Post by Macmoish on Jul 9, 2012 7:49:50 GMT
A Different League
QPR transfer focus - Park gives Hughes selection headache
By Jack Higgins
Monday 09 July 2012
QPR manager Mark Hughes added to his squad further this week by making his sixth signing of a busy summer in the form of Manchester United winger Park Ji-Sung in a deal worth up to £5m according to BBC Sport. The 31-year-old penned a three-year-deal at Loftus Road to add to an ever-growing Rangers squad that is determined to consolidate their position in the Premier League once more.
Park’s move from to West London from one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United, shows QPR’s intentions to compete for a mid-table finish in the Premier League next season. Added to other summer signings such as Andy Johnson, Robert Green and Ryan Nelsen , QPR will have plenty of Premier League experience within their ranks.
Mark Hughes will certainly have a selection headache for most of the season with the players at his disposal. It is the midfield and forwards that will cause a problem for Hughes when it comes to selecting a team every week. Hughes often adopted a 4-5-1 formation, but that could change with the signing of Johnson, who may play alongside his former Fulham teammate Bobby Zamora. With Jay Bothroyd, DJ Campblell, Djibril Cisse and Heider Helguson also competing for a place up top it’s difficult to see Hughes going with the lone striker role.
In midfield the signing of Park could see Shaun Wright-Phillips forced out of the side, with both players favouring a right midfield role it may be difficult for Hughes to find a place for both.
During his time at Old Trafford Park was often described as a big game player by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, due to his work rate off the ball and his ability to track back and defend, which often saw him picked for United’s most important games of the season. Wright-Phillips is also a hard worker but many fans would say he does not possess the energy levels that Park has shown over the past six years for United. However, they could be used together, as both Park and Wright-Phillips have the ability to play on either wing, in either a four man midfield or an attacking front three.
Hughes will also be wary of leaving the influential Adel Taarabt out of the team, because of the enormous ability he has with the ball at his feet. Park’s work rate in the side could see Taarabt given the free role in the team which gives would provide the chance to showcase his skills and show the form he possessed in QPR’s Championship season.
Finally there is also the possibility of Park playing in the centre of midfield, a role he sometimes filled at Old Trafford, with Taarabt and Wright-Phillips showing their attacking intent on the flanks. But whichever side Hughes goes for, QPR look to be shaping up for a promising season.
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www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_15675_qpr-transfer-focus-park-gives-hughes-selection-headache.html