Post by QPR Report on Apr 5, 2010 10:09:58 GMT
Flashback: Les Ferdinand "13 Years Ahead of his Time!"
www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Les-Ferdinand-calls-QPR-follow-Leicester-City-s-lead/article-1969488-detail/article.html
Les Ferdinand calls on QPR to follow Leicester City's lead
Sunday, April 04, 2010, 08:00
Former Leicester and QPR striker Les Ferdinand believes City's example is the blueprint Rangers need to follow to revive their fortunes as a force.
The two teams go head-to-head in an Easter Monday Championship clash at the Walkers Stadium, as ships sailing in different directions this season.
City have continued their resurgence under the stewardship of Nigel Pearson, who could yet lead the team to a second successive promotion and the Premier League through the play-offs.
Rangers are still not completely safe from relegation and are on their third permanent manager of the season in Neil Warnock, who was appointed last month after walking out on Crystal Palace.
The Loftus Road club have gone through 11 managers since Hoops hero Ferdinand left the club where he made his name in 1995, and that is not including six caretakers.
The club owners have had seven permanent bosses since taking over in August 2007 and the last one to vacate the chair, Paul Hart, lasted six weeks in the job.
City chairman Milan Mandaric went through five in 15 months himself until settling on Pearson in the summer of 2008.
By then the unthinkable had happened – relegation to the third tier for the first time in the club's history.
But the Foxes have been on the up and up ever since the current incumbent breezed through the door, and Ferdinand believes it is no coincidence a settled set-up has led to success on the pitch.
He said: "Every club you ever speak about that has had success, the one thing they all seem to have had is stability.
"QPR haven't had that in the last few years, and Neil Warnock is only a step in the right direction if they manage to keep hold of him for a few years.
"If it's another case of six months, results are not going right and they get rid of him, it's not the right step.
"Nigel Pearson has come into Leicester and given the club that stability, consequently the club now seem to be heading in the right direction.
"I am certainly hoping QPR take heed of Leicester's example, and can emulate that success."
With City fans daring to dream of life back in the Premier League, Ferdinand can relate to the experience has one of the last Foxes team to play in the top-flight in 2003-04.
Then-manager Micky Adams had made practically a new team's worth of signings after promotion but the gamble did not pay off because the club went straight back down.
Ferdinand was one of the few success stories that season with 14 Premier League goals at the season's end at age 37, but felt his achievements were soured by the drop.
Ferdinand said: "What Micky tried to do was pack the team with experience, but I think even he would admit that he got it wrong.
"Perhaps it was one new face too many and it was very disappointing for me."
With the Premier League arguably even stronger six years on, City would have big calls to make on their playing operation if the fairytale becomes a reality with promotion.
Mass change is an option, like it was for Adams. Giving the players who have got you there the chance to shine on the big stage is another.
But Ferdinand feels the class of 2009 are better equipped to handle the step-up than their predecessors, and hopes the current crop are given a good crack of the whip should it come to pass.
In his mind, the likes of Matt Fryatt, Chris Weale and Andy King will have earned the chance to prove themselves as Premier League players.
He said: "There is a call for both sides but, when a club are promoted to the Premier League, they need that bit of experience and that little bit of quality to survive.
"It's not the right thing just keep a settled team, you need to add to what you have got to stand a chance. But it's not 11 new players, it's about striking that balance.
"In that respect, this Leicester team are better equipped than the side that came up to the Premier League last time.
"If they were promoted and added the right players to their current team, they would have a real chance of surviving
www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Les-Ferdinand-calls-QPR-follow-Leicester-City-s-lead/article-1969488-detail/article.html
www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Les-Ferdinand-calls-QPR-follow-Leicester-City-s-lead/article-1969488-detail/article.html
Les Ferdinand calls on QPR to follow Leicester City's lead
Sunday, April 04, 2010, 08:00
Former Leicester and QPR striker Les Ferdinand believes City's example is the blueprint Rangers need to follow to revive their fortunes as a force.
The two teams go head-to-head in an Easter Monday Championship clash at the Walkers Stadium, as ships sailing in different directions this season.
City have continued their resurgence under the stewardship of Nigel Pearson, who could yet lead the team to a second successive promotion and the Premier League through the play-offs.
Rangers are still not completely safe from relegation and are on their third permanent manager of the season in Neil Warnock, who was appointed last month after walking out on Crystal Palace.
The Loftus Road club have gone through 11 managers since Hoops hero Ferdinand left the club where he made his name in 1995, and that is not including six caretakers.
The club owners have had seven permanent bosses since taking over in August 2007 and the last one to vacate the chair, Paul Hart, lasted six weeks in the job.
City chairman Milan Mandaric went through five in 15 months himself until settling on Pearson in the summer of 2008.
By then the unthinkable had happened – relegation to the third tier for the first time in the club's history.
But the Foxes have been on the up and up ever since the current incumbent breezed through the door, and Ferdinand believes it is no coincidence a settled set-up has led to success on the pitch.
He said: "Every club you ever speak about that has had success, the one thing they all seem to have had is stability.
"QPR haven't had that in the last few years, and Neil Warnock is only a step in the right direction if they manage to keep hold of him for a few years.
"If it's another case of six months, results are not going right and they get rid of him, it's not the right step.
"Nigel Pearson has come into Leicester and given the club that stability, consequently the club now seem to be heading in the right direction.
"I am certainly hoping QPR take heed of Leicester's example, and can emulate that success."
With City fans daring to dream of life back in the Premier League, Ferdinand can relate to the experience has one of the last Foxes team to play in the top-flight in 2003-04.
Then-manager Micky Adams had made practically a new team's worth of signings after promotion but the gamble did not pay off because the club went straight back down.
Ferdinand was one of the few success stories that season with 14 Premier League goals at the season's end at age 37, but felt his achievements were soured by the drop.
Ferdinand said: "What Micky tried to do was pack the team with experience, but I think even he would admit that he got it wrong.
"Perhaps it was one new face too many and it was very disappointing for me."
With the Premier League arguably even stronger six years on, City would have big calls to make on their playing operation if the fairytale becomes a reality with promotion.
Mass change is an option, like it was for Adams. Giving the players who have got you there the chance to shine on the big stage is another.
But Ferdinand feels the class of 2009 are better equipped to handle the step-up than their predecessors, and hopes the current crop are given a good crack of the whip should it come to pass.
In his mind, the likes of Matt Fryatt, Chris Weale and Andy King will have earned the chance to prove themselves as Premier League players.
He said: "There is a call for both sides but, when a club are promoted to the Premier League, they need that bit of experience and that little bit of quality to survive.
"It's not the right thing just keep a settled team, you need to add to what you have got to stand a chance. But it's not 11 new players, it's about striking that balance.
"In that respect, this Leicester team are better equipped than the side that came up to the Premier League last time.
"If they were promoted and added the right players to their current team, they would have a real chance of surviving
www.thebluearmy.co.uk/news/Les-Ferdinand-calls-QPR-follow-Leicester-City-s-lead/article-1969488-detail/article.html