Lessons learned from last QPR campaign in Premier League

QPR’s transfer policy could hardly be more different from this time two years ago. Tony Fernandes’ wealth is no longer being used to attract mercenaries who, when the going got tough, weren’t up for the fight.

The Hoops remain among the favourites at 7/4 in Coral’s relegation market, but there is a real sense that the Loftus Road hierarchy has wised up while Harry Redknapp has been in residence in the dugout. Granted, he will always have that ‘wheeler-dealer’ tag, evoking televised images of snatched interviews through an open car window, but his summer acquisitions should give QPR a great chance of survival.

Conventional wisdom suggests that being part of a backline that conceded 74 goals in last season’s Premier League, while captaining Cardiff City, was not at all Steven Caulker’s fault. That ultra-positive assessment is wilful blindness.

A more realistic analysis of his 2013/14 campaign would be the learning of some pretty harsh lessons, and a need for his development to continue under the wing of an experienced England international. Step forward Rio Ferdinand.

Discarded by Manchester United, as Louis van Gaal makes way for a brighter future, the former Three Lions captain has returned to London and links up with his old West Ham boss Redknapp. The opportunity to play alongside Ferdinand in the heart of the Hoops defence was obviously too good for Caulker to turn down.

Nor was he the only eye-catching Cardiff player from last term captured by QPR. Jordon Mutch, a rare ray of sunshine in a beleaguered Bluebirds midfield, has hopped down the M4 too and thrown his lot in with the Hoops. A reported £6m fee has hopefully bought Redknapp goals from this area of the field.

Chile wing back Mauricio Isla, who can also operate in the engine room, completes the four summer signings made at QPR to date, on a season-long loan from Italian champions Juventus. Exits for several 30-somethings, but particularly Aaron Hughes and Luke Young in this case, made another option for that flank of defence necessary. Danny Simpson and Nedum Onuoha will be less than delighted, though.

And that’s all the in-bound business to Shepherd’s Bush. No prima-donnas, no controversial signings that bring baggage with them, no names that strike you as not having the stomach for a scrap. There are remnants of these less desirable elements still on the Hoops’ books, however.