As you no doubt know, we have lost a number of first team regulars over the summer and our squad is undoubtly weaker than it was this time last year. We've lost our entire four man strikeforce apart from Dean Bowditch who spent a chunk on loan at Burnley last season, whilst we've also lost the best keeper outside of the Premiership in addition to our best attacking threat from midfield.
Bearing all that in mind, I'd say that this season the best we can hope for is a play-off place as it stands at the moment, anything else would be an unlikely, but welcome bonus.
Have you got the right man in charge of the team?
I was against Joe Royle's appointment from the start, but he has done well on a limited budget. I feel he was brought in as a short term measure, but unfortunatley after our collapse at the tail end of last season, and the sale of stars in the Summer the short term measure doesn't seem to have worked.
Ideally I'd like to see a younger manager brought in to develop a new young squad over the next few years, we have some of the best academy scholars in the country, as proven in last years FA Youth Cup final success, and it would be nice if we had a manager who could develop them over a period of time rather than the inevitable manager change that looks likely to happen at the end of Joe's current contract in 2007 meaning the squad is likely to be rebuilt again then.
How do you reckon QPR will fair in the league this year?
I can see another mid-table season myself, perhaps a little better if you can be a little more conistant than you were in the second half of last season
Your tips for promotion/ relegation?
Much as I hate to say it I can see Norwich going back up this year as long as they can keep hold of Dean Ashton who I rate very highly. I'd expect Palace to be in the mix as well now it's known that they will be keeping hold of Johnson who is a proven scorer.
Which player is guaranteed stick when they visit your ground?
Anyone who has played for Norwich previously. Also Chris Makin after walking out on the club last Summer after the club stood by him through some bad injury problems. Makin indicated he would sign a new deal but later rejected it to accept a longer contract elsewhere to the fury of some elements of the fanbase.
What do you think the score will be when the two teams clash?
Hard to predict, we've not really clicked 100% in pre-season, so I certainly don't see it being an easy game to forecast, but I'll go for a 1-1 draw.
What do you think of Ian Holloway and who do you pick out as the main threats in the QPR team?
I think Ian's done a good job at QPR, whilst last season with a bit more consistancy you could have achieved a higher league position, getting the position you did for your first season back up is no mean feet.
If one player was to be signed by a premiership club who would it be?
Most of them left last season! I'd say Dean Bowditch is probbably the most in demand player we'd have left, although he hasn't developed as much over the past couple of years as many of us would have hoped.
Of your new signings, who has looked the best in pre-season?
Nicky Forster without a doubt. Has impressed and has looked lively and a goal threat when I have seen him. Looks to be a good addition to the squad from Reading, and is a proven goalscorer.
£1million to spend..who would you buy?
A playmaker to replace Jim Magilton. Jim's been a great servant to us and is our best passer by far, but time is catching up with him now, and we always seem to miss him when he's not involved.
Whats the atmosphere like at a home game?
The atmosphere isn't bad, it's certainly not as good as it was before the two new stands were built, but it's felt this is do in part to the design of the stands rather than the fact that supporters are not making as much noise. Saying that though the atmosphere for the big games is still very good.