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View From The Opposition - Queens Park Rangers
After a narrow defeat away at Old Trafford, West Ham are back at Upton Park for the visit of Queens Park Rangers.
Former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp returns to Upton Park looking to keep his unbeaten record since leaving the club in tact.
After the last home game against Liverpool many will be expecting West Ham to beat QPR and perhaps beat them comfortably.
The approach West Ham are taking into games this season has been a significant improvement and it is positive that the team clearly are looking to attack more.
This week we have two QPR fans answering the questions which of course have all come from members of WHO.
First up we have Michael Hindmarsh and as we are a progressive bunch here at westhamonline the second QPR fan is a girl. Yes, a girl. Francesca Revell is also answering the questions.
Many thanks to Michael and Francesca for their answers.
Which two clubs will join you in being relegated this season?
Michael: It’s very difficult to identify relegation ‘dead certs’ at this stage of the season, although I have an idea about who might be involved in the relegation battle. QPR and Burnley will definitely struggle, although I’m not sure both will go down. Some teams like Crystal Palace, West Ham and West Brom have made relatively strong starts, but they may be dragged into the mire later on due to a lack of quality on the pitch and, in the Eagles and the Baggies’ case, managers who are inexperienced at the top level. I wasn’t impressed by Sunderland during our 1-0 victory a few weeks ago. Newcastle may also have a dogfight on their hands unless they get rid of Pardew quickly. Like last season in the Premiership, I expect the fight for survival to be riveting and exceptionally close, with teams as high up as 13th looking over their shoulders cautiously. I expect West Ham will have enough to stay up because of Allardyce’s influence.
Francesca: Haha, apart from your fine selves? Got to be Burnley hasn’t it. Still early days, but they look to be in as much trouble as we are….
Unfortunately most fans of clubs that Redknapp has left hate him and blame him for leaving them in a financial mess. How much of a concern is that considering the money you're spending on mediocre players?
Michael: There is a lot of hyperbolic nonsense published in the press about QPR’s finances, but it is true that the club is in debt. Much of this is the result of the catastrophic 'Hughes era', which involved the inept, haughty fool spending ludicrous money on the likes of Park Ji-Sung, Jose Bosingwa, Stephane Mbia, Julio Cesar and Esteban Granero. These deals were all sanctioned by Tony Fernandes, who was hardly an innocent party in these matters, displaying astonishing naivety. I’m no fan of Redknapp for footballing reasons – his obstinacy, his unimaginative tactical outlook, his poor coaching team - but I do not hold him chiefly responsible for financial mismanagement that has occurred at the club. He has undoubtedly overspent on players and resorted to bringing in plenty of his ‘t’riffic top, top pros’ who he ‘had at Pompey/Spurs’ and ‘were facking brilliant’. He did an excellent job of clearing out the prima donnas last season, however, relieving pressure on the wage bill at a crucial point. With regard to his recent purchases, I think it’s too early to say whether all of them are ‘mediocre’, although Rio Ferdinand has been extremely disappointing, recently making Peter Crouch appear as quick as a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
Francesca: To be fair, one of Redknapp’s first jobs when he became our manager was to get rid of those players who couldn’t give a rat’s arse about playing for QPR, who were on ridiculously high wages that previous managers had bought in (finger of blame pointed directly at you, Mark Hughes) and to Redknapp’s credit that’s what he did. Some of his signings have been questionable but I don’t think he’s been that careless with money and the financial mess we’re in isn’t entirely his fault.
With gates like your last home one around the 15000 mark do you think this new ground malarky will/should take off?
Michael: As much as our detractors deny it, QPR regularly sell out their home ground and did so consistently in League One. The fanbase certainly exceeds the stadium’s capacity, as the enormous crowd at the play-off final demonstrates. As much as I love Loftus Road it no longer meets the club’s needs and it is right that the Board are looking to relocate. However, I regard Tony Fernandes’ plans to build a 40,000-seater stadium to be ludicrously optimistic. A far more sensible option would be a 25,000 capacity with the opportunity for further expansion.
Francesca: I think it is a bit worrying. There seems to be so much excitement around the potential move and I don’t want to piss on the bonfire, but I think we’re running before we can walk. It’s a bit similar to what happened to us when we went back up into the Premiership a few years ago – all very excited, spend, spend, spend, three managers, a relegation and now look at the financial mess we’re in. I worry that if we go back down into the Championship and stay there, will we be able to fill the ground and pay off the stadium debt? It’s a risky game. Plus personally, I love Loftus Road; it’s a great place and fantastic atmosphere. And the designs for the new ground – don’t get me started.
Rio Ferdinand, Bobby Zamora, Robert Green, Gary O'Neil and Saggy Chops himself... Why have QPR decided to become a Care Home for West Ham United?
Michael: I think in recent years QPR has become a ‘care home’ for everyone in football rather than purely West Ham, although the recent purchases of Jordon Mutch, criminal mastermind Steven Caulker and Leroy Fer have signalled a much-welcomed shift in transfer policy towards younger players with a point to prove. The problem is that these youthful, skilful players are expected to flourish under a coaching team consisting of Harry Redknapp, Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan. It’s hardly inspiring, is it?
Francesca: My favourite question! Don’t think I’ve ever heard QPR be described as a ‘care home’ before but ok, I’m open minded. In answer to the question, let’s call it an unfortunate coincidence. Bobby Zamora though, he’s a hero at Loftus Road for obvious reasons….
Harry Redknapp's favourite tennis stroke is a backhander. What is yours?
Michael: I'm not quite sure, although I would hazard a guess that Sam Allardyce is also a fan of that particular tennis move.
Francesca: Ah tennis. That’s the one with the shuttle cock right?
What do you think of your owner, who prior to buying your club told the world he was a life long West Ham Supporter?
Michael: I’m not bothered in the slightest that Tony Fernandes is a West Ham fan. I would be more concerned if QPR was owned by convicted fraudster, or perhaps a porn baron. I care only about his running of the club; my assessment is not clouded by tribal affiliations. He’s undoubtedly an excellent PR man and has won over the majority of our supporters with his emphasis on transparency and eagerness to meet with supporters on match days, but he has made some questionable decisions to say the least. He’s an amiable bloke with the club’s best interests at heart, but he has shown himself to be worryingly naïve when it comes to the basics of football chairmanship.
Francesca: God that Fernandes and his blatant disloyalty! What a silly question. I think it’s great to have an owner who’s a football fan and knows a bit about the game. A vast improvement on those two Formula 1 clowns we had before who knew sod all. It’s obvious Fernandes cares about the fans and has the club’s best interests at heart.
You saw Ravel Morrison getting a run in your team last season. What were your impressions and what was the general consensus of him?
Michael: He’s a class player – excellent on the ball, very quick, accurate with his distribution and lethal in and around the penalty area. My criticism would be that he tends to fade away in matches, especially on the big occasions. During the play-off matches, for instance, he was totally anonymous. He clearly has a lot of ability, however, and if he could sort out his notorious attitude problems he would be starting regularly in a Premiership side.
Francesca: He reminds me a bit of Taraabt – great potential, but shows few signs. He looked really lively to begin with, scoring two goals on his debut, but he’s inconsistent, a bit lazy and wasn’t even used during our win at Wembley. Redknapp gave an interview recently to suggest he should move abroad to fulfil his potential – ouch. Meanwhile, our search for that elusive top flight goal scorer continues….
Were the Olympic Stadium in West London, rather than East, would you be in favour of moving in?
Michael: I would definitely not be in favour of such a move, as QPR do not have the fanbase to fill such an enormous stadium.
Francesca: No. Bulldoze it to the ground and turn it into flats.
Which West Ham player would you have in the QPR team?
Michael: I would probably go for Enner Valencia who I think has a lot of potential. I expect he will cause Rangers all sorts of problems on Saturday afternoon. Sadly I expect ‘Arry will be looking to put in a bid for Kevin Nolan instead.
Francesca: Sakho for the goals. I’m sure QPR would love a piece of him. And didn’t you hear Kevin Nolan is on his way to us? After all, we are a ‘care home’ for ageing West Ham Players….
Your favourite crisp?
Michael: Can’t go wrong with McCoy’s.
Francesca: I do enjoy a packet of pickled onion monster munch. The more pungent the better.
Prediction
Michael: Whilst the performance against Southampton was better than the Spurs and United horror shows, I think West Ham will win 2-1. Redknapp will probably pick the hopeless Rio Ferdinand ahead of the immense Nedum Onuoha, and that decision will cost us at least a couple of goals. Mauricio Isla, the right-back we signed on loan from Juventus, has been embarrassing in the last two matches, being caught out of position at least five times per half. Up front, Eduardo Vargas, on loan from Napoli, has looked promising, although he appears to be on another wavelength to the rest of the team. If he can get over the fact he's gone from training with Gonzalo Higuain to Karl Henry he may be able to unlock your defence. Charlie Austin is clinical in front of goal but can easily get isolated for large periods of the match. I hope I’m wrong and we trounce you 6-0.
Francesca: 2-2
Big thanks to Michael and Francesca for their responses.
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