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Half term QPR report, and January sales wish list — guest column
Half term QPR report, and January sales wish list — guest column
Saturday, 24th Dec 2011 11:53 by Chris King

Chris King on how Rangers have fared so far and what they need to do to ensure that they avoid the dreaded bottom three come May 2012.

Overall: C-

Queens Park Rangers were firm favourites to go down at the start of the season, and a 4-0 defeat at home to Bolton Wanderers on the opening day was a fairly inauspicious way to begin the campaign. A board reshuffle, some bold (not to mention expensive) new signings, and that most morale-boosting of victories, a 1-0 triumph over Chelsea, and the R’s lie in sixteenth, two points off the relegation zone.

Few supporters would have expected much better, this writer included, but with the acquisitions of players of the stature of Joey Barton, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Luke Young and Armand Traore, somehow this feels like a disappointing position to be in. Too many home draws, the age old problem of a terminal lack of goals, and missed opportunities (Newcastle United, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers at Loftus Road spring to mind), and the West London minnows have dropped an entire grade rather rapidly.

From that magnificent victory at Stoke City, it seems a few players have really slacked off, and Neil Warnock has a huge job to ensure that Joey Barton starts playing football and ceases his obsession with the Smiths, Noam Chomsky, Twitter and popular culture. As well as this, there is the perennial problem of Adel Taarabt, the Moroccan failing to live up to even a modicum of the hype he himself created last season, and attempting to sulk his way out of W12, a demeanour which has caused Warnock to relegate the former Rangers captain to the bench.

Defence: C

This is certainly an area in dire need of strengthening. Last season’s defence was unquestionably built around the incredible vintage year mustered by Irish stopper Paddy Kenny, and once again he has proven himself an invaluable asset as shots have rained in on his goal from all angles.

Yet strength in depth remains a major issue. Luke Young has acquitted himself well at right-back since arriving from Aston Villa, as most expected him to, given the Englishman’s vast top-flight experience. Armand Traore undoubtedly adds a new aspect to the R’s left side in an attacking sense, but at times his defending is suspect, and with the margin for error so narrow in the Premier League, and Clint Hill only getting older, this will be a concern for Neil Warnock as he feasts his eyes on possible January signings. Indeed, Traore’s defensive stint against Sunderland was so diabolical that his unsuitability for the position was lost on nobody, least of all Warnock and those assembled in the Upper Loft. Injuries have also plagued the central defensive positions, and it must be said that Anton Ferdinand has performed admirably in a unit which has shipped 31 goals in 17 games. However, Danny Gabbidon is hardly an imperious, dominating figure at the back, and Matt Connolly has never played at this level. Plus, the less said about Fitz Hall, perhaps the tallest footballer of all time (with the notable exception of Jay Bothroyd) to be unable to win a header against even the most diminutive of challengers, the better.

Midfield: C+

QPR’s midfield is actually quite strong, and theoretically they probably have the best line-up of all the promoted sides. Alejandro Faurlin, already a fan favourite for his honest, dogged play and ability to spot a pass the entire stadium could have missed, has flourished in the top flight. He is now truly a Premier League-standard footballer, and his unwillingness to shoot from distance aside, Faurlin could easily merit an A for his impressive first half of the campaign.

Joey Barton, meanwhile, has flattered to deceive, big-time. An expert talker, the former Newcastle midfielder could throw obscure philosophy at you all day and probably convince a great number of deluded souls that the world is in fact flat, but he has patently not performed over the past few games. His woeful displays against Manchester United and Sunderland are not at all befitting of a captain, particularly one allegedly earning in excess of £60,000 a week, and Barton really needs to buck his ideas (and set-piece play) up if he expects to win back the wavering QPR faithful.

Derry has been as industrious as ever, in the brief moments when he has made the starting 11, but he is patently not of Premier League quality, and a replacement boasting similar tenacity, commitment, bite in the challenge and energy would be very welcome indeed. Last, but by no means least, is Shaun Wright-Phillips, who has turned from tormentor to tormented. He appears unwilling to take players on, whether due to lack of fitness, confidence or waning pace, but deprived of this most potent of weapons, the former Chelsea winger is practically useless. With the aerial threat of Heidar Helguson waiting in the box, Wright-Phillips ought to be in his element, but in far too many matches he is bypassed physically, and little more than a bystander. And even in this most financially wasteful of divisions, another hefty weekly wage for a bystander isn’t well spent.

Attack: E

Where to start? Cardiff City fans must have garnered some strange, vindictive satisfaction from the manner in which Jay Bothroyd has failed to set the Premier League alight. In fact, his top-flight adventures with the R’s have been even more disappointing than this, there’s barely been a spark from the man who fired the Bluebirds into third last season and even made the England squad. Rangers have been desperately unlucky in the striking department, in that DJ Campbell, whose electric pace really ought to be utilised to a greater extent by Warnock, was missing for so long, but the fact that the ball has nestled in the opponents’ nets on more than one or two occasions is entirely down to Heidar Helguson.

This writer was hugely sceptical of Helguson’s merit when Warnock took over, but the straight-talking Yorkshireman has transformed this tired workhorse into an indispensable cog, albeit in a dysfunctional machine. Just eight goals at home, and one paltry victory, should be enough to convince every board member, supporter, the coaching staff, the playing staff, and Warnock, that strikers must be sourced. And fast. Swansea City may not be scoring much either, but their defence has conceded two at home compared to Queens Park Rangers’ 15. The reason why Norwich City will be staying up this season? They can score goals. The R’s must learn how to do this most basic, and most vital of acts, and fast.

So what can be done?

Herein lies the beauty of the season. Christmas is a wonderful time. Your family and friends are all free from the drudgery of work, there’s snow outside (unlikely) and a warm fire roaring at home, and the January transfer window is about to slide open once again. Warnock, unless he really has lost it in his very public transformation from bile-spitting, up-front maniac to polished media man just “happy to be in the Premier League,” really ought to have a long shopping list indeed. Here is mine:

Chris Samba, Blackburn

Matt Jarvis, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield Town

Sebastian Bassong, Tottenham Hotspur

Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham Hotspur

Junior Hoilett, Blackburn Rovers

Kevin Doyle, Wolverhampton Wanderers

Billy Sharp, Doncaster Rovers

Robert Snodgrass, Leeds United

Ryan Bertrand, Chelsea

Nedum Onuoha, Manchester City

Let’s hope Rangers supporters have a few nice presents under the tree by the time the window slams shut, otherwise it will be a long 21 games, especially now the R’s are undeniably in the midst of a relegation battle. Bah, humbug.

Tweet @chriskking

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toreqpr added 14:24 - Dec 24
I feel we dont have a distinct idea how to play.The summer signings have largley failed to deliver.For QPR this is the window NW have to succeed.From my point of view we need six players at least.Our central defenders are largly looking the same.Slow but strong lacking determination.We need one player who can go into the war and another who can pick up the pices.If we can solve this we dont need two holding midfilders.The same up front If we play with one target man we need midfield players who can come fast forward taking advatage of the work from the target man.If we play with two strikers they must be different.Since I come from Norway names are difficult to come up with.But two cd springs to mind Samba and Alex of Chelski.This will be NW strongest test so far.Now he has money to burn.Failure is not an issue.And he must stop speaking about losing Success is finishing 17th and up,And we will come tru this all together manager players and supporters.Come on u R s.Merry xmas to all rangers everywhere
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g4ran added 17:40 - Dec 24
This season has to be about staying up, Come january we should be looking at buying maybe Zamora & compliment that with the purchase of defoe, Alex of the scummers chelski would be another very good buy,But as always in NW we trust,
Merry xmas to the best supporters in the world & lets kick some arse in the new year.
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N12Hoop added 22:59 - Dec 24
I don't think NW can afford to gamble on unproven players. Beckford and Earnshaw are 2 names that spring to mind of players that excelled at lower level yet were out of their depth at the top. We need proven players who have been playing at least semi- regularly with decent fitness records. I know a lot of people are disappointed with Barton but he does get an important foot in all over the park and I think a lot of what he does goes unnoticed. I also think Traore, despite some defensive frailties has been a good signing and that he is one of most dangerous attacking threats. NW is about to get the chance he has been waiting a long time for: the opportunity to buy some of the players he wants for his system but if it doesn't gel quickly he is going to be out of a job before the Spring.
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ade_qpr added 09:51 - Dec 25
no comment on Mackie?
the players you have listed how quick would a fellow relegation candidates Blackburn and Wolves want to part with their players especially to another struggler?
Injuries down Spurs way means Bassong may be hard to acquire as well.
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Hoopstar added 03:01 - Dec 26
Report wise an E on attack is harsh. Helguson has 7 in 9 or summat which is an A+ by my reckoning whilst Bothroyd has been poor but by City alone is a D at worst. My expectations for the seasons were we'd be in a relegation scrap (Point Zero) and we are currently two points ahead of that particular zone.

Vital run of games coming up but based on where I thought we'd be think a B- would suffice. I do concur with the wish that Barton was as good as (and pay reflects) he thinks he is.
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RangersAreBack added 03:43 - Dec 26
For me Traore is overrated by some QPR fans easily seduced by attacking play and all too willing to overlook weaknesses. Traore is paid to be a defender first and foremost and in this respect he has performed poorly. I'd like to see him concentrate on learning the art of defending for a spell or convert to left midfield if we can get a replacement in January.
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Antti_Heinola added 12:04 - Dec 26
All about opinions and you can't say Chris hasn't got any! Blimey, what an unbelievably harsh piece of analysis! C- for the whole team? Really? Very, very harsh on Traore as well - a decent defender mired in a below par back 4 and are biggest attacking threat, currently. And I fail to see how Barton's interest in intellectual activities has any bearing on anything. Are you really saying that reading and going to galleries negatively affects his play?

My view on your shopping list:

Chris Samba, Blackburn - No chance, sorry.

Matt Jarvis, Wolverhampton Wanderers - Been out of form for far too long to be worth a punt.

Jordan Rhodes, Huddersfield Town - Decent shout, but no idea if he can even do well at Championship level.

Sebastian Bassong, Tottenham Hotspur - Decent.

Niko Kranjcar, Tottenham Hotspur - Only if Taarabt leaves.

Junior Hoilett, Blackburn Rovers - Absolutely no chance in hell. Far bigger clubs will be after him.

Kevin Doyle, Wolverhampton Wanderers - Not sure how he'd solve the striking crisis you say we have.

Billy Sharp, Doncaster Rovers - Will never make it in the Prem - Maynard a far better option.

Robert Snodgrass, Leeds United - Not good enough, sorry.

Ryan Bertrand, Chelsea - Would be a decent signing.

Nedum Onuoha, Manchester City - Would be an excellent signing.
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JB007007 added 22:12 - Dec 26
Thanks Chris, enjoyed the report.
Of all the new signings post takeover,I have been really surprised and disappointed with Shaun Wright-Phillips. His first touch is poor, second not a lot better and most long range shots have ended in row z. I' m sure he still has plenty of pace and having not seen that much of him pre QPR, only went on his hype. I just hope he improves for the second half of this season, because he looks like an expensive waste of money right now.
We obviously need to shore up defensively as we cant defend balls coming into the box for toffee and that starts with the keepers commanding firstly the six yard box and beyond. Its difficult to judge other players sometimes when you dont see them regularly, but I personally believe Bassong would be an improvement as well as Samba.
Bothroyd always seems to take some flak, some of it justified some not. I dont think he's done that badly and have seen him play well in quite a few games, playing a difficult role. However we need more quality up top and a player like Defoe would certainly fit the bill alongside someone like Heidar or Zamora if we could get them. Its very ambitious, but I do believe we are going to sign Defoe.
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