Flavio doesn't get it... and never will

20 January 2010

By Ben Kosky

TIMES are depressing enough for QPR fans as they stumble through the seemingly endless saga of chaos and farce that surrounds their club.

But there can't have been many whose spirits were raised by Flavio Briatore's announcement, in a rare newspaper interview, that he has no intention of leaving Loftus Road.

It was clear from the tone of the Daily Mirror story - a blatant example of shameless brown-nosing - that Briatore remains as aloof, out-of-touch and contemptuous of the ordinary supporter as ever.

"Some fans, because they pay £20, want to criticise," said the Rangers co-owner - the implication being that they have no right to do so.

The majority of fans fork out more than that at Loftus Road - and, let's not forget, if Briatore had got his way last season, ticket prices would have been even higher.

Briatore thinks Rangers fans should be eternally grateful to him for taking over the club in 2007 - although there were other parties who were keen to do so and would surely have made a better job of it.

Instead of vague nonsense about 'boutique football', brands and projects, more responsible owners would have brought in people who understood football to run the most important aspect of the business.

Managers, coaches and players come and go at an alarming rate and, after an initial surge away from the relegation zone two years ago, QPR have made NO progress on the field for precisely that reason.

We all know neutrals who told you how they had a soft spot for QPR, how they liked the style of football and the atmosphere at Loftus Road.

We don't hear those voices any more.

Instead we recall the Chelsea and Fulham fans at school who used to chant 'QPR-ha-ha-ha-ha' - and, back then, we would have responded in kind.

Now we can't help but reluctantly agree with the sentiment and wonder when Briatore might swagger off into the sunset - something we'd really be grateful for.