The rumour mill has begun

This summer sees 14 players reach the end of their contract with the club. Along with them is our inspirational young manager who is now being touted for jobs elsewhere. At the same time of writing, Rangers had already agreed a deal with businessman Gianni Paladini and a 22% stake he had bought and further negotiations are under way with further consortiums regarding future investment.

The future looks good for QPR if you look at the club as an overview but in truth, promotion was needed so bad it is scary. If we had not gone up this season we would have lost our manager and numerous players as we simply could not afford them in the division we were in. promotion however has brought about a chance to tie these important members up on contracts and consolidate our position within the second tier of English football. It will not be easy but the job will be all the more easier if we can sign Ollie, Marc Bircham, Paul Furlong, Matthew Rose etc up for the next year or two.

Rangers have come along way since their perilous position in administration thanks to the help and support from many fans. Player’s wages and transfer fees have been paid by supporters and the club has been able to run successfully on a shoe string. We will lose out on Fulham and Wasps not returning to ground-share despite how annoying it was to see our neighbours’ club badge beside ours outside the ground. The money received next year will be a timely boost and welcome reminder that it is the 1^st division and higher we belong in- not the second.

Ian Holloway is reportedly being offered a new contract this week when he goes in for talks with chief executive David Davies. He is going to be the first and most important man to be offered a new deal. This comes despite reports one of the consortiums bidding for control at Loftus Road is going to sack him despite promotion and bring in Jim Smith as the new manager. Other names such as Martin Keown have also been branded around but surely nobody is that naïve to think that Ollie can’t take this team further. The team spirit and unity it shows on the pitch only goes to show what he has installed into the side.

Possible summer signings include former Rangers loanee and avid fan Lee Cook. Cook spent 3 months on loan for us last term and was involved in helping us get out of that terrible run and onto the train to the playoffs. Unfortunately, following his impressive displays Watford recalled him to their squad. His style of play suits Rangers and his encouraging displays for the Hornets have seen his reputation enhanced this term. He always made it clear he would be happy to return to Rangers no matter what division they were in but any move seemed unlikely in the second division as money was out of the question. With promotion comes new money and renewed hope. Some people have suggested that he rejected a recent new contract offer from Watford and is in talks with Rangers already.

Benito Carbone has also been linked with a move to West London following Paladini’s investment. But any deal looks very unlikely if Holloway remains in charge which seems pretty straight forward. Many R’s fans would appose any move for the Italian who had disappointing spells at struggling Bradford, Sheffield Wednesday and Derby and maybe considered a danger to our financial situation and set-up.

More name are bound to follow in the coming weeks but surely first on Davies’ mind is signing Ollie up before any players. Then will come the squad rebuilding with Holloway at the heart of negotiations to who he wants as part of his plans. Only then, will he start to think of new signings. A return from Richard Langley, a move for Swindon’s Sam Parkin-an open QPR fan too? Who knows but another signing like Martin Rowlands this summer will put is in a strong position come next August. Come on U R’s