‘Big heap of pressure’ on QPR, Bond admits

Assistant manager Kevin Bond has admitted that QPR’s big spending means there is extra pressure on the players as they chase promotion.

Having been the pre-season title favourites and led the table for part of the campaign, Rangers are now nine points behind second-placed Burnley.

There has therefore been speculation about boss Harry Redknapp’s future and the possible financial implications for the club should they miss out on a return to the top flight.

And Bond said: “There’s a huge expectation level with us because we started the season very well and were top of the table with a lot of so-called high-profile, highly paid players, who were expected to do well.

“There’s a big heap of pressure on us – even more so when you’re not quite doing as well.”

Rangers have clearly missed top scorer Charlie Austin but are hopeful he will return from a shoulder injury before the end of the season.

Winger Matt Phillips faces a long spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury but defender Danny Simpson is close to recovering from a back problem.

“We’ve found goals hard to come by all season and were reliant on Charlie,” Bond added.

“It’s now down to us really just to get down to the basics if it means us grinding out results.”

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