Come On You R's...

To make the play-offs will still be quite an achievement, but whilst we've still got a fighting chance, it's wrong to stop believing.

There's been an extra certain something in our performances of late, a renewed resilience in the face of adversity. Players that a few weeks ago should have been dumped in the reserves are now earning their corn, notably Leroy Griffiths and Marcus Bignot. The team spirit is great, and whilst we're not banging in the goals left, right and centre (Richard Langley may disagree), we're definitely looking more creative.

Quite how we failed to win at Cardiff remains a mystery. Had we picked up all three points our league position would be looking so much more promising. A point is still handy enough, but if only Matthew Rose would have tucked away that late chance. It's only cliché, but it looked easier to score.

In issue 159 of In The Loft, you'll find the remaining fixtures of the teams at the top of division 2. Compared to many, our run-in doesn't appear too bad. It may go down to the last day with the game at Oldham starting to look decidedly crucial.

Before then though, we need points. 15 should be enough to see it goes to the final day, 9 of which are surely within our grasp from our next three home games.

It all sounds straightforward enough on paper, but hopefully the team will give it their all. In a season of so many disappointments, to still be in with a shout of ending it in the play-offs is an unexpected bonus.

Compared to the majority of professional football sides, QPR have not had nearly enough proper big occasions to look back on. I'm not just talking about winning the Premiership, but cup finals, semi-finals and promotion clinchers. The only big-game atmosphere we've had in recent times have involved around relegation issues — they're not enjoyable situations, just nail-biting ones.

It's time that changed.

I won't be overly disappointed if we don't make the play-offs, I just don't know what it feels like to be involved in them or any cup winning/promotion situation — I want that feeling. It's what being a football fan is all about. If we can manage it this season, it will be especially sweet considering all our problems.

Even if we got to the play-offs and lost miserably, at least we had that moment, that feeling of possible jubilant expectancy to look forward to. It's all I want. All we get is lows. I look at Bolton, a team no bigger than us in theory, but how many times have they had that feeling in recent times? Far too many for a team of such small stature, we're due our share.

I've often thought that getting to a cup final, and the build up towards it, is far better than the actual event. I was too young to properly appreciate QPR reaching the Milk Cup final in 1986. I'm sixteen years wiser now, and I'm fed up of waiting for a similar experience to come round again (not the result though).

Last week we disposed of ‘lowly' Blackpool with the minimum of fuss. You could look at the fans in the away end and easily think ‘you shouldn't have bothered'. But ‘lowly' Blackpool had that feeling, and more, last year when they were promoted via the play-offs. They're off to the Millennium Stadium again soon for the LDV Vans Trophy final. I'd swap places with those fans in the away end last week any time.

So, QPR, please give it a go, get to the play-offs. Let me experience what being a football fan really is all about. I can't wait any longer.