Hughes confident of upturn

20 October 2012 13:47

QPR boss Mark Hughes believes player turnover and a host of injuries has masked the quality of his squad at Loftus Road.

The Welshman has been backed by Rangers' chairman Tony Fernandes in recent weeks despite the fact the club sit bottom of the Premier League. Fernandes bank-rolled several big-name signings over the summer and, although the desired results have not followed, Hughes is confident once they gel they will be successful.

"Everyone understands what we are trying to do here. Tony and Amit (Bhatia, vice-chairman) and all the shareholders have been really positive in that regard," he said.

"They knew and we discussed that there was a possibility the start of the season could be a little bit difficult because we had so many players coming in."

A number of injuries have also destabilised QPR, especially in defence with Hughes unable to name a settled back four all season and the former Manchester City boss reckons once he has more options the results will follow.

"We have also been hurt with the number of injuries which hasn't helped matters but I think we are all comfortable that at some point in the very near future, once everything settles down, once we get a settled side then the quality we have will let us win Premier League games," he said.

"We are very positive that once we get points on the board that will continue until the end of the season."

A lot of the R's first-team squad are now working their way back to match fitness, with only Fabio and Andy Johnson ruled out of the match against Everton on Sunday and Hughes is looking forward to having a fully-fit squad.

There are constant rumours that Hughes' position in under threat due to the poor start to the season. But the 48-year-old believes the reign of David Moyes, his counterpart on Sunday, has set an example for other clubs to follow.

"Longevity is vital to a club and certainly one in our position who are only in their second season after coming up from the Championship," he said. "You need that continuity and longevity of players and management to enable you to grow as a group and chopping and changing personnel is difficult."

Source: PA