Only 11th hour spree can save goal-shy QPR
QUEENS Park Rangers might have pulled off an unlikely draw against champions Manchester City on Tuesday, but all is far from well at Loftus Road.
I’ve never seen manager Harry Redknapp look more annoyed with a group of players, while chairman Tony Fernandes has even talked about walking away.
Draws, even against big teams, are all well and good but what Rangers desperately need are wins over those sides also scrapping for their top-flight lives.
Few clubs anchored to the bottom at Christmas, never mind a month later, survive, and I think QPR need to win at least six or seven of their 14 remaining games.
To do that they need goals, because, while Redknapp has improved performances and bred some consistency, hitting the net is still proving to be a major problem.
January signing Loic Remy is good but doesn’t have a fantastic scoring record, so I can see why Redknapp is eager to sign another forward before tonight’s deadline.
He needs players who can make an instant impact, which makes Peter Crouch a sensible target. He knows Harry and has always caused problems in the Premier League.
Jamie Mackie, who Harry has used up front, is so hard working but lacks that little bit extra needed at this level – and Crouch possesses it.
Ryan Nelsen’s departure has heightened QPR’s need for defenders, and Harry will move hell or high water to get Chris Samba – exactly the type of player he’d want.
It’s not all about arrivals though. I think QPR are stretched financially and must need to offload a few, even on loan, before offering more £70k a week contracts.
No other team needs to do business on transfer deadline day quite as much as QPR, because if they have an average February I believe their fight will be all over.
Trevor Steven is a former England footballer who played at two World Cups and two European Championships. He now works as a media commentator.