Clint hill: Qpr were spineless

CLINT HILL: QPR WERE SPINELESS


Clint Hill knows that QPR can only blame themselves DAILY STAR SUNDAY

I think it would be easier to accept relegation if we had gone down fighting and every one of us had given everything we had.



QPR defender Clint Hill


12th May 2013


By Carl Eldridge



WOUNDED Clint Hill has unleashed a stinging verbal volley at his gutless QPR team-mates and labelled the London club’s relegation “scandalous”.




Central defender Hill hit out after the Hoops failed to beat the drop, despite huge investment on big-name players such as Chris Samba and Loic Remy by moneybags owner Tony Fernandes.




And honest Hill, 34, has taken his share of the blame for a massively disappointing campaign.




He said: “The honest truth is that we as players have let a lot of people down, from the chairman and owners to the fans.





“It’s scandalous that, with the team we have here and the amount of money the club has invested, we’ve gone out and repaid them by putting in embarrassing performances for large parts of the season and now find ourselves relegated.




“I think it would be easier to accept relegation if we had gone down fighting and every one of us had given everything we had.




“But for whatever reason, as a team of individuals we have not performed to the standards required to stay in the Premier League.”




Hill, a free transfer from Crystal Palace three years ago, says QPR face a battle to bounce straight back.




He added: “Now we find ourselves having to fight our way out of the Championship – one of the hardest and most competitive leagues in the world.”




Meanwhile, QPR’s opponents Newcastle are also having to face up to some home truths, with ex-star David Ginola blasting their current crop of French flops.





Toon hero Ginola believes the Gallic imports have failed to grasp how crucial it is for Alan Pardew’s side to stay in the top flight.




The Magpies are just three points ahead of 18th-placed Wigan.




Pardew recruited five players from Ligue 1 in January – but the French contingent have failed to pull the club up the table.




And Ginola, 46, who spent two seasons at St James’ Park, reckons some of his compatriots don’t seem to be affected by the Geordies’ plight.




He said: “The fact is there are eleven French players in the squad and it hasn’t proved to be a good thing for the club. After a few weeks it wasn’t good enough and it still isn’t now.




“Playing in Europe and in a relegation fight are different things.





“You need the right players for the task.





“The players are thinking, ‘If the club is relegated then we’ll leave in the summer’.”




Now Ginola wants Pardew to rally his troops for a final push to retain top-flight status.




He added: “Hopefully they’ll find something because Newcastle United and the fans need to stay in the Premier League.”

 

Clint makes a good point. You need to fight your way out of the championship. Massive overhaul needed of squad so.

 

Harry's no mug, he's known this all along. I expect a completely remodelled team by the start of next season. Hopefully full of players who want it as much as the supporters...

 

The Wigan team, including its free transfer heroes, showed yesterday what can be done if players want something enough. Players' contractual rights notwithstanding, I hope Harry is successful in offloading the football gigolos over the pre-season season.

 

Well said. I can't seem to remember ever being so proud of another team than my own when Wigan defied the odds yesterday.

 

You have got to give Wigan credit

 

Man for man, we were better than Wigan the other week - even 10 v 11.

Difference is, they're a TEAM with players that give their all. Our lot are too ready to lay down and call it that.