Season Preview - Bill Power

Former Queens Park Rangers Chairman Bill Power speaks exclusively to Vital QPR about his thoughts for the coming season.

A Rangers fan from the day of his birth, Bill used to watch games as a child from his flat in South Africa Road, and eventually fulfilled his dreams in becoming chairman of the club.

Bill ran the club alongside Gianni Paladini between 2003-05 before leaving Loftus Road to team up with Mark Devlin at Swindon Town.

He is however still an avid follower of the R`s as he shares his thoughts in a season preview with Vital QPR.

How do you rate Rangers performance last season?

I was very disappointed to be honest. I think I, like most Hoops every year, hoped for at least a shot in the play-offs. But as things went on I got the horrible feeling that we just seemed to be going thru' the motions. I have absolutely no inside knowledge of how things were in the camp and not pointing fingers but something was missing. I put it down to the injury list, when you lose players like Buz and Rowlie with long term injuries it must affect you?

What was your stand out moment?

Not a lot, but our start to the season had me hoping for big things. Curiously for the first 5 or 6 games I had various friends who supported our opponents and I took great pleasure in getting up their noses, but as I already state above that didn't last too long.

How do you feel about the appointment of Jim Magilton?

I think he is going to surprise a lot of people. I met Jim when he was still playing and he was a very pleasant chap compared to the player that I disliked so much when up against us. He was a lot more articulate than I expected and came across as a man who knew what he was doing and was confident he was doing it the right way. If he can instil that sort of ethos into our team I am very hopeful for this season.

Do you feel Rangers have strengthened adequately?

No, there is always room for improvement. I would like us to have gone after a couple more proven goal scorers and a tried and tested left wing back. That said with Rowlie and Buz back and HH, Vine and Routledge getting some good uninjured pre season games under their belts that will seem like new signings. Actually when you look at our squad if they could all stay relatively unscathed we are a match for any of our rivals.

Who will be the key player(s) for the R`s this season?

If we can get Buz and Rowlie playing together, the people we have around them will get all the service they need. At the risk of repeating myself, Just look how last season went with them both out

Where do you expect the R`s to finish this season?

I really do believe a minimum target should be the play-offs. We certainly have the squad for that if players stay injury free and if we could just get off to a solid start, it breeds confidence into the squad and the fans which takes a lot of stopping.

Championship - Who will be…

Champions: I would love it to be us but with the strength of our league now I can't see it. But if I had to pick a side it would probably be WBA.

Overachievers: I sincerely hope Ollie gets the Tangerines rocking up there.

Underachievers: I have a feeling Middlesbrough and Reading are going to struggle this year.

Young Player to Watch: Got to go for any of Taarabt, Rose or Balanta. Hopefully all 3 will be up there!

Top Goalscorer: Please let it be HH but knowing our luck its bound to be Dex who is guaranteed a bag full of goals versus us.

You can discuss these matters and more with Bill by clicking onto the QPR Report Messageboard

Many thanks to Bill for taking the time to contribute

Other Previews

Mike - QPR Report

Clive Whittingham - Loft For Words

Scott Jones - We are the Rangers Boys




Have your say on The Forum

Follow us on Twitter

Become a fan on Facebook - Become a fan of Vital QPR

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.