A new era on Loftus Road
A world wide known story about Formula 1 magnate, Bernnie Eccelstone, and Flavio Briatore buying the Queens Park Rangers last January resulted in a quite fine last half a season for the Rangers. January signings and the Italian manager Luigi De Canio have completely changed the physiognomy and the results of the team from the last season. The Hoops had started from the bottom in November 2007 only to rise up to the brink of play-off at the end of the last season's campaign, so the club is entering the new season both financially and organizationally consolidated, even with the new badge on the shirt.
Rich sponsors no signings…?
Loftus Road will be the home of fine football this season. De Canio couldn't bare with the English style and the way of life so the bosses, after the rumors of Gianluca Vialli's arrival, still decided to go for the temporary solution found in the home manager, Ian Dowie, famous motivator and the ex manager of Crystal Palace, Charlton and Coventry. It is the biggest shift in the staff. Rich and big sponsors arrived (Gulf Air, Lotto) signing the greatest sponsorship deals outside the Premier League. But, nothing spectacular had happened when it comes to the squad. Peter Ramage (Newcastle), Radek Cerny (Slavia Prague) and the two young loaned players from Calcio, Jorge Ledesma (Genoa) and Samuel Di Carmine (Fiorentina) arrived to the club. The biggest capture for now is the young Real Madrid player, Dani Parejo, who came on loan although Arsenal, Deportivo La Coruna and Osasuna were all interested in buying the lad. Still, Real Madrid refused to give up on him at any price. Excellent Lithuanian Kasparss Gorks, last year's Blackpool key defender and the scorer of few important goals came on board also. Some of the few players who weren't exactly in the spotlight last season, which doesn't mean they are without quality, left (Nardiello, Ferenczi).
In
Peter Ramage (Newcastle United), Radek Cerny (Slavia Prague), Jorge Ledesema (Genoa), Samuel Di Carmine (Fiorentina)
Out
Stefan Bailey (Grays Athletic), Jake Cole (Oxford United), Istvan Ferenczi (Ferencvarosz), Sam Togwell, Paul Reid, Andy Johnson, Kim Christensen, Daniel Nardiello (Blackpool)
Hoops still immature for Premiership
Although according to some predictions only sky is the limit for QPR in the forthcoming season, we think it would not be that easy. It is the question if Dowie is up for this kind of a challenge after the failure on his last two appointments (Charlton, Coventry) and whether the transfer window was a bit neglected by the board. If they don't bring a big name until the end of august, it could easily happen that the fans will be obliged to wait a little bit more for the Premier League features. It seems as if they are not in a hurry to get in the elite, at least not until the team is mature enough for that kind of a challenge. Still, in the competition with highly defected Watford and Charlton, along with the immature Crystal palace in London, the Hoops are definite to be the best team in London, which we would like to recommend betting on.
Our tip: Bet 8 on QPR to be best London club
Odds 4.50
Bookmaker: Ladbrokes
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