Confident QPR manager Mark Hughes has boldly declared that Rangers fans should expect a good season.
Hughes’ side begin their Premier League campaign with a home match against Swansea this weekend and the Welshman is convinced they will comfortably avoid a relegation scrap this time around.
Rangers stayed up on the final day of last term by the narrowest of margins – and Hughes immediately pledged that they would never again be in a similar situation while he is in charge.
And, speaking on the eve of the big kick-off, he said: “Maybe I’ll come to regret that statement, but I don’t think so. I stand by that statement.
“I’ve always been of the view that you have to keep peoples’ expectations high. They don’t want to be told that it’s going to be a struggle again.
“Some managers tend to do that [play down expectations] knowing full well that their team has the ability to be much higher than that.
“I’d never underplay the opportunity that we have here. I fully expect us to have a good season.
“I don’t want to underplay it so that I then look good by overachieving. I don’t think that’s correct.
“The fans want to hear that their team’s going to have a good season – and that’s what I fully expect us to have.”
Hughes will name QPR’s new captain shortly before the game at Loftus Road and is hoping Bobby Zamora comes through a late fitness test on a knee problem.
Armand Traore has failed to shake off an ankle injury and is unavailable.
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This post was last modified on 18/08/2012