QPR captain Joey Barton has blamed a poor pre-season and mishandled player recruitment for QPR’s woes this season.
Barton declined to “name names” but it is believed the focus of his outspoken attack is former manager Harry Redknapp.
Speaking after yesterday’s 2-1 defeat at home to Everton, Barton said: “It is difficult for me to get away from the blatantly obvious facts. Those facts being, realistically, statistically, we are the worst team in the league. Finishing fourth in the Championship last season, scraping up via the play-offs says that.
“The thing that you have got to do in between getting promoted and getting back to the Premier League is have an incredible pre-season and recruit really well.
You would have to look at that and make a decision on [whether we did] that. Then the next recruitment window [in January] is key. Again, you have to look at that window and say ‘have we given ourselves the maximum opportunity?’ Because everybody has put a shift in today and we have come up short. It is key in football.
“For all the effort in the world, sometimes you come up short.
“Without wanting to name names, being privy to a lot of the things that go on at this football club which people don’t really know about - or only hear rumours on the grapevine about - the fact we are in with a puncher’s chance is a minor miracle.”
QPR’s pre season consisted of two matches in Germany against opposition from Bundesliga two and three which was organised by outgoing chief executive Phil Beard.
Rangers then faced league one side Leyton Orient, followed by a trip to league two team Southend United.
Next up was a trip to Ireland where the Rs took on Shamrock Rovers and Athlone Town. Greek side PAOK were the final challenge before Rangers kicked off their campaign at home to Hull City.
Redknapp mentioned on numerous occasions how he didn’t have a strong squad during pre season and his recruitment of players has proved to be poor.
Having missed out on Craig Bryson from Derby County and free agent Steve Sidwell, Redknapp signed Sandro from his former club Spurs. The Brazilian has made just 12 appearances, scoring once having been troubled by a series of injuries.
Redknapp finally managed to convince chairman Tony Fernandes to sign up Rio Ferdinand who was a free agent following his release from Manchester United.
Ferdinand, 36, has flopped, the plan was for the former England international to marshal the team in a 3-5-2 formation which badly backfired and was quickly abandoned.
Steven Caulker and Jordon Mutch arrived from Cardiff City for a combined fee of £14million. Both fell out of favour with Redknapp, with Caulker being dropped to the bench following a major loss of confidence and Mutch was sold to Crystal Palace in January.
Leroy Fer joined from Norwich City but was played out of position on the left side of midfield despite making it clear on several occasions that his best position was just off the main striker.
The Chilean duo of Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas arrived from Juventus and Napoli respectively but were both played out of their usual roles where they had made such an impact during the world cup.
Isla, was forced to play in a flat back four, after the 3-5-2 idea was scrapped and Vargas, who plays as a striker for Chile, was played out wide.
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy arrived from Reading but has made just two appearances for the club with Rob Green performing heroics which have led to an England recall.
In January, Redknapp failed to land his two main targets, Emmanuel Adebayor on loan from Tottenham and Wolves winger Bakary Sako.
His parting gift to QPR fans was an unfit Mauro Zarate who arrived on loan from West Ham United. Redknapp attempted to send him back to bring in Matt Jarvis from the same club only to be told it was against Premier League rules.
Redknapp left the club just after the window closed, citing a knee problem as his reason for walking away from the club.
Redknapp failed to secure a single point away from home prior to his departure this season.
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