End of an Era

[knocker]

Yes probably feeling a bit dispondant this evening ...I lack the excitement that I had in going to loftus road on a Saturday
At present not getting the buzz at present but m sure it will return..
I still believe it will take 3-5 years before we are true promotion contenders
Look at Burnley and Hull they are going up again I reckon ...Correct decisions we used to be at that standard 6 months ago

I know how you feel. Can't blame the board for pulling the plug on spending big after spunking millions on has beens and non triers, but without decent investment, getting back to prem seems a million miles away. The next 2 home games should give us some idea whats ahead.

[The General]

I totally agree with your post 1973 we had the golden ticket twice and totally farkedi it up twice..

That's the truth of it all .....who spends 250 million and becomes a worse team than they were before

It's a complete joke..

[nasser95]

What it shows that in 4.5 years of Fernandes as Chairman we are in a worse state now than when he bought us and twice we had the premier league ticket and blew it. When you think of the money wasted in that time it is truly embarrasing that we find ourselves shopping at Burton Albion.

Worse state now? He bought us as a prem team that lost their first game at home embarrassingly to Bolton, the same team we later relegated by maintaining our status. Were it not for NW, the previous regime's 4 year plan would have failed. No investment in the side for the prem meant that we would have had no chance staying up. Lets say Briatore kept the club. We wouldn't have had players like Cisse come in to save us, Warnock would have probably been sacked even earlier, clint hill wouldn't have been recalled from his loan and we would most likely have gone down that first season without the investment brought in by TF.

[davieqpr]

On our gates we are a mid/upper Championship side. We grew in status with home grown players and lower league gems. I think this is the direction we are going back to.
We just need to get back to scouting the Francis/Busby/Clement type of youngster.

[Hubble]

Worse state now? He bought us as a prem team that lost their first game at home embarrassingly to Bolton, the same team we later relegated by maintaining our status. Were it not for NW, the previous regime's 4 year plan would have failed. No investment in the side for the prem meant that we would have had no chance staying up. Lets say Briatore kept the club. We wouldn't have had players like Cisse come in to save us, Warnock would have probably been sacked even earlier, clint hill wouldn't have been recalled from his loan and we would most likely have gone down that first season without the investment brought in by TF.

Yes, but Briatore didn't keep the club, did he? And like it or not, it was Briatore and Ecclestone who brought in Warnock and got this club back in the Premiership for the first time in 15 years. And ever since Fernades took over, it's been one hapless #### up after another. Even winning the play-off was a poisoned chalice because it meant we kept the Albatross that was Harry Redknapp, who inevitably wasted more millions and took us straight back down.

We are now in a worse shape than when we were promoted in 2011 and basically it's back to the drawing board. In regard to the OP - yes, we could be out of the Premiership for a long time. I'm certainly not holding any expectations for a speedy return. The plan now, as I see it, is for JFH to build a team of skillful younger players who, along with a few more experienced and talented players, have the potential to form a cohesive, effective squad who may (or may not) win promotion. This is the model that several other teams have used effectively - but there are no guarantees. I don't expect us to go up next season. The season after, I hope we'll at least be challenging for a top six place.

[upperloft]

Yes, but Briatore didn't keep the club, did he? And like it or not, it was Briatore and Ecclestone who brought in Warnock and got this club back in the Premiership for the first time in 15 years. And ever since Fernades took over, it's been one hapless #### up after another. Even winning the play-off was a poisoned chalice because it meant we kept the Albatross that was Harry Redknapp, who inevitably wasted more millions and took us straight back down.

We are now in a worse shape than when we were promoted in 2011 and basically it's back to the drawing board. In regard to the OP - yes, we could be out of the Premiership for a long time. I'm certainly not holding any expectations for a speedy return. The plan now, as I see it, is for JFH to build a team of skillful younger players who, along with a few more experienced and talented players, have the potential to form a cohesive, effective squad who may (or may not) win promotion. This is the model that several other teams have used effectively - but there are no guarantees. I don't expect us to go up next season. The season after, I hope we'll at least be challenging for a top six place.

Good post

[bushkangaroo]

We tried and failed miserably. Not enough football people at the helm. This is being rectified, but remember it took us 15 seasons to reach the top division after relegation in 1995. Recovering as I am from heart bypass surgery in January, really hope I get to see us go back up and stay up before I kick the bucket.

[nanocopic]

We tried and failed miserably. Not enough football people at the helm. This is being rectified, but remember it took us 15 seasons to reach the top division after relegation in 1995. Recovering as I am from heart bypass surgery in January, really hope I get to see us go back up and stay up before I kick the bucket.

Hope the recovery goes well and you get back to LR as soon as you can, just take it easy, had an op myself last year and takes a while to get back to full strength, every week i thought I was there but then noticed the next week how i was still improving.

[bushkangaroo]

Thanks Nanocopic. Appreciate that. Was due over (I live in Melbourne) in October/November for 3-4 games but had to cancel because of the jam tart. Hopefully make it next season!

[gator]

Ultimately we only had a few really quality players who would put a consistent effort in last season in the form of Green, Chaz, Matty, Fer, Joey, Sandro (when played and available). Of those, the only player who left in the summer was Joey. Then, the only player who kept up their form from last season was Charlie. Sandro showed in sparks his quality, same with Matty, who I think has been showing more consistency in his more recent games. Green has been awful. Now, the only player of those 5 left in the first team picture is Matty.

Onuoha has taken a new role and led the team well, we've found a real gem in the form of Hall and Perchy has been getting more consistent and solid as the weeks go by. We've got a keeper who looks classy and the only weakness is left back, where we are getting Kpekawa and Robinson back into the picture.

In midfield, We've brought in Luongo, young and starting to really flourish. Alongside him, we've got Ale who is a million times the player Joey was when fit and who will give his all every single day of the week. We've got Hoilett finally showing us some consistency and quality in his performances and the prediscussed Phillips. We have now Chery - who can now perhaps be more of a success, despite his inconsistencies at the start of the season - and Nasser - Someone the manager knows well and despite coming in from a lower league, has the apparent attributes to make the step up hopefully.

Up front, we have a Polter - despite his obvious shortcomings outside the box, he's shown his deadliness in the box while also showing a hunger to score consistently and an ability to do so - while alongside him potentially we have Washington - who in his cameos so far has shown energy, touch, vision and pace and could be a huge asset.

Out on loan and likely to return and play, we have Gladwin, someone who could be good in the future, alongside a few other talented young players who could make the cut in the near future such as Doughty, Furlong, Comley who have all shown good potential - certainly that to be good players at this level, with Furlong having the mental attributes of leadership to be even better imo.

Furthermore, our squad is now almost completely rid of bad eggs bar Traore and we have lots of strong characters in the background such as Hill, Mackie, Kelvin (to a degree) and with only two over 30's, we have a very young squad as well. It's only a matter of time really before the positivity and fighting spirit we're after comes back and alongside that, we have players here we can instil with the QPR bug who can one day fight for the shirt.

At the start of the season, we had on paper one of the best squads this league has ever seen imo. ON PAPER only though. They didn't meld unfortunately. Now, we have a solid squad, not super special but with good characters throughout. More importantly though is that now we potentially have youth, energy and desire throughout all our players. We haven't had that in years. Instead of calling this the end of the high standards at the club, lets call this the return of the underdogs that Neil Warnock once made us. The team that shouldn't, but will succeed.

That makes me believe we have hope and I tend to agree with lots of what you say, the realist in me knows lots will go wrong!

[Ed the Ball]

What it shows that in 4.5 years of Fernandes as Chairman we are in a worse state now than when he bought us and twice we had the premier league ticket and blew it. When you think of the money wasted in that time it is truly embarrasing that we find ourselves shopping at Burton Albion.

That's because the owners now realize they are not playing fantasy football.

[James1979]

I think we'll have a similar season next season and end up mid table. After that who knows but we clearly need more quality to go up.

[Ramsey is god]

I think we are building for longevity. This buying your way to success, rarely works as we have proved. Plenty of clubs at championship level have gone up and established themselves as decent prem clubs without buying superstars. you spend a few seasons surviving then build buy adding quality here and there and before you know it, your competing towards the top end rather than the bottom, Ala Stoke, Southampton, Palace and to a certain extent Leicester. Too many people want instant success, and i just dont think it is sustainable.

Can you buy your way out of the championship - Yes! i think we did last time. Doesnt mean your going to be left prepared for the prem though.

If we have to spend 3-4 seasons in the championship to actually be prepared for the prem, then so be it.

[Shania]

Yes, but Briatore didn't keep the club, did he? And like it or not, it was Briatore and Ecclestone who brought in Warnock and got this club back in the Premiership for the first time in 15 years. And ever since Fernades took over, it's been one hapless #### up after another. Even winning the play-off was a poisoned chalice because it meant we kept the Albatross that was Harry Redknapp, who inevitably wasted more millions and took us straight back down.

We are now in a worse shape than when we were promoted in 2011 and basically it's back to the drawing board. In regard to the OP - yes, we could be out of the Premiership for a long time. I'm certainly not holding any expectations for a speedy return. The plan now, as I see it, is for JFH to build a team of skillful younger players who, along with a few more experienced and talented players, have the potential to form a cohesive, effective squad who may (or may not) win promotion. This is the model that several other teams have used effectively - but there are no guarantees. I don't expect us to go up next season. The season after, I hope we'll at least be challenging for a top six place.

I hope you will enjoy it when Fernandes walks. Wow.

[Hubble]

I hope you will enjoy it when Fernandes walks. Wow.

A) Is he walking then? That's a certainty is it?
B) Can you refute anything I've said or have you merely got a silly response to it?