Meet the opposition | QPR
As Swansea City prepare to face QPR in the Championship tomorrow night, we take a closer look at the Rs.
What’s their story?
Having been part of the Premier League's inaugural season, Gerry Francis would lead the club to their highest-ever finish in the restructured top-flight in 1992-93 as they claimed fifth place, with former Swans goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts among the squad.
However, the Rs finished second in the old First Division in 1976, missing out on the title to Liverpool by a solitary point.
The Hoops suffered relegation in 1995-96 and have had two short stints in the top-flight since.
Their most recent Premier League stint came in 2014-15, but they dropped straight back into the second tier after finishing bottom of the league.
They won the Championship title in 2010-11, and were promoted via the play-offs in 2014, whilst their only major silverware came when they won the League Cup in 1967.
How’s their form?
Up and down. QPR’s season has been characterised by small clusters of wins followed by streaks without tasting victory.
At the time of writing, the Rs have lost their last four games in all competitions, including their 2-0 weekend reverse at Huddersfield.
Prior to that they had won three of four, including thumping home wins over the Swans in the FA Cup and Cardiff in the league.
That lack of consistency has left them 16th in the table when some performances have suggested they could be higher.
Who’s the boss?
Mark Warburton. The former Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Rangers boss signed a two-year deal during the summer to take charge of the Rs.
The former currency trader and semi-pro defender worked for the likes of Bank of America before electing to pursue his passion for football and coaching.
He got his first big break with Watford, becoming academy manager, and not long after he joined Brentford in February 2011 as a first-team coach before taking on the job of sporting director.
He eventually took over as manager of the Bees in 2013 and guided the team from League One to the Championship, winning numerous plaudits for an attractive style of play.
Warburton went on to manager Glasgow Rangers, winning the Scottish Championship and Scottish Challenge Cup in 2015-16.
After leaving Ibrox in February 2017 he joined Nottingham Forrest in March 2017, but departed in December 2017.
He is now back in management with the Hoops.
Who are the key men?
Talented youngster Eberechi Eze has long been highly-rated and is starting to find the consistency to go with his undoubted ability.
Eze has been involved in 16 goals this season, scoring 10 and setting up six more and is the Rs most dangerous attacking threat, although Nahki Wells was also in fine form before his loan spell was ended and he joined Bristol City from Burnley.
Ilias Chair has caught the eye often with his creativity and guile, with three goals and five assists already this term.
The headline summer addition in attack came in the form of striker Jordon Hugill, who is on loan from West Ham, and has 11 goals to his name, while Bright Osayi-Samuel is another enjoying a fine campaign.
