Michael Carrick has expressed sympathy for QPR after recalling from bitter experience how difficult it can be for clubs to avoid relegation.
West Ham were supposed to be too good to go down in 2002. With the likes of Carrick, Joe Cole and Jermain Defoe, the Hammers boasted some of the country's best young players. Even after a poor start, it seemed inconceivable they would eventually lose their Premier League lives.
But it happened, with a record points tally of 42. So Carrick is acutely aware of the problems that lie ahead for Saturday's visitors to Manchester United, QPR, who are already cut adrift at the bottom and whose manager, Mark Hughes, is on the brink of being sacked.
"It is a surprise but this is a hard league and sometimes when you buy players but a couple of results don't go for you early in the season, it becomes harder to win," said Carrick.
"I've been there myself with West Ham. I know how difficult it can be.
"We had a good squad of players but for whatever reason, it just didn't work for us that season.
"Hopefully Mark Hughes can turn it round, although not starting on Saturday."
Source: team_talk
