Are QPR the new Leeds?

This is the comparison made by Tony Cascarino in a critical article in The Times yesterday who also throws in West Ham United for good measure.

Cascarino reckons that QPR display 'a desperation to stay in the Barclays Premier League at all costs; a sense that the club's future is being mortgaged to pay for the present.  Big signings, big wages, big egos.'  

Even Cascarino has to admit that 'it's absolutely normal to do all you can to avoid relegation'.  However, he thinks that dismissing Neil Warnock  smacks of a team who simply cannot afford to be relegated.'   Well, who can be?

Cascarino reckons that QPR are constrained by an average Loftus Road crowd of 15,000 (which seems a low figure to me).  But then part of the plan for the future is to build a new stadium which would overcome the capacity constraints at Loftus Road.

However, his real scorn is reserved for owner Tony Fernandes 'who seems to enjoy the limelight just a little too much'.  Having paid a lot of money for the club and made further funds available, perhaps it's not surprising that he should want to enjoy it a little.  Most Premiership owners are not shrinking violets, Bolton's owner offering a rare exception.

Apparently Fernandes'  real crime is his use of social media: 'Fernandes's frequent appearances on TV and his delight at using social media to communicate with his club's fans even remind me a little of Michael Knigton, who attempted to buy Manchester United in 1989.'   I don't think there is any real comparison and is Fernandes to be faulted for staying in touch with the fans?

It's a nice piece of provocative journalism and no doubt QPR have a fight on their hands to avoid relegation.   But it's hardly the reckless gamble that Cascarino thinks it is.