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So, QPR were spiraling down the Championship drain, a right mess under Gareth Ainsworth, who was sacked in October 2023 after leaving the team in the relegation zone. Enter Martí Cifuentes, a Catalan tactician fresh from Hammarby IF, who took the reins and sparked a turnaround. Under his guidance, the R's climbed out of the mire, finishing 18th, but if the season had started when he arrived, they'd have been comfortably mid-table.
Cifuentes didn't just stop the rot; he transformed the team's style from Ainsworth's defensive drudgery to a possession-based, attacking approach. Players like Ilias Chair and Chris Willock thrived, and the fans started to believe again. Despite interest from other clubs, Cifuentes reaffirmed his commitment to QPR, focusing on building a young, hungry squad for the future.
In the 2024/25 season, QPR's form has been steady, hovering around mid-table with a record of 11 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses. The team has shown resilience, and while they're not setting the league alight, they're a far cry from the relegation fodder they were before Cifuentes' arrival.
So, from the brink of disaster to a team with a plan and a purpose, QPR's managerial merry-go-round seems to have finally found its steady horse in Martí Cifuentes.
Thought I would have some fun with ChatGPT and inputted the following prompt: "Summarize the Queens Park Rangers manager situation in the style of William Shakespeare". Here is the result:
A Tale of Loftus Road: The Managerial Tempest of QPR
Act I: The Fall of Ainsworth
In days of yore, when autumn leaves did fall, Sir Gareth Ainsworth held the Rangers' call. But fortune frowned; six losses sealed his fate, And thus he left, the club in dire state.
Act II: The Rise of Cifuentes
From Catalonia came a noble knight, Martí Cifuentes, bringing hope and light. He tamed the storm, the team's descent he stayed, With victories and style, his plans well laid.
Act III: The Sudden Leave
Yet whispers grew of offers from afar, And soon the club did place him on a bar. On gardening leave, his duties put aside, While Calm and Betsy took the final ride.
Epilogue: The Uncertain Future
Now QPR stands at a crossroads grim, Their path ahead obscured, the light grown dim. Who next shall lead? What fate awaits this team? Only time shall tell if they reclaim the dream.
For what it is worth, I often use AI detection software in my profession. I ran the OP through GPTZero and the result came back as "moderately confident this text was AI generated."
Sorry if this was already posted but just watched Dark Winds. Police thriller set in the Navajo Nation based on Tony Hillerman's novels. Largely Indigenous cast, shot in Northern Arizona/New Mexico. Enjoyed.
Used to go to LA Galaxy games back in the early years. The old Galaxy - Chivas USA matches were really good. Amazing atmosphere. Got turned off a bit when Becks came in and changed the team colors and tried to rebrand the team. Was hilarious when the LA fan came onto the pitch and challenged him.
I really got turned off by the team when they brought in "Chicharito" Hernandez to be the main striker and team leader. The USA-Mexico rivalry is intense (I have some Mexican ancestry but detest that team) and to bring in a leader from a rival like that was a step too far for me.
I've contemplated a separate thread on that topic, but just to throw this out there, is there a player from a rival country or team that you dislike so much that if QPR brought them on, you'd wind up taking a break from supporting the team?
Stendahl Syndrome - I was searching for the phrase to describe what I was feeling. Thank you for framing it. Brilliant report. What a buzz that game was and fun to relive it.
The "perfect storm" phrase is getting used. We've had .2 inches of rain this season. Essentially, no rain for about half a year. The place is a tinder box.
The winds were incredible, gusts 60 - 90 mph. Once the fire started I'm not sure there was a way it could be controlled.
However, investigations into mismanagement and arson are starting. Reportedly the fire teams were trying to use hydrants that had no water pressure and a reservoir was "offline" and couldn't be used. LAs mayor is looking at a recall. Phone and electric lines managed by utilities are also going to be scrutinized. I wouldn't be surprised if some sicko kicked off at least some of the fires and that is being investigated.
I'm not going to dive into climate change, but if a little Los Angeles history helps, the first nations people in this area, the Kizh, practiced controlled fires over 500 years ago to stimulate plant growth and control fuel sources for potential natural fires. The first Spanish explorers here noted the smoke from local fires. The upshot is that fires, and trying to control them, have always been part of life in the region.
Yes, sort of like L Block mentioned, drought, wildfire and winds are a phenomenon in the state that probably need more attention when it comes to planning. I reckon we might see more guidelines and requirements for fire-resistant materials and landscaping by insurance companies and layers of government.
I live about eight miles from the Eaton Fire here in LA County. I mostly am using this post to send a shout to QPR in LA. QPR LA, feel free to send me a message if you want to maybe get together for a game. I've been looking for some R's to potentially connect with out here.
I grew up in LA so that I am an R's fan probably says something about my judgement and the questionable decisions I make in my life, but I actually agree with the posters who are criticizing over-coverage by the BBC. We realize there are more important things going on in the world. I think Brian nailed it with the comment on easy access to content. Throw in something like Paris Hilton and iconic landmarks and such. However, the BBC generally seems fixated on the US. The joke that is sort of true is that some folks in the UK know more about US history and politics than we do and I am always somewhat astounded by how much coverage US news receives over there.
Fires in the foothills, particularly during Santa Anas, are a way of life here in LA with our unique urban geography. But this one really is unusual and historic. i was actually scheduled to have heart surgery in Pasadena on Wednesday morning and got a call Tuesday night telling me the procedure was cancelled as my surgeon had to evacuate his home. But it's not just the wealthy who are being affected by this. A number of people I know are now homeless and they are just part of the thousands. A couple of friends of mine voluntarily left their home, just taking a few things and thinking they just wanted to stay out of the smoke. They learned last night their home is gone and all they have now are the few things they brought in their car. The foothill neighborhoods with the classic bungalow architecture and leafy streets have been wiped away. It is still settling in, but yes, that doesn't need constant updates on the Beeb.
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