Queens Park Rangers were a busy club on Monday, announcing the signings of Fulham striker Andrew Johnson and Tottenham Hotspur defender Ryan Nelsen. The two players make moves that will keep them in London, but will seek more time on the pitch with a club that is looking to make a push after barely surviving its first season back in the Premier League after a 15-year absence.
The 31-year old Johnson played in 20 Barclays Premier League matches for Fulham last season, starting 13 of them and finishing the campaign with three goals and an assist for a club that finished ninth in the table. He also appeared in 13 Europa League games with eight goals and two assists to his credit. Johnson has also played for Birmingham, Crystal Palace and Everton during his career.
Nelsen, meanwhile, played sparingly for Spurs in 2011-12, appearing in just five Premier League games for Spurs after coming over from Blackburn Rovers. The New Zealand international did play in four games for Tottenham - a fourth-place finisher in the Premier League - during the club's run to the FA Cup semi-finals, scoring Spurs' first goal in a quarterfinal win over Bolton Wanderers.
QPR is looking to improve dramatically on a 2011-12 season that nearly saw them relegated in their first season back in the Premier League since the 1995-96 campaign. QPR finished 17th, avoiding relegation by a single point. The club's schedule of Premier League fixtures will do them no favors, as they'll be tested early by a one-month stretch that will see matches against reigning champion Manchester City (1 September), UEFA Champions League winner Chelsea (15 September) and Tottenham Hotspur (22 September). A one month stretch that includes fixtures with Liverpool (29 December), Chelsea (New Year's Day), Tottenham (12 January) and Man City (29 January) will also be a stern test, although a fixture with recently promoted West Ham on 19 January should provide a brief respite.
Queens Park Rangers open the 2012-13 Premier League season against Swansea City on 18 August at Loftus Road Stadium.
