2012/2013 Season
Review:
Having
narrowly escaped relegation in that chaotic final day game at the Etihad last
May, in which commentator Martin Tyler proclaimed that ‘everyone’s a winner!’,
QPR started this season with the mantra of ‘never again’. Mark Hughes utilised
Tony Fernandes’s spending power to the full in the summer transfer window,
acquiring the likes of Robert Green, Julio Cesar, Stephane M’Bia, Ji Sung Park
and Bobby Zamora in an attempt to propel the club up the table. Instead, the
Hoops started the season in the worst possible manner, being demolished 0-5 at
home against Swansea. A more promising draw away at Norwich followed, but the
initial results did little to diminish the anxieties of the club.
More
encouraging performances from QPR followed, in a 3-1 defeat away at Manchester
City, before a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea and a narrow 2-1 defeat away at
Tottenham. Whilst the Rangers were failing to pick up points, their
performances suggested that the wins would come. The following three
performances, however, threw doubt on those assumptions. Home defeats against
Reading, in the Capital One Cup, and West Ham, were backed up by an away defeat
to West Brom. This dismal form continued, as QPR remained rooted to the foot of
the table. After a run of 12 games with only 4 points as a return, Mark Hughes
was relieved of his duties in late November, with Harry Redknapp being
announced as his replacement.
Redknapp
oversaw the 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford, and his tenure began with a four game
unbeaten run, culminating in QPR’s first win of the season, in a 2-1 victory at
home to Fulham. The run of results allowed QPR fans to dream of a ‘Harry
Houdini’ style Great Escape, which looked a long way away under Mark Hughes stewardship.
Unfortunately, 3 more defeats took those dreams out of focus, and led for Harry
to call for January reinforcements. In a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster
set of results, the next scoreline took some believing. A Shaun Wright-Phillips
goal against his former employers gave QPR a famous win at Stamford Bridge
against an out of sorts Chelsea. This result, coupled with the influx of big
name, expensive players, such as Chris Samba and Loic Remy, led the Hoops to go
on a 7 game unbeaten spell, picking up more vital points in their bid to survive.
A
premature end to their FA Cup campaign, being eliminated in the Fourth Round by
MK Dons, allowed QPR to focus all of their attention on retaining their Premier
League status. Although by February it looked a long shot, fans believed that
this Harry Redknapp assembled side could maintain enough momentum to push their
side over the line. Two wins in early March, against Southampton and
Sunderland, took the Hoops to within touching distance of the group above, and
for the first time, pundits were beginning to ask themselves if the seemingly
impossible could actually happen. Unfortunately, two successive narrow 3-2
defeats against Aston Villa and Fulham destroyed QPR’s momentum, cutting them
away from the rest once more. Their fate was confirmed in the dire away game
against Reading, with a boring 0-0 draw condemning them to the Championship
next season. Three further defeats left QPR propping up the table, amassing
only 25 points.
Overall,
not the season that Tony Fernandes or the board had envisioned this season,
especially with the money pumped into the club. Reports of unrest of the
difference in salaries, particularly surrounding Chris Samba, were common at
the end of the season, and QPR will have to get their house in check if they
are to compete for promotion next season. I suspect we will see a significant exodus,
as QPR do have quality players. They were just assembled to quickly to generate
short-term success.
Player of the Season:
Julio Cesar – A strange choice, especially considering that QPR were
relegated, but the Brazilian number one was a shining light in a very dark
side. A number of outstanding performances give Cesar my vote, particularly his
showing at home to Manchester City in late January. I would be amazed if the Hoops
hang onto him, as he is undoubtedly a great talent.
Game of the Season: QPR
3-1 Sunderland – The game that got every QPR fan believing that the Great
Escape was on. Despite dominating the early stages, the Hoops fell behind
through Steven Fletcher tap-in. Cue a rousing response from QPR, levelling
within ten minutes as Loic Remy steered a shot past Mignolet. A nervy start to
the second half was shattered by a stunner from Tottenham loanee Andros
Townsend, before another long range effort from Jenas wrapped up the points for
Redknapp’s men.
Summer Transfer
Targets (What I Think They Need): In short, to lower the wage budget,
without losing many of their star talents. Large salaries, such as Chris Samba
and Loic Remy may well be sacrificed, but the Hoops may want to try to hang
onto stars like Adel Taarabt and Junior Hoilett. I expect to see little in the
way of incomings at Loftus Road, but perhaps, if anything, a striker to replace
Remy may be needed. Blackburn Rovers’s Jordan Rhodes is a proven goalscorer at
that level, and would be a useful purchase.
Transfer Gossip
Links:
In:
Dwight Gayle (Peterborough, CM)
Out:
Loic Remy (Liverpool, Arsenal, ST), Julio Cesar (Arsenal,
GK), Djibril Cisse (???, ST), Junior Hoilett (Swansea City, LW)
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