Fulham turn the screw on Francis

Perhaps he manages a wry smile when he spots the upbeat banner plastered around Loftus Road by club sponsors Ericsson.

"Real fans, real football," it claims. Unfortunately it is a dubious allegation on both counts.

Francis's programme notes optimistically extended "a very warm welcome" to Fulham. The reality was not so much warmth as burning hatred.

It was a long time before the QPR faithful tired of hurling scatological abuse at the visitors. But towards the end of the match they turned their attention to the various chaps in charge of their own parish and they weren't too picky about who. Only the target changed, however. The adjective remained unaltered.

In a sense it was just as well that Fulham manager Jean Tigana did his usual man-of-mystery act after the match and declined to speak to the press.

On the few occasions he has cared to speak to date, his illuminatingly excellent English has been of the no-nonsense variety. If asked directly about Rangers' predicament, polite euphemisms might not have been his style.

Francis had far more reason to dodge his unenviable post-match duties but didn't. Instead he spent ten minutes fielding questions as varied as: "Are you going to be sacked?" and: "When, exactly?"

The robust tone of his replies figuratively had him holding his head high, except he delivered all his answers in his customary hangdog fashion, addressing his feet.

''Chris (Wright) has asked me if I want to extend my contract but my future is irrelevant," he said, sounding nervous, almost teary.

''What matters is First Division survival. We've had years of this.

"Everyone from the chairman down knows the club needs a major financial investment. If somebody does take over the club, they might bring their own manager in.

"It could happen. It doesn't matter. I'm not someone who necessarily needs to work and I wouldn't have come back for any other club.

"Whatever happens, I'll be as glad as anyone - even if it means me and my backroom staff losing our jobs. What matters is that QPR get the investment to safeguard the club's future. That means a lot to me. So for now we've just got to stay positive."

Indeed and what better way than by looking forward to the next treat of a match on Saturday - a visit from second top Bolton, meaning another likely home drubbing.

In the Premiership and the Nationwide League, only one club - Bradford City - has won fewer games than Rangers. It's a wonderful life, football.