It was originally a Morecambe and Wise routine. Then it was a Nik Kershaw song. Now it’s the phrase most often heard around Loftus Road. Ask most QPR supporters at the moment “What do you think of it so far?” and the answers will on the whole be pretty favourable.
With an untested manager, a squad in flux and a catastrophic end to last season, few of us went into this one with high expectations. Not many predicted we would be in the top six in the league at this stage of the season, never mind topping the table, even if only briefly.
Mick Beale, in the short time he has been with us, has impressed. He is clearly a talented manager with a big potential future in front of him. That’s why Wolves tried to prise him away from west London after only 14 games. It’s also why there was such a collective sigh of relief from the fans when he decided to stay. In their latest spin of the managerial merry-go-round the club seems to have got this one right.
When we can put out our best team we can be formidable. At times, we have played fluid, attractive football and overwhelmed our opponents. Both of our new full backs have impressed.
But some big question marks remain. We still scorn too many goal-scoring chances. When we are on top, we don’t kill off our opponents. There is little strength and depth in the squad. We seem to have several players prone to injury. Few of their replacements have impressed. Added to which, opponents seem to be beginning to work out how to stop us playing. Both Luton (past vice-president, by the way, one Eric Morcambe) and Birmingham beat us quite easily by using a mixture of energetic, constant pressing, tough tackling and some judicious roughhouse tactics.
To add to the confusion there is now a mid-season break, caused by the dubious decision to give the World Cup to the dubious state of Qatar. No one knows how this will affect the league season. Not many QPR players will be flying out to the Middle East, but the break in the schedule is bound to be disruptive at a time when the team are riding high.
The final line to the Morecambe and Wise gag – “What do you think of it so far?” – is “Rubbish!”. Winning promotion from the Championship to the Premiership is notoriously difficult. Few teams have stood out so far, though Burnley are looking ominous. But this QPR team is far from rubbish and with a talented manager, who is staying, and if our key players can stay fit, then we might, might just have the last laugh.
Phil Harding is a journalist and writer. He lives in Hammersmith, is a season ticket holder at QPR and has supported the team since the early 70s.
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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