QPR’s recruitment strategy is facing criticism as the club seeks a solution to reverse their declining season. Over the past year, the London club has experienced a significant decline in performance, shifting from being potential contenders for the playoffs to being considered candidates for relegation.
The downturn began when Michael Beale left the club in October of the previous year. Currently, Gareth Ainsworth’s team finds themselves positioned within the relegation zone of the Championship.
Last season, the 50-year-old Ainsworth played a crucial role in improving the team’s performance after taking over from Neil Critchley, who had a brief stint in charge following Beale’s departure. However, the current season has seen the Hoops secure only two victories in their first 11 matches, shedding light on several underlying issues within the club’s summer recruitment process.
So, what is the current state of affairs at QPR?
According to a unnamed club source speaking to The Athletic, the failure to cash in on high-value assets last summer is seen as a major mistake by those working within QPR.
The likes of Ilias Chair and Chris Willock were both cited as potential assets that could have been sold to raise transfer funds to improve the overall first team squad.
Chair’s international status as a Morocco first team member was singled out as something that has raised his transfer value, making it worthwhile to cash in for the club.
That his style of play also doesn’t quite work with a team struggling for results like Ainsworth’s has also been mentioned as one reason why cashing in made sense last summer.
The failure of the academy system to produce stars has also been mentioned as a big issue that QPR needs to resolve soon.
Could QPR earn a major January transfer windfall?
The London club could be due a major windfall in January if reports of Manchester City’s interest in Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze comes to fruition.
QPR are due 20 per cent of any sale of the forward, which could amount to an eight-figure sum for the Loftus Road club.
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 |
However, he is the only major star that QPR have produced over the last several years, and he arrived from Millwall when he was 18.
Regardless, his arrival could alleviate some of the financial fair play issues currently plaguing the club.
Is There Hope for QPR to Reverse Their Season?
A potential game-changer for QPR could be the sale of Eze for a substantial sum in the January transfer window, providing the club with the financial means to make winter signings. Nevertheless, QPR cannot rely on this outcome as it’s far from certain.
Before contemplating such scenarios, the club must address the pressing issue of whether Ainsworth is the right person to lead the team towards improvement, a prospect that appears increasingly doubtful.
In the face of the immediate need to avoid relegation, QPR must explore short-term solutions, and a managerial change might be the catalyst this team requires.
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