Rangers’ boss prepares for crucial run in

It has been a far from perfect start to life at Loftus Road for Mark Hughes, he has seen his side pick up a mere 5 points since he replaced Neil Warnock at the helm of the West London club.

Despite the dismal start the former Manchester City boss remains confident that his side have enough about them to secure a second season in the top flight and build for the future. Speaking after his side’s recent home defeat to derby rivals Fulham, Hughes called for discipline and reiterated his belief that his side have the quality to survive.

Mark Hughes

Indiscipline has played a huge part in QPR’s downfall this season with five players seeing red and new signing Djibril Cisse and Samba Diakite recently picking up costly bans.

What will worry Rangers’ fans is that their run in includes fixtures against Arsenal, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool. Unlike the teams around them after their trip to Bolton on Saturday they do not face anyone directly involved in the relegation scrap. 

Saturday’s can certainly be considered a so called “six pointer” as Hughes’ men face sides with aspirations of competing for the title and securing European football for next season. It looks as though it is going to be three from the current bottom five that will go down with the likes of Aston Villa and Swansea looking to have enough quality to not get dragged in.

It is clear that they should have much more points on the board by now just the way Norwich and Swansea have done.

Recent signings Bobby Zamora and Cisse will finally get to link up again after the former Liverpool man’s dismal half an hour into his home debut against Wolves. They have the pedigree to get the goals that Hughes needs but the big question is can they deliver when the pressure is really on?

Bobby Zamora 

At the back they have now conceded in eighteen consecutive matches, with their last clean sheet coming against Chelsea in their biggest success since their return to the elite. The character shown by his side to fight back from the setback of Everton’s early goal on Saturday will have encouraged Hughes but he will know the hard work starts at the Reebok.

The players have to come up big during the run in and the Loftus Road faithful are going to play a huge part in their battle to avoid the drop, Hughes remains confident in his side but he knows deep down that he faces the biggest challenge of his managerial career to date and simply cannot fail.

Hughes looks for goals to survive

The arrival of Djibril Cisse and Bobby Zamora on the final day of the transfer window remarkably means Mark Hughes has nine strikers to call upon at any given time in the fight for Premier League survival.

A number have failed this season to find the net notably Jay Bothroyd who just does not seem able to cut in the top flight, following his summer move from Cardiff. DJ Campbell showed last season showed that he knows where the net is last season having fired thirteen goals in an impressive first full season at the highest level. At first glimpse he looked a shrewd acquisition by Neil Warnock but has been beset by injuries and has struggled for a run in the team on his return.

Bobby Zamora

Heidar Helguson has carried the burden this season, the Icelandic international has bagged eight league goals and once in the FA Cup, but at the age of 34 his best years are behind him.

The opening of the window kicked off with the arrival of Federico Macheda from Manchester United on loan but he has struggled to impress and has lost his way following his great start to life in English football. A return to Manchester United will be on the cards for the Italian youngster, followed by a swift move back to his homeland in the summer.

As for the others injuries have played a huge part and a lack of consistency in the forward line selection resulted in the lack of goals and ultimately Warnock’s job. Jamie Mackie has impressed but cannot be relied upon to score.

Rob Hulse’s surprise selection at Villa Park on Wednesday raised a few eyebrows but according to sources close to the club he has been ‘flying’ in training and will be another key option for Hughes and his team to call upon during the run in.

Jay Bothroyd

There is no doubt that Zamora and Cisse are the men Hughes will entrust with the job of finding the back of the net and secure a mid table finish come May.

Today's game at home to Wolves is a massive game for all concerned. Wolves have endured a torrid run of late, without a win since the first weekend in December in the league and with their second half collapse against Liverpool prompting fury amongst the fans; they are there for the taking.  

Zamora will be paired with his new strike partner for the first time and they could not have asked for a better game to start with. A run of three home games in their next four and a trip to Blackburn could see them move clear.

Both players are controversial and have had issues throughout their careers’ but together they can be lethal and will do the business for QPR as they look to secure survival and then establish themselves as a force.

Midweek Round-Up

On a mixed week for all involved saw Swansea being denied a famous victory, Norwich's unbeaten run come to an end and QPR throw away a two goal lead. 

After new boy Djibril Cisse struck early on to become an instant hit with his new fans,

Aston Villa recovered from a two goal deficit to deny the R’s a crucial three points in their battle to avoid the drop. 

Djibril Cisse

Mark Hughes gave Rob Hulse a surprise start after impressing in training and alongside Cisse impressed early on and the former Liverpool man opened the scoring  following Shaun Wright Phillips’ blocked shot.

Fellow debutant Taye Taiwo’s cross was bizarrely turned in by Stephen Warnock to give the away side a two nothing lead.

Goals from Darrent Bent and Charles N’Zogbia late on ensured the home side took the share of the spoils. Hughes will be left disappointed that his side were not able to pick up a crucial three points, but with Blackburn’s defeat at home to Newcastle they now find themselves two points clear and will be confident of putting a run together to ensure survival.

With Bobby Zamora set to add even more muscle and class upfront in time for the vital clash at home to fellow strugglers Wolves, the futures of DJ Campbell and jay Bothroyd look uncertain as they are set to watch on from the sidelines as Hughes decides to go with others.

They have been desperate for goals this season and now with nine strikers at his disposal Hughes will be confident that they will score enough goals to secure survival and trim his squad down and add further class in the summer.

Elsewhere it was a tough night for Norwich as their unbeaten start to 2012 was blown apart by a rampant Sunderland. A fine goal from the returning Fraizer Campbell and then a great header from Stephane Sessegnon saw the Canaries go two behind at the break.

An own goal from David Ayala compounded a bad night for the away team and they will be keen to pick themselves up in time for the visit of inform Bolton. The result sees Sunderland leapfrog the Canaries into the top half but still eleven clear of the drop zone.

Scott Sinclair 

And finally it was heartbreak for Swansea on Tuesday as ten man Chelsea pegged back Brendan Rodgers’ men deep into added on time. A stunning striker from former Chelsea man Scott Sinclair looked to have set up yet another famous victory and when Ashley Cole was dismissed his side looked to set to leave South Wales empty handed. A wicked deflection of Neil Taylor, from Jose Boswingwa’s shot left Michel Vorm with no chance.

The Swans are now fourteenth in the league and will need to ensure that they are not dragged into the dogfight at the bottom as they are currently nine points clear. 

QPR set to land Cisse after adding Diakite

Mark Hughes sparked life into the transfer window today by completing the loan singing of Mali midfielder Samba Diakite and former Liverpool striker Djibril Cisse is set to arrive tomorrow to add much needed frontline firepower.

Terms have been agreed with Italian side Lazio as the R’s pushed through a permanent deal thought to be in the region of £4million. The flamboyant 30 year old, will be tasked with adding much needed support to Heidar Helguson who has been offered little help from his fellow forwards to date.

Djibril Cisse 

His signing does end Hughes’ search for a striker after failing to land Brazilian Henrique due to work permit issues, and ends any chance of a sensational swoop for castaway striker Carlos Tevez.

The former Liverpool record signing is set to complete the formalities of his move in time to make his debut away at Aston Villa. It is unlikely Diakite will be involved on Wednesday as he has just returned from international duty at the African Nations Cup.

His club Nancy announced today that it would cost around the £4million mark to make the move permanent, he is highly thought of in Ligue A and will add more depth to a midfield that has been found lacking on a number of occasions.

Samba Diakite 

Tomorrow is expected to a busy day at Loftus Road as Hughes will be keen to add further to his squad after the signings of defenders Nedum Onuoha and Taye Taiwo, a number of fringe players may well be moved on also.