Former R's right back David Bardsley knows what it takes to perform at the very highest level for both Club and country.

So, when the former England defender popped into Loftus Road on Friday morning, www.qpr.co.uk was on hand to gauge his exclusive thoughts on the recent managerial appointment of Jim Magilton.

"Jim was a great player and I have a lot of time for him," said Bardsley.

"It's great to see the Board give a younger Manager the opportunity to get this Club back to where they need to be and I wish him all the best."

Bardsley is currently working in the United States of America as Academy Director at Orlando FC, but keeps more than one eye on proceedings in W12.

And the 44 year-old, who made just shy of 300 appearances in all competitions for the R's during a nine year spell at Loftus Road, is predicting a bright future for the Super Hoops.

"Right now, obviously to get to Premier League standard it's all about the form we produce on the field," he said.

"The Club, for me, has always been a Premier League Club - and it always should be.

"There's a lot of hard work to do to get back there, but belief is a massive thing.

"As fans, you've got to back the new Manager; back the new people at the top; and hopefully, one, day, we will achieve that status again."

Bardsley, however, is aware of the complexity of the task facing the R's next term, adding: "You can't be naive in the fact that it's going to take a huge amount of commitment by the Club to be able to compete with the big teams that have dropped out of the Premier League this year.

"The playing staff alone will need to have a belief in themselves that they can compete at the top of this division. No matter what team they face, they need to believe.

"With Jim and his ideas - obviously he's had good experience at Ipswich too, which will help - we've got a chance.

"This is a great Club. It will always be my Club, and there's nobody more than me that wants to see us move forward."