Queens Park Rangers have enjoyed a great start to the 2015/16 Championship season, with fan favourites Charlie Austin and Matt Phillips shining. Prior to September however, many predicted that key goal scorer Austin and wide-man Phillips would be departing the club, with interest in both from a host of Premier League teams. However, deadline day has passed and QPR have retained the services of both players. On top of this, Rangers have brought in a healthy mixture of experience and youth, with the likes of Paul Konchesky, Gabriele Angella and Jamie Mackie all arriving, as well a number of younger prospects, such as Massimo Luongo and Ben Gladwin. Furthermore, Dutch international Leroy Fer returns from injury, while the Brazilian Sandro also returns following the club’s sponsorship license being reinstated.
Earlier in the year, QPR director of football Les Ferdinand stated that “If we [QPR] can make an immediate return to the Premier League, then great, but we have to focus on re-establishing the traditions of QPR…” (The Daily Mail)
This attitude reflected the belief at the time that Rangers would be undergoing a metamorphosis of sorts, with many players coming and going out following their relegation. Ferdinand, like many supporters, probably feared that Rangers might follow the path of Wolves and plummet straight to League One.
However given that the R’s have maintained the majority of last season’s squad, expectations must surely be adjusted. It would be ridiculous to think that a team with Dutch, English, Brazilian and Australian internationals isn’t capable of pushing for a top six finish in the Championship.
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Having said that, the Championship can be a long and gruelling competition, and it has seen some great teams struggle and falter in the past. In recent history, teams like Derby County and Middlesbrough have spent much of the season in pole position, only to falter late on. Derby and Boro have boasted some of the best players in the league – Craig Bryson, Patrick Bamford and Richard Keogh, to name a few – and yet still fell short of promotion.
So what does it take to succeed in the Championship?
Depth
Considering that 46 games are played between August and May, squad depth is a massive factor for Championship success. In order to have the requisite staying power, teams need to have talent ready to fill in, in case of injury or fatigue. Last season Norwich utilised their depth with proven players like Cameron Jerome, Gary O’Neil and Jonny Howson ready to step into the first team at a moments notice. Rangers are looking to be in a similarly strong position, especially in midfield, with dynamic substitutes Ben Gladwin, Jamie Mackie and Michael Doughty all good options.
Composure
Listening to any Championship fan, you will know it’s not over till the fat lady sings. Teams often fail to close matches out, and there have been some edge-of-your-seat finishes in recent years. Bobby Zamora’s play-off winner against Derby in extra time two seasons ago is just one of many great examples of this. Rangers themselves have often been on the receiving end of this treatment too, a shaky defence defining them in the last few seasons. If they are to be successful they may need to take a leaf out of Burnley’s book. The Lancashire club only conceded 37 goals in their last Championship season with players like Ben Mee and Kieran Trippier showing great defensive composure.
A miracle man
When the going gets tough, the tough get going – or so they say. This kind of player is one who you can count on all season long. The kind of player who can pull something out of thin air. A player who can turn a loss into a draw, and a draw into a win. Patrick Bamford was that player for Middlesbrough last year. On loan from Chelsea, the 21-year-old was truly a miracle worker for Boro. With 17 goals, Bamford beat Watford’s Troy Deeney and Ipswich Town’s Daryl Murphy to the Championship’s Player of the Year award. With regards to Rangers, Charlie Austin will be looked to, as his last Championship season saw him produce 20 goals, often at the most pivotal of times. With 4 netted this season already, Austin may once again be that man.
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