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QPR’s 2020/21 season was undoubtedly a season of two halves. Since the turn of the year, the R’s have been one of the top sides in the Championship. They ultimately finished ninth, which is a step in the right direction.
Rangers were left wondering what this season would bring as they lost a host of starlets from their 2019/20 side. Main talisman Eberechi Eze left for £20 million to Premier League’s Crystal Palace while Jordan Hugill, Ryan Manning and Grant Hall all left for fellow Championship sides.
It was apparent that manager, Mark Warburton, would have to endure another rebuilding project in the summer. QPR spent their money wisely as they brought in the likes of Rod Dickie, Lyndon Dykes and Macauley Bonne.
It was a big void these players were asked to fill as the West London club had lost over 50 goals from their side compared to the previous season. It’s safe to say the first half of the season was disappointing, when you look back at it, it was a half of missed chances as they failed to put the ball in the back of the net.
However, in the second half of the season, a different picture was painted. With help from four loan signings, the club went from 19th to ninth as they became one of the most in-form sides in the division.
They beat the likes of Brentford, Bournemouth, Swansea and Watford who were all promotion candidates by the end of the year. With the right recruitment, 2021/22 is something to look forward to for QPR fans.
Key Matches
Queens Park Rangers 3-2 Cardiff City – 31st October 2020
After a tough start to the season, it felt as if a result was only a matter of time for QPR as they continued to turn in impressive performances without any points to show for it. While their form didn’t drastically improve after, it was at this point the squad started to realise the potential they had.
They did not get the result the easy way but it showed grit and determination to win after Cardiff scored two second-half goals to equalise the game.
Ilias Chair and Todd Kane had QPR coasting within 27 minutes, however, they were made to pay as the Bluebirds threatened to take all three points away from the West London Club.
Dominic Ball lashed his effort into the top right-hand corner in the 90th minute. It was at this point, you could see the togetherness in the group with their pure emotion and celebration of this vital result.
The players realised the potential they had all along despite their performances in the early stages of the season. Warburton insisted things will get better, and he was right.
Norwich City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers – 29th December 2020
Rangers’ form never really picked up but Norwich away was a big turning point of the season heading into the new year. Warburton’s side went toe to toe with the best side in the division and was unlucky not to claim all three points.
This was at a period during the season where many fans were calling for Warburton to leave the club, the board stuck with him and it soon started to pay off as they moved up the table.
It was a stern performance where the defence was at its best. Teemu Pukki scored in the 75th minute from the spot to put Norwich ahead. Despite not leading the game, it was hard on QPR as they had played so well.
It was the West London’s club time to score from the spot as Bright Osayi-Samuel-Samuel was fouled inside the area, the Nigerian converted from the penalty.
With a matter of minutes to go, after brilliant wing play, Osayi-Samuel was gifted with the opportunity to steal all three points. He put his effort over from an impossible angle when it looked harder to miss.
Reflecting on the game, it became a huge positive for the team in how far they had come to be able to compete against the eventual Championship winners. Confidence was taken from this result into the new year, as QPR started to pick up momentum.
Luton Town 0-2 Queens Park Rangers – 12th January 2021
Warburton’s men faced Luton in Charlie Austin’s return to the club from West Brom. A whole host of January signings were made but only the striker was on show as he made his long-awaited return in blue and white hoops.
It was a perfect start for him as he put his side ahead within 39 minutes, it was a goal that optimised Austin as he was in the right place at the right time to nod home from close range.
Luton pushed and probed but the back four of QPR stood strong, soaking up heaps of pressure away from home. Macauley Bonne sealed all three points in the 89th minute as he was left to slot the ball into the net after brilliant work from Albert Adomah.
This was a big signal to the QPR board that what they were doing was right, with results to back it up this time around. Austin and Dykes played with each other for the first time, but you couldn’t tell as the duo’s linkup reminded many fans of their time in the Premier League with Bobby Zamora.
Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Brentford – 17th February 2021
QPR welcomed the Bees to the Kiyan Prince Foundation, and they didn’t fail to deliver as they beat Brentford 2-1 coming from behind to claim all three points.
Brentford were firmly planted within the top six and it proved to be a big test for an in-form Rangers side brewing with confidence. Warburton’s team dominated long periods of the game as they starved the opposition of the ball.
It was a shock when they went behind through an Ivan Toney flick, although they failed to sit down and accept defeat. Two goals in four minutes ensured all three points were going to the team in blue and white.
Sam Field came on for his debut and produced a sublime volley to put QPR level in the 72nd minute before who else but Austin gave his side the lead four minutes later as he converted Lee Wallace’s cut-back.
Their resilience was put to the test but they came out victorious against the odds. It was a huge stepping stone for the club as they failed to beat Brentford in recent years, it shows the progression the club are currently taking to be able to battle the very best.
Queens Park Rangers 1-3 Norwich City – 24th April 2021
After the two sides drew earlier in the season, QPR faced the tough task of beating an ever-confident Norwich who had recently been crowned champions of the Championship. In the end, Rangers lost the game, but the performance was promising as they pushed the Canaries till the very end of the encounter.
It was the second-half where it all took off. Warburton’s men were already 2-0 as Xavier Quintilla and Max Aarons put the Canaries in front. QPR had enough chances in the game as Lyndon Dykes failed to convert from the spot before Aarons went on to score.
Moments later, the Scotland international did score on the second occasion from close range which left the game 2-1. A game that could have easily been level, both sides continued to push in the latter stages of the match although Emi Buendia wrapped it up for Norwich.
Despite losing, it was a game of what could have been for QPR. They battled against a Premier League side and could have taken a point away from the game on another day. It was a vital lesson to show the high standards that you must perform at to become champions of the league as the sheer quality of the Canaries separated the sides on the day.
On the transfer front
Ultimately when looking back at the business QPR did during the season, you could argue that their January signings prevented the team from being dragged into a relegation battle.
Charlie Austin and Stefan Johanson added a gulf of class that was previously not in the team and their importance to the team cannot be understated.
Sam Field and Jordy de Wijs made their moves permanent in recent weeks due to their impact since January and the club saw their potential.
Summer signing Lyndon Dykes, Rob Dickie, Tom Carroll, Chris Willock and Albert Adomah are held in the highest of regards considering their growing importance in the team. It is evident that with more time in the team, all five signings have the potential to flourish next year.
George Thomas and Macauley Bonne still have a point to prove as they entered the club. Bonne has scored some important, winning goals but we have not seen the best of the striker. Thomas has battled injury but has not been a regular within the squad.
Charlie Kelman cannot be judged as of yet as the 19-year-old only made a handful of appearances from the bench as he is still developing as a player. For sure one to watch out for the future with his natural finishing ability.
The squad is one of the smallest in the division. While not always having the financial backing to make substantial improvements, it’s key to have healthy competition throughout the squad to ensure everyone is performing at their peak performance levels.
Player(s) of the Season
While Ilias Chair was named Player of the Season, Rob Dickie has been an instrumental difference in the team in comparison to 12 months prior.
The ball-playing centre-back joined QPR from Oxford in the summer for around £2.5 million, and he proved to be worth every penny. The 24-year-old has qualities that will attract several Premier League clubs.
His distribution was sublime while he rarely ever got beat in the air or one-on-one. Dickie was a key reason why Rangers went from one of the worst defences to one of the best in the space of a year.
Warburton’s men were able to protect a lead so well because of goalkeeper Seny Dieng, who has been a revolution this year.
After their goalkeeper worries last year, Dieng returned from his loan with Doncaster and was instantly number one. The way he commands his box was a defenders dream as he plucked anything out of the air while also being good with his feet.
It was his reactions that impressed the fans the most as he rarely got beat from range or one-on-one. He is also another key member of the team that QPR have to keep next year.
The Verdict
It’s safe to say that Queens Park Rangers exceeded exceptions as they had their best season since being relegated to the Championship. They finished ninth on 68 points while also surpassing last season’s amount of away victories.
Since the turn of the year, Warburton’s side have been the third-best team when it comes to points collected, if they can take this into 2021/22 they could be staring at a top-six opportunity.
It will be key to keep their January loan recruitments. They have recently confirmed both Jordy de Wijs and Sam Field while Charlie Austin is meant to be confirmed this week. Stefan Johansen will be a big player if they can finalise his signature.
If they can add another three players on top of these four, then Rangers could be a force next season given their switch to a 3-4-3 formation in recent months. Manager Warburton has done an exceptional job and if the board back him then there is no reason why this club will not be back in the Premier League in the years to come.
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