probably goes must of them muggy foreign managers especially if they are French or Spanish, think about it stands to reason why the moan about releasing players for England because they want there country of birth to do better then us.
Why the hell are we going on about last season its all water under the bridge as far as I am concerned ,this session has quite frankly been a bloody disaster ,Hughes was allowed to stay in charge too long,redknapp had his back to the wall from day one ,OK our permances have improved but we still have players who don’t give a shit too many bloody mercenaries ,and what makes it worse is some of the players that were signed were in my view no better than what we already had ,I quite agree about your comments about QPR being one of the most attractive sides to watch but that was years ago ,how I long for those days ,this session I have seen some of the most insipid ,uninspiring football I have ever seen at Loftus Road ,I hate the bloody park the bus philosophy ,I would rather have a team playing attractive football and losing than watch some of the stuff we have been served up this season ,I have to say that I would hope one day to come away saying that was a really good game but unfortunately that has not happened,I should also point out that I never wanted Hughes and I never wanted redknapp ,I hope that if we do go down we bring in a vibrant new young manager who will give some of our younger players a chance and get shot of some of the players who obviously don’t give a shit about the club and what it means to west the famous hoops shirt ,if you want to know where I am coming from and what qualifies me to comment like this the let me tell you I have supported the rrs for over fifty yrs ,I was at Wembley when we won the League cup , I have been at Loftus Road when we did bucket collections ,yes it is never dull being an rrs supporter ,I also think Manchester City fans don’t like them because we relegated them and they have never forgotten it ,anyway to sum up I don’t care who hates us I will always be an rrs supporter no matter what league we are in through thick and thin as I have always done for over fifty yrs coy,rs
Quite simply hits the nail on the head Michael although you could have been harsher on Redknapp.
Top article, sums the current situation up very well.
Some of the comments on here are killing me haha. It’s not a debt because it”s owed to one of their companies?! Wakey wakey.
Bye Ra Ra’s…
Have you actually read the comments through properly? Nobody said there was no debt, they said there was no EXTERNAL debt, meaning that the debt we have is only owed to the owners, much the same way Foolham and Chelscums debt is owed to theirs.
Thought provoking piece which has clearly touched a sensitive spot; like pouring salt on a seeping wound.
ps. Am I the only one who feels tempted to correct the spelling, punctuation and grammar of most of these responses?
I’ll never understand how QPR always manage to pull off the pretence of being universally liked with journalists while airbrushing the predatory aspects of their recent history from their memories.
In 1967 Brentford hit financial problems. QPR tried to buy Griffin Park from under them, a move that would have almost certainly finished Brentford’s existence as a club. Fortunately Brentford managed to rebuff their approaches.
The early 80s arrived and this time it was Chelsea and Fulham in financial difficulties. First they expressed an interest in buying Craven Cottage in a similar fashion to the 1967 attack on Brentford. When that was turned down they proposed a merger between QPR, Chelsea and Fulham.
The late 80s saw them announce plans to ‘merge’ with Reading, build a ground in Slough and call the resulting club, Thames Valley Rangers. When the Football League finally grew a pair and told them that if it happened, they would have to start life in Division 4, the Chairman of the time decided that he wasn’t that interested after all, and his week long PR assault through the pages of the Evening Standard had just been exploring the level of feeling for the idea. Yeah, right.
So take your head out of the sand. QPR are not the nice fluffy small club they like you to believe. Due to that awful ground, they are one of the most predatory clubs around given half a chance, and there are still many fans of Brentford, Fulham and Reading for whom not enough misfortune could possibly befall the Rah-Rahs!
Rah Rah’s!?! That probably says quite a lot about you! So has the utter nonsense you’ve just written.
Granted, there was a takeover bid of Brentford – before I was born so couldn’t tell you a thing about. My Dad followed Brentford as a kid & has never mentioned anything about it. I have many Brentford supporting friends & those of a similar age to me obviously weren’t around & the few older ones I know have long forgotten about it. Brentford fans dislike of us is generally a locality thing. It’s hardly a bitter rivalry – the first competitive fixture between us in my lifetime wasn’t until I was in my 30’s. If you know Brentford fans that are still sore about the takeover then you must know some very bitter old men. Maybe you’re one of them?
Onto the Fulham Park Rangers fiasco – that was a merger between QPR & Fulham put forward by Marler Estates who were majority shareholders in both clubs in the mid 80’s. It was not a predatory move by QPR. In fact, Marler Estates acquired Fulham & Craven Cottage before they bought QPR. This merger that was protested vehemently by both sets of supporters & together as well. I remember Fulham fans coming to a QPR game to protest & I personally went to Craven Cottage to do the same with other fellow QPR fans. The new breed of Fulham fans may not like us & maybe the old guard as well but because of a “merger” not wanted by either set of fans??? I don’t think so! And as for Chelsea?? Check your facts! Marler Estates owned a large share of the leasehold on Stamford Bridge which I believe Bates managed obtain back but Chelsea were never part of the merger plan.
Thames Valley Rangers??? Are you sure? You’re not thinking of Thames Valley Royals which was a proposed merger between Reading & Oxford United by Robert Maxwell I believe. If it was ever considered as you seem to think it was – QPR fans wouldn’t have stood for & I don’t suppose Reading’s would either. Reading do seem to dislike us but we’ve never really known why? Maybe because they wear the same kit as us & use the same nickname but we’re better known for them – who knows. Reading is the same as many large towns in the shadow of a bigger city – full of strange people.
If you’d done your homework, you could have mentioned Wimbledon. Talks took place to merge the two teams but again QPR fans wouldn’t have stood for it. Wimbledon became MK Dons & due to our predatory nature, QPR cancelled a pre-season friendly against MK Dons under pressure from the fans in protest at what Peter Winkleman had done to Wimbledon. It’s a shame we couldn’t have cancelled this seasons FA Cup tie as well!
Fans of all the clubs you mentioned being against us because of our predatory nature? That’s hilarious!!
Being at the Man City game last season & sitting at the end of the row next to the home fans. I can say that we never celebrated their goal. We were celebrating Bolton only managing a draw against Stoke & learning we were safe. When they scored we applauded them for winning the title & then continued celebrating our staying up. I’ve nothing against United but you could see what it meant to them City fans that day & fair play to them. After our recent home defeat against United, a lot of their fans were saying that was for gifting City the title. I think their team did that at Wigan!
So, should we be nicking Millwall’s song?
Anyone? Anyone? http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/apr/16/qpr-bank-loan-tony-fernandes
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