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[Steve Russell]

Ainsworth planning for QPR player sales and slimmed-down squad
By David McIntyre 06/05/2023

Gareth Ainsworth expects QPR to sell players during a “tough summer”
and operate with a slimmed-down squad next season.

Several players are approaching the end of their contracts and five of the
current squad are on loan.

Head coach Ainsworth believes other departures are likely, with the club
expecting to receive offers.

He said: “I think there will be interest in a lot of our players.
I think we’ve got to realise where we are as a club as well."

“I’m sure there’s going to be quite a bit of movement with the
squad – ins and outs – and it’s going to be a tough summer.

“But I’m working with the board, who have backed me. We’re working
on what we want to do."

“I’ll be speaking with the owners about what we need to do with the squad
finance-wise and also in terms of what I want to do in putting my stamp on
the squad."

“I think the start of the window will be cagey. I’m not sure that teams will
come in for our players straightaway."

“I’m hoping it doesn’t go right to the end of the window, because that leave
us us short."

“It’s about taking the right players at the right time for the right price and
that’s what I’ve got to do for QPR.”

Rangers’ recruitment last summer proved to be ineffective, with the likes of
Jake Clarke-Salter and Leon Balogun being unavailable for much of the season
along with loan signings Taylor Richards, who is due to make a permanent move
from Brighton, Tyler Roberts and Ethan Laird.

Ainsworth is determined to avoid a repeat of that and is also keen to work with
a smaller group, supplemented by players from the club’s B team.

“Hopefully we can have a robust, fit squad with plenty of characters,” he said.

“My plan is to reduce the size of the first-team squad a bit."

“I think we can do that and add some of these young boys to it to make the numbers up.
That’s what I want to do and what I intend to do."

“There are contracts up and people who I’m sure are going to be wanted by other clubs."

“I want to slim it down a little bit. I’ve always worked with smaller squads – I’d like
more quality and a smaller group and supplement it with some of these B team players."

“There’s definitely a handful of players in that (B team) group that I would say we
could be seeing next season.”

Meanwhile, Ainsworth has laughed off rumours of a fall-out with Stefan Johansen.

[Kerrins]

I like Gareth and wish him well. He always gave 100% whether as a Player
or Coach or Manager.

However I feel he will lack the sophistication for any sort of Championship promotion push
or top six finish whatever the incomings and outgoings even in the long term .....
"Robust fit squad" as quoted is the direction of travel for next season.

Sorry mid table for us at best. To paraphrase the title of that famous film...
No room at the top.

I hope I am wrong.

[Tommy Cunningham]

Can’t disagree with anything you have said there Mr Kerrins, I am very fearful for next season and what a QPR team could look like.

Since Gareth Ainsworth was appointed in February, the level of performances have been very poor. Watford victory at home was a decent performance, but the away victories at Burnley and Stoke were freak results as we were very fortunate in both games. He says he has the backing of the board to make the necessary changes at the club, I just hope they let him get on with it and he will either be successful or fail by his own decisions.

Unfortunately, I don’t think this will happen, as I believe our DOF who has been an absolute failure in his role will continue to pull the strings at QPR. Our board are not football people and regarding communication with fans, this continues to be non existent and shows a complete lack of respect.

Gonna be interesting to see what the summer months bring from a QPR perspective.

[ESSEXURs]

Speculation elsewhere we need to tighten our belt for this coming season due to FFP. Apparently 21/22 season will drop off the equation after it giving us more room financially.
So it is not looking good but if it does go pear shaped hopefully the board will act and not let things drift as they did this last season.
I agree with Young Kerrins as much as I like him as a guy I do think he probably lacks flexibility. Getting his own players in playing “his way” may overcome this. There was obvious reluctance by many players last season to adjust.
Hopefully at long last we will address the lack of pace especially up front. Watching several late season games in the Championship and lower recently you realise how lacking we are in the pace department.
We shall see.