A blog of two halves

Three points would be good for a change

Last month QPR were one of the in-form teams in the Championship winning three games out of five.

28 April 2017
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QPR manager Ian Holloway. PICTURE: ACTION IMAGES

Last month QPR were one of the in-form teams in the Championship winning five games out of seven.

Fast forward to April and the R's have lost six games on the bounce.

And with just two games left in the season, there is little time for Rangers to get their act together and secure their Championship status.

A win against Forest on Saturday will all but guarantee their safety before the final weekend of the campaign.

But it is not that simple as the

Hoops are conceding goals at a rate of knots that has Holloway in a state of despair.

QPR stopper Smithies deserves better from his back line after an impressive campaign between the sticks.

So much so that he won three gongs at the QPR end of season awards this week.

The R's number one has been named Supporters' Player of the Year, Ray Jones Players' Player of the Year and Junior Hoops' Player of the Year.

"It's nice to get some sort of recognition for the work you've been doing all season, so I'm really delighted to win all three awards," said Smithies.

"It always means a lot when your team-mates vote for you and the fans have been fantastic with me since I arrived here, so the two awards they've voted for are special too.

"In general, it's not been a great season for us, but I've enjoyed the support I've received from everyone for my performances this season.

"I love playing in front of the QPR fans – they're an exceptional bunch of supporters – and we want to finish the last two games strongly for them."

Defensive reinforcements and free-scoring forwards are on Holloway's summer wish list of buys for the summer.

Fortunately QPR no longer bring in players looking solely for a payday as the decks have slowly been cleared at Loftus Road.

Owner Tony Fernandes has seen first-hand that big wages do not transfer to big performances on the pitch. That chapter has been closed in W12.

Meanwhile, the QPR owner is pleased to see academy players like Darnell Furlong and Ryan Manning cementing their places in the first team.

The changes have been made and more changes are needed if QPR are to eventually get out of the Championship.

Three points on Saturday would be good for a change too.

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

Nick Skoric

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