Fernandes defends QPR spending

Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has strongly defended the club's spending last month.

Last Updated: 03/02/13 at 10:10 Post Comment    Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Relegation 12/13 Relegation: QPR 1/50

Tony Fernandes: Defends the club's transfer window spending

Tony Fernandes: Defends the club's transfer window spending

Queens Park Rangers chairman Tony Fernandes has strongly defended the club's spending in the January transfer window, despite admitting to taking a gamble.

The Hoops brought in Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas and Andros Townsend, South Korean Yun Suk-Young, as well as Christopher Samba from Anzhi Makhachkala, in what was a frantic finish to the club's January dealings last week.

Along with the earlier signing of Loic Remy from Marseille, Fernandes broke QPR's transfer record twice during the window and has come under scrutiny for his reckless spending.

The Malaysian entrepreneur is confident the league strugglers will not face a financial meltdown as a result. Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "If you analyse it we haven't spent that much money on transfers and as for our wage bill, when I look at other clubs when they put their results out then ours is not too bad and there is now value in the squad. I don't think there is any recklessness there.

"No one can guarantee anything in football, but you try to minimise the risk as much as possible and that's where the expertise of the management comes in and they say 'this is what we need to survive' and you look at it and if it makes sense then the board and myself support it.

"Anyone who says we are gambling then, of course, we are. There are no debts like at other clubs. We've put in a lot of money and it's no different from setting up a car business or an airline.

"But it takes time. QPR were an underinvested club. Simple as that. I'm not in it for one year, I'm investing for the future. I'm investing to build a stadium, to build a training academy, to build a proper business.

"Of course when you buy a small club you are going to incur some losses at the beginning.

"We, QPR, have to move out of the small club syndrome and for constant security have to build a bigger stadium, a better infrastructure. So far it hasn't worked but we won't be the first club for whom everything hasn't gone exactly to plan."

The Hoops currently lie bottom in the Premier League with their £20.5m spending over January an attempt to avoid relegation.

Looking ahead, Fernandes added: "We inherited a squad where every single player who has left is no longer playing in the Premier League, doesn't that say something? We have replaced and replenished the squad at a very low cost because most of them were free transfers. This is the first window that we have spent big money.

"It's not always about money. QPR are the bottom club and you don't come to the bottom club for the dollar sign. And I'm not going to get players for the dollar signs."


Click here for completely free £10 bet with Sky Bet & £5 free every week


Bet with SkyBet  Premier League Relegation 12/13 Relegation: QPR 1/50

Related News

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

Most Commented

Readers' Comments

I

thought you were describing Bart Simpson there from the episode where he sold his soul to Milhouse. I wonder do automatic doors work for Michael Owen.

sulman
The Evaporation Of Michael Owen

R

afa Benitez has won more trophies (10) over the past 11 years than the rest of the current managers in the EPL combined, except for Alex Ferguson.

angry bird
Chelsea duo salute Benitez

T

he day Tonys hat goes missing for some bantz will be different story altogether..

TheBrestEver
Stoke probe 'banter gone wild'

Footer 365

Jack Wilshere wants to captain Arsenal and England

Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere has revealed his long-term ambition is to captain both his club and country.

Lampard: Mourinho is the best

Frank Lampard has hailed former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho as "the best" ahead of an expected return to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Ferguson wins LMA Manager gong

Sir Alex Ferguson has been named the LMA's Premier League Manager of the Year, with Malky Mackay, Gary Johnson and Martin Allen also rewarded.

Mail Box

What Would United Be Like In The Pub?

The Premier League season has only been over for about 20 hours and already we're well into the summer-type Mailbox. Plus, a shout for the 2014 player of the year...

Arsenal Should Be Praised For Finishing Fourth

Arsenal fans are largely positive after their top four finish, whilst one wag suggest buying Bale from their rivals. We also have an interesting final mail. Enjoy...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved