Queens Park Rangers fans will be hoping for better fortunes next year after back-to-back mid-table finishes under Ian Holloway.

With Steve McClaren now at the helm, things could be about to change at Loftus Road – but will it be for better or worse?

QPR could go one way or the other next season; a strong summer of transfer activity and they could be genuine promotion contenders but if they fail to strengthen, they could end up with another mid-table finish or perhaps even be fighting against relegation.

Although the Hoops have a decent core of their squad, McClaren will be hoping to add some more faces to bolster his options.

He has swooped to bring in Toni Leistner on a free transfer from FC Union Berlin and more are expected.

But here are four factors which might hold QPR back unless McClaren address them imminently.

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QPR were dealt a double blow this season when both Nedum Onuoha and Jack Robinson - two regular starters in defence - left when their contracts expired.

With reliable goalkeeper Alex Smithies also leaving this summer, will QPR be as solid at the back this season?

The Hoops replaced Holloway with McClaren but will this switch pay off or backfire?

McClaren hasn't had the best of success in his last few jobs but he is an experienced and respected manager at this level so he could get them moving up the league table.

Due to Financial Fair Play regulations, QPR are not able to spend big money, unlike promotion rivals Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and others.

The R's will have to be more shrewd in the transfer market, reinvesting the money from the Smithies sale and relying on loans and free transfers.

After Matt Smith netted 11, Idrissa Sylla grabbed seven and Conor Washington only managed six strikes last term, McClaren will have one main question on his mind: where are the goals coming from this season?

Most promotion winning teams have a striker who grabs at least 15 goals a season and QPR will need to address this issue as soon as possible - perhaps Jordan Hugill of West Ham United could be the answer.