When you're a QPR supporter and you reach the end of a season that has avoided a relegation battle and kept you in the same division, it's almost a dream. When that season includes the debut of a clutch of young and talented players who seem hungry for success, then dreams become fantasies.
How fitting that just days after the season ended the QPR hierarchy decided to toss Ollie out the window. This wasn't a mutually agreed cliche, it was a clinical defenestration designed to allow a new manager to be appointed well ahead of the summer break. Queue media speculation and the arrival of a second hand McLaren. We might not have a budget, but at least we have a manager. Hope runs a good race; maybe Stevie will be a wonder and not a Wally with a Brolly come the turn of the year.
Goal of the year is always an odd voting exercise. THAT Tricky Trev strike against Barnsley or the Ainsworth pints of wallop against Rushden and Diamonds. Worthy winners each of them. Then there was Adel in our promotion year banging in goals from all parts of the ground for fun, including some belters from outside the box into the top corner on several Occasion. For me, the GOTY has to be special, something that really stands out and sticks in your mind. Josh Scowen's goal against Barnsley was good but arguably one spectacular strike in a season is not unusual for a midfielder. My GOTY was Paul Smyth against Sheffield Wednesday. In that game, Smyth was involved in pretty much everything that was good and his goal was absolutely stunning. He kept himself free in the box and was first to react to a weak punch from the keeper. Trap on the left to volley on the outside right into the bottom left corner with 2 Wednesday players looking to close him down. Awesome technique and composure from a lad of 19. At least he's won the Young Player of the Year award but I expect to hear more from him next season.
The footballing world's focus is now on the World Cup, but in the meantime I'm hoping that Stevie has figured out who the ageing veterans that we can afford on free transfer are that can guide an emerging team of high quality youngsters into a Championship force. Of course, it could all go horribly wrong by Christmas and we'll be back looking for another manager will to get on the QPR House of Horrors ride. I'm hoping not.
