The summer transfer window soap opera kicks off for another season of surprises, sagas and smile-with-your-new-shirt press conferences.
QPR fans can only look on in envy as the Hoops attempt to perform a Houdini-like escape from the weighty £40million Financial Fair Play fine which hangs around their neck.
While the QPR accountants wrestle with the mammoth financial beast of a fine, they may have to offer up a sacrificial lamb or two to appease the powers that be, with R's stopper Alex Smithies one of the possible names on the slaughter house list.
Fortunately for Alex, no blood will be split should the QPR number one be forced to leave the club in order to help balance the books. But it will leave a sour taste in the mouth of the R's supporters as well as new boss Steve McClaren.
Luckily for the Mac, the club are well stocked in the goalkeeping department and it is more of a concern the lack of defensive options in the squad after the departure of Nedum Onuoha and James Perch.
Defenders are desperately needed and so is a striker. A real number nine to finally replace Charlie Austin who left for greener pastures. And how can you blame him?
Derby County forward Chris Martin, who previously played under McClaren, is a name doing the rounds as well as winger Youness Mokhtar of PEC Zwolle, whose contract is about to end.
A parade of new signings at Loftus Road is not going to happen but the new additions, which will be few and far between, could make or break McClaren's first season in W12.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
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