Newcastle face QPR on Tuesday night hoping to secure their sixth straight win in all competitions, so we spoke to lifelong QPR fan Rajeev Datta to get his thought’s on the season so far and who Newcastle need to keep an eye on.
1. How do you feel QPR have started the season?
If you go by points on the board and position on the table then I guess you would have to say we have made a solid if unspectacular start. If you then probe further and examine who we have played then the answer may change somewhat in most people’s eyes. As with all things QPR – the expectation is much higher than reality. A couple of good away wins and a convincing beating of a ridiculously poor Leeds team on the opening day is at the moment propping us up.
2. Are you happy with your summer transfer window?
In a word yes. It’s more the policy adopted than any particular player. In the past, we have been guilty of bringing in players past their best at inflated prices in the hope of a quick fix. Lengthy expensive contracts and players with now pride in wearing the shirt created much disharmony and was never going to succeed. This season with new management at the helm – we have addressed that and have not been held to ransom. The result – players that want to be here and of an age where their best years are ahead of them. Hopefully in the Blue and White Hoops.
3. What do you make of Newcastle’s start to the season?
Eyebrows were raised after your first two games but with hindsight given Fulham’s and more impressively Huddersfield’s form this wasn’t totally disastrous. Since then you have obviously progressed nicely and 2 points per game will pretty much ensure the top spot at the end of the season. Certainly where you should be.
4. Lots of fans from other clubs saying Newcastle bought the league this season, do you agree?
Let’s see if you win it first! It would be very churlish for any QPR fan to make that claim. Not that we have ever “bought any league” however. The size of your club and the riches the premier league offers – I think it should be regarded as an investment to ensure you do get back up. If you have the means to do it and more important are able to do so properly (right players and managed well) then that’s your good fortune. It doesn’t really matter what method you use to get back up as long as you do so.
5. Who is the QPR danger man Newcastle should look out for?
Tjaronn Chery our Dutch attacking midfielder wearing the No 10 shirt. Four goals already this season (all set pieces) and a real joy to watch. Very talented and is getting better all the time. The problem many perceive though is the formation we play in order to accommodate him. But in any case it is right, in my opinion, the team evolves around him.
6. Which current Newcastle player would you like to see play for QPR?
I’d probably plump for Dwight Gayle. Good striker and will certainly get you 20+ goals in this league. You have a striker scoring that many goals and you are not going to be far away. I’m a fan of Diame as well. But that maybe just me?!
7. How well will QPR do this season?
You ask this question to 24 QPR fans and I guarantee you will get a different answer from each of them covering all positions in the league! It’s that expectation v realism thing again. This season should be about continued progress from last year – further consolidation and then challenging next season. Fans want it now. Having said that – I like Jimmy FH and I believe we are not too far away from being a club we can identify with again. To sneak into the play off should not be beyond us. That would be progress.
8. Where do you think Newcastle will finish?
Top, no question. You certainly should and I believe you will
9. Score prediction?
I don’t think we will see another 5-5! I was at Loftus Road that day (1984) and can recall losing track of the score at some stage! My heart says a nice 3-1 win. My brain tells me a 3-1 defeat. I’ll compromise with a 2-2 draw! Gayle and Chery both scoring twice.
A huge thank you to Rajeev for taking the time to answer the questions, good luck for the rest of the season, just not tomorrow.
