Harry Redknapp promises players a party - but only if QPR avoid relegation

Christmas party has been cancelled following awful start to season

Harry Redknapp has promised his Queens Park Rangers players they can have a party — but only in the summer if they keep the club in the Premier League.

The QPR boss today confirmed the squad will not be allowed to have a Christmas party this month with the club sitting at the bottom of the table without a win from their first 15 games.

Rangers could set a new Premier League record [they are joint-holders with Swindon] if they fail to beat Wigan at the DW Stadium tomorrow and Redknapp said: “I’m not mad about footballers having Christmas parties — it’s just my opinion.

“I have been doing this job an awful long time and I find they’re nothing but aggravation and almost every club have had aggro at some time.

“The lads go out, people are waiting to take pictures of them late at night, you don’t need it really. The position we’re in, we have nothing to celebrate. We need to focus on getting results and if we get out of trouble we will have a big party at the end of the year.

“We have to concentrate on football. The players have had the whole summer off to have all the parties they wanted and get two-and-a-half months of holidays — they can go anywhere and do what they want. This is the busiest time of the year and it’s not for me.”

Redknapp has also revealed he will be meeting with QPR chairman Tony Fernandes and the rest of the board next week to talk about possible January transfer targets.

The 65-year-old admits that the level of his funding could depend on whether QPR can reduce the seven-point gap that exists between them and safety.

He added: “I have not met the chairman since I took over. It will be nice to say hello, he has been busy with stuff. When he does come in next week, him and the rest of the board will get together.

“We will sit down and have a chat and I’m positive we will be in a position where we can strengthen the team and give it a real go.

“I’m positive that we can start picking up some wins, starting tomorrow. We have to go to Wigan believing we can get that first win of the season and that first away win for over a year. If we can win tomorrow our season could take off.

“I didn’t know it was a record [if  QPR don’t beat Wigan]. It is just a bad stat. To go that many games without a win is incredible and we need to put it right as soon as possible.”

Former Chelsea and Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim, who is a free agent, looks set to be his first signing in the new year.

Redknapp said: “I am having a look at him, he’s a good defender, he’s a good lad and has a great attitude.

“He looks very fit and I have let him come in and train, we will just see where we go in the next couple of weeks.”

Brazilian keeper Julio Cesar is likely to remain sidelined with a groin injury, so Rob Green will keep his place.