Ex-QPR midfielder says club need long-term plan if they are to challenge for promotion
Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Steve Lomas has urged the club to give current boss Ian Holloway the time he needs to turn the Championship club into promotion contenders.
When appointed in November 2016, Holloway became the third manager of the Loftus Road club in just under a year following the departures of Chris Ramsey and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The past four seasons have also seen Rs end the campaign with a different boss to the one they started with.
And Lomas believes the lack of stability at the club in recent seasons is why they are struggling to compete for a return to the Premier League.
But the 43-year-old says that if QPR give Holloway the time he needs to build a squad, there is every chance they can challenge for promotion in seasons to come.
“Every manager is different, so every time a new manager comes in there’s a new turnaround of players,” Lomas told bookmakers Bwin. “It’s key that they choose the right manager and stick with him for at least two or three years.
“The club needs a long-term plan to move them forward, with small steps over a period of time, rather than a new manager coming in and just signing players for the next 12 months.
“With the money now, they can compete to sign the level of players that is going to get them to the Premier League, regardless of who is in charge.”
Lomas, who made 55 league appearances for QPR from 2005 to 2007, does think, though, that things could get worse, before they get better.
Last season saw the Rs battle against relegation, and the former Northern Ireland international expects similar struggles this time around.
“I think QPR are at least two or three years away from being promoted to the Premier League again,” he added. “I look at the squad and I wonder if they will get enough goals.
“They’ve got Matt Smith, Conor Washington and Jamie Mackie, but I don’t know if they have enough goals beyond those three to secure a place in the play-offs.
“I can see it being another tough season for QPR and their fans.”
Lomas was speaking to bookmakers Bwin. To see the full interview, visit https://sports.bwin.com/en/news/football-betting/steve-lomas-interview,130392.html
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