[4] Following the termination of the club's sponsorship deals with Car Giant, Le Coq Sportif and Sellotape at the end of the previous season, in July it was announced that Gulf Air would be the new shirt sponsors.
A defeat at Coventry City was followed by a 1–0 win at Aston Villa in the third round of the League Cup with Damion Stewart getting the decisive goal.
The result meant that QPR entered the fourth round of the competition for the first time since the 1995–96 season, where they were drawn away to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United.
Former manager Terry Venables was speculatively linked with a return to Loftus Road to replace Iain Dowie if no improvement was seen in the club's form.
On 23 October, reports in the British press announced that the club would cap the maximum ticket price at the Category "C" (£35) level as a response to the worsening financial crisis of 2007–2008.
This led commentators to speculate that the club was damaged by negative press surrounding earlier proposed ticket price increases.
[10] While the press continued to speculate on Dowie's replacement, touting Roberto Mancini and Kenny Jackett among several others as potential candidates,[11] existing player/coach Gareth Ainsworth was appointed caretaker manager in the interim.
By mid-November, the side's average of less than one goal-per-match led to them being ranked 21st in terms of the attacking statistics of the 24 Championship clubs, despite sitting tenth in the league table.
[14] The following day, Tim Flowers stepped down as assistant coach and news sources (including the club's official website) reported Rangers had signed Bolton striker Heiðar Helguson on an emergency loan deal.
Four days later, Rangers travelled across London to Selhurst Park, drawing 0–0 with Crystal Palace, a match which featured Premier League striker Heiðar Helguson, who had completed his loan move from Bolton Wanderers earlier in the week.
Played in a late kick-off at Loftus Road and in front of the Sky Sports cameras, QPR put on a fine performance, despatching their high-flying opponents with a 1–0 win courtesy of a 20-yard effort from skipper Martin Rowlands in his first full appearance since returning from injury.
[21] On 20 December, Helguson was again on the scoresheet, scoring twice alongside Dexter Blackstock's winner in Rangers' 3–2 victory over Preston North End.
[25][26] A small crowd of under 9,000 spectators saw Rangers start their FA Cup campaign with a goalless draw with fellow Championship side Burnley, in the third round.
In the same week, Rangers also secured a permanent return to the club for Lee Cook and released veteran Italian midfielder Damiano Tommasi.
[28][29] Travelling to Turf Moor for the FA Cup third round replay, QPR lost 2–1 after Burnley scored from a defensive error in the last minute of extra time.
QPR's defensive streak improved with a draw to now-relegated Southampton,[46] which was further built on in a 1–0 win over Swansea City, courtesy of Mikele Leigertwood's head.
[48] QPR initially went one up with a bending free kick from Jordi López, until a powerful strike from Michael McIndoe put the visitors level.
QPR salvaged a goalless draw against local rivals Crystal Palace, though they could have been 2–0 down with close shots from Craig Beattie and Paul Ifill.