Nedum Onuoha, the former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) player, is optimistic about the team’s chances of survival in the Championship this season, though he anticipates a challenging battle towards the end of the campaign. Reflecting on QPR’s narrow escape from relegation to League One last season under Gareth Ainsworth, Onuoha suggests that the team might face a tough relegation struggle in the later stages of the current season.
Gareth Ainsworth, a QPR icon with a storied playing career at the club, took charge as manager in February of the previous year, aiming to restore the team’s winning culture. However, Ainsworth’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only eight months, during which he won five and lost 19 of his 28 games in charge. Onuoha believes that Ainsworth’s direct, low-possession-based approach didn’t align with the playing style of the inherited players, leading to his downfall.
The former Wycombe Wanderers manager’s departure paved the way for Spanish head coach Marti Cifuentes to take over. Cifuentes, known for his attack-minded philosophy, has brought a positive change to QPR’s playing style, earning 12 points in his first seven Championship games. However, injuries to key players resulted in a seven-game winless run, but the team has recently picked up four points from their last two matches.
Onuoha, who spent over six years with QPR as a player, commends Cifuentes for the early signs of progress but emphasizes the need for the team to balance attractive football with grinding out results in the competitive championship. He acknowledges the challenging nature of the league, where the ability to win games matters more than playing beautiful football. Onuoha believes QPR must find the right formula to score more goals and secure positive results.
QPR has been in the bottom three of the championship since September and currently sits 22nd in the table after 29 matches. Onuoha expresses confidence in QPR’s ability to avoid relegation, especially considering the struggles of teams just above them in the table. While the team’s current statistics may not be impressive, Onuoha suggests that finding the right spark could propel them up the league.
Looking ahead, QPR faces a series of crucial fixtures against teams in the bottom half of the table. Their upcoming matches, starting with Blackburn Rovers, present an opportunity to gather crucial points and improve their position in the league standings. Despite the challenging journey, Onuoha remains optimistic that QPR will stay in the championship, but he anticipates a potentially difficult and ugly battle to secure their survival.
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