Hall positive on survival hopes

20 June 2011 12:30

Fitz Hall believes Queen's Park Rangers should have nothing to fear when they return to the Barclays Premier League after a 15-year absence.

Neil Warnock guided Rangers to the npower Championship title last season and looks set to give those players who helped secure promotion a shot at the top flight. Defender Hall - who has played for Southampton, Crystal Palace and Wigan in the top flight - sees no reason why the west London club should not be able to hold their own next season.

The 30-year-old told www.qpr.co.uk: "We can do well next season. The gap between the Premier League and the Championship is definitely closing. The sides that were promoted last season all did well and even though Blackpool got relegated, they were flying at the start of the season and surprised a few people. It gives everyone hope."

Hall added: "I don't think many people gave them that much hope, but for them to go to the last game of the season and still be in with a shot of staying up certainly does.

"If that's anything to go by then we'll definitely fancy our chances."

"We have got experience, but I think it helps when you have got young players who haven't played in the league before, because they're not scared of anything. They don't know what to expect and they've not been there. A lot of people also want to prove themselves, and I think that will help as well."

Warnock is keen to bolster his squad ahead of the new campaign.

England striker Jay Bothroyd, who is a free agent after leaving Cardiff, is a potential target, along with Blackpool's DJ Campbell.

While the Rangers boss has played down reports he is set to move for AC Milan veteran defender Nicola Legrottaglie, £3million-rated Real Valladolid striker Javi Guerra is another said to be on the radar.

Moroccan midfielder Adel Taarabt, meanwhile, continues to be linked with a move away from Loftus Road, with Newcastle said to be interested in the 22-year-old former Tottenham man.

Source: PA