Vox Populi – No.3 – Ben Kosky

Q: Choose your starting line-up with the current squad

A: (4-3-2-1 formation): Marshall (if he signs), Ramage, Stewart, Gorkss, Connolly, Rowlands, Mahon, Buzsaky, Vine, Balanta, Agyemang.

Q: What are your thoughts on the new players and the ones that have left ?

A: It came as no great surprise to see Camp and Blackstock sold to Forest, but it’s hard to escape the feeling that we have given a potential rival two of our better players on the cheap. Ironically the best deal the club did financially was recouping their outlay on Delaney, who never quite looked the part as a full-back but I think would do fine as a wing-back.

As regards the new arrivals, Faurlin is an unknown quantity but had better be good at that price ! Pellicori is also in the ‘wait and see’ bracket but his career record doesn’t inspire confidence. Taarabt is a clever signing because he is skilful and will excite the crowd at Loftus Road – whether he can do the same away to Scunthorpe or Barnsley is another matter. I also feel the squad is overloaded with creative, attacking midfield players and perhaps a goalscorer or left-back should have been a higher priority.

Q: Who do you think will be the star of the team this season ?

A: Maybe it sounds negative to pick a defender, but for me Matthew Connolly is that rare breed at Rangers – a big-money signing who was good value for money. He reads the game well and looks good in the back-four. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in line for a move back to the Premier League should Rangers fail to get promoted.

Q: What are your thoughts about QPR on and off the pitch at this time ?

A: On the pitch, I don’t feel the squad is any stronger than last season, not strong enough to go up anyway, but hopefully Jim Magilton will bring the Ipswich style of football with him and entertain us a bit more than lastseason.

Off the pitch, I don’t see anything to indicate that the owners are learning from their mistakes or, for that matter, acknowledging that any were made. I know many fans are fearful of Briatore & co. losing interest in the club, but I for one will breathe a sigh of relief the day he swaggers out of the door for the last time.

Q: Who do you think will go up this season and who will go down to League One ?

A: I think West Brom look best equipped to continue their yo-yo existence and win the title, but Middlesbrough should certainly be in the frame as well, along with Reading. Nottingham Forest look a decent bet as outsiders, not just because they have Camp and Blackstock on board, but some other astute additions like Paul McKenna and David McGoldrick, and a Manager who’s taken other clubs into the play-offs before. I don’t wish Paulo Sousa any ill, but I think Swansea might slump dramatically post-Martinez, and end up back in League One, along with Plymouth. I wouldn’t be feeling too optimistic if I were a Watford fan either.

Q: With ever spiralling wage demands, should there be a salary cap in the Football League ?
A: The only way that could happen would be for the Premier League to introduce one first – and you know what they say about turkeys voting for Christmas!

Q: Lastly, are Championship ticket prices too high ?

A: Yes, especially at QPR – but again, if you view it in line with the Premier League prices, probably not. And it isn’t just the Championship prices that are steep – some clubs in League Two are charging ¬£20 a time these days. If you want to watch football and still have change from a tenner, pop along to your local Ryman League club – my guess is you might find it more entertaining than some of the dross on offer at Loftus Road last season !

One thought on “Vox Populi – No.3 – Ben Kosky

  1. Can’t argue with any of that. Well maybe the bit about Middlesbrough, I’m not sure they’ll be able to pick themselves up.

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