Meet the opposition | Queens Park Rangers
As Swansea City prepare to face QPR in the FA Cup on Sunday, 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 that 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 poor form saw them drop 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?
Mixed. Rangers have taken just three wins from their last 14 games, although the most recent of those was an emphatic 6-1 home win over Cardiff.
It’s a sequence that has seen them drop to 15th in the table, but they are just six points adrift of the play-off places with plenty of time to mount a late charge.
Their problems stem from the back. QPR have been among the division’s top scorers this season, but they have one of the worst goals against tallies in the league.
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 at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.
The former currency trader and semi-pro defender worked for the likes of Bank of America, IBJ, AIG, the Royal Bank of Scotland 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 with a squad including current Swan Jake Bidwell.
Warburton went on to manager Glasgow Rangers, working with Barrie McKay during his time there, 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 is also in fine form having netted 12 goals so far this term.
Swans legend Angel Rangel impressed last season, playing 20 times for the Hoops and deservedly earning a new one-year contract with the London club for his impressive form.
Another experienced head is Geoff Cameron, who re-joined the Hoops on a permanent basis following his loan spell last term.
The headline summer addition in attack came in the form of striker Jordon Hugill, who is on loan from West Ham, and has eight goals to his name, while Bright Osayi-Samuel is another enjoying a fine campaign.
