QPR Focus - Hoilett takes positives from Rangers' Premier League start
Queens Park Rangers new-boy Junior Hoilett believes his side can take plenty of positives from their so far disappointing season. The summer signing from Blackburn Rovers believes his new side has come a long way since the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Swansea City on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Impressive displays against Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have shown that the quality is within the Rangers squad and it’s likely just a matter of when and not if that the results start matching the performances.
"We all believe the first win is just around the corner," said Hoilett. "If you compare the first game of the season to how we’ve been playing recently, there are a lot of positives we can take."
Despite the positive performances, QPR sit at the bottom of the Premier League, taking only two points from a possible 18, with draws against Chelsea and Norwich registering the only points on the board.
Failing to win any of the opening six games has been a worry for many fans at Loftus Road, with some sections of the support calling for Hughes to be replaced by ex-Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp. However, owner Tony Fernandes has publicly backed his under fire manager via his Twitter account.
"Keep calm," assured Fernandes. "Six games does not make a season. I have learnt from many wise chairmen."
Hughes will take much confidence from his owner’s backing, knowing he has the time to let his new signings get used to the pace and power of the Premier League. With eleven new signings dominating the Rangers squad, it was always possible it would take time for QPR to chalk up some points on the board.
It is very difficult trying to gel half a squad of players together in a very short space of time, especially when three of the bigger names have never played in England before, and speak little of the language. Signings such as Esteban Granero, Julio Cesar and Stephane Mbia will no doubt come good for the Hoops, all coming from top European clubs.
This will be one of Mark Hughes’ biggest tests in his managerial career. After leading Wales to some very good results, it is in no question that Hughes worked wonders at Blackburn Rovers, turning a squad of average Premier League performers from relegation candidates into European challengers.
His failure to date is the job at Manchester City, which could be argued is similar to his current task at Loftus Road. Armed with a chest of money Hughes failed to get the best out of his players at the Etihad Stadium and was subsequently sacked and replaced by current City boss Roberto Mancini.
His job at QPR this season is very much of the same ilk. With big money spent on the likes of Hoilett, Granero, Diakite, Mbia and undoubtedly the wage demands of Julio Cesar, fans will be demanding to see their side secure more wins, starting this Saturday against West Brom.
See what the expert tipsters at OLBG are tipping on West Brom v QPR
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