Post by QPR Report on Aug 7, 2009 21:57:06 GMT
"... Of the rest, QPR fans are bouncing at their prospects of finally recapturing their glory days, after a good pre-season and, in Jim Magilton, they have a top man in charge.
In fact everyone at Loftus Road believes this could be the year they retake their place with the big guns.
Supremo Flavio Briatore will certainly back his manager to do the business - as long as results are going their way, that is - and the Londoners should make a good fist of it.
The Sun - Chris Kamara
HERE we go again for the big push for the Premier League - or, to be totally accurate, the big Posh.
That's right folks. Peterborough for promotion and another Fergie ready to slug it out in the top flight.
Darren Ferguson has already worked miracles in taking his side up twice on the bounce. But, like his dad at Old Trafford, the next success is the only one which counts.
So although no side has ever managed to go from the bottom flight to the top flight in successive seasons, I can see Posh giving it a real go again this time. And if there are any better 40-1 shots lurking in all the divisions, they've certainly escaped my notice.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Peterborough are shoo-ins to take their place at the top table.
A quick glance at the talent in the Championship will tell you that's never going to be the case.
But if team spirit, a settled side and an understanding second to none between the players count for anything - and we all know the answer to that - then you can expect a real run for your money.
Strikers Aaron McLean, Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd have torn up defences in Leagues Two and One, and they will get even better at this level.
Make no mistake, these lads could all play in the Premier League and it certainly wouldn't surprise me to see them doing so at London Road in just over 12 months' time.
The only thing that does concern me about Peterborough is the number of goals they have conceded in pre-season. If there is an Achilles heel, that could be it.
Mind you, they've still got plenty of time to sort that out before the window closes, and even then the odd loan signing could arrive.
Darren will want his squad settled as soon as possible and it really wouldn't shock me to see him taking on his dad before too long.
He's certainly not in the Championship to make up the numbers.
We all know where the most attention is going to be focused in that division, as Newcastle continue making headlines for the wrong reasons.
If they get off to a winning start, then there is still too much talent in the ranks for them to be anything but serious challengers - but that remains a massive 'if'.
Of the rest, QPR fans are bouncing at their prospects of finally recapturing their glory days, after a good pre-season and, in Jim Magilton, they have a top man in charge.
In fact everyone at Loftus Road believes this could be the year they retake their place with the big guns.
Supremo Flavio Briatore will certainly back his manager to do the business - as long as results are going their way, that is - and the Londoners should make a good fist of it.
Middlesbrough and West Brom will also fancy their chances of going straight back up but it's worth noting that last season only Birmingham managed it, so it'll be anything but a stroll.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate must be positive to win back the supporters who were turning against him when things went wrong in the top flight.
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At the moment he hasn't been allowed to get a settled squad in place, with players heading out of The Riverside.
He, probably more than any of the other managers, needs that transfer window to close to focus the attention of all those players who are still unsettled.
West Brom's new boss Roberto Di Matteo has already said that he believes Luke Moore could be the answer to his goalscoring problems. If that assessment is correct expect a successful campaign from the Baggies.
At the other end it could be a long old campaign for clubs such as Barnsley, Plymouth, Watford and Sc**thorpe. Barnsley manager Simon Davey will be praying that the likes of Jon Macken, Darren Moore and Rob Kozluk will be able to help bring through his youngsters.
As for Plymouth, if the players have the same fighting qualities as boss Paul Sturrock, they won't go down without a scrap.
Watford have not been helped by the loss of some useful players while Sc**thorpe manager Nigel Adkins will have a lot on his hands operating with probably the lowest wage bill in the Championship.
But, then again, this game is never exactly short of surprises and I'm sure it will be the same again.
Just sit back and enjoy the fun. There's going to be plenty of it.
CHRIS KAMARA was talking to PHIL THOMAS
www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/2577277/Chris-Kamara-Peterborough-will-be-promoted-to-the-Premier-League.html
In fact everyone at Loftus Road believes this could be the year they retake their place with the big guns.
Supremo Flavio Briatore will certainly back his manager to do the business - as long as results are going their way, that is - and the Londoners should make a good fist of it.
The Sun - Chris Kamara
HERE we go again for the big push for the Premier League - or, to be totally accurate, the big Posh.
That's right folks. Peterborough for promotion and another Fergie ready to slug it out in the top flight.
Darren Ferguson has already worked miracles in taking his side up twice on the bounce. But, like his dad at Old Trafford, the next success is the only one which counts.
So although no side has ever managed to go from the bottom flight to the top flight in successive seasons, I can see Posh giving it a real go again this time. And if there are any better 40-1 shots lurking in all the divisions, they've certainly escaped my notice.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Peterborough are shoo-ins to take their place at the top table.
A quick glance at the talent in the Championship will tell you that's never going to be the case.
But if team spirit, a settled side and an understanding second to none between the players count for anything - and we all know the answer to that - then you can expect a real run for your money.
Strikers Aaron McLean, Craig Mackail-Smith and George Boyd have torn up defences in Leagues Two and One, and they will get even better at this level.
Make no mistake, these lads could all play in the Premier League and it certainly wouldn't surprise me to see them doing so at London Road in just over 12 months' time.
The only thing that does concern me about Peterborough is the number of goals they have conceded in pre-season. If there is an Achilles heel, that could be it.
Mind you, they've still got plenty of time to sort that out before the window closes, and even then the odd loan signing could arrive.
Darren will want his squad settled as soon as possible and it really wouldn't shock me to see him taking on his dad before too long.
He's certainly not in the Championship to make up the numbers.
We all know where the most attention is going to be focused in that division, as Newcastle continue making headlines for the wrong reasons.
If they get off to a winning start, then there is still too much talent in the ranks for them to be anything but serious challengers - but that remains a massive 'if'.
Of the rest, QPR fans are bouncing at their prospects of finally recapturing their glory days, after a good pre-season and, in Jim Magilton, they have a top man in charge.
In fact everyone at Loftus Road believes this could be the year they retake their place with the big guns.
Supremo Flavio Briatore will certainly back his manager to do the business - as long as results are going their way, that is - and the Londoners should make a good fist of it.
Middlesbrough and West Brom will also fancy their chances of going straight back up but it's worth noting that last season only Birmingham managed it, so it'll be anything but a stroll.
Boro boss Gareth Southgate must be positive to win back the supporters who were turning against him when things went wrong in the top flight.
Advertisement
At the moment he hasn't been allowed to get a settled squad in place, with players heading out of The Riverside.
He, probably more than any of the other managers, needs that transfer window to close to focus the attention of all those players who are still unsettled.
West Brom's new boss Roberto Di Matteo has already said that he believes Luke Moore could be the answer to his goalscoring problems. If that assessment is correct expect a successful campaign from the Baggies.
At the other end it could be a long old campaign for clubs such as Barnsley, Plymouth, Watford and Sc**thorpe. Barnsley manager Simon Davey will be praying that the likes of Jon Macken, Darren Moore and Rob Kozluk will be able to help bring through his youngsters.
As for Plymouth, if the players have the same fighting qualities as boss Paul Sturrock, they won't go down without a scrap.
Watford have not been helped by the loss of some useful players while Sc**thorpe manager Nigel Adkins will have a lot on his hands operating with probably the lowest wage bill in the Championship.
But, then again, this game is never exactly short of surprises and I'm sure it will be the same again.
Just sit back and enjoy the fun. There's going to be plenty of it.
CHRIS KAMARA was talking to PHIL THOMAS
www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/sunsport_columnists/2577277/Chris-Kamara-Peterborough-will-be-promoted-to-the-Premier-League.html