QPR - SPEND, SPEND, SPEND

Twitter - @jamesAgrayson

Those who follow my Twitter page will have noticed that I have been staggered by the spending of QPR in the January transfer window – the £12.5 million signing of Christopher Samba was the tip of the iceberg as far as I was concerned.

As someone who saw a football club – Farsley Celtic in my case – die in front of them because of large debts, I have an issue with clubs that in my eyes are trying to buy unsustainable success. Ever since Terry Fernandes bought QPR in August 2011, the attitude has been spend, spend, spend and in the last few days, the figures have reached obscene levels.

How a club that is bottom of the Premier League with just two league wins can justify the amount they have spent on transfers and wages is beyond me? Loic Remy turned down Newcastle to join QPR, but his reported wage packet may have been the decisive factor rather than the possibility of a season in the Championship.

Remy is just one of many players that is earning vast sums of money at QPR. Shaun Wright-Phillips and Bobby Zamora are just two more. There are plenty of others.
It was reported in November that the club had spent £7 million agent fees. Added to the £50 million transfer fees over 18 months and without even thinking about wages, QPR are seemingly buying a ticket to oblivion. Although they don’t, clubs like Newcastle could spend that money without getting into financial trouble, simply because of their owner and 52,000 loyal supporters.

QPR’s Loftus Road holds only 18,000 which will bring in little revenue compared with the figures they have spent. They are not Manchester United who get 75,000 every week and compete in the Champions League. QPR are a relatively new club to the PL and are in very real danger of losing their PL status which would mean they would miss out on the £60 million TV revenue next season.

I just don’t see how QPR are sustainable. Why sanction a £12.5 million record signing when you could have to severely cost cut in three months’ time. Fernandes has made a massive gamble on surviving relegation, but what are the consequences if Harry Redknapp can’t save them? Their spending figures will not sustainable in the Championship so another Portsmouth perhaps?

QPR have tried to spend their way to the top and they are a prime example of ‘money doesn’t always buy success’ and when will clubs realise this? Or should the FA step in and say enough is enough?