Former QPR defender Clarke Carlisle says promotion to the Premier League for Harry Redknapp’s team isn’t a necessity this season – although he hopes his former side are successful in the play-offs, writes Sean Gallagher.
Rangers were many people’s pre-season favourites to win the Championship this term but that has failed to materialise, with injuries to key players as well as poor runs of form meaning the R’s had to settle for a place in the play-offs.
Ahead of their first-leg clash with Wigan tonight, Carlisle acknowledged that the lottery of the play-offs is an occasion for everyone at the club to look forward to, although he admitted he was surprised they hadn't gone up automatically.
He said: “I believe QPR should have done far better than they have done this year. They were favourites for a good reason. Their form dropped when Charlie Austin got injured but I don’t think that’s an adequate explanation for a squad of such depth and quality.
“But that being said getting into the play-offs is an achievement in itself, and winning the play-offs is the finest way to get promoted. I’m a bit surprised that they’re having to go through that route but I do hope they do."
Rangers boast numerous players with Premier League experience within the squad, including the likes of Joey Barton, Danny Simpson and Niko Kranjcar, and the 34-year-old maintains the belief that these players will rise to the occasion.
“The level of experience there is within that squad means they must have the wherewithal to deal with the play-offs.
"There’s a certain attitude you must have to be successful in the play-offs. I know Harry Redknapp has that in abundance as a manager and I know those players have it individually as athletes. But the question is will they be able to collate that together and produce the goods in the play-offs. I think they will.”
Despite his optimism surrounding the R’s play-off chances, the former PFA Chairman and now ITV co-commentator believes it might be better for the club’s long-term future if they don’t go up this term.
“Personally I think it might be better if QPR don’t go up. I say that because are a lot of players who are out of contract this summer and therefore would be surplus to requirements if the club stayed down.
“As a result the wage bill would come down significantly as you will have to acquire a calibre and attitude of player who wants to be at a Championship club. Then you’re getting towards a football club that is sustainable with the injection of money from above.
“That is no dig at any individual at the club at the moment but it’s currently a team full of Premier League players and there’s a whole different approach to your career when you have that mindset."
Balancing the books at Loftus Road must be something on the forefront of chairman Tony Fernandes’ mind, after it was reported in the press last month that the R’s wage bill is higher than that of former Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
With that in mind Carlisle believes that an emphasis in bringing through players from their academy may be the way forward. Redknapp recently handed debuts to talented youngsters Coll Donaldson and Michael Petrasso, with the latter in particular impressing on loan spells at League One sides Oldham Athletic and Coventry this term.
He added: “It’s been epitomised by a lot of clubs that have come down that it isn’t the worst thing in the world having to rebuild with youngsters and build a team that is successful. You afford opportunity to young professionals and that is a shot in the up to your whole academy system.
“Parents then see there is an opportunity and avenue to progress at that club, and also it becomes self-perpetuating financially, because you produce players who have got 150 games professional experience by the time they’re 23/24, and then you sell them on at a premium.
“Fulham have done it and Manchester City as well over the years. The most recent example would be Southampton who were in League One just a few years ago and look how well they are doing now, with players like Lallana and Shaw who have come all the way from their youth system potentially going to the World Cup next month.
“But with all that in mind I still want QPR to go up regardless, as it would be a great day for everyone concerned with the club if they could go to the home of football and get themselves back in the Premier League.”
