Redknapp hits out at Hughes for “bad atmosphere”

Ahead of the game between QPR and Stoke City, Harry Redknapp has sensationally slammed Stoke boss Mark Hughes for the “bad atmosphere” that was at Loftus Road when he took over.

Redknapp succeeded Hughes in November 2012 after the former Wales and Blackburn Rovers boss had 11 months at the helm; however, he could not prevent the Hoops being relegated from the Premier League. They were promoted back at the first time of asking, though.

Hughes takes his Potters team to west London, returning to the ground for the first time since his dismissal, and the Staffordshire outfit are 7/4 to record a win, while QPR have odds of 13/8.

The Stoke manager will assess forward Jon Walters (calf) and midfielder Marko Arnautovic (foot) prior to the trip to Loftus Road, while midfielder Stephen Ireland could play after recovering from a rib muscle injury. Defender Geoff Cameron (hernia) and forward Peter Odemwingie (knee) are recovering from surgery.

Speaking ahead of the match, Redknapp revealed: “When you go 13 games without a win there has to be something wrong, there wasn’t a good atmosphere about the place.

“There were lots of different groups at the club. There were the lads who had been here before and played in the Championship and a new group that came in.

“It wasn’t all down to Mark. He probably inherited some and some had come in. You never get a perfect group. Now we have a good group of lads and a good atmosphere.”

Meanwhile, Redknapp has spoken out about the Football Association’s decision to reduce the amount of non-EU players; a strategy to encourage the promotion of homegrown players in Premier League.

“As long as the homegrown players are good enough to play at the top level then it’s not a problem,” he continued.

“We all want to see more British players playing in the Premier League, but they have to be good enough.

“It’s no good playing them just for the sake of it. If they are not up to playing then you have a problem.”