QPR 2020/21 Season Preview: Strengths, Weaknesses, Key Man & Prediction

Queens Park Rangers go into the new season off the back of a 13th-placed finish in the Championship.

It was a mostly positive campaign for Mark Warburton's side, having achieved their best league placement in four seasons, despite a hectic summer of chopping and changing.

It's been another busy transfer window for the Rs, with several key players departing and being replaced with relative unknowns. With this in mind, there's no telling how the upcoming season could go. But one thing is for sure - it should be entertaining.

Strengths

If there's one thing that QPR provided last season, it was entertainment. The west Londoners scored 67 goals in last season's Championship campaign - a figure beaten only by Leeds, West Brom, Brentford and Cardiff.

Warburton's expansive style of play gives creative players the freedom to fully express themselves, allowing for a highly enjoyable spectacle. Should the former Rangers boss continue to adopt this strategy, QPR could be one of the teams to watch next term.

However, 40 of these goals came from Eberechi Eze, Jordan Hugill and Nahki Wells, all of whom now play their football elsewhere. The pre-season form of new arrival Lyndon Dykes has been encouraging, but it remains to be seen whether he can fill the void up front.

Weaknesses

Of course, there is a price to pay for playing such attacking football - you're bound to be left vulnerable at the back.

While they were banging them in at one end, the Hoops were leaking them down the other. Only Hull and Luton conceded more goals than QPR last season. With former captains Toni Leistner and Grant Hall departing, this statistic may only get worse.

One of the main concerns for Warburton last season was his goalkeeping situation. Both Joe Lumley and Liam Kelly looked shaky, making a lot of mistakes leading to goals. Yet to bring a new goalkeeper to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium, the Rs will have to hope that one of these two up their game.

Highly-rated Oxford man Rob Dickie has been signed to strengthen the back line, but if Warburton wants to avoid a repeat of last season's defensive horror shows, he will surely have to adapt to a more cautious system.

Key Man

When QPR sold their main man Luke Freeman in 2019, it was up to a youngster to fill the void - that youngster being Eze. Now that Eze has moved on, the Rs will be hoping that another youngster can step up and take his place.

Moroccan midfielder Ilias Chair could be the man to take over the mantle in Shepherd's Bush. With four goals and six assists last season, the 22-year-old's numbers are way off the supreme standards set by Eze, but there is potential for growth.

With quick feet, a rasping shot and an eye for the spectacular, Chair could flourish in a system built to suit him. While it would be unfair to expect him to replicate Eze's phenomenal season, he could be a solid replacement.

The omens are good for the former Stevenage loanee, too. The last Moroccan to play for QPR? A certain Mr. Adel Taarabt.

Prediction

As mentioned above, there really is no telling what could happen at QPR.

Having lost a number of key players, the chances of Warburton's side launching a play-off push are looking rather slim. Unless the new signings play out of their skin, it could be another season of consolidation for the Hoops.

The summer transfer window is far from over, and with a large payout from the Eze sale left to play with, expect more to come through the door at Loftus Road.

Could a relegation battle be on the cards? Well, if the new boys underperform, then it could be a struggle. However, keeping the likes of Bright Osayi-Samuel and Ryan Manning at the club will be a welcome boost.

It's a difficult one to call, but logic suggests a slight drop from last season's showing.

Prediction: Mid to Lower Table