The appointment of Marti Cifuentes resurrected Queens Park Rangers’ Championship campaign that began with them conceding after only 20 seconds on the opening day of the season. 

Before Cifuentes’ appointment as manager, Gary Ainsworth oversaw six straight league defeats and a first round Carabao Cup exit. 

The writing was on the wall for Ainsworth when the Rs were battered 4-0 at home to Blackburn Rovers in a humiliating defeat in early October.  

Ainsworth received particular criticism for playing left-footed left-back Ziyad Larkeche at right-back on his debut. 

With the appointment of Cifuentes, the mood around Loftus Road changed as QPR went on to secure safety in the penultimate game of the season. 

In his tenure so far, Cifuentes has achieved the best points per game tally since Neil Warnock’s promotion-achieving side in 2012. 

Over the last 19 games of the season, QPR lost only four times and picked up more points than eventual champions Leicester City. 

The R’s saw their defence massively improve with Steve Cook and James Clarke-Salter being stand-out performers and the transition of Jimmy Dunne to right back regarded by many as a genius move by Cifuentes. 

QPR recorded many memorable moments this season such as the 4-0 thrashing of promotion-chasing Leeds United which capped off a season in which Cifuentes restored joy to the QPR faithful. 

Player of the Season – Jake Clarke-Salter 

An injury-free season has allowed the ex-Chelsea man to showcase his calm and poise at the heart of QPR’s defence, with his resurgence in the side leading to only four of the last 19 games in the league. 

On his day one of the best centre-backs in the Championship, Clarke-Salter is tipped for a premier league move after his successful campaign. 

Goal of the Season – Jimmy Dunne 

Jimmy Dunne’s 92nd-minute volley with his weaker foot against relegation rivals Birmingham to march closer to safety was not only technically special but befitting of the occasion too. 

Dunne’s strike sent QPR fans into raptures as their dreams of survival became reality at the end of March. 

 Highlight 

QPR’s 4-0 thrashing of Leeds at Loftus Road which sealed survival and gave Leicester promotion was the highlight fixture of this season. 

The R's unexpected victory and best performance this season was matched by an electric Loftus Road who played the role of the twelfth man with pride. 

Lowlight 

Losing on the opening day to Watford 4-0 a week after losing to Oxford United 5-0 in a pre-season friendly left the Rs with little hope. 

If Watford had not taken the gas off in the second half, the scoreline could have been more akin to a cricket score as the Rs conceded after just 20 seconds at Vicarage Road through a Tom Dele-Bashiru strike. 

Best Signing – Steve Cook 

The only right answer here is Steve Cook who proved himself to be a defensive stalwart as 12 of 13 clean sheets and 13 of the 14 wins QPR achieved were with Cook present. 

Cook also made vital contributions scoring the equaliser against relegation rivals Birmingham and the winner against Swansea in back-to-back games. 

Summer to-do list 

If QPR are to push ahead and aim for a top half finish next season, the biggest priority must be to replace Lyndon Dykes up front as the striker struggled for goals this season with seven in 42 games. 

The R's should also focus on bringing in a new keeper to replace Asmir Begovic with someone more suited to the Cifuentes possession dominant system. QPR also have a 20% sell on fee for Eberechi Eze, so his potential involvement in a big money move could significantly change the trajectory of QPR’s summer.