QPR Keen To Add Two Defenders
Queens Park Rangers are still eyeing adding a pair of defenders to their squad this summer, according to journalist Alan Nixon.
The Championship side endured a lacklustre league campaign last term after Michael Beale left the London club halfway through the season.
Now the Loftus Road outfit are in the process of putting together a squad that can compete in the approaching league season.
They are keen on bolstering their squad further and now it is claimed that the R’s are still looking to add two more defenders to their stocks.
Gareth Ainsworth’s side have already seen the departures of two defensive mainstays from Loftus Road in the shape of Rob Dickie and Leon Balogun.
And they are hoping to replenish theERE options in their backline in the coming days, with the Championship campaign beginning tonight.
It is still unclear who the defensive targets QPR are pursuing are and the jury is still out on if they will be able to conclude any further deals in a bid to add to their backline.
Now it remains to be seen how the R’s will perform in the forthcoming season under Ainsworth’s tutelage.
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QPR boss Gareth Ainsworth wants team to surprise people
Gareth Ainsworth wants QPR to be ‘a team who can surprise people’ in the Sky Bet Championship this season.
R’s begin their campaign with a trip to Watford, who are among the favourites for a top-six finish, on Saturday.
And Ainsworth is aware his own club are being touted for a battle at the other end of the table, having fought against relegation last season.
But he told qpr.co.uk: “My hope for the season is improvement on last year. I want to be a team who can surprise people.
“I’m a builder. I know what type of manager I am. But to build we need to show improvement.”
Ainsworth has injury problems to deal with in his defence, with Jake Clarke-Salter and Jimmy Dunne picking up knocks in pre-season against Slavia Prague and Oxford United respectively.
And he acknowledges his starting line-up could include a lot of new faces at Vicarage Road.
“We’ve made a lot of changes this summer and could have half a team of new players out,” he added.
“Let’s see how quickly they gel. The first game is obviously a good barometer of where you are, but I think we’ll be in a good position to tackle the 46 games ahead.
“It’s no secret a couple of centre-backs have got injured in pre-season, which is obviously not what you want.
“We’ve got amazing staff here who are picking hmi [Clarke-Salter] up. He’s had a really tough year and we’ve got to be patient with him.
“Hopefully he’ll be back soon showing what he does. He’s got undoubted quality and is going to play a big part for us.
“Jimmy injured his shoulder and we are working really hard with the medical team and consultants to see if we can get him back quickly.
“Jimmy is a key player and great character to have in your dressing room.”
Given those concerns, Ainsworth remains on the lookout for more new players during the transfer window.
“I want to bring a couple more players in before I’m completely satisfied with the squad,” he said.
“We’re working hard on one or two names that we think can add to it. I’m excited about what they could bring.
“We know we’ve got to get stuff done by midday on Friday if we want them to play at Watford, but if it doesn’t happen this week, it will do next.”
Watford have undergone plenty of changes of their own, with Valerian Ismael now in charge.
And Ainsworth is well aware how hard of a start it is for his club, adding: “It’s a tough challenge. We’ve got one or two injuries in a similar position but we’re going to be strong and we’re looking forward to taking on a good Watford side away from home.
“It didn’t quite for for Valerien at West Brom but his Barnsley team were excellent.
“There have been lots of changes at Watford and they’re certainly a different team to what they were last year.
“Valerian’s very driven and knows how he wants his teams to play. It’s going to be a difficult game but I’m looking forward to locking horns with him.”
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