Team Profile: Queens Park Rangers
Sky Sports predicted finish: 13th
Last season:17th
Captain:Ji-sung Park
Ground:Loftus Road
Summer holiday
QPR clung onto their Premier League status by the skin of their teeth last season and will be in no hurry to become embroiled in another relegation scrap. An unforgettable final day of the campaign saw the Hoops defeated by champions Manchester City but the players' confidence will have been lifted in pre-season by their unbeaten record after a successful tour of Asia, while the club have stated their intent for the new term with a raft of new arrivals.
The Boss
After stepping in following the sacking of Neil Warnock in January, Mark Hughes did what was asked of him and kept QPR in the top-flight. On securing their survival, the manager vowed the Hoops would not face the drop again while he was in charge, setting himself a sizeable task for the new season. As the club aim to sidestep 'second season syndrome', Hughes also has the challenge of proving his own claim - that QPR really are a team on the rise.
Key Ins and Outs
- Ins
- Esteban Granero - £9m
- Ji-sung Park - £3m
- Julio Cesar - undisc
- Outs
- Heidar Helguson - undisc
- Paddy Kenny - undisc
- Joey Barton - loan
Key Men
Point to Prove
Robert Green
A nightmare debut means goalkeeper Green is under pressure to keep the No.1 spot following the arrival of fellow summer signing and Brazil legend Julio Cesar.
Driving Force
Ji-sung Park
Undoubtedly QPR's marquee signing of the summer, the former Manchester United midfielder is expected to bring experience, quality and leadership to take up a key role.
Defensive Rock
Anton Ferdinand
Tipped as a contender to claim the captain's armband, he has established himself as regular fixture at the heart of defence and will look to push on after controversy plagued his last campaign.
Latest Squad
Last Match vs Liverpool
Sunday 19th May 2013
-
Green
-
Harriman
-
Onuoha
-
Hill
-
Traore
-
Park
Subbed Off
-
Derry
-
Mbia
-
Remy
Subbed Off
-
Zamora
Subbed Off
-
Townsend
Subs
- Mackie
- Granero
- Hoilett
Strengths & weaknesses
Hughes has built a strong squad with plenty of depth, particularly in attack. The boss also has the know-how to steer his new-look side but will have to find a way of managing the egos in the group which could make them vulnerable, with temperamental midfielder Adel Taarabt one of the dressing room's big characters. Another issue could be the ageing players in Hughes' squad but on the flipside there is a wealth of experience at his disposal.
Transfer plans
Thanks to the funding of owner Tony Fernandes, QPR have been able to make some significant movement in the transfer market and were one of this summer's busiest clubs. Adding the likes of Park, Junior Hoilett and Esteban Granero has shown QPR's ambition for the new season and the big names are likely to give the existing squad a boost after last season's relegation scare.
Terrace talk...
What they say
Mark Hughes - "We'll give it our best shot. If we have a positive attitude then we could do really well this season."
Junior Hoilett - "QPR are a club that are certainly heading in the right direction. The ambition to take this club to the next level was something I really wanted to be part of."
- Ryan Nelsen - @RyanNelsen1
- Anton Ferdinand - @anton_ferdinand
- Clint Hill - @clintonhill3
- Nedum Onuoha - @nonuoha
- Alejandro Faurlin - @alefaurlin
May 22nd, 2013 11:00pm
Transfer News - 22nd May
Kate Riley brings you all the latest football transfer news.
Facts and Figures
8
Djibril Cisse played in eight games last season; he scored in six and was sent off in two1
QPR made just one last man saving tackle in the league last season, a league-low9
QPR received the most red cards, to equal the record for one campaign4
Four of QPR's red cards were for violent conduct - another Premier League-high35
The Rs used more players than any other side in the top-flight last term
Jamie's verdict
QPR should be very thankful they survived last year because relegation could have put them into meltdown, given the money they had spent. They have gone for it again and should improve because they are spending fortunes.
