Francis inspires QPR

QPR had more to celebrate under Gerry Francis

Gerry Francis' magic touch with QPR seems to be in full working order as he guided an ordinary-looking team to 10th place in Division One.

Rangers were nearly always in the top half of the table but never looked like putting a really strong play-off run together and also kept well clear of danger.

Captain Gavin Peacock started the season with a bang, scoring in four of the first five games, although Rangers did lose at home to Cardiff to go out of the Worthington Cup.

Peacock went on to play his usual effective role in midfield, but the real star alongside him was Stuart Wardley, who made a huge impact after moving from non-league football.

Wardley would have been happy to have made the first team on a regular basis, but he had already contributed 11 goals by the turn of the year. He only managed two more, but his scoring was a vital boost for the Hoops.

Stewart Wardley impressed after signing from non-League

Goals were needed from midfield as Steve Slade was suffering from long-term injury and strike partner Kevin Gallen never really got a run going in between injuries, and ended up having started only seven games, but made 21 appearances as sub.

Rob Steiner, who cost Rangers £215,000 from Bradford in the summer, was not effective up front, but Chris Kiwomya had his best season for a long time and was leading scorer in the league with 12.

Rangers' play-off hopes were really sunk by a dreadful run early in the New Year of three straight losses followed by six draws.

The highlight was undoubtedly doing the double over Ipswich, including a stunning 4-1 win at Portman Road in October.

Rangers also stunned Man City and Blackburn away as they turned in some unexpectedly impressive form on their travels after a number of lean seasons on the road.