Football Season Guide

QPR just about managed to come home and dry last season on their return to top flight football. It was an eventful campaign that saw Neil Warnock depart in the mid-season after a worrying run of results, to be replaced by Mark Hughes. The former Man Utd and Barcelona striker bought big in January and managed to steady the ship in the end with 17th place secured in the final furlong. He has been busy in the summer transfer market with the arrivals of strikers David Hoillett and Andy Johnson, midfielder Ji Sung Park and Fabio, defender Ryan Nelsen and goalkeeper Robert Green. Midfield hardman Samba Diakite has also been permanently added to the books on permanent basis after a good loan spell in the second half of last season. The situation of Joey Barton, whose antics in QPR's final game against Man City last season mean he faces a lengthy 12-game ban to start with, remains to be sorted out with a loan deal likely till the turn of the year. In any case, the Hoops looks well staffed to try and preserve their Premiership status for a second season, with quality signings in all lines. Hughes installed a strong defensive set up from the start of the year and should continue with Anton Ferdinand and Clint Hill in central defence and Fabio likely to take over from the departed Taye Taiwo at left back. Nedum Onuoha should be back on the right side. Diakite and Derry formed a strong defensive midfield unit since the start of the year and will be difficult to leave out, even though Alejandro Faurlin should return from long term injury to try and reclaim his starting spot. With Paddy Kenny rejoining Neil Warnock at Leeds United, Robert Green should quickly claim the number one goalkeeper spot. The experience of Ji Sung Park in midfield should do the Hoops a world of good to temperate the otherwise impulsive nature of players like Taraabt, Mackie or Cisse in the attack. Hughes will have options upfront, with Bobby Zamora and Jay Bothroyd competing with new arrivals Johnson and Hoillett.