At the end of another strange and difficult week for QPR Ash looks at where this weekend's game with Sheffield United can be won and lost.

Queens Park Rangers Football Club
Once again we’ve been made to look like a circus by the national media over the last fortnight, and rightfully so. The mocked-up image of Flavio Briatore as a puppeteer dangling Rangers past managers (all six, eight or ten of em depending on what you’ve read) in today’s Sun just the latest in a long line of stories detailing what a shambles the managerial situation alone has become since the money-men rolled in to Loftus Road. Usually I tend to ignore what’s written about Rangers in the rags, because it’s usually un-researched lazy journalism (I’m looking at you Evening Standard) but it’s been hard to get away from this week. Saturday gives us the opportunity to turn all the negative press we’ve had this past two weeks by putting in a decent showing and a win against Sheffield United. On paper that is certainly doable, although the Blades form has picked up of late, the squad we have is quite capable of running rings around United’s flat-track bullying style of play. Of course, the new manager’s team selection and the mind-set of our squad will determine what happens on the pitch, but it be nice to read something complimentary about the team with my egg and bacon on Sunday morning.
QPR are best priced 7/5 to win on Saturday with bet365, Sheff Utd are 21/10 with Coral

Paul Hart
Football’s a funny game isn’t it? When Jim Magilton was appointed in the summer I didn’t think I could be ever more underwhelmed over a managerial appointment. But to be fair to old Madge he won me and lot of other Rangers fans with his style of football that made QPR more supremely entertaining then we’ve been in a very long time. Little did I know that just weeks later I’d be staring at a certain Paul Hart conducting a press conference in R’s attire. A lot of empathy has been thrown Hart’s way this season due to the events he had to deal with whilst in charge at Portsmouth, but he must have a bit of a thing for crazy football clubs, because by stepping into the Loftus Road hot seat he’s gone from one circus to another. The only difference here is that the board are heaping even more pressure on Hart by expecting him to lead the side to promotion this season. What he’ll make of the current Rangers squad is hard to say, there are many familiar names unfortunately one them is Fitz Hall who is still living off a reputation of a credible defender even though he’d be most fans fourth choice in the Rangers back-line. What we do know is that Hart is very much a 4-4-2 man and more of a defensive minded coach then Magilton was. Which is probably good news seeing as we’ve struggled for clean sheets this campaign but on the flip-side there are concerns that he wont know what quite to make of the array of attacking options available to him, especially as he has already stated everyone at the club has a clean slate (although he did actually say ‘sheet’!). Looking positively at it (and I’m really trying), Hart is renowned for working with youngsters which maybe good news for the likes of Matt Connolly, Angelo Balanta and possibly Adel Taarabt. And he’s also bringing Mick Harford with him who having already been caretaker boss at least knows the club and some of the playing staff. But once again it’s a big gamble from Flavio and his team and one that’s come very much out of left-field. I honestly didn’t think I’d be wishing a new manager well this early into the season but now he’s here, let’s hope he can prove the doubters wrong and breathe new life into Rangers’ season.
QPR are 9/1 to be promoted with Sky Bet and 80/1 to win the title with Coral

Three points
Whilst all the drama has been happening, it’s been easy to forget that we actually were eleven seconds away from beating West Brom on their own turf last Monday. I was listening to the game from a AA tow-truck who was helping me home after breaking down on the M25. So having waited forty minutes for him to turn up on the hard-shoulder it was a warming feeling to hear the R’s playing well and taking them. Of course I got home just in time to see Simon Cox’s injury-time equaliser but on reflection it was a valuable point miles away from the abject performances against Middlesborough and Watford. We are now still only three points off the top-six, so the panic button is far from ready to be pressed and what Hart needs to do is build on the performance of Monday night and get his reign off to a good start with three points that will catapult his new team right back in the picture.
QPR to be winning half time and full time is 3/1 with Bet365, we are 14/1 with various to blow a half time lead and draw, and 40/1 with Sporting Bet to be winning at half time and lose.

The fans
That’s give Paul a chance eh? I know he would of been near the bottom of most people’s list of potential new managers, but he’s here now and we need to be in full voice on Saturday to welcome to the new man and give the team our full support in what we will be a tough game.
Sheff Utd are 16/1 to win 2-0 with Paddy Power

Photo: Action Images

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