The 2023/24 season has been a challenging one for Queens Park Rangers, as noted by Ian McCullough from West London Sport, especially with Leicester City set to visit MATRADE Loftus Road Stadium on Saturday. In contrast, Leicester has been on a winning streak, most recently defeating Sunderland with a first-half goal from James Justin, keeping them at the top of the Sky Bet Championship.
On the other hand, QPR has struggled this season, managing just two wins in their first 13 games, both of which were away victories. This presents a daunting task for a team that will be hosting an in-form Leicester side that has won their last six away games.
Ian McCullough commented on the current situation at QPR, saying, “The first game of the season, they were beaten 4-0 by Watford, which wasn’t too surprising as they hadn’t made many summer signings. However, they signed Steve Cook and Jack Colback before the second game, and they secured a good 2-1 win at Cardiff City. They played well and also won at Middlesbrough.”
“Since then, things have taken a turn for the worse, with QPR losing every home game this season and only winning once at home all year. Under Gareth Ainsworth, if they lose to Leicester, it will mark 12 home games without a win, further extending their poor record.”
McCullough highlighted the contrast from the previous season when QPR was at the top of the table for a while and had invested in a new £25 million training ground. The team’s fortunes changed when Michael Beale was in charge, experiencing a period of success, followed by a rough patch that led to his departure. Ainsworth took over with a significant injury list, favoring a style of football that lacked possession, which didn’t suit the need for winning home games.
The reporter believes that a few wins and accumulating points can help restore confidence to the QPR squad, but he acknowledges that facing Leicester may not be the catalyst for change due to Leicester’s quality and confidence this season.
McCullough also pointed out the impact of injuries on key players such as Chris Willock and Ilias Chair, who were previously linked to Premier League moves. Willock, returning from an injury, hasn’t regained his previous form and lacks trust in his hamstring. Chair, known for successful dribbles, has been playing out of position and unable to make the same impact as before.
The lack of confidence appears to have affected the players and fans alike, creating a sense of frustration and stagnation. The upcoming match against Leicester is a tough challenge, and the outcome will likely have a significant influence on the atmosphere at QPR, either providing a morale boost or contributing to a more difficult environment.