By Adam Boxer BARELY a few weeks into a new campaign and already the voices of discontent have come to the fore at Loftus Road. The season is still in its infancy, and yet the QPR support have booed off their side in successive home fixtures. It does inde

By Adam Boxer

BARELY a few weeks into a new campaign and already the voices of discontent have come to the fore at Loftus Road.

The season is still in its infancy, and yet the QPR support have booed off their side in successive home fixtures.

It does indeed beg the question of why supporters voice their anger in such a way, what are the motives behind booing, and why it has become so prominent in recent seasons.

Some blame the expectation levels engineered by the takeover, but does that give supporters the right to expect success on a rich man's promise?

The abuse levelled at the substitution of Adel Taarabt two games running and indeed at the end of the game raises many questions about the mentality of the Loftus Road crowd - a crowd that has become extremely volatile towards its own players in recent years.

Loftus Road has remained silent when the team required support, and quick to criticise when play had been stifled.

While this is a minority, they are clearly audible and the views don't get any more light-hearted when the supporter comes home and peruses the message boards.

The stinging criticism of those sat in front of their computer screens has been evident for all to see, with some even calling for the boss's head at this early stage.

Whatever the reason for an outpouring of negative murmurings, one must surely remember that the campaign is less than 10 games old - the age-old barometer for judging a season's general direction.

Whether it's results, prices or a general sense of self-importance, the mood around Loftus Road couldn't be more bitter and nasty when it comes to the treatment of certain players.

An atmosphere almost comparable to Wembley under Steve McClaren, with an air of expectancy drifting over the stadium but bubbling under the surface a degree of muttering to greet every poor touch or misplaced pass.

The majority of ill-feeling came to a head last season, when ironically it was Magilton's Ipswich who stole the show at Loftus Road on live TV.

A decision by Paulo Sousa not to withdraw Gavin Mahon brought forth some ill-feeling from sections of support and frankly embarrassed the club in front of the viewing masses.

Is it purely a figment of frustration or protest, or desired to have a positive impact? One thing is for certain, there is no positive aspect to booing the players. Would you want to play for that calibre of support, negative when winning and abusive when losing?