Dilly ding, dilly dong, the bell tolls for a number of QPR players after a campaign that was way short of brilliant but not disastrous.
Clint Hill, Rob Green, Alejandro Faurlin and Armand Traore are the notable names that will leave the club this summer as coach Hasselbaink plans for next season.
The Dutchman’s maiden season was long and arduous. Certainly not one for the fair weather fan however Rangers crucially maintained their Championship status and dreams of returning to the Premier League which is of the utmost importance.
Little more could have been expected with the players at the former Chelsea striker’s disposal and the loss of Charlie Austin in January.
This is the latest clear-out at Loftus Road as Hasselbaink plans to find new heroes for the fans to shout about as he continues to mould the team into credible promotion contenders.
"There is no disguising we have had some very difficult decisions to make,” he said.
“What was absolutely vital though, when I was speaking to all of the players, was that I was 100 per-cent honest with them. They needed to know where they stand, and my views. Clint and Ale are QPR stalwarts who have given outstanding effort and commitment to the club, but now is the time to try to make new heroes for the supporters,” added the Hoops’ boss.
“If Clint was a few years younger and could play 46 games in the Championship, it would have been a no brainer to keep him. The reality is we do not know how many games he would be able to play next season.
“For me, the next centre-half I bring to the club has to be able to play 46 games. I am not in a position to sign a player who we know is not going to be able to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday.
“It is a pity because Clint is a competitor and I know he is QPR through and through. We wish him every success, and I am absolutely sure the fans will see him back at this club one day as a coach.”
Hill, aka Mr QPR, arrived at the club in 2010 from neighbours Crystal Palace to little fanfare. Today, he can hardly walk down Uxbridge Road without being showered with love.
It is the end of an era with Hill, Green and Faurlin on their way out after helping take the Hoops to the promised land. These are different times now and the club is clearly in a period of transition in South Africa Road.
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
