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.

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.