Premier League Half-Term Reports: Harry’s had it at QPR
Published:Team Name: Queens Park Rangers
Current Premier League position: 20th
Giddy highs: Undoubtedly the R’s one Premier League victory this season – a 1-0 home win over potential relegation rivals Sunderland that was settled by a single goal from Charlie Austin – which gave the Londoners early hope before a run of four straight games without a win in the top-flight.
Crushing lows: The trip to White Hart Lane and the 4-0 rollicking that followed at the hands of Tottenham was a notable low, with Harry Redknapp hardly endearing himself to the Rangers support by bowing to Spurs fans’ request to “Give us a wave” during a poor game for the visiting side.
Shining Star: Charlie Austin
Redknapp made no secret of his desire to recruit a top-level forward to the Loftus Road club with the last-minute departure of Loic Remy hardly helping things. But one man who has made a positive start is Austin, with two goals for the Rs in the Premier League so far. It would have been three, were it not for a penalty miss on the opening day against Hull.
Biggest Disappointment: Sandro
Signed on transfer deadline day for a hefty £8m, big things were expected of the Brazilian, who was brought in to add extra steel to the Rs in the centre of the park.
However he has yet to deliver for his new London employers, having only featured in defeats to Manchester United, Southampton and West Ham and has been sidelined more recently with an injury picked up when celebrating a goal during training.
Best bet for the rest of the season: QPR to finish bottom at 11/4
Grade: E-
Final Thoughts: Fortunate to be promoted last season, Rangers have been found wanting at this level and things look unlikely to improve unless Redknapp decides to depart. Sack the QPR boss and the London club could have a chance – provided they are willing to bring in a manager of Tony Pulis’ ilk.
Fail to do that and we could well be seeing the Hoops battling it out with Burnley to see who can be relegated in the quickest time this season.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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