How Sparky will get physical to keep QPR up

By Robbie Savage

Published 20:58 12/01/12

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Mark Hughes has started work at Loftus Road... and I bet the QPR boys are knackered.

When he was my boss at Blackburn and Wales, Sparky was responsible for the most intensive training I've ever done.

It was hard but enjoyable, with plenty of 4-versus-4 work and every player rigged up to a heart monitor to guarantee nobody slacked off.

If you don't train well under Mark, you don't play. Simple as that.

He won't stand for players who take short-cuts through training, in case they take shortcuts in a game.

I do feel sorry for his predecessor Neil Warnock, though.

It would have been fascinating to see how he spent Tony Fernandes' money in the transfer window and we Marmite men have got to stick together.

But watching Sparky in the market will be fascinating, too.

The big spending towards the end of his era at Manchester City distracted from his ability to pick up a bargain.

At Blackburn, Chris Samba, Craig Bellamy, Roque Santa Cruz and Benni McCarthy were all relatively cheap signings who repaid their fees over and over again.

Though he's being linked with big names at big prices, I think there will be a couple of lower-cost surprises too... and they will keep QPR up.

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Don't quite agree with Aaron Ramsey that Wales players should all get a say into who becomes our next manager.

Yes, it's an own goal that the Welsh FA haven't had a quiet word with Aaron, as he's the captain.

But in 18 years of professional football I was never consulted about who I'd want as manager, and I don't think bosses should be picked by committee.

I'd have loved to see a Ryan Giggs or John Hartson brought in as a wild-card choice, because when we've gone for established managers such as Bobby Gould or John Toshack in the past, it hasn't worked out.

But Chris Coleman, a knowledgeable man and a great bloke, would be a good choice.

And he's been gifted a wonderful legacy by the much-missed Gary Speed.

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