A Rangers point of view

Mike - from QPR Report approached me to answer some questions for him, so I thought why not ask him to answer some for us too.

So, he answers these questions ahead of the QPR v Pompey game this tonight.

First let me say thank you very much for inviting me to contribute to your site. I have various memories of Portsmouth over the years. We've both had our ups and downs with owners, financial issues, and a slew of managers. And we have shared owners, managers and players such as Jim Gregory, John Gregory, Jim Smith, Terry Venables, Terry Fenwick, Peter Crouch, Nigel Quashie - and most recently Tommy Smith. In the early 1970s, we were repeatedly linked to Portsmouth's midfielder, Norman Piper.

I should note that while I'm a truly obsessed QPR fan for over 40 years, and a consistent (obsessive) messageboard poster and operate the QPR Report Blog and QPR Report Messageboard; I to put it mildly, don't get to too many games.

Having threatened to run away with the nopower title earlier in the season, things are suddenly a bit tighter at the top. Do you think that QPR will manage to keep things going and win the league?
Yes I think we will. But of course, I fear we won't. If you look at the recent form guides: Take away our brilliant first ten games, and our form has been a lot less good. Lot of draws.

Winning the title would be fantastic for your, although surely merely finishing in the top 2 and going up again would satisfy you, right?
Even If we finish runners up, that would be great. Who remembers which team went up as Champions; which as runners up (or even through playoffs)

Does Neil Warnock have the full support of the fans and/or the board?
Of the Fans 100%...Having gone through a truly-pathetic nine managers in a couple of years...Warnock truly did save the club from relegation last season We took 7 points from 14 games until shortly before he arrived.

Of the owners? Who truly knows what they're planning. Wouldn't surprise me if they tried for someone more high-profile.

QPR have chopped and changed managers in recent years, is Warnock finally 'the one' that the owners will settle for in the long-term? (He still has a few years left in him right!)
Warnock is definitely the one, best equipped to get us promoted. Settle us in. He's also strong enough to face down the owners and anyone else who may try and bring in players that the manager doesn't want. It's Warnock's way or the highway.

How do QPR treat the fans. Are you well treated, or are they fleecing you at any given opportunity?
On the one hand, the club under new owners are losing multi-millions a year (although whether they owe the debt, or the club does, is a good question)

We have a small stadium (18,000 capacity)...Pay high wages...So we're not making ends meet. But on the other hand, QPR ticket prices are high.

Who - do I really need to ask! - do you think was your best summer signing and why?
Taarabt...Kenny and Derry...

Could you have done with more arrivals - if so in which areas and maybe even who? Do you think they might still come in during this transfer window?
For years, we've been crying out for goalscorers...Have yet again failed to sign one.

What were your expectations, or hopes for QPR before the season kicked-off? Have these changed since?
I predicted 4th place. A failure to get top two will obviously be a major disappointment. If we don't go up this year, I don't see us doing it next year.

So, what about Pompey. What do you make of our club and what you think we should hope, or expect for between now and May?
I have found what's been going on at Portsmouth truly mindboggling, the repeated change of owners.

As usual the fans get screwed.

Who are the real danger men - again I guess we all know - that QPR have that Pompey will need to watch?
Stop or provoke Taarabt and you have a good chance...

Is there anyone in the current Pompey squad that you would like to see at QPR?
Nugent and Kitson.

What about sending a QPR player our way, is there anyone that you would like to send to Fratton Park?
We have several: I think Vine should return to Portsmouth...We have a brilliant fullback Gary Borrowdale... We have a couple out on loan in Italy, Pellicori and Alberti.

How did you manage to salvage a point at Fratton in the 1-1 draw earlier in the season?
G-d's on our side!

So, go on then what result are you expecting on Tuesday?
I THINK we'll win, but to be honest, nothing surprises me.

All the best to Portsmouth for the season and thanks again for inviting me to comment.

Questions answered by Mike from QPR Report. Click link to view some answers to questions I answered...

Click here to make your prediction: QPR v Pompey.