QPR vs Leicester: Harry Redknapp must buy defenders if he wants to avoid relegation
QPR 3 Leicester 2
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Your support makes all the difference.The transfer window reopens in just over a month and QPR manager Harry Redknapp simply must invest in some new defenders if the club are to stay in the Premier League.
While they somehow secured a thrilling victory over relegation rivals Leicester to climb off the bottom, the frailties at the back were clear to see throughout.
There were some mitigating circumstances. Veteran defender Richard Dunne, who has been inspired in recent weeks, was serving a one-game ban for picking up five yellow cards.
Without the Irishman organising things, Rangers looked like they would concede every time Leicester went forward.
It should be pointed out that this was a Leicester side that had gone 503 minutes without scoring, until Esteban Cambiasso put the visitors in front inside four minutes. They had also picked up just two points from their last seven matches since beating Manchester United.
The sight of Rio Ferdinand on the bench, despite returning from a three-game ban, also confirms just how far the mighty former Manchester United and England defender has fallen.
For centre halves Steven Caulker and Nedum Onuoha were all over the place, although they didn't have much protection in front of them.
QPR have already targeted Chelsea's talented youngster Tomas Kalas and Porto's experienced defender Rolando for the new year.
But whoever they manage to get, fresh blood is clearly required. A damning statistic of two clean sheets from 14 games this term says it all.
READ MORE: QPR 3 Leicester 2 - match report
The fact they managed to secure the three points was due to a combination of great spirit, an equally poor Leicester back-line and a lot of luck.
Jamie Vardy missed a host of chances for Nigel Pearson's men and was also unfortunate to see one second half header come back off the bar.
However, credit has to go to how the Rangers players responded to adversity time and time again.
They grafted for much of the first half to get level and were finally rewarded when Caulker crossed for Wes Morgan to put the ball into his own net.
Just before the break, Leroy Fer scored his first goal for the club following an £8m summer switch from Norwich to put the hosts in front.
All the momentum appeared to go back in Leicester's favour when Jeffrey Schlupp struck a fierce equaliser from outside the box.
But Rangers somehow rallied again, top scorer Charlie Austin heading in from close range for his seventh League goal of the campaign.
The victory means Rangers have acquired 11 points, all of which have been significantly secured at home.
However better teams than Leicester, who replaced them at the foot of the division, will punish their defensive weaknesses much more ruthlessly.
It's true they won this battle, but if they want to win the war come May they desperately need some reinforcements to arrive at the start of 2015.
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