Carlton Palmer has addressed the uncertain future of QPR manager Gareth Ainsworth.
Gareth Ainsworth’s position as the head of QPR is becoming increasingly precarious due to the team’s recent string of poor performances.
Before the season began, many expected QPR to struggle and potentially face relegation. Those predictions have been realized in the early part of the new season, with QPR currently occupying 22nd place in the league standings after 11 games.
Ainsworth has faced criticism for his management of the team, and there is speculation regarding his future at Loftus Road.
As of the October international break, the 50-year-old is still in charge. However, it remains unclear how much longer he will continue to lead the London club if the team’s poor form persists.
Should QPR consider replacing Gareth Ainsworth?
Carlton Palmer Message to QPR fans
Carlton Palmer has claimed that Ainsworth’s track record with Wycombe Wanderers shows that he can be successful as a manager.
He believes that QPR need to back the coach and give him the resources he needs in order to turn things around.
“Gareth Ainsworth, the manager of QPR, must be coming under increasing pressure for his job,” Palmer told Football League World.
“QPR have dropped into the bottom three and have lost four out of their last six games, losing their last three straight games, and the last time out a 4-0 thumping against Blackburn.
“I never advocate for a manager to lose his job.
“Gareth has proven himself in a very long and successful stint at Wycombe Wanderers, he knows the game and how to do his job.
“The facts are: in 25 games in charge, five wins, four draws, 16 defeats, not great reading.
“He must be on thin ice, even given all the problems that QPR face financially, he needs resources and he needs them quickly.”
Where are QPR in the Championship table?
| Championship Table (As it stands w/c October 9th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 11 | -4 | 13 |
| 18 | Plymouth Argyle | 11 | -1 | 11 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 11 | -7 | 11 |
| 20 | Watford | 11 | -2 | 10 |
| 21 | Stoke City | 11 | -6 | 10 |
| 22 | QPR | 11 | -12 | 8 |
| 23 | Rotherham United | 11 | -12 | 6 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 11 | -13 | 3 |
QPR are without a win in their last six, with their two league victories coming against Middlesbrough and Cardiff City.
The Hoops just barely survived relegation last season, with a difficult year seeing Ainsworth appointed late in the campaign.
He replaced Neil Critchley, who lasted just a few months in charge after he took over from Michael Beale.
There has been plenty of turnover behind the scenes at QPR, with financial difficulties only making things harder for the manager.
There has been no indication that the club is set to sack Ainsworth, but things could change quickly if form doesn’t improve.
Next up for Ainsworth’s side is a clash away to relegation rivals Huddersfield Town on 21 October.
Can Gareth Ainsworth turn things around at QPR?
Ainsworth did a great job with little resources at Wycombe, but he was unable to keep the team in the Championship when promotion was earned by the club.
Perhaps the second division has proven too much for Ainsworth to handle, and that his ceiling lies in League One.
But the circumstances at Loftus Road have not been easy, and that should be taken into account when judging the job he has done so far.
The return from the break sees QPR face the likes of Huddersfield, West Brom, Leicester City, Rotherham United and Bristol City, which could prove an important five-game run in their campaign and Ainsworth’s tenure in charge.
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