As another eventful EFL Championship campaign draws to a close, fans of all clubs can begin to reflect on the wild successes, hiccups or downright failures of their seasons.
For QPR fans, another mid-table finish looms, but compared to previous seasons, this actually comes as a positive and a relief.
The 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons were particularly dark days for the club, with the majority of each spent fighting tooth and nail to avoid the drop down to League One.
There was also uncertainty for how this season would go following the departure of former head coach Marti Cifuentes at the end of the last.
However, currently sat at 58 points with one game to go, this is the highest tally that the R’s have achieved in the last four seasons.
For many fans, this new era under Julien Stephan marks a turning point. But, having only won six games in 2026, and losing the last three, questions surrounding his reign and the direction of the club have begun to surface.
Nevertheless, there is still plenty to celebrate this season.
Nicolas Madsen has undoubtedly been the brightest star this campaign, and a beacon of light among any criticism.
Having made 37 appearances this season, including three goals and six assists, this is a stark improvement to his debut season at QPR.
The 26-year-old midfielder was signed in the summer of 2024, but didn’t have the strongest first season at Loftus Road, struggling to gain the fans’ approval and periodically dropping out of first team favour.
However, this season has displayed a complete turnaround in confidence, and he has delivered inspired performances through the middle, proving himself to be an essential starter.
From being homeless in Ivory Coast at age 16 to playing in the Championship at 22, Richard Kone’s story is one of strength and resilience, and his debut season at QPR is yet another chapter of success to add.
‘King Kone’, as he’s been dubbed by fans, was signed from Wycombe Wanderers at the start of the campaign for £2.75m, and has been worth every penny.
He has become a reliable starter with 44 appearances, and a strong goalscoring threat for Rangers, with eleven goals in all competitions this season.
Despite suffering a hamstring injury in January that kept him out of action for three months, Rumarn Burrell managed to impress at QPR, with 13 G/A in only 26 games.
The Jamaican International was signed from Burton Albion after helping keep them in League One during 2024/25 with eleven goals, and has maintained these high standards since joining.
Rumours are already circulating of Sunderland and Bournemouth keeping an eye on the striker, but for now Rangers fans will just hope he can get back to full match fitness.
There were a number of impressive QPR goals this season, but Harvey Vale’s stunner volley against Wrexham at Loftus Road in January was a cut above the rest.
Just when it had looked like the opportunity had gotten away when Karamoko Dembele’s shot was palmed away by Arthur Okonkwo, a dodgy clearance let the ball back into Vale’s possession, who with only one touch drove the ball straight into the back of the net with an unbelievable strike.
This season solidified a return in form for QPR to the comfort of mid-table mediocrity, after a few years of flirting with relegation. For some fans, this is a sign of progress that will only continue, but others are skeptical of what the future holds.
First of all, the main target this summer transfer window must be a new goalkeeper. Paul Nardi found himself ousted from the starting XI for the majority of this campaign, and has been tipped since January to be wanting to leave the club when his contract expires this June.
Joe Walsh has been between the sticks in his place for the most part, and short-term signing Ben Hamer made a few appearances too, but it’s clear that a new first choice keeper should be sought out now to provide depth and competition for Walsh.
There has also been some debate online over whether Julien Stephan should remain at the helm, a question which always arises following a string of sub-par form.
There have been multiple occasions of criticising his match management, where some aren’t hopeful of any meaningful progression under him.
This pessimism, however, is only to be expected as QPR prepare to enter their tenth consecutive season in the Championship.
The fans crave something to celebrate as they reminisce on the glory days. But the squad is strong and the atmosphere at the club is the best it’s been in years, so we can only wait and see if there will be a silver lining.
