Rodney Marsh’s comments about the current owners appeared recently in an article written by Joe Bernstein for the Mail:
QPR legend Rodney Marsh has accused owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone of treating fans ‘like mushrooms’ – and said he would have respected manager Neil Warnock if he had quit. Marsh, who scored at Wembley when Rangers won the only major trophy in their history, is fuming at the way the two Formula One tycoons have failed to back the club’s bid to stay in the Premier League after winning promotion last season.
So far, QPR’s only cash signing has been ¬£1.2million Blackpool striker DJ Campbell, with Southampton winger Jason Puncheon expected to join this week in a ¬£2m deal. Marsh said: “It’s nowhere near enough. I said Blackpool would go down last season because they hadn’t spent enough. Without at least ¬£10m being spent, you’ve got virtually no chance. I don’t know why they didn’t get someone like Scott Parker in with proven Premier League experience.”
“Briatore and Ecclestone have treated the fans like mushrooms. Somewhere a village is missing two idiots. I thought four weeks ago that Neil Warnock would have walked out. I’m not saying that he should have, but I’d have respected him for it. Because what will happen is he’ll go on a streak of games without winning and people will call for his head anyway.”
“Neil’s had his hands tied in the transfer market. He did wonders last season, winning promotion was like swimming the Channel with diver’s boots on. And he kept Adel Taarabt under control, which is no mean feat. But instead of backing Neil, the club have treated him like a naughty schoolboy who has to stand in the corner in silence.”
Marsh’s outspoken comments about keeping supporters in the dark – like mushrooms – are certain to have a huge impact. He is still revered for the goal that helped win the 1967 League Cup Final against West Bromwich. And he warned: “It is going to be very difficult for QPR to stay up – the first 10 games are absolutely critical.”
Joe Bernstein for the Mail
Oh dear, Rodney has told the truth and it has ruffled a few feathers. Few with diagree with him though, except the usual three and a few freeloader hangers on.
i hate too admit it bud super rod is right.warnock is a legend in my eyes but he cant do the impossible. all that money and they wont lend him spend WHY?
Rodney has made a few daft comments about Rangers over the past 15 years or so but I have to agree with him totally on this occasion