Steven Caulker reckons he’s the prefect fit for QPR because he’s used to fighting relegation battles.
The former Cardiff defender insists Hoops are strong enough to survive the Premier League, but after two League defeats and not a goal scored is ready to, as he put it, ‘get bit between teeth’ and fight back.
Caulker was an inch from converting against old club Spurs at the death on Sunday; the second week in a row he’s come with an ace of heading home, and believes misses will become hits against Sunderland on Saturday.
“I’m waiting for Saturday when both go in, and we can get some points on the board,” he said. “But we were missing a lot of fight at Spurs, and it’s something you can’t train for: that’s within yourself.”
Something that could never be levelled at a man who was ever present for the Bluebirds in a doomed campaign, one of only two players in the Premier League with a 100 percent attendance record, and one who had his back to the wall before that as well.
Caulker said: “Maybe we’re not going to be top 10, but with the strong squad and the experience we’ve got at QPR we should stay in the Premier League,
“I was also with Yeovil and Bristol City where both were fighting relegation, so I’m used to it.
“You’ve got to get the bit between your teeth to play these games, and when it’s nail-biting stuff you’ve got to put your body on the line. But we’ll have to rethink and go again against Sunderland.”
Caulker reckoned Rangers scored a hat-trick when courting him in the summer, even though it was reported Crystal Palace were close to capturing him.
The player born and raised in Feltham had three reasons to sign for Hoops rather than head to south London or anywhere else.
“It was long time away, five years, so it’s good to be back among family and friends," he explained.
“That was part of it, as well as playing under Harry (Redknapp) again, and linking up with Rio Ferdinand. It was an experience I didn’t want to miss out on, and hopefully I’ll learn from him."
