Redknapp taking nothing for granted

21 April 2013 13:47

QPR manager Harry Redknapp believes his relegation-bound side will find it hard to secure an immediate return to the Barclays Premier League.

The west Londoners' fate was all but confirmed on Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Stoke. It leaves QPR 10 points adrift of safety with just four matches remaining and Redknapp conceded they now face an "almost impossible" task.

Redknapp will be hoping QPR make a swift return to the top flight but warned promotion from the npower Championship is far from easy. He said. "I think this is a good club but when people say 'well, they'll come straight back up next year', it will be very hard to do that. Don't kid yourselves."

Redknapp added: "Whatever happens, the Championship is a tough, demanding league and you need players that are ready and willing to play Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and then Saturday. Every Saturday, then midweek.

"You need the right characters if you're going to get out of the division and that is something that will have to be looked at very carefully."

Asked if he has such characters in the squad, Redknapp said: "Well, some. I think you would have to look and try to bring one or two right types in. They might be in lower divisions but lads that would love the opportunity to come here and play."

Redknapp admits it will be hard to mould the squad as he would like due to the fact QPR will struggle to shift many of the under performing players sitting on large contracts.

One thing the Rs boss demands, though, is a new pitch at Loftus Road.

"I am not saying we play like Barcelona but that football pitch is not conducive to good football, I don't care who is in charge," Redknapp said.

"That pitch is the bumpiest, bobbliest - it is a lower third division pitch. The first thing the club need to do, I think, is invest in a new pitch in the summer if you want to produce a team that can play some football."

Source: PA