LONDON, England: QPR manager Harry Redknapp admits the pressure for promotion from the Championship is more intense than ever as the Football League’s 125th season kicks off this weekend.
Redknapp is one of 24 second tier managers heading into the new campaign with the aim of clinching a golden ticket to lucrative Premier League.
But unlike many of his peers in the Championship, Redknapp is well aware he has no margin for error as his troubled west London club try to make amends for a dismal season that ended in relegation from the top-flight just three months ago.
The Hoops, who kick-off their promotion challenge at home to Sheffield Wednesday today, have been installed as pre-season promotion favourites by bookmakers impressed by the qualities of the likes of Loic Remy, Julio Cesar and Junior Hoilett.
Yet that verdict fails to take into account the behind-the-scenes chaos at Loftus Road.
QPR lost £23 million last year after Malaysian owner Tan Sri Tony Fernandes sanctioned a massive spending spree by both Redknapp and his predecessor Mark Hughes that backfired when many of the big-name arrivals failed to live up to their lofty reputations.
Even taking into account the parachute payments due to clubs relegated from the Premier League, QPR can ill-afford to spend long outside the top-flight.
It would help Redknapp’s cause if he could off-load disaffected flops like Joey Barton, Adel Taarabt, Luke Young and Samba Diakite, as well as wantaway duo Remy and Cesar.
“We need to make changes and shift some players,” said Redknapp, who bolstered his squad by signing prolific striker Charlie Austin from Burnley in midweek.
“We need to change the whole attitude, really, at the club, and the only way we can do that is to bring in some new players, the right type of lads who will appreciate being at QPR. There are a few here who have got the wrong attitude and that’s the problem. If they want to move I’m happy to move any of them.” — AFP