OUR PATCH SEPTEMBER 2016
SEASON PREVIEW 2016-17
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is buoyant as the new season gets underway ... and he has good reason to be , writes Geoff Cowart
Optimism is high as the Hoops set about improving on last season ’ s mid-table finish . Kicking off the season with three successive wins did bode well , even if it defies the 10-1 promotion odds from the bookies . Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has always said that takes some of the pressure off the newcomers , anyway .
There were five key arrivals in the summer , including Charlton midfielder Jordan Cousins , a 22-year-old who cost £ 1m , and former Bees captain Jake Bidwell . Also in the squad are 25-yearold Polish international midfielder Ariel Borysiuk (£ 1.5m from Legia Warsaw ), Joel Lynch (£ 1.2m from Huddersfield Town ), seen as a long-term replacement for Clint Hill , and young French firecracker Yeni Ngbakoto .
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The expected clear-out included Hill , Leroy Fer , Alejandro Faurlin , Armand Traore , Rob Green , Junior Hoilett and Matt Philips – all long-serving seniors .
It sums up the scale of the realignment needed as this transition squad begins to cement its title tilt .
Cousins is delighted to be playing under the guidance of Jimmy-Floyd , but knows it won ’ t be a cushy ride .
“ It ’ s hard ; it ' s a different regime , but it ’ s been good ,” he said . “ I feel fit and I feel sharp . He ’ s very demanding , and I think that ' s what I need at this stage of my career ; someone who can get more out of me .” And as the Rs manager approaches the first anniversary of his appointment at Loftus Road , his sights are firmly fixed on the play-off places .
I would have liked to have scored more goals
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The arrival of forward / winger Yeni Ngbakoto , 24 , from Metz on a three-year contract has increased the Hoops ’ striking options .
Only a few months separate Ngbakoto and Seb Polter , age-wise , and it will be intriguing to see if Hasselbaink is tempted to experiment playing the pair of them together up front .
What Ngbakoto lacks in height ( he ’ s 5ft 8in ) he makes up for in nippiness . Little surprise that the player was once tracked by both Spurs and Chelsea .
Meanwhile , Polter finished last season strongly after adjusting to life in England having played all his football in Germany . “ It was difficult adapting to a new culture and city as well as a new club and team-mates ,” he admitted . “ I would like to have scored more goals , but it takes time to get used to a new league .”
His injury-time goal
Seb Polter is against former Hoops hoping to help keeper Rob Green in Rs get fired up their opening day 3-0 victory over Leeds really impressed fans . It was Polter ’ s determination to chase an apparently lost cause that directly led to the goal , which it gave an insight into the German ’ s grit and determination . All eyes now turn to the big local derbies . The Hoops travel to Craven Cottage to play Fulham on October 1 . While the always tasty Loftus Road clash with Brentford was nabbed by Sky Sports and shifted to October 8 .
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