Q.P.Huh?

Warnock out, Hughes in... trigger-happy, or clever foresight?

On Sunday, Neil Warnock was unexpectedly dismissed from his post as QPR manager. Millions wept. A silence of despair hanged over Loftus Road. A nation poured its heart out towards the beloved, fallen hero. Things will simply never be the same again.

In truth, the firing of Warnock suggests a puzzling indictment upon Malaysian moneyman Tony Fernandes as a chairman. Indeed, the induction to the Premier League for Rangers was always going to be bumpier than a lift from Mel Gibson, but viewing the situation with a general perspective it seemed they were doing OK. Avoiding relegation was the priority of this season and currently they sit just above the drop zone. If QPR were to end the campaign in 17^th, it would have to be regarded as a success (albeit a muted one).

But if you look beyond that point, this decision starts to make a lot of sense in a few different ways. The main and most face-bashingly obvious point to make is that QPR’s form has been atrocious in recent weeks, with eight winless games culminating into a disappointing and yet fortuitous draw against League One MK Dons. You could argue that MK Dons aside, QPR’s recent fixtures have been tough, but relegation candidates need to keep picking up points whether it be from likely places or not. QPR just seem to be devoid of the spirit that carries a victory in this current stretch of form.

Another benefit of this decision is its timing. With Warnock sacked early on in January, grouchy Welshman Mark Hughes now has the advantage of being able to utilise the transfer markets at a more sedate pace. It allows him to analyse the team and work out where changes need to be made as opposed to handing out contracts in a rush whilst his knees jerk everywhere. This sort of forward-planning not only helps Hughes to assess his squad, but also gives Fernandes a head-start in assessing Hughes. If QPR get relegated, Fernandes will have an extra stick with which to beat Mark Hughes, as the manager had a whole transfer window to make changes.

Fernandes also gets brownie points for having a replacement brought in so quickly. There’s nothing worse for a downbeat side than the eternal buzz of backroom whispers, seeping uncertainty into the dressing room. Having a manager implemented with such efficiency prevents that inevitable rocky period as one of the assistants takes over for a couple of games, employs the same tactics as the dismissed manager and realises he isn’t under any pressure to win games. Instead, Hughes can immediately begin preparing for the next fixture, and what would have been a potential big dip in form is ironed out.

It feels cold-hearted to say, but Fernandes may have actually made a very good decision in sacking Warnock. The change of direction from a downturn in form, compounded with a plethora of new and exciting signings, can often save a side at this point in the season. For Portsmouth in 2006, employing Redknapp and allowing him a chunky transfer budget undoubtedly saved the team from relegation (and ironically, ultimately consigned the team to near-abyss).

You have to feel sorry for Warnock. OK, you don’t. You really don’t. But it’s a bum-deal when a manager has orchestrated a promotion but loses his job when things become a struggle the next level up. Often it is frustratingly pointless and unfair – Billy Davies’ sacking in 2007, for example. But in this case, I can see the argument. You may not agree with Fernandes’ decision, but he has pulled it off in the most intelligent way possible.