Meet the opposition | Queens Park Rangers
As Swansea City prepare to take on Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day, we take a closer look at the Rs.
What’s their story?
Having been part of the Premier League's inaugural season, Gerry Francis would lead the club to their highest-ever finish in the restructured top-flight in 1992-93 as they claimed fifth place, with former Swans goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts among that squad.
However, the Rs finished second in the old First Division in 1976, missing out on the title to Liverpool by a solitary point.
The Hoops suffered relegation in 1995-96 and have had two short stints in the top-flight since.
Their most recent Premier League stint came in 2014-15, but poor form saw them drop straight back into the second tier after finishing bottom of the league.
They won the Championship title in 2010-11, and were promoted via the play-offs in 2014, whilst their only major silverware came when they won the League Cup in 1967.
How’s their form?
The Rs have gone winless in seven games following their meeting with Wycombe last weekend, losing four and drawing three.
There have been just four victories for them to cheer so far this term, and they find themselves a lot further down the Championship table than they would like to be.
Three of those four wins have come on home turf.
Who’s the boss?
Mark Warburton. Mark Warburton. The former Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Rangers boss turned the Rs into the Championship’s great entertainers last season.
The former currency trader and semi-pro defender worked for the likes of Bank of America, IBJ, AIG, the Royal Bank of Scotland before electing to pursue his passion for football and coaching.
He got his first big break with Watford, becoming academy manager, and not long after he joined Brentford in February 2011 as a first-team coach before taking on the job of sporting director.
He eventually took over as manager of the Bees in 2013 and guided the team from League One to the Championship, winning numerous plaudits for an attractive style of play with a squad including current Swan Jake Bidwell.
Warburton went on to manager Glasgow Rangers, working with Barrie McKay during his time there, winning the Scottish Championship and Scottish Challenge Cup in 2015-16.
After leaving Ibrox in February 2017 he joined Nottingham Forrest in March 2017, but departed in December 2017.
He returned to management with the Hoops in the summer of 2019.
Who’s the captain?
Geoff Cameron. The 35-year-old United States international is an accomplished and experienced figure and brings real leadership to a predominantly young squad.
Having started his career in his homeland with the Rhode Island Stingrays and the Houston Dynamo, Cameron made the move to English football with Stoke City in 2012.
He went on to become an important figure for the Potters over a seven-year period, impressing with his versatility allowing him to play across the defence or in midfield.
He had a spell on loan at QPR during the 2018-19 season, and that was made permanent at the start of last term.
Who are the key men?
Burgeoning talent Ilias Chair has shown glimpses of his undoubted ability in recent seasons, and the forward has five goals and an assist to his name so far this season.
Those tallies are matched by Scotland international Lyndon Dykes while, despite the summer departure of Eberechi Eze, they have retained the exciting talent of Bright Osayi-Samuel.
Cameron and Yoann Barbet provide experience at the back, while former Swansea midfielder Tom Carroll is among the ranks at the west London club.
