What a joyous day! As a long suffering Queens Park Rangers fan, I have no shame in saying that I was jumping around in front of my TV this morning, as the Mighty R’s defeated Watford 2-0 at Vicarage Road.
Not only does the win see QPR secure promotion to the Premier League, but it also sees them crowned champions of the N-Power Championship.
It was fitting that QPR’s midfield maestro, Adel Taarabt, scored the opening goal of the game which all but punched QPR’s ticket to the Premier League. Taarabt has been nothing short of spectacular for the R’s this season, amassing an amazing stat line of 18 goals and 16 assists.
Winger Tommy Smith made sure there was no nervous wait – and kicked off the celebrations – with a well-placed finish in the dying minutes.
The promotion ends a fifteen-year hiatus from the top flight, which has seen the Loftus Road faithful endure some tumultuous times. Administration, several owners, countless coaches and even a stint in League One have all been seen by QPR since they were relegated at the end of the 1996-97 season.
But this season they have been transformed, and much of the success has to be accredited to manager Neil Warnock.
When Warnock took the reigns at Loftus Road in March 2010, QPR were languishing in 20th place in the Championship, and had to battle to avoid relegation. Just 13 short months later his side are champions. Warnock transformed the playing squad from top to bottom, but the most noticeable improvement can be seen in the defense.
Over the past few years especially, as a fan, I never felt comfortable when the R’s were holding a slender lead. Too many times I’d seen silly mistakes and defensive lapses result in lost points.
But this year was different.
This year we have been the model of consistency. The defense has only given up 30 goals in 45 leagues games this season, and has only lost 5 times. The goal-difference is also a great indicator of that consistency, as with one match to play against Leeds next weekend, QPR are +40.
The only dark cloud that is hanging over Loftus Road at the moment is a date with the Football Association next Friday. A hearing has been scheduled in regards to the transfer of Argentinian Midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, back in 2009.
The offense relates to the 2009-2010 season, when it is allegedly that QPR played Faurlin, when he was owned by a third-party group and not the club. This is a clear break of FA rules.
The FA introduced the rule in 2009, in the aftermath of the now-infamous Carlos Tevez affair with West Ham. West Ham was fined 5.5 Million pounds for the Tevez incident, a punishment that was widely considered to be too lenient at the time.
The worst case scenario for Queens Park Rangers is a points deduction, which could drop the club back to third, which would mean they would have to gain promotion via the playoffs.
But today, I’m not thinking about that, and I doubt that many QPR followers would be either.
Our long and painful absence from the top flight is over.
QPR is once again in the Premier League, and have achieved the feat in the best possible way.
I know full well that we will face an incredibly tough battle in the Premier League next year, but I still cannot wait to see the R’s run out at Old Trafford and Stamford Bridge next season.
For today, my beloved Hoops are champions. Nothing can rain on that parade. Not a FA hearing or the challenges that lie ahead.
Today, I couldn’t be prouder to be a fan of my Premier League side, Queens Park Rangers.
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