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Premier League
Oct 19, 2014 at 1.30pm UK
 
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Live Coverage: Harry Redknapp's weekly Queens Park Rangers press conference

Sports Mole brings you live coverage of Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp's press conference ahead of his team's match against Liverpool.
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Harry Redknapp has dismissed concerns that he is under pressure at Queens Park Rangers, insisting that he has the backing of the club's chairman.

The team sit at the bottom of the Premier League table with just one win this season ahead of the visit of Liverpool this weekend.

The manager also revealed that he will be without a number of players for Sunday's match through injury.

Read what else Redknapp discussed in his pre-match press conference below:


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Good morning! After a two-week break, the Premier League resumes this weekend, with bottom side Queens Park Rangers hosting Liverpool on Sunday. QPR manager Harry Redknapp will be holding his press conference in just over 10 minutes.

The team suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of West Ham United last time out, but were hoping that several players would be ready to return from injury following the international break. With that in mind, Redkanpp will surely be hoping to name a stronger side for this match.

After a difficult start to the season, there's a tricky run of fixtures coming up for QPR over the next four weeks. After this match, Redknapp's side host high-flying Aston Villa, before travelling to league leaders Chelsea before another home match against champions Manchester City before next month's internationals.

There has been some speculation in recent weeks that the club have started lining up replacements for Redknapp if the team's results do not start to improve. Redknapp could face question on those rumours this morning, with the likes of Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood being linked with the role.

Among the players Redknapp is likely to provide injury updates on will be Joey Barton and Jordan Mutch, who both missed the last outing with hamstring injuries, but could be in line for a return this time. Niko Kranjcar was managing a knock before the international break, but a couple of weeks off should have boosted his fitness.

Don't forget, you'll be able to follow live coverage from this, and every other Premier League match taking place this weekend, from an hour before kickoff with Sports Mole. We'll also have team news ahead of kickoff, as well as post-match reaction, analysis and player ratings.

Right then, Redknapp has just arrived, so let's see what he has to say...

Redknapp starts by discussing player availability. He tells reporters: "We had a few players away. The Chilean lads are back today. [Leroy] Fer was here earlier in the week. Mutch is struggling with a hamstring, he's out for a couple more weeks."

When asked if he feels under pressure, the manager responds: "I'm not feeling under pressure, I'm just looking forward to the game on Sunday against a big club. We've played seven games. ~We should have got more points in the home games, but there's no pressure. This season was never going to be easy, but no-one is moping around feeling sorry for themselves.

Redknapp adds that he trusts the club's chairman to give him time: " There's still so much time left this season, there's still so many games to play. I'm confident we'll be fine. I trust the chairman, he's a good man and we get on well. I was up at 4am this morning. I love this job and football management. I've got a great desire for the job still."

When asked about this week's opponents, Redknapp says: "Liverpool are a fine side, they lost the fourth best player in the world in Suarez, but they'll be pushing for top four [in the Premier League table]. Liverpool, like ourselves, are a work in progress. Brendan [Rodgers] had to make changes this season but they've a great squad still."

Redknapp turns his focus back to his squad, and reveals that a couple of his players are still carrying injuries: "We've got one or two out. Joey Barton is still out with a hamstring. Niko [Kranjcar] has a broken toe, but he might be ok. [Eduardo] Vargas and [Mauricio] Isla will be assessed after their international games with Chile, but I'm sure they'll be ok."

Redknapp admits that that his side need to start picking up more points at home: "Our home form will be massively important for sure, but we've got to improve away from home as well." QPR have picked up four points from their first three matches at Loftus Road this season.

Defender Rio Ferdinand has been in the news this week after getting in trouble for sending a tweet. When asked about the incident, Redknapp admits: "It's not that I don't like Twitter, I don't know what it is. A Few of them here are big on it, but they should be concentrating on their football."

Redknapp again insists that there are no problems between him and chairman Tony Fernandes: "I talk to Tony every day, I'm having dinner with him tonight. I'm doing my best and he knows that. It was never going to be easy this season. There's been a big upheaval, the lads haven't hit the ground running. We've struggled to get all the new players up to speed. Jordan Mutch and Sandro have struggled fitness-wise. Our players haven't been fit, but I've still got every confidence in the squad here."

Redknapp finishes by praising the club's fans for sticking by them: "The QPR fans are as good as gold. They always give their full backing to me and the team. They're good fans."

That's all from Redknapp this week. Despite suggestions that he is under pressure, the manager seems upbeat and positive ahead of the visit of Liverpool. That's all from this press conference, but join us again later when Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers will be talking to the media, and come back on Sunday to find out if QPR can pick up their second win of the campaign. Thanks for joining me this morning. Goodbye.

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Harry Redknapp, manager of QPR looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City at Loftus Road on September 20, 2014
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