QPR's Championship Prospects Assessed

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Eurosport - Championship - Countdown: Queens Park Rangers
Eurosport.yahoo.com continues its countdown to the Championship season with a look at moneyed contenders Queens Park Rangers.

Last 10 seasons in the Championship (2007/08 to 1998/99): 20/10/23/-/-/-/11/21/18/14

POSSIBLE STARTING XI (new signings in bold):
Radek Cerny
Peter Ramage - Fitz Hall - Damion Stewart - Damien Delaney
Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma - Mikele Leigertwood - Martin Rowlands - Hogan Ephraim
Patrick Agyemang - Dexter Blackstock

BACK-UPS FROM:
Lee Camp
Matthew Connolly - Zesh Rehman - Chris Barker
Gareth Ainsworth - Adam Bolder - Simon Walton - Angelo Balanta
Daniel Nardiello - Samuel Di Carmine - Rowan Vine

POSITIVES:
Well, let's get it out of the way: QPR HAVE MONEY. Lots of it. But, while spending more than most of their rivals, they are seeking to invest in the right way. Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage, Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma and Samuel Di Carmine are perhaps not the names the fans had in mind when the new owners homed into view, but these signings could be what they need if they are to get out of this division. More ambitious would be Real Madrid full-back Michel Salgado, should his claims of an approach be true, although that seems to have died a death. Crystal Palace midfield star Ben Watson and Blackpool defender Kaspars Gorkss could also arrive before the new campaign. Patrick Agyemang, Dexter Blackstock and Rowan Vine have goals in them at this level while Mikele Leigertwood, captain Martin Rowlands and the skilful Hogan Ephraim make up an impressive midfield.

NEGATIVES:
Although stability has been found in the four years since Rangers earned promotion back to the second tier, they have so far failed to come close to mounting a serious promotion bid. New manager Iain Dowie's task will be to do just that this season, with previous boss Luigi De Canio an example of how modest success will no longer cut it - can he take the pressure?

VERDICT:
A lot rests on the boss: having started with distinction at Palace, Dowie's stock has fallen somewhat since. Plenty of people will be keen to see how he fares at Loftus Road - this time, unlike at Coventry, he has money to play with. It could be a good season for Rangers fans, with new signings complementing an existing solid frame of a team; at the very least a play-off bid will be expected, and that ought to be the case come the end of the season. The top two spots may prove beyond them just yet though. Eurosport