QPR REPORT

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TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE
Ian Holloway has labelled the defeat to Leicester City as 'totally unacceptable.'"It' s hard to express just how dissapointed I am. Tonight was totally unacceptable. There were some individual performances that were unacceptable.
"The back line were shocking. I stuck with them after Luton and have they have done well for me, but that was awful. I've never seen so many errors in all my life. I've made one or two acquistions, I'll work with them and think about changing it about because that was unacceptable.''
Holloway had seen his Rangers side take the lead through Gareth Ainsworth with just five minutes on the clock, but a quick response from Matty Fryatt five minutes later levelled the scores.Richard Stearman's 79th minute strike gave Leicester the lead for the first time in the game, but despite Dan Shitttu's header nine minutes from time, it was Leicester who went home with the three points.As the clock ticked down, Leicester struck again through Stephen Hughes to kill any chance Rangers may have had of stealing the three points."I think our expectations need looking at. We need to take a right good look at ourselves. What investment have we had? What have we spent? How many injuries have we got. Gallen, Bircham, Rowlands, they're all quality players and I think we need to get real.
"I don't make excuses for my team, but tonight was unacceptable. That's the worst I've seen a lot of my players play for this club. It was a terrible night.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~776738,00.html

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Some momentous QPR vs Leicester Games
Almost Forty years ago, our first? Meeting with Leicester
October 25nd 1966, at Loftus Road: League Cup 4th Round, 3rd Division QPR vs 1st Division Leicester. QPR won 4-2 with two goals from the father of Clive and Bradley Allen (Les Allen!)...Roger Morgan and Mark Lazarus.
QPR Team that night
P Springett
Hazell Hunt Sibley Langley
Keen Sanderson
R Morgan Allen Marsh Lazarus

August 10, 1968 - Our very first game in the First Division
(The new stand not yet completed)....QPR Drew 1-1. Les Allen again! Allan Clarke, Leicester's record (English record) 150,000 pound signing from Fulham makin his debut (And at the end of the season, both teams went down. QPR with 18. Leicester as defeated FA Cup Finalists)
Ron Springett
Finch Hazell Watson Harris
Ian Morgan - Keen - Sibley - Roger Morgan
Clarke Wilks
Sub: Les Allen

Various other major games over the years.
In March 1974, QPR played Leicester in the FA Cup, Quarter Final at Loftus Road, pretty confident of getting to our first FA Cup Semi Final. (This was under Jago, with Bowles, Thomas Francis, etc.). Leicester has a youth player, making his debut. After QPR had a good game, Leicester's debutant midfielder, Joe Waters, scored twice and QPR wnet out 0-2.

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Best QPR can do: is we have a couple of ex-loanies in the squad (Camp & Davies)

BBC -Taylor reveals U-21 league squad

Taylor will reduce his 33-man squad to 16 ahead of the gamePeter Taylor, manager of the Football League under-21 team, has announced a 33-man squad for the forthcoming match against the Italian League. Taylor, also boss of Hull City who host the game on 21 February, said he was looking forward to an exciting game. "It'll be a great opportunity for the players involved to come and play at a terrific stadium," said Taylor.
The fixture is the 13th of its kind, since the two Leagues first met in November 1960 in Milan.

The Football League Under-21 Squad:
Goalkeepers:Lee Camp (Derby County)Scott Flinders (Barnsley)Ross Turnbull (Crewe)Jamie Young (Rushden & Diamonds)

Defenders:Gary Borrowdale (Crystal Palace)Luke Chambers (Northampton)Andrew Davies (Derby County)Simon Francis (Tranmere Rovers)Andy Holdsworth (Huddersfield Town)Dean Lewington (MK Dons)Matthew Mills (Southampton)Wes Morgan (Nottingham Forest)Richard Stearman (Leicester City)Kelvin Wilson (Notts County)Scott Wiseman (Hull City)

Midfielders:Chris Eagles (Watford)Billy Jones (Crewe)Anthony McNamee (Watford)James Perch (Nottingham Forest)Ryan Smith (Leicester City)Tom Soares (Crystal Palace)Simon Walton (Leeds)Ben Watson (Crystal Palace)John Welsh (Hull City)Simon Whaley (Preston)

Forwards:Dexter Blackstock (Southampton)Matt Fryatt (Leicester City)Cameron Jerome (Cardiff)Leroy Lita (Reading)Izale McLeod (MK Dons)Billy Paynter (Hull City)David Nugent (Preston)
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4662826.stm

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As obviously everyone knows, with the Transfer deadline tomorrow, QPR have signed on a six month contract, 29 year old Danish forward Sammy Youssouf http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=nonwire_soccer/06/01/28/manual_143308.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1

. QPR are trying to sign Linfield's Irish Forward, Peter Thompson and are in talks with the club: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/irish/4658516.stm
BBC - Linfield continue Thompson talks
Linfield turned down a bid from Gretna for Thompson earlier this monthLinfield have turned down an offer from Queen's Park Rangers for Peter Thompson but talks are set to continue until the transfer deadline closes on Tuesday.
Members of the board met at Windsor Park for half an hour on Saturday.
Although the club did not reveal exact details of the bid, BBC Sport understands that an initial down payment of £50,000 was proposed.
A further £50,000 would be paid at the end of the season, plus other clauses, including £100,000 if QPR are promoted.
Loftus Road boss Ian Holloway watched Thompson in Tuesday night's 1-0 Co Antrim Shield win over Glentoran.
After watching the match, Holloway told BBC Sport that Thompson looked "a very good player".
"The lad was neat and tidy and worked his socks off.
"Now I've got to think about the state of my club and whether we've got the finance and what we can do," he said last week.
Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie also travelled to Belfast to watch Thompson in Tuesday's game.
Linfield boss David Jeffrey has insisted that he will not allow the player to go on trial with any club.
"If anybody wants him, they can make up their minds by watching him out on the pitch," said Jeffrey.
However, the Blues boss Jeffrey has said that the club will not stand in the way of any player who wants to move to full-time football.
Linfield turned down a bid from Scottish Division Two club Gretna for Thompson earlier this month.
Thompson's goalscoring exploits have attracted the attention of several clubs in Scotland and England, although Gretna have been the only club to make an official bid.
In November, the 21-year-old postman from east Belfast was called up by Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez, making his international debut in the friendly against Portugal.

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And Steve Yates celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday....still playing: A few days ago, joined Halifax.

Steve Yates - Born January 29, 1970
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9624

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Ex-QPR's Peter Crouch Turns 25....Born January 30, 1981.
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=3427

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Evening Standard, January 23
"Lomas Calls for Patience"

Steve Lomas: "It is going to take three or four more games before I am back to my old self. It takes a while to get back up to speed. You can get through on adrenaline for a while but then your lack of fitness kicks in. After three months out, it is hard to go charging around."

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'Immediate action' needed to kill off bung culture
By Mihir Bose - Telegraph, January 26, 2006

"....The problem for the bung buster is that so much of the relationship between the manager and the agent is so opaque. Nick Blackburn, the former chairman of Queens Park Rangers, tells of his club buying a goalkeeper who did not come up to expectations. They had to pay fees of £50,000 as the agent claimed he had to cover the expenses incurred in relation to the player. It then turned out that the former QPR manager had been told of a scouting report saying the goalkeeper leaked goals.
Blackburn, who met the FA bung busters yesterday to back up the bungs story told by Ian Holloway, the current QPR manager, also told them the goalkeeper's story including the names of the manager and agent involved.
We cannot print them for legal reasons."

'Immediate action' needed to kill off bung culture
By Mihir Bose - Telegraph, January 26, 2006

The former chief executive of the Premier League, Peter Leaver QC, has told The Daily Telegraph that to remove the bung culture the Premier League should bring in rules which will make it impossible for bungs to be paid during transfers.

"....Leaver said: "I don't see much point in looking into the past. The inquiry will get a lot of stories. I would be surprised if they get any evidence. My advice is that the QC or whoever is appointed to head it should immediately draft rules which make it very difficult to cheat."

Leaver recommends that every club have a nominated director who should be the only person to handle transfers and talk to agents. This will cut out what is now considered the most common way bungs take place during a transfer.

Bungs have changed greatly since the first inquiry, which examined 12 transfers, hearing lots of evidence about cash being paid as a result of transfer deals. Ronnie Fenton, then Brian Clough's assistant at Nottingham Forest, featured prominently and in one case the inquiry was told he had collected £45,000 in a fishing box off a trawler in Hull over the transfer of Thorvaldur Orlygsson to Forest.

Now the bungs culture is more sophisticated, cash is not so evident and the money trail often goes through foreign bank accounts. The manager talks to an agent about a player and they agree the deal including the agent's fee, with the agent agreeing to pay some of it back to the manager.

Leaver added: "In such a case it is very difficult to trace a payment, but if you have a nominated director then when the agents suggest a price they can accept or reject.

"The Premier League should also have rules that every employee can have his bank account examined to make sure money is not siphoned off. And only agents approved by the Premier League and who allow access to their books and records can do business with clubs. They should put in place rules which make it very difficult to cheat and serious sanctions if they are caught."

Graham Bean, who for four years was the Football Association's bung buster, agrees that it is very difficult to catch a cheat. "In all the investigations you feel something is not quite right but you couldn't say it is wrong, you have a sixth sense,'' he said.

Bean is well aware that successful bung investigations require speedy work. Doug Ellis, the chairman of Aston Villa, worried by certain transfers during the managership of John Gregory, employed Kroll, the security experts, to trawl through bank accounts and presented the evidence to the FA.

However, Bean senses there may be a new mood, particularly in the Premier League, to sort things out. "They are fed up with rumours and innuendos. They are going to kill it or cure it."

The problem for the bung buster is that so much of the relationship between the manager and the agent is so opaque. Nick Blackburn, the former chairman of Queens Park Rangers, tells of his club buying a goalkeeper who did not come up to expectations. They had to pay fees of £50,000 as the agent claimed he had to cover the expenses incurred in relation to the player. It then turned out that the former QPR manager had been told of a scouting report saying the goalkeeper leaked goals.
Blackburn, who met the FA bung busters yesterday to back up the bungs story told by Ian Holloway, the current QPR manager, also told them the goalkeeper's story including the names of the manager and agent involved.
We cannot print them for legal reasons.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=LP3TJBFMU0YMXQFIQMGSFF4AVCBQWIV0?xml=/sport/2006/01/26/sfnbng26.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/01/26/ixfooty.html

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Telegraph - January 26, 2006
Allen's motivational powers vital for Cup
By Simon Goodley

It is last Saturday evening at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Three and the check-in clerk is just informing her passengers that their flight to Abu Dhabi has been cancelled. What bad luck for her. One of the passengers is Brentford manager Martin Allen and, as anybody who has watched him address referees from the technical area knows, he is no diplomat.

"I had 16 players with me and I informed her that we were Brentford Football Club and then told her in no uncertain terms that she better get us out there as soon as possible," Allen recalled. "Within 15 minutes new tickets had arrived."

And so Allen's latest FA Cup motivational session ahead of Saturday's fourth- round clash at home to Premiership strugglers Sunderland had begun, albeit in considerably more comfort than in the same round last year. Then, rather than a Middle East break, the eccentric Brentford manager swam across the freezing river adjoining the hotel where his team stayed prior to the replay against Hartlepool, principally to teach his players "to stop talking and go out and do it".

"It was warmer diving into the pool in Abu Dhabi," said Allen. Despite his excellent start in football management Allen doesn't take himself too seriously, which explains why he is seen as an outspoken but also popular figure.

At Oldham in December, he was given Christmas presents by the home fans ("I got some socks and some chocolates. It's better than getting abuse, isn't it?"), while at Stockport in the first round he was applauded to the dug-out, chiefly because he had written an unsolicited letter to the Cheshire club last season congratulating them on their support.

On the flip side there are others with whom he might not exchange festive gifts. He has been known to clash with match officials, while even his own board receive the odd mouthful. "Last year, before we played at Southampton in the fifth round, one of our directors said it was our Cup final. That was an insult to our players."

The make-up of the board is changing now after last week's takeover of the club by the Supporters' Trust and the installation as chairman of former BBC director-general, Greg Dyke.

"Only time will tell what will happen but there are big debts at this club," the manager continued. "This club need sponsorship and revenue. They could now go to a new level with the new chairman." That unflagging belief, along with brutal honesty and a decent sense of humour, are the characteristics that mark Allen out. "I don't think it will be a giant-killing [if Brentford win on Saturday]," he insisted. "Of course we are underdogs. A lot of their players came from this level, but nobody can forget they won the Championship with those players."

"I know of him [Mick McCarthy] and I see what he's made of," he continued. "You can tell he is a quality bloke, but I'm certainly not going to talk to him after the game. I can't see the point with that. I think that's a bit hypocritical."

The Sunderland manager is big enough to recover from such brusque treatment. Let's hope the check-in girl is too.

xxx

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[Remember Jim Smith signing him...and then a year later he left when Dean Coney and Paul Parker joined from Fulham]

BBC - Boss Rosenior leaves Torquay job
Leroy Rosenior has failed to stem the decline at PlainmoorTorquay manager Leroy Rosenior has left by mutual consent after three and a half years in charge at Plainmoor.
The Gulls slipped into the League Two relegation places after a 2-1 defeat at home to Rochdale on Tuesday.
Chairman Mike Bateson told the club's website: "We have decided that a parting of the ways is in the best interests of both parties."
"It's disappointing that it has had to end because Leroy and I had a great working relationship."
The Gulls have found it difficult to adjust to live back in the Football League basement after being relegated last season on goal difference.
Rosenior had led them to promotion the previous campaign
But, despite reaching the third round of the FA Cup and taking Premiership Birmingham to a replay, they have managed only three home wins this season and Bateson said it was time for action.
He said: "Leroy has been with us for three and a half years and we have had some tremendous highs.
"We have also seen a standard of football that has surprised us all.
"I thank him for his efforts and wish him all the best of luck for the future."
No announcement has been made regarding Rosenior's successor.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/torquay_united/4646414.stm

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Independent - January 25, 2006
Look to home-grown talent': Six leading figures on who should replace Eriksson ...

GERRY FRANCIS (former England captain)
I think every nation should be managed by someone who comes from that country, like the players have to, and it would be nice if England were managed by an Englishman. But there is no such rule so England should go for the best man. However, no one name springs out at you, which is not to say Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, Steve McClaren or Paul Jewell might not do a fantastic job. I think whoever gets it needs enough experience to show they can manage.
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/article340761.ece

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Chelsea Reserves 1 QPR 0
"........Marcin Kus started at right back and the Polish player impressed the Reserve Team Manager. [Garry Waddock] "He trained yesterday with me and he come in today and looked a very good player. Hopefully there will be a good future for him at the club. He is like a Rolls-Royce in terms of his running, he gets up and down well and is very good on the ball."
Doherty back in action after a long lay-off
Tommy Doherty made his comeback after limping off at Home Park back in November. "For an hour he did very well, but then faded which was to be expected. He'll probably need a few more games until he is back to full match fitness."
[Team] Thomas, Kus, Trialist (Munday), Evatt, Hislop (Howell), Donnelly, Bailey, Doherty, Townsend (Yelland), Moore, Trialist (Jones). http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~773325,00.html?

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Furs' Fire Still Burning
Ben Kosky - Kilburn Times (and other local papers)
25 January 2006
"...Paul Furlong insists his passion for playing remains undimmed ....Rangers have collected just one point from the six games he has missed. ..., he told the Times: "I won't be treating Leicester any differently just because I got sent off against them earlier in the season."Of course it'd be very nice to get a goal and that's what I go into every game aiming for. I'd like to have scored more and last season they were coming a bit easier."
Looking back on the incidents where I got sent off, they were foolish at the time. Not only did I hurt myself, but I hurt the team and perhaps the club as well."But, whenever a negative comes around I try to bring a positive out of it and the only thing I can say is this: it just goes to show the fire's still burning for me."I still want to put my foot in where it needs to be put in and try to be courageous. If I wasn't that way inclined, it'd perhaps seem like I was coming towards the end."
It shows both myself and other people that I'm still up for it. I'm feeling good and I'm not just here to make up the numbers.".....
Despite pre-season fears that the striker might be prone to lengthy injury absences, he has not missed a single Rangers game through lack of fitness all season." In my last couple of years at Birmingham I had all manner of injuries and hopefully those are out of the way now. As soon as you're training and playing regularly, you build up a base of fitness and, touch wood, I've not been injured for some time," Furlong added."It's been an up and down season, but I've always said that if everyone's fit and the gaffer's got his pick, we can do well in this league."I'm pleased with the way I'm playing and the most encouraging thing for me is that I'm still getting chances each game I play."At the moment the goalkeeper's saving them, or they're going wide, but eventually they will go in.
"Tommy Doherty could be back in the QPR line-up for the first time since mid-November after coming through this week's reserve team friendly against Chelsea with no ill effects.Doherty has been out of action with a shin problem, but is likely to make his comeback against the Foxes, while fellow midfielder Martin Rowlands should also return to the squad.Loan signing Marcin Kus is also in line to make his first team debut after he was also given a run-out in the Chelsea friendly. http://www.wktimes.co.uk/content/brent/wembleychronicle/sport/story.aspx?brand=KLBTOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportwkc&itemid=WeED24%20Jan%202006%2019%3A53%3A37%3A723

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Debate "Does football need a new way of regulating agents?
The Guardian Wednesday January 25, 2006The Guardian

Yes - Jon Smith; Chief executive, First Artist Corp management group
I don't think football is dirtier than any other business, it's just that its deals are carried out in the full glare of the media spotlight. As such men like Mike Newell can't just cast aspersions, they need to come up with some real facts. Ian Holloway talks about men turning up at his house with wheelbarrows full of cash but I just don't believe him.
Having said that, the Football Association's new regulations concerning agents as they exist at the moment simply don't work. For example, they bar club employees or officials holding stakes in football agencies. Well my company is publicly listed, so I can't stop people investing in it - and I'm not sure the Financial Services Authority would approve if I did.
Also the regulations state you can't represent more than one side of any negotiation, but First Artist are a successful global business and we acquire other companies around the world. Indeed, last year there was a deal in which we represented a buying club, an Italian subsidiary represented the selling club and a Spanish subsidiary acted for the player. I don't see any problem with that but the deals do need to be transparent.
The problematic situation now is that only one official representative needs to sign the FA forms on any transaction. Yet there can be any number of people actually involved. For instance, in South America a struggling club may sell shares in a player's registration to as many investors as it likes. When that player is sold those people and their representatives are all involved in the deal, and that is the time where a deal can go seriously wrong. Everyone involved in any transaction, agents - licensed or unlicensed (why these people are even involved in the first place, I don't know) - lawyers, financial advisors, all need to put their name on the dotted line.
Then there is the question of proper policing. The FA is just not set up to do this properly. I like the chief executive Brian Barwick a great deal, and it's good to see a real football man at the top of that organisation, but the FA is currently too "civil service". I believe the Professional Footballers' Association, the players' union, should police the deals as they do in America in the NBA, NHL and NFL.
They would have proper teeth: if someone steps out of line then the players, who after all are the absolute heartbeat of the game, will never cross their own union because if anything goes wrong they will get no protection. This idea isn't going to be popular with the PFA, because they want to remain agents themselves, but for the good of the game they are best placed to do it.
The world governing body, Fifa, is fully aware that its regulations need to be redrafted too. I had lunch at Fifa House last week and they realise the current rules are six years old, having been drafted in 2000, and need to be reviewed. When Fifa redrafts these regulations in the coming year, I believe that not only all football associations should be involved, but that the players' unions and agents themselves should submit to this process too. Then, for once, we will have one voice that speaks across all factions of the sport.
Jon Smith is a member of the new Football Agents' Association

No - Eric Hall; Football and music agent
When it comes to transfer dealings, I believe football is as transparent now as it's ever been - and I've been in the game more than a few years. So no, I don't think there's any need to increase the amount of regulation in the game. A deal is a deal; you are already required to fill in the forms and send all the transfer details to the FA's payments office - showing exactly who's paid what to whom for whom - so how much more can be done to improve the situation?
To tell you the truth, I was shocked when I heard what Mike Newell had said about managers being offered bribes. Reason being, I was at Luton the day before the news came out, doing a deal on the club's behalf to bring the young midfielder David Bell in from Rushden and Diamonds. I got to Luton early that evening and had a long chat with Mike in his office; there wasn't a mention of his allegations. Then when I turned on Sky Sports News the next morning, he was all over the television saying bungs were rife in football. I was amazed.
The fact is I've never been offered a bung - terrible word, that. In football and in music (I started out as an office boy in a record company) I've never asked for, been offered or given a backhander, and god's truth I don't know anyone who has. I work hard for my money - too hard. The sort of East End lad I am, if it was going on then you'd think I'd be just the sort of guy to be taking them - but no way, never on my life. Sure I want to make money - but my job is to make as much as possible for my client, whether it's a football club, a player or a manager, without breaking the law of the land.
A while back there were some unfounded stories about one of my clients, Terry Venables. Was anything ever proven? Of course not. I said at the time, and I was quite pleased with the quote, "The football authorities are looking for a needle in a haystack when there isn't even a needle."
The game is transparent enough; why should I disclose every last detail of what I'm doing? Every last bit of money I've earned has been through working my balls off, not by taking bungs or doing double deals.
I do, though, think it's disgraceful if agents are copping money on both sides of a deal. I've never done it and it's rightly frowned upon - unless, that is, all parties are aware and agreeable. Recently a new band that I represent asked the little production company I own to take them on, and I said not unless it's cleared by the record company and all parties. So I think it's right that the football authorities are trying to tighten up against double-dealing - if it's happening and the parties involved don't know, it's out of order.
But in all my years in showbiz and football, I've never come across a dodgy deal like Mike, Ian Holloway and Sven-Goran Eriksson have been talking about. They really shouldn't say these things if they're not going to take the next step and actually name names.
But of course, there's no evidence at all. What they've done is opened up a can of worms, only there aren't any worms inside.
http://football.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,9753,1694034,00.html

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Crewe Official Site -
Cochrane requests move
Justin Cochrane's three-year stay at Crewe Alexandra could be drawing to a close after the 23-year-old midfielder requested a move away from Gresty Road.
Alex boss Dario Gradi confirmed today that he has circulated Cochrane's name for transfer or loan after the Hackney born player asked to pursue a first team opportunity elsewhere having failed to secure a regular starting spot with the Railwaymen.
Cochrane, signed for an undisclosed fee from non-league Hayes FC in the summer of 2003, made an instant impression in the Alex side and proved to be influential in his first season at Gresty Road, immediately becoming a favourite of the Alex faithful.
However he has struggled to win a regular starting spot over the past two seasons.
"He asked if he could go and I don't think he is going to get into my team." Dario told Crewe Alex World today
"It's difficult to break into that midfield and then we have the likes of Lee Bell, Tony Grant and Michael O'Connor who are all probably ahead of him.
"I think Justin's best game for us was his first game in the friendly against Everton. He hasn't quite managed to reproduce that form since and I can't afford to put him in the team to see if he can reproduce it,
"So perhaps it's time for Justin to go and see if he can reproduce that form at another club.
"I know the fans like him and I am not biased against him in any way. He is a super lad, a model professional and a model player."
http://www.crewealex.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10414~773145,00.html


BBC - LeRoy Griffiths Joins Aldershot
Aldershot Town have signed strikers Leroy Griffiths and Kirk Hudson.
Ex-QPR man Griffiths, 29, joins on loan from Ryman Premier side Fisher Athletic until the end of the season.
Griffiths has also played for Farnborough, Margate and Grays, while Hudson spent time in the youth ranks at both Celtic and Ipswich.
He joined Bournemouth on a short-term deal in the summer, but was released in October after making two substitute appearances for the Cherries.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/aldershot/4632860.stm


BBC - Leroy Griffiths Scores Twice vs Halifax
Aldershot 3-1 Halifax Aldershot came from a goal behind to dent Halifax's promotion hopes with a deserved home win.
Lewis Killeen seemingly set Halifax on their way with a goal from the edge of the penalty area in the 16th minute.
But Shots responded quickly when Gary Holloway smashed the equaliser five minutes later.
Leroy Griffiths then put the home side ahead on the stroke of half time before stabbing home a second from close range in the 73rd minute.
Aldershot: Bull, Somner, Brough, Heald, Hamilton, Crittenden, Williams (Sulaiman 74), Holloway, Scott, Griffiths (Hudson 80), Sills. Subs Not Used: Weait, Winfield, Mustafa.
Booked: Brough, Heald.
Goals: Holloway 22, Griffiths 45, 73.
Halifax: Legzdins, Haslam, Young, Quinn, Doughty, Killeen, Foster, Thompson (Bowler 71), Jacobs (Bushell 53), Forrest, Senior. Subs Not Used: Midgley, Toulson, Grant
Booked: Foster http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4612262.stm


BBC - Veteran Yates makes Halifax move
Halifax Town have signed experienced defender Steve Yates on a contract until the end of the season, reports BBC Radio Leeds. The 35-year-old goes straight into Town's squad for Tuesday's Conference game at Burton Albion. Yates helped Huddersfield to promotion in 2004, before deciding to retire at the end of the 2004/05 season. However, he has returned to football and made one appearance for Scarborough earlier this month. Yates has also played for Tranmere, QPR and Bristol Rovers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/halifax_town/4642908.stm

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January 24, 1976: West Ham Defeated QPR 1-0 After that West Ham defeat, QPR went undefeated for the rest of the season. (OK maybe there was THAT heartbreaking, soul-destroying, Championship-losing defeat at Norwich. But apart from Norwich game....From January 24, 1976 to April 24, 1976 QPR's record was: 13 Wins...1 Draw...and the 2-3 Norwich defeat on April 17, 1976)

QPR's Team for the West Ham Game: NO Bowles...No Francis

Parkes
Clement Webb McLintock Gillard
Beck Masson Hollins
Thomas Givens Leach
Sub Nutt (on for McLintock)

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QPR DEPARTURES

So with Adam Miller and Marcus Bean joining Aaron Brown and presumably soon Dean Sturridge and Ugo Ukah, the squad looks a little smaller.
[When you add to the players who left at the end of last season: Chris Day, Tony Thorpe, Jamie Cureton, Richard Edghill and Generoso Rossi, the continual evolution of this soccer club continues.] (Not to mention the off-the-field QPR departures since the beginning of the season, from the Chairman to the Chief Executive Officer to the Chief Financial Officer....)


QPR Official Site - Adam Miller
Rangers midfielder Adam Mille has joined Nationwide Conference promotion-hopefuls Stevenage Borough. The 23-year-old, who has made just a solitary first team league appearance this season,....There is no initial fee involved, but a sell-on clause has been agreed between the two clubs... http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~772659,00.html


Stevenage Official Site
Stevenage Borough have secured the signature of 23 year old Adam Miller ...on an 18 month contract.... featured in most of the 04/05 season Championship games after starring for Aldershot.
After hearing he was available, Boro boss Graham Westley was determined to win his signature before the transfer window closed, amid interest from Oxford, Colchester and Leyton Orient, as well as several Conference clubs.
http://www.stevenageborofc.com/content/news/20060124.shtml


QPR Official Site - Marcus Bean
Marcus Bean has completed his move to Blackpool on a free transfer....
Although Marcus Bean's move is a free transfer there is a sell on clause so that the Superhoops will get a percentage of any future transfer fee.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~772691,00.html


BLACKPOOL OFFICIAL
The Seasiders completed the signing of Queen's Park Rangers midfielder MARCUS BEAN late on Friday afternoon....
Bean has been at Loftus Road since the age of ten and has progressed through ranks to make his senior debut at the age of seventeen, but it will be one he will want to forget as he suffered the ignominy of being sent off in a game that saw four players receive the red card.
Bean's energetic style of play and ability to break up play saw the Hammersmith born man pick up QPR's Young Player of the Season last term, but the lack of first team action this season saw Marcus take up a loan spell at Swansea City where he made nine appearances. On his return to Loftus Road Bean played a part in six games, his last being in the R's 1-0 Boxing Day defeat at Brighton. Following discussions with Rangers manager Ian Holloway, Marcus decided to seek regular first team football elsewhere and jumped at the chance to join the Seasiders.
WELCOME ABOARD MARCUS!
http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10432~771707,00.html

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Mirror - THE FA DON'T GIVE A FLYING HOOT FOR MY BUNG CLAIM SAYS IAN HOLLOWAY
IAN HOLLOWAY has launched a furious attack on the FA and claims they don't give "a flying hoot" whether he was offered a backhander or not. "....
He said: "I can't tell the FA or FIFA what to do because I'm only a little bloke from Bristol.
"I really don't think the FA give a flying hoot what I think. "They won't say 'Oh Ian Holloway's come up with a good idea, that's how we can solve that problem'. "Do you think they will listen to a little bloke like me? "I should be sitting in the FA's offices smoking a big cigar because I would make it illegal for any club to pay a player's agent.
"The contract would be between the player and the agent. If that was set in stone, no-one could cheat.
"If I told them how to change the rules, they wouldn't listen to me. They'd be more likely to say 'shut up you Bristol muppet.'
"I've wanted to talk to them about why my players might be charged for a problem at Stoke earlier in the season, and I can't get a call from them.
"Then the minute the press starts digging, they want to speak to me."
There has never been any suggestion of wrong-doing on Holloway's part. And the fact that his match-day suit was bought from Oxfam for £17.50 suggests that, despite the cash flying around the game, he isn't seeing much of it.
Luton boss Newell admits he feared at first that his revelations might have implications for the rest of his career.
"But the reaction I've had since from fans and from clubs, like at Wolves last week, has changed my mind," he said. "I am concerned at the amounts of money clubs like us are having to pay for nothing. "If an agent brings a player to you that you've never seen before in your life, and he's good, then I agree with paying the agent. But the players we have are ones we've gone out and looked at every night. Then the agent has turned up, asking for more for the player, and then getting his lump sum. It doesn't make sense.
"Players should pay their agents. Players, no-one else."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16616274%26method=full%26siteid=94762%26headline=the%2dfa%2ddon%2dt%2dgive%2da%2dflying%2dhoot%2dfor%2dmy%2dbung%2dclaim%2dsays%2dian%2dholloway-name_page.html


BBC - Holloway cynical about FA action

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Bristol City Official Site
OUR OFFER IS VERY GOOD - STEVE

Steve Lansdown has rejected claims City made two "wholly inadequate" offers for Bournemouth top scorer James Hayter.
The chairman confirmed to bcfc.co.uk that City have made moves for the 14-goal striker, but says the offer made are "very good" for a player who is out of contract in the summer.
Steve told bcfc.co.uk: "We have spoken to Bournemouth and have made a good offer.
Chairman says "bid is good"
"You've got to remember James Hayter's name was circulated, along with Brian Stock, who has since gone to Preston North End.
"We know Huddersfield bid for him, we know what that bid was and we know our offer was in excess of that.
"We feel our offer, which has been rejected, is a very good one for somebody who is out of contract at the end of the season.
"We'll continue to speak to Bournemouth, going back and forwards with them before hopefully agreeing on a figure."
But the chairman warned: "The figure Bournemouth have given to me is well in excess of our bid, so we are some way apart at the moment."
Cherries chairman Peter Phillips has already rejected a £100,000 bid for Hayter from Huddersfield and has now labelled City's offer "wholly unacceptable".
http://www.bcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10327~771886,00.html


Links re Hayter on Bristol City's Official Site!
James Hayter - Player profile of the 14-goal Bournemouth top scorer from the Cherries' website
Breaking News - Bournemouth chairman Peter Phillip labels City's bids "wholly unacceptable"
Transfer Window - An exclusive guide to all the January transfers in Coca-Cola League One


Bristol City Today ROBINS IN FOR HAYTER
http://www.thisisbristol.com/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145371&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145195&contentPK=13867906&folderPk=83751

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The Times - Simon Barnes
'Sheikh' reveals real problems

". ..... The issue is not Eriksson, the issue is corruption. .... What is surprising is not that the corruption exists but that people are beginning to talk about corruption. And this brings a growing public sense of dismay. If we must have our attention drawn to such matters, then we would like to see something done. And that — most emphatically — does not mean an FA committee of inquiry, to be launched some time in the future, headed by some nice old boy with a brief to come up with three tenths of bugger all. Nor does it mean a committee to look into Eriksson’s gossip and how much he can substantiate it. He can’t substantiate it at all. He is just accustomed to working in a corrupt business, a business in which backhanders are the way the world wags. Everybody’s doing it, so I’d be a fool not to. I don’t want to be ostracised. I want to be part of football, therefore I have to be part of corruption.
Ian Holloway, the Queens Park Rangers manager, is wriggling like an eel in his attempt to distance himself from the whistleblower tag, but all the same he had it all perfectly when he said that he loved the game, hated the business....
..... The point is that corruption is at the heart of football and in the sudden, unexpected outbreak of bung-awareness, it is time to begin the war, in the knowledge that it will be never-ending. ....Football needs a genuine investigation; it needs genuine enforcement; it needs, above all, a willingness to admit that corruption exists, that it is widespread and that it is destroying the thing it feeds on. Something is rotten in the state of football. Let that be the starting point.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,8303-2005599,00.html



Observer's Crystal Palace's Chairman Simon Jordan
Agents an easy target - a bigger problem is the enemy within
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Columnists/Column/0,4284,1692117,00.html

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[Mark Devlin from last week]

Devlin: No bungs here
This is Swindon Town -13th January 2006

"MARK Devlin is surprised that more players don’t seek free assistance from their own trade union when it comes to sorting out contract and transfer dealings. Town’s deputy chairman has been involved in his fair share of transfer negotiations at both Swindon Town and Queens Park Rangers over the years and insists he has not been exposed to the murky dealings of the type that Luton boss Mike Newell has alluded to.
He said: “I can only talk from personal experience but I have neither offered a bung nor been offered one myself.“Agents are part of football today and it’s something you have to deal with when it comes to signing players, selling players or renegotiating contracts.“I have to say the bit that I find hard to stomach is when a club is asked to pay a fee where you are renegotiating a current player’s contract.”While players are free to negotiate deals themselves, Devlin says there is another route that players can take.
Devlin said: “The players’ union, the PFA, offer a service where one of their officials is happy to act on a player’s behalf. It’s free as I understand.“Clearly though, this is a subject which has been doing the rounds for some time and obviously it’s something we will follow here with interest.”
The Football League agents’ fees report, just released, revealed that Town handed over £5,500 between July and December of last year, compared to £15,250 in the same period in 2004.. http://www.thisisstfc.co.uk/news_headlines_Story.asp?NewsID=5173

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Ex-QPR Loan Hero, Mark Kennedy is profile and interviewed in The Sunday Times. Somehow his QPR experience gets zero mention! Millwall....Liverpool...Wimbledon...Manchester City...Wolves and Ireland...!

Sunday Times January 22, 2006Mark Kennedy: I’m actually a very serious person
"....I had a trial at Millwall, next minute I had a contract, next minute I’m in the first team. Before I know it I was at Liverpool. And playing for Ireland. It happened that quickly.”
He signed for Liverpool in 1995 at the age of 18 for £2.3m, becoming the most expensive teenager in Britain at the time. It was a tag he wore lightly, too lightly at times. .....Kennedy got labelled with the Spice Boy tag, even though he never hung around with that crew. He barely got a run at Liverpool and after three seasons he moved to Wimbledon, then a Premiership side with big plans for moving to Dublin. “Joe (Kinnear) promised me the sun, moon and stars. It was the opposite. ....from a footballing point of view it was without doubt the greatest mistake I’ve made in my life.
“I didn’t get a look-in for three months and I went to Joe and said, ‘I’ve made a big mistake, you’ve made a big mistake, let’s get out of it.’ And, by the grace of God, Man City came in for me.”
Joe Royle was manager at Maine Road but Kevin Keegan came in when City were relegated and Kennedy didn’t figure in his plans. Keegan was planning to play with wing-backs — he couldn’t see Kennedy in that role — and was also trying to cut the squad. “There was a lot of talk about Ipswich coming in for me, they were in Premiership then. My agent rang me and said, ‘Wolves have come in for you.’ I said , ‘If I’m not going to Ipswich, I’ll stay at City.’ And he said, ‘With all due respect, Mark, they’ve agreed a fee for you which kind of says they don’t want you.’ At that moment in time I didn’t want to go, I had two years left on my contract, but I didn’t really have an option.
“Keegan said he had a whole load of players he was trying to get rid of, but couldn’t get offers for. I knew that to be true. As far as I’m concerned he was very honest and admirable about the thing.”
KENNEDY HAS had his fair share of rejection but the only manager he has a bad word for is Brian Kerr.....
For the moment he has other concerns. This is a huge year for him. Kennedy is 30 in May, around the same time as his five-year contract at Wolves ends. He says his days as a “tricky winger” are now behind him but reckons he has a few more years left, even in the Premiership, with Wolves or another side. Wolves’ FA Cup clash with Manchester United next Sunday could be a big factor in his future. Staunton is sure to be watching. Redemption may yet be at hand.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2003719_1,00.html.

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THE TIMES Luton 2 QPR 0:....Kevin Dunn
MIKE NEWELL last night expressed no regret about raising the issue of payments to agents but preferred to talk instead about a rare victory over Queens Park Rangers. ......
The match, however, was overshadowed by the “bung” affair. But if Newell thought he had a supporter in Ian Holloway, the QPR manager distanced himself from his fellow manager. He said alleged improper payments were “a grain of sand on a beach”, admitting he had spoken to the FA about one incident four years ago involving an agent he described as “old news”.
STAR MAN: Carlos Edwards (Luton)
.... QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 6 (Taylor 83min, 5), Shittu 6, Santos 6, Rose 5, Ainsworth 7 (Moore 79min, 5), Lomas 6, Langley 6, Cook 6, Baidoo 6 (Nygaard h-t, 6), Furlong 5
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-2004600,00.html


Telegraph - January 22, 2006 - Simon Hart
Holloway fury at bung-buster label
Luton manager Mike Newell turned up at Kenilworth Road believing he had a new ally in the battle against greedy football agents. Unfortunately for Newell, his Queens Park Rangers counterpart, Ian Holloway, is not best pleased to have been dragged into stories of corruption in the game.
Last week it was reported that Holloway had become the first manager to step forward to back up Newell's claims that too many agents are taking money out of the game. Not so, insists Holloway.
After watching his side slide to a 2-0 defeat, he struggled to contain his anger at the way comments had been attributed to him relating to a four-year-old story that he had not discussed with anyone. The suggestion that he had been offered a £30,000 sweetener by an agent had in fact originated in a book written by the former QPR chairman, Nick Blackburn.
Newell, who has made no secret of his discomfort at being thrust into the spotlight in the past week since he went public with his claims, clearly believed he had found a fellow whistle-blower to share the heat.
Before the game, he made a point of striding out of his dugout and on to the pitch to shake Holloway's outstretched hand.
And, at his post-match press conference, he revealed how he had spoken to the QPR manager before the kick-off to thank him for his support.
"I appreciate that someone else has come and backed me up," said a grateful Newell. "It's been a long time coming. To be fair to Ian, when you look at his comments when it first came out, he said that he loved the game but hated the business, so he was one of the first ones who stood up immediately."
Holloway admitted that he had expressed sympathy for Newell in a Radio Five interview, but made it plain that was as far as it went. As for suggestions that he believed the game was rife with corruption and bungs, that was a total misrepresentation of his views. His own experience related to an agent negotiating a free transfer who suddenly moved the goalposts and demanded a fee. It was, he said, nothing but a "grain of sand in a whole beach".
Following last week's reports, Holloway was contacted by the Football Association on Friday and explained how the story had originated and what had happened. That, he believes, will be the end of his involvement.
Newell also hopes his involvement is over. Last night, before Holloway made his remarks, he said he hoped that he could get back to his day job of managing a football club.
In his programme notes he wrote: "It was never my intention to make headlines. It was a build-up and culmination of three and a half years of frustration dealing with agents.
"Every group is split on the subject apart from one, the supporters. I have had letters and e-mails from all over the country, fans from virtually every club and every division.
I am grateful for every one and it is nice to know what they are thinking and that they share the same concerns.
"Those with nothing to worry about, don't worry. Having met with the FA and dealt with professional people, I don't think it is the lost cause that some people have suggested."
Unfortunately for Newell, Holloway's decision to distance him from the FA's investigation means the Luton manager will be forced to endure more attention in the coming days, though he did at least have the consolation of scoring a victory on the pitch. His side maintained their push for a play-off place with goals from Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard in a one-sided encounter
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=WOQPVNC2ZSVX1QFIQMFCFF4AVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2006/01/22/sfnlut.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/01/22/ixfooty.html


BBC - QPR boss Ian Holloway:"I like Mike Newell but not today because he beat me. He's an honest man and can only talk about his experiences. "I support Ian Holloway, I work for QPR and support QPR. "I'm bitterly disappointed. We did lots of things right but the ball in the net and that's what gets results." http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4612332.stm


INDEPENDENT - January 22, 2006
Luton Town 2 QPR 0: Heikkinen's head refreshes Luton
By Norman
"....Luton scored the goals; Rangers played the more skilful football, but any talent-spotting agents were keeping their heads down.
".... Ian Holloway had reportedly come over the parapet and offered to name names. Last night, however, Holloway denied that. He said his own experience of being offered money occurred four years ago. "Agents are needed," he said. "Ninety nine per cent do a fantastic job. There may be one grain of bad sand but it's not the whole beach. I'm gobsmacked at what's been written."
Newell said: "It's not a lost cause but most managers have been lukewarm. I'm frustrated and so are the authorities. Money is going out of the game and that's wrong. But not all agents are bad. Some have supported me."
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/coca_cola/article340190.ece


Sporting Life
SPORTING LIFE'BUNG' BOSSES DISCUSS CONTROVERSY

".. Holloway later denied backing up Newell's claims, pointing out that his comments related to a transfer issue four years ago.Asked if he supported Newell's words, the Loftus Road boss said: "I support Ian Holloway, I work for QPR and support QPR."...
Holloway added: "How can I put this, if you are on a beach we are talking about one grain of sand on the whole beach."It's dangerous for people who write stories to create a false impression of what the game is all about."I spoke about this four years ago and as far as I'm concerned it's old news.".... "I haven't come out and said I'm fully backing Mike. Agents are a massive part of the game and 99.9% of them do a fantastic job for their clients."I'm gobsmacked that this is such a big story and if you ask Mike I think he'll say he's gobsmacked too."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/21/SOCCER_Luton_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1

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QPR OFFIICAL SITE
WE WERE PUNISHED
Ian Holloway believes Luton's two goal victory margin flattered the home side - as the Hoops tasted defeat for the first time since Boxing Day.
A goal in each half from Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard saw Rangers' four match mini unbeaten run come to an end.
"I thought 2-0 flattered them. I felt we were pushing in the second half, but the second goal killed us. They were very physical but got the job done.
"You have to take your chances at this level - we didn't and they did and that was the difference."We had six shots in the first half and didn't score any.''
Ollie also bemoaned his sides' poor defending - especially for the first goal.
"We're conceding far too many goals."We were punished for sloppy defending. Gaz didn't push up for the first goal and you can't afford to make errors like that. He's held his hands up and it's over now.''
But Ollie was keen to heap praise on Marc Nygaard, who was a constant threat both on the deck and in the air after entering the fray as a second half substitute.
"I really wanted to start Marc, but his recent injury problems meant we felt it would be better for him to come off the bench."He came on and caused them all sort of problems - more than justifying his place in the squad after injury.''
*Due to circumstances beyond our control there is no interview with Ian Holloway on QPR World. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~772063,00.html


SPORTING LIFE
'BUNG' BOSSES DISCUSS CONTROVERSY
Mike Newell and Ian Holloway, whose recent revelations have re-ignited the debate about 'bungs' in football, discussed the problem before Luton's 2-0 win over QPR at Kenilworth Road.
Goals in either half from Marcus Heikkinen and Steve Howard saw Luton climb above QPR to claim ninth spot in the Championship table.
Luton boss Newell, who sparked off the debate by claiming that he had been offered money during transfer deals, said: "I spoke to Ian before the game to say I appreciated someone else coming out and backing me up because really it's been a long time coming."
But Holloway later denied backing up Newell's claims, pointing out that his comments related to a transfer issue four years ago.
Asked if he supported Newell's words, the Loftus Road boss said: "I support Ian Holloway, I work for QPR and support QPR.
"I like Mike Newell but not today because he beat me. He's an honest fellow and can only talk about his experiences."
Holloway added: "How can I put this, if you are on a beach we are talking about one grain of sand on the whole beach.
"It's dangerous for people who write stories to create a false impression of what the game is all about.
"I spoke about this four years ago and as far as I'm concerned it's old news."
Holloway said he had told his then chairman Nick Blackburn how a deal for a player who was supposed to be available on a free transfer had then seen the involvement of a fee.
He added: "I haven't come out and said I'm fully backing Mike. Agents are a massive part of the game and 99.9% of them do a fantastic job for their clients.
"I'm gobsmacked that this is such a big story and if you ask Mike I think he'll say he's gobsmacked too."
Newell earlier said: "I didn't bring up bungs. I was asked in conversation if I'd been offered money and I said I had - I didn't say bungs.
"That's what made the headlines but I want this to be the end of it all for me now.
"It's up to the authorities now and I get the feeling they share my frustrations. It's definitely not the lost cause everyone's making it out to be."
Luton's play-off prospects are by no means a lost cause and they could point to further disallowed efforts from Howard and substitute Warren Feeney.
On the game Newell said: "I think that's the first win of the year for us if I'm not mistaken and it's a pleasing result."
Holloway said: "I'm bitterly disappointed. We did a lot of things right apart from put the ball in the net and that's what gets you results."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/21/SOCCER_Luton_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1


LUTON OFFICIAL SITE
JEWELL HAPPY WITH 'DECENT PERFORMANCE'
Mike Newell was happy with his side's performance against QPR
Hatters boss Mike Newell celebrated his side's first win of 2006 by describing the victory over QPR as a 'decent performance.'
Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard both found the target for Luton as QPR's four match unbeaten league run was brought to an end in some style.
QPR had a lot of the ball but I thought we stood up well
Mike Newell on QPR victory
Luton actually had the ball in the net four times throughout the game as Howard and Warren Feeney both had efforts ruled out and Newell believes his side should have won the game by a more comfortable margin.
"It might have been more than two decent goals," said Newell. "It was a decent performance but I thought the foul by Steve Howard was a bit harsh to be honest. It has gone out of the game now where you can't compete for the ball when it is up in the air.
"As for the second goal which was ruled out, I thought it was because Warren was standing behind the goalkeeper but the referee's assistant said that it was Howie who was offside. It looked like a decent goal but there is nothing you can do."
"QPR had a lot of the ball but I though we stood up well. At the end of the day it was a decent result from the lads."
The Luton squad are now set to take a short break to Portugal as the club take a mini-break from league action with no game planned until next Tuesday when The Hatters make the trip to Sheffield Wednesday.
Newell added: "I think the lads have earned a break if you look at the results they have achieved during the first part of the season. It will be the last chance we get to go for a break between now and the end of the season.
"There is no group bonding needed within the squad but I think the lads have earned themselves a break for a few days and hopefully they can relax and recharge the batteries."
http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagerDetail/0,,10372~772019,00.html

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Luton Official Site

Luton recorded their first victory over QPR in 15 games as Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard both found the target at Kenilworth Road.
Heikkinen had given Luton an early first-half lead but the match wasn't made totally safe until Howard hit his 99th goal for the club, five minutes from the end.
The home-side also had two goals disallowed, one through Howard and the other by Warren Feeney, as Mike Newell's team recorded only their second win in nine games.
Luton went into the game boosted by the news that Howard was fit to play despite struggling throughout the week with an ankle injury that had made him a doubt in the pre-match build-up.
Howard's inclusion meant Newell named the same starting line-up that was defeated by Wolves last Friday with Enoch Showunmi continuing his role in central midfield and recent signing David Bell remaining on the bench.
Likewise, Ian Holloway, the QPR manager, named an unchanged starting line-up from last week's victory over Southampton with Georges Santos recovering from an ankle injury.
Both sides made a nervous start to the game but Luton almost made the breakthrough in bizarre circumstances within five minutes. Kevin Foley's surging run down the right saw the Luton full-back twice try and whip in a cross into the area with his second attempt hitting the heel of Matthew Rose and striking the crossbar.
QPR almost broke the deadlock themselves on nine minutes when Marcus Bignot wormed his way past two Luton defenders to cut a pass inside the area that Gareth Ainsworth fired over the crossbar from 15-yards.
Luton were beginning to see more of the play and a dangerous corner from Kevin Nicholls helped the home-side opening the scoring on 12 minutes. The Luton skipper picked out Chris Coyne at the far post and after a bit of head tennis in the penalty area, Paul Underwood nodded on for Heikkinen to head past Simon Royce from close range.
AFTER 15 MINS: Luton 1 v 0 QPR
The visitors continued to look dangerous going forward and Lee Cook should have found the target on 20 minutes when the midfielder split open Luton's midfield to drill a left footed shot narrowly wide of Marlon Beresford's goal.
Showunmi almost doubled Luton's advantage on 25 minutes when he flicked Underwood's near-post corner towards goal. The Nigerian rose highest in a packed penalty area and showed tremendous aerial strength to almost beat Royce from an acute angle.
AFTER 30 MINS: Luton 1 v 0 QPR
Rangers continued to find space in Luton's penalty area and, on 39 minutes, Richard Langley should have found the target from 15-yards but squandered his effort after the home-side's defence were caught napping from a set piece.
The visitors were dominating the midfield battle with Rangers able to press forward with ease. Bignot had an opportunity for Rangers on 43 minutes but his shot flew straight into the arms of Beresford.
Luton thought they had taken a two-goal lead when Howard had the ball in the back of the net on the stroke of half-time. The former Northampton striker rose highest to beat Royce and head home Rowan Vine's right wing cross but referee Richard Beeby adjudged the striker had impeded the Rangers goalkeeper in the penalty area, which resulted in the Northamptonshire official leaving to a chorus of boos at half-time.
AT HALF TIME: LUTON 1 V 0 QPR
QPR came storming out of the block after the restart with Luton quickly under the cosh in the early stages of the second-half. Paul Furlong almost brought the visitors back on level terms on 50 minutes but couldn't guide a near post header on target after Ainsworth's cross from the right.
Rangers began to boss proceedings with Luton's midfield, at times, looking lost and unable to cope with the visitors' pace. Langley saw a glimpse of goal on 59 minutes but failed to trouble Beresford with a 10-yard shot that travelled straight into the arms of the Luton goalkeeper.
AFTER 60 MINS: Luton 1 QPR 0
Beresford was called upon to make a smart save on 62 minutes when he denied Furlong from close range. After collecting a short pass from Ainsworth, Furlong turned instantly to see his shot from six-yards that was blocked by the Luton goalkeeper.
To try and strengthen the midfield, Newell threw Leon Barnett into the fold as Showunmi, who had been struggling throughout, was replaced.
For the second time in the game Luton had an effort ruled out when Feeney was deemed to be standing in an offside position after striking home a loose ball. Howard and Carlos Edwards both saw shots saved by ex-Hatter Royce but as the ball broke into Feeney's path, the linesman was quick to raise his flag.
AFTER 75 MIN: Luton 1 QPR 0
Fenney almost got his name on the score sheet on 79 minutes when the Northern Ireland striker struck a ferocious shot across the face of QPR's goal after striking his effort first time from Edwards' pass.
With Luton beginning to dominate possession a goal was always possible and the home side made the match safe as Howard stroked home his 11th goal of the season. The striker was in the right place as Edwards dragged the ball back, after a powerful run down the flank, for Howard to side-foot home.
AT FULL TIME: Luton 2 QPR 0
Luton: Beresford, Foley, Coyne, Underwood, Edwards, Nicholls, Vine (Feeney 65), Showunmi (Barnett 64), Brkovic (Morgan 74), Howard, Heikkinen
Subs not used: Bell, Brill,
Bookings: Feeney (69)
QPR: Royce, Bignot (Taylor 83), Shittu, Rose, Ainsworth (Moore 79), Santos, Cook, Baidoo (Nygaard h/t), Furlong, Lomas, Langley
Subs not used: Milanese, Donnelly,
Bookings: Shittu (56), Langley (84)
Referee: Mr R J Beeby
Attendance: 9,797 (1,800 from QPR)
http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10372~30658,00.html


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

Rangers' four match unbeaten league run came to an end at Kenilworth Road.
Goals in each half from Markus Heikkinen and Steve Howard clinched a 2-0 victory for the hosts, who jumped above the Hoops in the Championship table as a result of the three point haul.
Defeat was a tad harsh on Rangers, who enjoyed a lot of attacking possession, but ultimately failed to make the most of their chances.
Heikkinen's 13th minute header had given Luton a 1-0 lead, before Howard's six-yard strike sealed the win late on.The half-time scoreline was rather harsh on the Hoops, who enjoyed the lion's share of possession and crafted a hatful of goalscoring opportunities.
But the visitors were the own worst enemies for the goal they conceded, failing to clear their lines sufficiently from a corner and gifting Heikkinen acres of space to head home.
Ian Holloway named an unchanged line up, with Georges Santos overcoming an ankle injury to retain his place alongside Dan Shittu in the heart of the Hoops back four.
Marc Nygaard returned from injury to take his place on the Rangers substitute's bench, but there was no place in the 16 for new signing Marcin Kus.
After an encouraging opening for Rangers, it was Luton who came within a lick of paint of taking a fourth minute lead when Kevin Foley's strike was deflected off Matthew Rose and struck the face of Simon Royce's left hand post.
But Rangers were soon on the front foot with Gareth Ainsworth flashing a right footed strike a yard wide of Marlon Beresford's right post.
From their very next attack Lee Cook was sent tumbling to ground and Richard Langley's resultant free kick forced Beresford into a fine save with the ball destined for the back of the net.
Marcus Bignot was the surprise provider for Rangers' next effort on goal, but after his fine solo run down the right flank, the onrushing Ainsworth was unable to apply the finishing touch, blazing over from the edge of the six-yard box.
But it was Luton who took the lead against the run of play on 13 minutes when, after Rangers failed to clear their lines sufficiently from a corner, Marcus Heikkinen was gifted time and space to plant his header past the static Royce from just inside the six-yard box.
Undeterred, Rangers continued to take the game to their hosts, with the lively Cook ghosting past Carlos Edwards and Enoch Showunmi before firing just wide of the post.
Luton's biggest threat continued to be from set-pieces, with the gangly Showunmi glancing a near post header just wide on 25 minutes.
Rangers finished the half in the ascendancy, with the impressive Bignot firing a fizzing right footed strike straight at Beresford.
But it was Luton who felt hard done by on the stroke of half-time, when Steve Howard's header was ruled out for a foul on Royce, when it appeared as though there was very little contact between the pair.
Holloway introduced Nygaard at the expense of Baidoo on the resumption and the big man soon ruffled a few feathers in the Luton back four, linking up well with Cook to earn Rangers a corner.
But it was Nygaard's strike partner Paul Furlong that squandered a golden chance to put Rangers on terms soon after, when, after good work on the right flank from Ainsworth, the veteran striker's near post header flashed over the bar.
Furlong was proving a constant threat in the air and on 54 minutes the powerhouse front-man glanced Cook's corner narrowly wide.
Shittu entered the referee's notebook for a clumsy foul on Howard a minute later, but the resultant free-kick came to nothing.
Luton's first attack of note arrived on the hour, but after a fine flick on from Howard, Rowan Vine's finish lacked conviction.
Rangers should've been on terms a minute later. Ainsworth's run at the heart of the hosts defence eventually saw him pull the ball back for Furlong, who having turned his man with ease, was only denied by an outstanding Beresford stop.
Luton had a second goal chalked out on 67 minutes, when second half substitute Warren Feeney, who was booked for his protests, was adjudged to have been in an offside position after Edwards and Howard were earlier denied by Royce.
Feeney's introduction certainly seemed to have the desired effect for Mike Newell, who saw his Northern Ireland hit-man glance a near post header inches wide on 70 minutes.
Matthew Rose was getting forward regularly and when his cross found Nygaard, the Rangers faithful behind the goal were waiting for the net to bulge, only for Beresford to produce a comfortable save.
At the other end, Feeney fired wide, before Ainsworth made way for Stefan Moore and Andy Taylor replaced Bignot.
Victory was all but sealed for the Hatters on 84 minutes, when Howard poached home from the edge of the six-yard box after a fine solo run from Trinidad and Tobago international Edwards.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~771938,00.html


League Table
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/tables/cc_champ.html

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'Cardiff won't feel play-off pressure' - Bassett
Jan 21 2006 Ian Hunt, Western Mail

THE race for a Championship play-off spot remains wide open, Cardiff City being one of 11 clubs who entertain realistic hopes of claiming one of the four places on offer....a long list of chasing teams - from Leeds in third right down to Stoke in 13th - harbouring hopes ....Burnley, Norwich, QPR, Luton and Stoke in their wake cannot yet be discounted from the play-off equation....
Dave Bassett...., believes Cardiff are one of seven teams - Leeds, Watford, Palace, Preston, Wolves and Norwich being the others - who have a good chance of getting into the play-offs....
, ......The former Wimbledon manager, though, is unequivocal about the prospects of his most recent employers - and QPR - squeezing into the top six.
"Southampton have got no chance," he says...""QPR aren't good enough either. I wouldn't write off Luton just yet, but they've slipped away in recent weeks and it could be just beyond them for this season."

Western Mail: Page 2: The Bluebirds and their Championship play-off rivals

QPR - January arrivals: Andy Taylor: Defender brought in on loan from Blackburn to beef up the back-line. The youngster, whose loan spell at Loftus Road could be extended, can play anywhere across the back four.
Marcin Kus: Polish international defender signed on a six-month loan from Polonia Warsaw.
Next six matches: Luton (a), Leicester (h), Leeds (a), Millwall (h), Crystal Palace (a), Stoke (h)
Play-off prospects: Currently five points adrift of the top six, Ian Holloway's side lack a prolific goalscorer and it is doubtful they have the strength in depth to make the play-offs.
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0600soccer/0200news/tm_objectid=16609412%26method=full%26siteid=50082%26headline=%2dcardiff%2dwon%2dt%2dfeel%2dplay%2doff%2dpressure%2d%2d%2d%2dbassett-name_page.html

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BLACKPOOL OFFICIAL SITE
Pool Land Marcus Bean

The Seasiders completed the signing of Queen's Park Rangers midfielder MARCUS BEAN late on Friday afternoon.
The 21-year-old midfielder has joined on loan to ensure he is available for Saturday's game with Bristol City, but the classy and combative midfielder will sign a permanent contract with the club on Monday.
Bean has been at Loftus Road since the age of ten and has progressed through ranks to make his senior debut at the age of seventeen, but it will be one he will want to forget as he suffered the ignominy of being sent off in a game that saw four players receive the red card.
Bean's energetic style of play and ability to break up play saw the Hammersmith born man pick up QPR's Young Player of the Season last term, but the lack of first team action this season saw Marcus take up a loan spell at Swansea City where he made nine appearances. On his return to Loftus Road Bean played a part in six games, his last being in the R's 1-0 Boxing Day defeat at Brighton. Following discussions with Rangers manager Ian Holloway, Marcus decided to seek regular first team football elsewhere and jumped at the chance to join the Seasiders.
WELCOME ABOARD MARCUS!
http://www.blackpoolfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10432~771707,00.html?ptvParm=


QPR OFFICIAL SITE
BEAN AND GONE
Marcus Bean has moved to Blackpool on an emergency loan with a view to a permanent deal.
Bean will be available to turn out for the League One outfit against Bristol City on Saturday.
'Beany' made 66 appearances for the Superhoops and started 23 games in Rangers promotion winning season.
The midfielder is expected to complete a permanent deal on Monday.
He will join the club on a free transfer but Rangers have insisted on a sell-on clause.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~771697,00.html

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Dougie Freedman Turns 34. Born January 21, 1972

Given a free transfer by QPR to Barnet in July 1974 without having played a first team game for QPR. In his first Barnet season, started scoring prolifically. In total, with his various clubs, he's played something like 400 League games and scored 150 goals and a couple of Scottish caps
..From Barnet went to Crystal Palace...Wolves...Nottingham Forrest...back to Crystal Palace:
Not that many players released by QPR have done that well elsewhere. Freedman is clearly a major exception.
http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=2666
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=10113

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The Times - January 21, 2006

Holloway: forget the bungs, what about our fight charge?By Ashling O'Connor

WHEN Ian Holloway and Mike Newell shake hands today before kick-off between Queens Park Rangers and Luton Town, they will be sharing more than just a mid-table Coca-Cola Championship fixture. Aside from the referee, the managers will be in the spotlight in their respective dugouts for being whistleblowers.
After a week during which Newell went to the FA to dish the dirt on the agents and rival club officials he said had offered him bungs, Holloway was the first of his peers to back him up publicly with the allegation that he was offered £30,000 as an incentive to sign a player.
It is not a new story, however, and if the FA had wanted to take action before now, it needed only to have consulted press cuttings, QPR fanzines and the BBC’s documentary archives.
The alleged incident happened in July 2002, when Holloway signed Gino Padula, an Argentinian, from Jerez, the Spanish club, on a free transfer and was told that his club would have to pay £50,000 to the player’s agent to complete the deal. The suggestion was that the QPR manager would get a £30,000 cut of the money. He rejected the offer and reported it to Nick Blackburn, his chairman at the time. Like Newell, Holloway did not record any conversations.
Paul Taylor, the agent who recommended Padula to QPR, has denied any wrongdoing after being named in newspapers and has instructed his solicitors to defend his name. “People in the game who know my reputation know that it is not true,” he said.
The FA said yesterday that it would contact Holloway, who said that agents are queueing up with “whacking great wheelbarrows” to “fill up with money” for more information. Compliance officers have contacted Blackburn, who said that he would happily repeat a story he has told many times before.
Newell, who met FA officials on Wednesday, was grateful for the support but remains to be convinced what outcome, if any, will come from his meeting. “I don’t know whether they were surprised at what I told them, but I reckon they have boxes and boxes of files on this sort of thing,” he said. “As I have always said, the laws (governing agents) need changing.”
Holloway is also willing to tell the FA his story but appears more anxious to talk to them about the disciplinary proceedings hanging over his club. “Somebody has pulled this bung stuff out of a fanzine from four years ago,” he told The Times. “I would be very interested to talk to the FA, but more about two or three different things. Like what happened at Stoke City when my team were attacked and we are the ones being charged with failing to control our players.”
This month, the FA charged QPR for failing to control their players after a brawl at the Britannia Stadium on December 3. Fans were arrested after they attacked Simon Royce, the QPR goalkeeper. The situation escalated to a football disciplinary matter after players from both teams ran over to assist Royce but then appeared to fight among themselves. The FA also charged Jake Cole, the QPR substitute goalkeeper, with violent conduct for his involvement.
The parties have until Wednesday to respond to the charges. Holloway has just done so, branding the FA action “a total disgrace”.
At least Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, will not be able to ignore Holloway’s calls now that the QPR manager is a witness in the FA’s bung inquiry. An FA spokesman said: “We will be contacting Ian Holloway to request a meeting. We take these matters very seriously and our compliance department will thoroughly investigate any evidence of wrongdoing or breaches of regulation.”
As the transfer crossed international borders, the matter is expected to fall under Fifa’s jurisdiction, raising the prospect of a repeat of the ping-pong manner in which the investigation into Harry Kewell’s transfer from Leeds United to Liverpool in July 2003 has been treated.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,435-2002537,00.html


TELEGRAPH
TelegraphNewell back on offensive By Amar Azam (Filed: 21/01/2006)

Luton Town manager Mike Newell yesterday called on more managers to follow Ian Holloway's example after the Queens Park Rangers manager named an agent who had offered him a transfer bung.
Holloway revealed that Paul Taylor had offered him a £30,000 backhander as part of a free transfer deal to sign Argentine left-back Gino Padula from Spanish club Jerez. And Newell, who rocked the sport with his claims about agents last week, said: "I have had no regrets about expressing my opinion and it's nice that there has eventually been support. You have to ask yourself why more managers haven't come out."
Newell met the Football Association on Wednesday to discuss claims that he had been offered illegal transfer payments, and says that he is pleased by the reaction from the FA's Compliance Board.
"I got the impression that they shared the same frustration as me," he said. "It's now in their hands."
Newell's comments have infuriated the Football Agents Association, who have threatened to take him to court.
Newell responded: "Football can survive without agents. Agents would have you believe that they are part of the game but they are wrong." He added: "I have had an amazing amount of letters and emails from supporters, and they are the only group who aren't split on it. I hope we get new laws and regulations stopping people from printing money."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=C4GG4V2KHYS1XQFIQMGCFF4AVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2006/01/21/sfnbun21.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/01/21/ixfooty.html

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QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT - PENNINGTON DEPARTING

QPR's Chief Financial Officer, Chris Pennington, is leaving the club and moving on to pastures new.
Chris, who has agreed to stay on until the end of February, said;
"I wish the club all the best for the future and I'll look forward to returning to Loftus Road to cheer on the Superhoops."
QPR Chairman, Gianni Paladini, thanked Pennington for his help.
"I'd like to thank him for his help since we came to the club. I wish him all the best for the future and he'll always be welcome at Loftus Road."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~771465,00.html

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FA STATEMENT - FA INVESTIGATE HOLLOWAY ´BRIBE´ CLAIMS

The Football Association have launched an investigation into QPR manager Ian Holloway´s claims he was offered a bribe to push through a player´s transfer.The FA will address the issue, which follows a week after Luton boss Mike Newell´s claims about a widespread bung culture, as a matter of priority and will be contacting Holloway on Friday morning.
The QPR manager will be asked to give evidence to investigators from the FA´s compliance unit that he was offered money to push through the free transfer of Argentinian full-back Gino Padula from Jerez.An FA spokesman said: "We will be contacting Ian Holloway to request a meeting. We take these matters very seriously and our compliance department will thoroughly investigate any evidence of wrongdoing or breaches of regulation."
http://www.givemefootball.com/news.html?newsID=48200&type=domestic


BBC - FA to investigate Holloway claims
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4630844.stm



Sporting Life FA LAUNCH NEW 'BUNG' INVESTIGATION
The FA have launched an investigation into QPR boss Ian Holloway's claims he was offered a bribe.(More)
The Football Association have launched an investigation into QPR manager Ian Holloway's claims he was offered a bribe to push through a player's transfer.
The FA will address the issue, which follows a week after Luton boss Mike Newell's claims about a widespread bung culture, as a matter of priority and will be contacting Holloway this morning.
The QPR manager will be asked to give evidence to investigators from the FA's compliance unit that he was offered money to push through the free transfer of Argentinian full-back Gino Padula from Jerez.
An FA spokesman told: "We will be contacting Ian Holloway to request a meeting. We take these matters very seriously and our compliance department will thoroughly investigate any evidence of wrongdoing or breaches of regulation.
"We would expect anyone who has evidence of any wrongdoing to come forward."
As the transfer was an international one, it will almost certainly fall under FIFA's jurisdiction.
The spokesman added: "If necessary we will pass on any information to FIFA and other national associations."
Former Rangers chairman Nick Blackburn has backed up Holloway's claims....
Blackburn, who was in control of QPR at the time, said such incidents were not isolated...."I heard stories all the time when I was chairman. I'm very disappointed the game has to endure this....Blackburn added: "Ian told me because he is an honest guy, but how many more of these deals happen behind the scenes when people are not so honest? It is an appalling state of affairs and it leaves me sickened. "I applaud Mike Newell for coming forward - and yet what happened to him? People turned on him. "We need to try to clear up the game."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/20/SOCCER_Agents.html&TEAMHD=soccer

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Mirror 20 January 2006 By John Cross
Bungs The Evidence

"....Ian Holloway was offered a £30,000 backhander as part of a "free" transfer which took Argentinian leftback Gino Padula from Spanish Second Division club Jerez to Loftus Road.
Paul Taylor, who works with his son Mark in sports consultancy firm PSC Ltd, is alleged to have demanded £50,000 to make the deal happen - with £30,000 going to Holloway.
Holloway declined the offer and there is no question that he or the player acted improperly.
Taylor last night denied any wrongdoing but confirmed that he had recommended Padula to QPR - even though the defender had played under Holloway at Bristol Rovers.
Former QPR chairman Nick Blackburn last night admitted he was "sickened" by the events and confirmed that Holloway rejected the backhander - while the club ended up paying a £4,000 fee for the deal to go ahead on July 3, 2002.
That transfer is the first alleged bung to be publicly named since the George Graham scandal rocked football in 1995. Just a week after Luton boss Mike Newell reopened the debate about the way transfers are conducted, Holloway has put football back in the dock and will force the FA to extend their investigation.
Holloway said: "It was some time ago and I thought I was getting this player on a free transfer. His agent then came back to me and said 'my fee is this amount and you will get that from it'. "I went back to the board and said 'You must be joking'. I earn my money through my contract, not any other way. I've got nothing to hide.
"There are agents out there with whacking great wheelbarrows who say 'fill that up with money'."
Holloway reported the bung offer to Blackburn and former club chief executive David Davies, who now runs Wasps rugby club.
Davies said: "I can say 100 per cent that the agent concerned was Paul Taylor and I will confirm that. But where will it go from here?" ....
Holloway claimed there are agents who are willing to offer "bucketloads" for a deal.
Blackburn - who left the club in 2004 - backed up Holloway's story. He said: "Ian called me and said the agent of the player we were interested in wanted £50,000 - and Olly (Holloway) was going to get £30,000 of it. "I said the agent must be f***ing stupid. We didn't think the player in question was worth £50,000, never mind that amount for his agent. "In the end we settled on a £4,000 handling fee."
The FA will interview Holloway as part of their probe. Holloway added: "I didn't anticipate getting an offer and I can't prove it. I didn't record it and no agents are going to stand up and say 'Yeah, I do that'. Fair play to Mike Newell, but I'm not surprised nobody is going to support him. I don't think Mike's a liar. I think he's very frustrated."
Paul Taylor last night told Mirror Sport: "Ian knew about Gino from his time at Bristol Rovers but I recommended him as I knew him from my time as general manager at Walsall.
"It's a crazy thing and I don't want to comment further. It's not true, that's for sure."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16605913&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=bungs-the-evidence--name_page.html

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Telegraph - I Was Offered a £30,000 Bung,' says Holloway

I was offered a £30,000 bung,' says Holloway By William Johnson 20/01/2006

Ian Holloway, the Queens Park Rangers manager... claimed to have been offered a £30,000 "bung" from a player's agent to facilitate a free transfer signing. Like Newell last week he has promised to name the alleged offender but like Newell he admits that any charge is going to be extremely difficult to prove.
Holloway reflected: "I thought I was getting a certain player on a free transfer. His agent then came back to me and said 'my fee is this amount and you will get that from it'.
"I went back to the board and said 'You must be joking'. I earn my money through my contract, not any other way. I've got nothing to hide. There are agents out there with whacking great wheelbarrows who say, 'Fill that up with money'."
Holloway has earned a reputation for eccentricity and outspoken behaviour but his comments yesterday have been endorsed by former Rangers chairman Nick Blackburn - who was in charge of the club when the inducement was offered.
Blackburn said: "Ian called me and said the agent of the player we were interested in wanted £50,000 - and Olly [Holloway] was going to get £30,000 of it. We didn't think the player in question was worth £50,000, never mind that amount for his agent. In the end we settled on a £4,000 handling fee. I heard stories all the time when I was chairman. I'm very disappointed that the game has to endure this."
Holloway's revelations came 24 hours after Newell met Football Association officials to discuss his own complaints about the way agents are affecting the game. Holloway has also promised to co-operate with Soho Square. He added: "I can't prove what happened because I didn't record it. Fair play to Mike, but I'm not surprised nobody is going to support him. I don't think Mike's a liar. I just think he's very frustrated."
The FA said after meeting with Newell that they would take time to reflect on his comments and they indicated last night that they would follow a similar course of action with Holloway...
http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2006/01/20/sfnbun20.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/01/20/ixfooty.html


Also: Independent - January 20, 2006
"Holloway 'offered £30,000 by agent'
By Kieran Daley
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/coca_cola/article339906.ece

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Sky Sport's Assessment...

Benni eyes Rangers move
Sky Sports By Chris Stanton - 19 January 2006
" Former Premiership star Benito Carbone has revealed he would welcome an offer from Queens Park Rangers to return to England....
Former agent Palladini has been a long-term admirer of his compatriot and the transfer of Carbone would represent a real coup for Rangers.
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=354866&cpid=10&CLID=52&lid=&title=Benni+eyes+Rangers+move&channel=championship

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Mirror
D BRAT BENI COULD BE BACK TOO
EXCLUSIVE
By John Cross
NICOLAS ANELKA is not the only notorious bad boy heading back to British football.

Former Sheffield Wednesday, Aston Villa, Bradford and Derby striker Benito Carbone - who received death threats from his OWN team-mates while in the Premiership - wants to return with QPR next season.
He said: "I would welcome a call from their chairman Gianni Palladini. Next year I would like to play in London."
The Italian enjoyed six years in the Premiership, earning up to £45,000-a-week. His mega wages almost bankrupted Wednesday and Bradford. But he said: "I didn't put my gun in Geoffrey Richmond's temple when I signed my contract with Bradford.
"If someone signs contracts without being able to mantain his duties it is not my fault.
Carbone, 34, now with his 15th club - Serie B side Vicenza - recalls with bitterness how even his own team turned on him at Hillsborough. He said: "On my bathrobe someone designed a black cross writing 'R.I.P. by Alitalia.' They wanted me to die in a plane accident.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/tm_objectid=16601176&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=--and-brat-beni-could-be-back-too--name_page.html
_________________


From a few years back:

BBC - "Carbone leaves Bradford
Carbone wages were threatening Bradford's survival
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/2152197.stm


Paladini on Carbone and Bradford :
http://archives.tcm.ie/breakingnews/2002/07/25/story61335.asp

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Simon Osborn - January 19, 1972

Player manager Ray Wilkins signed midfielder, Osborn from Reading for £1,100,000 in July 1995 (our relegation season) and then sold him to Wolves less than six months later (for £1,00, 000). (Wilkins and Osborn were both midfielders...)
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=7377
Also played for Tranmere, Port Vale, Gillingham and is currently at Walsall.

Career Statistics:
http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s44/st29187.htm

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Aston Villa's Reserve goalie, Wayne Henderson set to join Brighton for £20,000 after three months loan. QPR were interested in Henderson in the summer and he played as trialist for QPR against Iran in July.


"Villa starlet close to Seagulls switch
"AstonVilla’s Republic of Ireland under-21 international goalkeeper Wayne Henderson is nearing a permanent move to Coca-Cola Championship side Brighton.Henderson spent three months at the Withdean Stadium earlier this season, and Seagulls boss Mark McGhee made no secret of the fact that he wanted to make the move a permanent one in the January transfer window. The deal looked under peril after a row over a fee purportedly due to Henderson’s agent, but that now seems to have been smoothed over. http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/irish_soccer_detail.asp?newsid=20773

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Shame...But have to admire the player's character for sticking with Bournemouth.

BBC -Cooper pens new Cherries contract
Hart welcomes Cherries deal Bournemouth's Shaun Cooper has joined fellow defender Callum Hart in putting pen to paper on a new 18-month deal.
The ex-Portsmouth trainee, 22, joined on a short-term deal after impressing while on trial in the summer.
Cooper had been targeted by QPR, but Cherries manager Sean O'Driscoll said: "I'm delighted he's decided to sign for 18 months with us.
"I think it's the best move for him and if he continues his development, we'll end up with a very talented player." http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/4623372.stm

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Dean Wilkins, who played a handful of first team games for QPR in the early 1980s (and of course is the younger brother of Ray Wilkins) is now coaching Brighton youth.

BBC -Seagulls thrilled at Chelsea win

Brighton will face Blackburn or Derby in round fiveBrighton youth team coach Dean Wilkins was thrilled after his side beat Premiership champions Chelsea 2-1 in their FA Youth Cup fourth round tie.
Joe Gatting and Dan Leach were on target for the young Seagulls.
"I'm really pleased, as we normally fall at such big hurdles - but not this time," ex-Albion midfielder Wilkins told BBC Southern Counties Radio.
"It's also good for our players' self-confidence to beat sides like Chelsea," he added.
Brighton will face Blackburn or Derby in round five. http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/4623868.stm

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Steve Lomas, Turns 32: Born January 18, 1974
Ex-Manchester City & West Ham and Northern Ireland.

-January 17, 1981:

Tommy Langley getting the only goal as Terry Venables' QPR defeated Chelsea 1-0 at Loftus Road before a crowd of almost 23,000.

QPR's Team vs Chelsea:

Burridge
Gillard Roeder Wicks Shanks
Currie Fenwick King Silkman
Langley Stainrod

And if you did a "Where are they now?"...Silkman's an agent...King just recently left Swindon as manager...Roeder heads the academy at Newcastle...Fenwick has managed briefly a couple of clubs. Stainrod managed in Scotland. Wicks was a coach...Gillard coached at Aldershot (as player coach) after leaving QPR

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HOLLOWAY'S VIEWS

Guardian - Walcott back to reality as Saints prepare for parting of ways Jeremy Wilson

"It's everyone's dream to play for Arsenal with the beautiful football they play and you could see why they are big admirers," said the QPR manager Ian Holloway. "But what's Walcott going to learn playing Under-19s? He's better off playing in front of real crowds, scoring goals, dealing with highs and lows."

. The result gives QPR hope of pushing into the Premiership via the play-offs although Holloway was urging caution. "We'd get murdered," he said.

The QPR manager has also entered the debate on football agents. "I've not experienced what Mike [Newell] is talking about for four years," he said. "I thought the two people I was talking about were free transfers. The second that these two agents told me they weren't I said 'go on' to my directors then. I'd pass the names on to the FA, but I can't prove it."

Holloway also has the FA in his sights after his players were charged following the recent fracas against Stoke. "I want to see the FA big time if they are going to charge my players for misbehaving when my players got attacked and beat up in the middle of the game," he said.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,1527,1687270,00.html

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Times Report
Disappointing Walcott outshone by elders
By Ron LewisQueens Park Rangers 1 Southampton 0: Langley on the spot for QPR

THEO WALCOTT WATCH: minutes on the pitch, 90; shots on target, one; shots off target, two; goals, none; yellow cards, one; rating, C minus. Harsh? Maybe, but when you have a £10 million price-tag on you, you are in the business of harsh assessments. Southampton’s 16-year-old wonderkid started on the left, switched to the front and ended up on the right, but he was largely anonymous.
His best chance came after 37 minutes, when the ball fell to him 15 yards out. His shot was well saved by Simon Royce, the Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper, and he sliced the rebound over the bar.
In the second half it was his cross that QPR, at that point down to ten men because of an injury to Georges Santos, failed to clear and led to Southampton’s penalty, which Nigel Quashie — once a 17-year-old protégé at Loftus Road — fired against a post. Apart from that, Walcott’s only souvenir of the afternoon was a QPR shirt, courtesy of Paul Furlong. He left the field last, clad in blue and white hoops, having given the sort of lingering salute to Southampton supporters that normally comes before a transfer.
Not that George Burley, the Southampton manager, was admitting that Walcott was going to Arsenal, or anywhere else for that matter. “Nothing has changed, we are planning ahead with Theo at the club, we want to keep him,” he said. “At the moment the best place for him is Southampton. He’s enjoying himself, playing regular first-team football and will just get better and better. I’ve never had a 16-year-old playing regularly. I’ve had plenty of 17-year-olds — Kieron Dyer, Darren Ambrose (as manager of Ipswich Town). Theo can go on and be better than all of them.”
Rather than keep Walcott, Burley, who fielded two other teenagers in Nathan Dyer and Dexter Blackstock, could do better to reinvest some of the money from his sale in a team who have lost five of their past six league games.
Walcott did make an impression on Steve Lomas, the QPR midfield player, and not only for the bad tackle that earned the teenager a yellow card. “He’s pretty quick and I wouldn’t like to be chasing him all the time,” the former Northern Ireland captain said. “He’s obviously got a bright future, he’s got blistering pace, but I thought Matthew Rose played him quite well. The key with players like that is to not let them turn. He probably got a bit frustrated at the end.”
Lomas, in his first match for three months, led the rearguard effort by the home team in the second half. QPR had deserved their half-time lead, Richard Langley slotting home a penalty after Gareth Ainsworth had been bundled over by Danny Higginbotham. Furlong had a goal ruled out for offside, but though it remained tense, QPR held on to climb into the top half.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,435-1987316,00.html


Telegraph
Frustrated Walcott swaps his shirt at lastBy Stewart Jackson
Somewhere amid the frenzy surrounding Theo Walcott's supposed last game for Southampton there was one cool head: Dan Shittu had the presence of mind to collar the 16-year-old at the final whistle and insist on swapping shirts. It could turn out to be a valuable memento for the QPR centre-back.
So high are the hopes for the £16 million-rated striker that you would not bet against the item finding its way on to eBay in 10 years. His first Arsenal shirt would be an even bigger coup - keep your eyes on the Everton back line on Saturday.
It was not the farewell of which he would have dreamed - another defeat, a decent first-half chance wasted and a silly booking were the end-product of a disappointing afternoon. The yellow card came for a kick at Steve Lomas, the Rangers midfielder, as frustration got the better of the teenager.
Lomas, who has come up against many 'Next Big Things' in the Premiership while at Manchester City and West Ham, was in no doubt that Walcott has what it takes. "He's definitely destined for big things," the Northern Irishman said.
"There's obviously something there - especially if Arsene Wenger is going to pay over £10 million for him. He can look after himself well for a 16-year-old and he's got blistering pace. He did me a couple of times down the line and I wouldn't want to be chasing him all the time.
"He's got a bright future if he can stay clear of injuries. If he goes to Arsenal he's got a great manager to guide him in the right direction."
Walcott showed flashes of his much-touted brilliance - one mazy run past three defenders would have impressed Arsenal fans - but he will be disappointed not to have scored in the first half. Set up by Dexter Blackstock, his first effort was punched straight back by the goalkeeper Simon Royce, but, as the rebound bounced up to him, he shot over.
George Burley, the Southampton manager, was still toeing the "it's just speculation" party line, and added: "We are planning ahead with Theo at the club. We naturally want to keep him for as long as possible."
With his under-performing side rapidly losing touch with the play-offs, however, any multi-million-pound down-payment by Arsenal would fund a flurry of much-needed purchases. As Walcott's leaving present, that could prove more valuable than an equaliser at Loftus Road.
Southampton's fourth defeat in five matches under Burley boiled down to two penalties. Richard Langley converted the home side's in the first half, Nigel Quashie hit the post in the second.
With hindsight it might have been a good idea to give the ball to Walcott. The afternoon was all about him.
http://sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/sport/2006/01/16/sfgqpr16.xml

INDEPENDENT
Burley in dark over Walcott move to Arsenal
By Matt Gatward
Published: 16 January 2006
The whole footballing world expects Southampton's exciting teenager, Theo Walcott, to join Arsenal today except his manager George Burley, who claims that if a deal has been done he knows nothing about it.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow," Burley said after his side lost 1-0 to Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday at Loftus Road. "I might not be here myself, who knows? I won't guarantee anything, but as far as I'm aware nothing has changed. We're planning ahead with Theo at the club. He's done very well for us and we want to keep him for as long as possible. He's a fantastic talent. When you've got a talent like that there is always going to be speculation but the kid handles it well - he's experienced it for the past six months."
Burley did admit he could not guarantee that Walcott would remain a Southampton player beyond the January transfer window as reports suggested the 16-year-old remained in London for further talks with Arsenal after Saturday's game. Saints are believed to be hopeful of retaining Walcott's services on loan should he head to Highbury, a move that appeared to be edging ever closer when the chairman Rupert Lowe and the director of football Sir Clive Woodward visited the Arsenal training ground on Thursday. However, it is understood the Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is eager to start working with Walcott straight away.
Walcott was unable to finish on the winning side in what could be his last Southampton game on Saturday after a Richard Langley penalty proved enough to beat Saints.
"[Walcott] looked lively," Burley said. "He did well on a number of occasions and made a great run for the penalty." Unfortunately for Burley, the penalty earned by Walcott's surging run 14 minutes from time was squandered by Nigel Quashie, who smacked the ball on to the post against his former club.
Burley admitted that he is close to bringing in players to boost his squad, who are now well off the play-off places after a fifth defeat in six League games under the Scot. "We've made offers for three or four players and we are close to bringing in one or two in the next few days."
The Rangers manager Ian Holloway admitted to being an admirer of Walcott. "He showed his quality in flashes and you could see why everyone is talking about him," he said.
The former Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka wants to make Newcastle United his next club. He said: "I don't want to waste my time any more in the Turkish Championship ... [but] they don't want to sell me for nothing. But my brothers are trying to find me a club in England. I have heard of Everton's interest, but I don't want to go there. I want to get back into the Premiership and I would like that club to be Newcastle United."
l The former Arsenal captain Tony Adams will start work at the Dutch first division side Utrecht today as a trainee coach.
The whole footballing world expects Southampton's exciting teenager, Theo Walcott, to join Arsenal today except his manager George Burley, who claims that if a deal has been done he knows nothing about it.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow," Burley said after his side lost 1-0 to Queen's Park Rangers on Saturday at Loftus Road. "I might not be here myself, who knows? I won't guarantee anything, but as far as I'm aware nothing has changed. We're planning ahead with Theo at the club. He's done very well for us and we want to keep him for as long as possible. He's a fantastic talent. When you've got a talent like that there is always going to be speculation but the kid handles it well - he's experienced it for the past six months."
Burley did admit he could not guarantee that Walcott would remain a Southampton player beyond the January transfer window as reports suggested the 16-year-old remained in London for further talks with Arsenal after Saturday's game. Saints are believed to be hopeful of retaining Walcott's services on loan should he head to Highbury, a move that appeared to be edging ever closer when the chairman Rupert Lowe and the director of football Sir Clive Woodward visited the Arsenal training ground on Thursday. However, it is understood the Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger is eager to start working with Walcott straight away.
Walcott was unable to finish on the winning side in what could be his last Southampton game on Saturday after a Richard Langley penalty proved enough to beat Saints.
"[Walcott] looked lively," Burley said. "He did well on a number of occasions and made a great run for the penalty." Unfortunately for Burley, the penalty earned by Walcott's surging run 14 minutes from time was squandered by Nigel Quashie, who smacked the ball on to the post against his former club.
Burley admitted that he is close to bringing in players to boost his squad, who are now well off the play-off places after a fifth defeat in six League games under the Scot. "We've made offers for three or four players and we are close to bringing in one or two in the next few days."
The Rangers manager Ian Holloway admitted to being an admirer of Walcott. "He showed his quality in flashes and you could see why everyone is talking about him," he said.
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/arsenal/article338798.ece

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Mick Leach, Born January 16, 1947

Died in 1992

Great unappreciated QPR Hero, later 1960s to later 1970s.
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=9687

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QPR Net have a Q&A with Paladini, which was done prior to the Cardiff Game.
http://www.qprnet.com/interviews/paladini.shtml

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Ian Holloway
"...Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway, meanwhile, has given his support to Newell, and urged the powers that be to resolve the problems.
"Mike has been honest but I look at it slightly differently," he told Radio Five Live.
"Wherever there are loopholes people will try to exploit them and I think we should try to tighten things up.
"I love the game but I can't stand the business. I think there is an awful lot wrong with football. All I try to do is live my way." (Skysports)
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=352997&CPID=10&clid=&lid=4&title=Agents+hit+back+in+Newell+row

Radio Five Live - http://www.bbc.co.uk/fivelive/sport/ Click on Football Bungs

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Sheron's coaching hopes
By Tony Incenzo - The FA.Com

[[Sheron makes no reference to his QPR period!]

Mike Sheron is best known for his goalscoring heroics at Manchester City, among a number of other clubs he made over 500 appearances with, but after suffering from a prolonged injury he has turned his attentions to coaching where he hopes to be just as successful.
We caught up with Mike, who also played for Norwich, Stoke, QPR, Barnsley, Blackpool, Macclesfield and Shrewsbury, in his new role at Warrington. Mike joined the UniBond League Division One side as a player earlier this season but is now concentrating on coaching.N
Now aged 33, he joined Warrington Town of the UniBond League Division One as a player earlier this season but has since decided to concentrate on coaching at the club.
Mike, how's it been going for you at Warrington?
I have been helping out on the coaching side at Warrington for the last year. I'm going through my coaching badges and so I needed a set of lads to work with. I left Shrewsbury Town as a player in the summer and I didn't have a club at the start of this season. So I trained with Crewe Alexandra to try to recover from an injury. Then I needed a few games to see where I was at. I played two matches for Warrington and didn't feel anywhere near what I am used to fitness-wise. I could have taken my time and eventually pushed my fitness, but I have been out of action for a good seven months now and I really do get a buzz from the coaching. That is a side of the game that I want to learn and improve on, so I am going to concentrate on that now and I am grateful to Warrington for giving me the opportunity. They have a good set of lads and so this is a great chance for me to start off and study the trade. You are always learning in football and never too old to learn.
What is the injury you have had?
It is a knee injury and it is like the early stages of arthritis. The physio at Crewe - Matt Ratcliffe - got me fit at the start of the season. So he gave me the option of making the decision about my fitness myself rather than being forced into retirement. It was nice to have the choice rather than being told that I had to pack up playing.
You have always followed Non-League football closely haven't you? Yes, I've had a few friends over the years who have played at different levels. My best mate Adrian Riley used to play for quite a while at St Helens Town, who are the local team from where I am from. He ended up joining Warrington Town when Glenn Walker took over as manager here at the club because they had both played together for St Helens. So I have always taken an interest in the Non-League. I enjoy watching all levels of football.
Having been a professional, do you have to make different allowances when coaching Non-League players?
In a way yes. You have to realise the standard that they are playing at. But I still believe that players can improve if they apply themselves correctly. It doesn't matter how much coaching you get or how fit you are, at the end of the day you have to apply yourself correctly in a match situation otherwise you won't get results. That is important at any level of football. So you do make allowances for the players but you always strive to make them better.
What were the personal highlights of your professional career?
I would have to say playing for England under-21's. After that, being at Manchester City at a time when the Premiership was just starting. Under Peter Reid, we finished in the top 10 three years running. That was a very special period really. Also, going to Stoke City and scoring 34 goals in less than 70 appearances and getting into the play-offs, which was a great time for me personally. I always thought I had a chance of getting into the full England squad, but it wasn't to be. I feel as if I tried my best over my career wherever I went and that is the type of fella I am. And if I can apply that to my coaching, then I am confident I can get the best out of players.
Do you have any business interests away from football?
No I haven't to be honest. I have got a young family and that is very important to me. So what are your future hopes in coaching? I am in the middle of doing my UEFA 'A' license now. That is why I have made the decision to stop playing football myself. The coaching is a big commitment and it is definitely where I want to go. I've only realised that over the last three or four weeks. People tell you to play for as long as you can and I obviously wanted to. But the injury I have had makes it difficult to carry on. So I am hoping to get back into professional football as a coach as quickly as possible. I feel as if I have a great deal to offer and I am very enthusiastic about the game. So it would be interesting to get a few offers from clubs.
http://www.thefa.com/Grassroots/GrassRootsNews/Postings/2006/01/Sheron_interview.htm?WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished%3fpage

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JAN STEJSKAL

Birthday Today: QPR's Czech International Goalie, Jan Stejskal - Born January 15, 1962

Signed from Sparta Prague by Don Howe as a replacement for David Seaman. Made his debut in October 1990, in "THE" game at Leeds in which QPR came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 and Roy Wegerle scored a wonder goal. Stejskal Played for QPR for four seasons...

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THE TIMES - Langley spoils teenager’s leaving do

Theo Walcott produced some inspired touches at QPR yesterday, but was profligate in front of goal in Southampton’s 1-0 defeat, writes Jon West
HE IS the teenager already performing a man’s job but Theo Walcott, seemingly Arsenal-bound despite his present manager’s denials, could still do with time at a finishing school.
The 16-year-old is rightly regarded as the hottest teenage talent in England, because of his pace and potential, but the boy dubbed the new Thierry Henry is not yet a Premiership-quality predator, as his display in Southampton’s 1-0 defeat by Queens Park Rangers showed.
Turning out for the Saints is a thankless task anyway these days as the South Coast side inflicted a fifth defeat in six league matches on its long-suffering fans, who nevertheless outsung their Rangers counterparts, so the teenager can hardly be blamed for wanting to head east along the M3 to Arsenal’s training ground.
It was easy to see why Walcott had caught the imagination of Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. There was a glorious few seconds in the second half when super-fast feet beat one man, a second and a third before a promising move came to an abrupt end with a pass to a less gifted colleague.
But should this turn out to be his farewell performance in a Saints shirt, and there is always the possibility that he will be sold and loaned straight back, then it will be a costly double miss soon after Rangers had gone ahead that will linger the longest.
The chance had been fashioned by another academy product, Dexter Blackstock, who stuck out a leg to divert the ball into his strike partner’s path. QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce parried Walcott’s initial, well-struck effort but was helpless as the ball rebounded straight back to the prodigy, who wastefully fired over.
Rangers manager Ian Holloway admitted afterwards he had been surprised Walcott had even taken part such was the intensity of his press coverage but George Burley, his Southampton counterpart, was adamant afterwards that the teenager might yet remain on the South Coast.
“Nothing has changed at all as far as I am aware,” he insisted, with a twinkle in his eye that all but confirmed he was happy with a leading role in a post-match pantomime. “As for him being sold and coming back on loan, we are not even thinking about that. We are planning ahead with Theo at the club. We naturally want to keep him for as long as possible.” The game was decided by one clumsy first-half moment when Danny Higginbotham, who had survived an earlier handball shout, barged Gareth Ainsworth over and Richard Langley sent Paul Smith, Antti Niemi’s successor between the Saints sticks, the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Southampton applied immense pressure in the final half-hour but skipper Nigel Quashie wasted a penalty he had won himself by planting it against a post. The award, for Steve Lomas’s challenge on the former Rangers midfielder, had followed a moment of Walcott magic on the by-line, but it was that kind of day for the Saints. That kind of season in fact.
STAR MAN: Marcus Bignot (QPR)
Player ratings: QPR: Royce 7, Bignot 8, Shittu 8, Santos 8 (Taylor 78min, 5), Rose 7, Ainsworth 6 (Donnelly 88min, 5), Lomas 6, Langley 7, Cook 7, Furlong 7, Baidoo 7 (Moore 84min, 5)
Southampton: Smith 7, Prutton 6, Lundekvam 6, Powell 6, Higginbotham 5, Dyer 6 (Fuller h-t, 5), Oakley 6, Quashie 6, Belmadi 5, Walcott 6, Blackstock 6 (Jones 68min, 5)
Scorer: QPR: Langley 21 pen
Referee: M Jones Attendance: 15,494
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-1986213,00.html


INDEPENDENT
QPR 1 Southampton 0: Southampton serve up a weak farewell for prodigy Walcott
By Andy Sims at Loftus Road
Published: 15 January 2006
As farewell matches go, it was not ideal, but if it was indeed goodbye to Southampton for Theo Walcott, the 16-year-old prodigy will probably have plenty more opportunities to celebrate in the future.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow," joked the Saints manager, George Burley. "I might not be here myself, who knows? I won't guarantee anything, but as far as I'm aware, nothing has changed."
Walcott, apparently, may not have been planning to head back to the South Coast after a frustrating afternoon as Richard Langley sealed the points for Queen's Park Rangers with the only goal of the game from a first-half penalty, as he is expected to sign for Arsenal by the end of tomorrow. The teenager's misery was increased by Nigel Quashie missing a penalty for the Saints.
His display on the left wing may not be his last in the Saints' red-and-white stripes, because if his move to Highbury does go through (although Arsène Wenger, Arsenal's manager, is still being coy about the exact timing of the agreement), he may return to St Mary's for the rest of the season on loan.
Rangers have played South-ampton twice now this season, so their right-back, Marcus Bignot, can sleep easier in his bed knowing he will not have to face the high-speed trickster until at least next season. He needed to be alert twice right from the off yesterday, timing his tackle perfectly as Walcott tried to go past him. Walcott then floated the ensuing corner on to the head of Darren Powell and Bignot cleared the ball off the line.
Rangers found their rhythm and went ahead after 21 minutes when Lee Cook's long shot was parried by Paul Smith in Saints' goal and, as the ball looped up, Gareth Ainsworth was brought down by Danny Higginbotham. Langley shut out the distraction of Saints' protests and sent Smith the wrong way.
After the break Quashie thumped a drive too high before Walcott, with 14 minutes left, sped down the right and crossed. Belmadi touched the ball off to Quashie, who fell under pressure from Ainsworth and Steve Lomas. He picked himself up to take the penalty but his shot came back off the post and Rangers cleared the rebound.
Southampton could get Walcott on the rebound, at least temporarily, if his move goes ahead.
As farewell matches go, it was not ideal, but if it was indeed goodbye to Southampton for Theo Walcott, the 16-year-old prodigy will probably have plenty more opportunities to celebrate in the future.
"I don't know what will happen tomorrow," joked the Saints manager, George Burley. "I might not be here myself, who knows? I won't guarantee anything, but as far as I'm aware, nothing has changed."
Walcott, apparently, may not have been planning to head back to the South Coast after a frustrating afternoon as Richard Langley sealed the points for Queen's Park Rangers with the only goal of the game from a first-half penalty, as he is expected to sign for Arsenal by the end of tomorrow. The teenager's misery was increased by Nigel Quashie missing a penalty for the Saints.
His display on the left wing may not be his last in the Saints' red-and-white stripes, because if his move to Highbury does go through (although Arsène Wenger, Arsenal's manager, is still being coy about the exact timing of the agreement), he may return to St Mary's for the rest of the season on loan.
Rangers have played South-ampton twice now this season, so their right-back, Marcus Bignot, can sleep easier in his bed knowing he will not have to face the high-speed trickster until at least next season. He needed to be alert twice right from the off yesterday, timing his tackle perfectly as Walcott tried to go past him. Walcott then floated the ensuing corner on to the head of Darren Powell and Bignot cleared the ball off the line.
Rangers found their rhythm and went ahead after 21 minutes when Lee Cook's long shot was parried by Paul Smith in Saints' goal and, as the ball looped up, Gareth Ainsworth was brought down by Danny Higginbotham. Langley shut out the distraction of Saints' protests and sent Smith the wrong way.
After the break Quashie thumped a drive too high before Walcott, with 14 minutes left, sped down the right and crossed. Belmadi touched the ball off to Quashie, who fell under pressure from Ainsworth and Steve Lomas. He picked himself up to take the penalty but his shot came back off the post and Rangers cleared the rebound.
Southampton could get Walcott on the rebound, at least temporarily, if his move goes ahead.
http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/coca_cola/article338706.ece

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"I love the game but I can't stand the business. I think there is an awful lot wrong with football." Ian Holloway, QPR manager"

-" Newell's passion for truth deserves honest hearing - By Patrick Barclay, Telegraph - January 15, 2006 How others saw it
"http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=BJLZWENKKVDEBQFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2006/01/15/sfnpb115.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/01/15/ixfooty.html

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BBC - QPR 1-0 Southampton
Richard Langley's first-half penalty was the difference between QPR and Southampton as Nigel Quashie missed from the spot against his old club. Danny Higginbotham felled Gareth Ainsworth after 21 minutes and Langley sent Paul Smith the wrong way. Theo Walcott justified Arsenal's interest in him but the winger missed an equaliser when he shot over the bar.
Quashie was unlucky too as he was brought down under pressure from Steve Lomas but his kick hit the post.
QPR manager Ian Holloway: "We didn't get close to Blackburn last week and that was definitely a lot better. "They have got quality kids but we got in close, got in tight and got in their faces. "We rode our luck a little bit but I enjoyed the performance. We looked like a proper team."
Southampton head coach George Burley: "In the second half we got on top. We pinned them back and got the penalty after a good move but unfortunately we missed it.
"If we had knocked that in, I think we would have gone on to win the game.
"We've got a lot of hard work to do and it's not going to change overnight. It's going to take time."
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Santos (Taylor 78), Rose, Ainsworth (Donnelly 88), Lomas, Langley, Cook, Baidoo (Moore 84), Furlong. Subs Not Used: Milanese, Evatt.
Goals: Langley 21 pen.
Southampton: Smith, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Dyer (Fuller 45), Quashie, Oakley, Belmadi, Prutton, Blackstock (Jones 68), Walcott. Subs Not Used: Cranie, Bialkowski, Mills.
Booked: Powell.
Att: 15,494
Ref: M Jones (W http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4590230.stm

Southampton Official Site Report

QPR 1 Saints 0 - report
George Burley went with an attacking formation fielding both pacy wingers Nathan Dyer and Theo Walcott. The 16-year-old played despite continuing speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal.
The duo were interchangeable on the flanks with Djamel Belmadi pushed forward to support Dexter Blackstock.
Burley welcomed back three players from injury. Matthew Oakley returned in the centre of midfield, Darren Powell came into the centre of defence and Danny Higginbotham made his first appearance under the new boss.
However Chris Baird was ruled out by a dead leg and Marian Pahars was not quite ready for a place on the bench.
Saints were looking for their first win at Loftus Road (against either QPR or Fulham) since Jason Dodd made his debut in a 4-1 victory here back in October 1989.
QPR were without Kevin Gallen, Marc Nygaard, Marc Bircham, Tom Doherty and Martin rowlands but welcomed back Steve Lomas and Matthew Rose from injury. Andrew Taylor on loan from Blackburn was on the bench.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Cook, Ainsworth (Donnelly 86), Santos (Taylor 78), Langley, Furlong, Baidoo (Moore 83), Lomas. Subs: Milanese, Evatt.
Saints: Smith, Prutton, Lundekvam, Powell, Higginbotham, Dyer (Fuller 45), Oakley, Quashie, Walcott, Belmadi, Blackstock. Subs: Cranie, Mills, Jones, Bialkowski.
Referee: M Jones Attendance: 15,494
Saints suffered a set-back even before kick-off. Darren Kenton was hurt during the warm-up so David Prutton was promoted from substitute with Matthew Mills moving onto the bench.
Burley looked to be trying an innovative formation which was effectively 4-2-3-1 with Oakley and Quashie holding and three livewire midfielders pushing up to support Blackstock whenever possible.
Smith got down smartly to his right to stop a low 20-yard drive by Cook as the home side began brightly.
Walcott showed the first glimpse of his pace winning a corner from Bignot. Walcott's flag-kick was met by a thumping header by Powell which beat the keeper but was cleared off the line by Bignot on five minutes.
Powell was judged to have brought down Baidoo who spun past him in the D of the penalty area. But Furlong's blast was blocked by the breaking wall.
Langley strode forward but hammered well over rom 25 yards. Then Prutton and Blackstock combined to set up Belmadi whose dipping volley flew wide on 12 minutes.
Powell survived an appeal for handball in the box. Powell nodded behind in a mix-up with Lundekvam but Higginbotham headed away the dangerous corner.
QPR took the lead on 20 minutes when Cook's long rang blast was beaten out by Smith. Higginbotham was first to the rebound but miscued the clearance and as he tried to retrieve the damage he pushed Ainsworth in the back.
The referee pointed to the spot and LANGLEY sent Smith the wrong way, stopping his run with more than a mere shuffle before blasting just inside the right post.
Belmadi almost produced and instant response but his 18-yard low drive was comfortably saved. Prutton's low cross was kicked away from Walcott on the edge of the area and then Higginbotham headed out a dangerous cross.
Saints thought they had gone further behind on 34 minutes when another Cook shot was palmed out by Smith and Furlong was on hand to sweep into the roof of the net from six yards - only to be ruled offside as he posed for a celebration!
Southampton almost levelled two minutes later when Blackstock used his strength to hook the ball back into the goalmouth. Walcott showed great technique to keep the volley down but Royce beat out the blast and Walcott fired over from the rebound with the goal seemingly at his mercy - although the ball would not quite come down for him.
Furlong had a tame 18-yard shot comfortably saved and then Belmadi was fouled just as went to shoot from 20 yards and almost level with the right edge of the area four minutes before the break. Quashie hit the free-kick into the wall.
Good work by Oakley found Dyer down the right. His cross was laid off by Blackstock for Walcott whose 18-yard shot was charged down in the final minute of the half.
One minute was added but neither side posed a threat.
Half-time: QPR 1 Saints 0
Saints replaced Dyer with Fuller at the start of the second half as they reverted to a more orthodox 4-4-2. Baidoo had a shot deflected behind by Lundekvam and from the corner Santos had a header blocked.
Powell got in the way of a Furlong drive and Lundekvam was stuck by a long-rage effort from Rose.
The large contingent of travelling fans were pumping up the volume with continual chants of "George Burley's Red and White Army" - but their team were unable to match the intensity.
Quashie was doing his best to drive the side on and fired high over from 20 yards to jeers from fans of his former club
Walcott surged forward but was unable to control the return pass from Quashie. At the other end Smith comfortably saved Cook's 20-yarder.
Royce punched clear a cross by Prutton who had been found by Higginbotham's crossfield free-kick as Saints stepped it up in response to the support from their fans.
Belmadi's low drive went through the wall from a 28-yard inside right free-kick but Royce got down to his left to smother. Powell was booked on 71 minutes either for the foul or the scuffly melee which followed.
Santos was stretchered off clearly in a lot of pain 15 minutes from time.
While Rangers were down to 10 men, Saints won a penalty of their own. Walcott showed good control and drive to reach the byline. He just kept the ball and pulled back for Belmadi who laid off to Quashie. The skipper was bundled off the ball but got up to take the spot-kick himself and slammed against the base of the right post.
It came back at him without anyone else touching it and so the referee blew for an indirect free-kick as the QPR fans jeered their former hero.
It was the first penalty Saints have missed in open play since April 1997 when Jim Magilton had his effort saved in a 2-0 win over West Ham.
Before the resumption, Taylor replaced Santos. Smith saved a Cook free-kick whipped in low from the right.
Walcott was booked for a foul of frustration on Lomas with seven minutes left as Moore came on for Baidoo.
Cook's shuffle teed up Langley whose 20-yard sidefoot was easily saved. Rangers sent on Donnelly for Ainsworth four minutes from time.
Moore nutmegged Lundekvam to bear down on goal but smith was off his line quickly to block as four minutes were added.
In injury-time Langley teed up Moore who tried to let the ball run and then miscued wide of the left post and then Belmadi sent a deep swinging cross-shot wide of the far post from the left.
Full-time: QPR 1 Saints 0

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QPR vs Southampton

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Ainsworth, Santos, Cook, Baidoo, Furlong, Lomas, Langley.
Subs: Milanese, Evatt, Moore, Donnelly, Taylor.

Southampton: Smith, Lundekvam, Powell, Oakley, Quashie, Higginbotham, Kenton, Blackstock, Balmadi, Walcott, Dyer. Subs: Bialkowski, Fuller, Jones, Cranie, Prutton.

OFFICIAL SITE

LOMAS THE KEY

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE

[Interesting greeting photo: "Antonio Caliendo, Ian Holloway and Gianni Paladini welcome Martin Kus to Loftus Road"]

Polish international defender Martin Kus has signed a six month loan with the Hoops, with a view to signing a permanent deal at Loftus Road in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who has been capped twice by his country and is being tipped to force his way into the Polish World Cup squad this summer, is predominantly a right sided defender, who can also play at centre half.

"It's a good day for me. I'm pleased to have joined QPR.
"I'm hoping to force my way into the World Cup squad and playing for Rangers will enhance my chances.
"I'm looking forward to playing in front of the Rangers fans for the first time.''

Kus made his full international debut against Belgium in 2003 and just last month played a B international against Scotland.

Rangers beat off stiff opposition from fellow Championship sides Reading and Leeds United for the signature of the tall Polonia Warsaw man, to the delight of Chairman Gianni Paladini.

"He's a player Ian Holloway has been interested in for a while and we're delighted to have him on board.
"He'll be a very good addition to the squad.
"We're always looking for players of Martin's calibre and class to take the club forward.''

Kus should be available to make his debut against Luton Town next weekend.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~768449,00.html

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Southampton Official
By Graham Hiley
Saints are set to welcome back three senior players for tomorrow's trip to QPR.Matthew Oakley, Darren Powell and Danny Higginbotham have all been included in the squad for Loftus Road.
Marian Pahars will also travel and is hoping for a place on the bench although he may not quite be ready to start.Higginbotham has yet to figure under George Burley after picking up a groin injury in training on December 22, the day the new boss was appointed.
Oakley was forced off with a calf problem at half-time in Burley's first game in charge, at Watford on Boxing Day and Powell suffered a tight hamstring at home to Sheffield United.Pahars came through an hour of a Reserve game on Tuesday, his first outing since damaging medial ligaments at home to Leeds two months ago.
He said: "It is still sore but I have been told that is to be expected and I could feel pain for a few weeks or even a couple of months and I will just have to play through it."I am not quite ready to start but I could be on the bench if the manager wants to do that."
Kamil Kosowski is still out with a hamstring problem while Kenwyne Jones is hoping to recover from a bruised foot. The game may come just too soon for Rory Delap who has hurt an Achilles.Yoann Folly, Tomasz Hajto and Leon Best are all nursing niggling knocks.
Theo Walcott and Nigel Quashie are included in the squad despite persistent rumours linking them with a move.QPR will be without midfielders Tom Doherty and Steve Lomas but Marc Bircham could return. Strikers Kevin Gallen and Marc Nygaard are also missing.

QPR: (from) Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Milanese, Rose, Cook, Rowlands, Ainsworth, Langley, Furlong, Baidoo, Cole, Moore, Donnelly, Santos, Lomas, Bircham, Evatt.S

aints: (from) Smith, Baird, Lundekvam, Powell, Kenton, Higginbotham, Cranie, Dyer, Oakley, Quashie, Walcott, Prutton, Belmadi, Blackstock, Ormerod, Jones, Pahars, Fuller, Mills, Bialkowski.
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=353111&Title=QPR+preview

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CLUBCALL
Q.P.R. - Holloway on Evatt future - EXCLUSIVE13 Jan 2006

Queens Park Rangers boss Ian Holloway has been speaking about the future of defender Ian Evatt and admits he hasn't shown his best form since his summer transfer, writes Paul Prenderville.
Reports had suggested Evatt had been made available by Holloway but the Rangers boss has told clubcall he is hoping that a few home truths can kickstart the defender's career at Loftus Road after a stop-start few months since his summer switch from Chesterfield: 'I have told him what he has done so far isn't what I want. I think there is a lot more to come from him.
'He has got a lot more in his locker than he has shown us at the moment. I have told him that there were six clubs after him in the summer and lets see if they want him now because what he is giving me I would rather not have. In fairness his training earlier this week has been the best I have ever seen it.
'It is his first major move and it is not always easy especially when you have had a serious injury but I know he is a better player than he is at the moment and it is down to him to prove that. Hopefully my criticism will smart and hurt him and he will show some character.
http://217.158.112.238/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-223978-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE

YOUNGSTER IN SQUAD

Young goalkeeper, Sean Thomas, may be on the bench for the game against Southampton after Jake Cole was ruled out for up to 6 weeks.
Ian Holloway has been watching the youngster closely and commented:
"He has impressed me and he may well be on the bench on Saturday"
Thomas was released by Arsenal in 2004 and decided to join Fulham. However, he didn't enjoy his time at our near-neighbours and asked to be released after one month, when he joined up with the Superhoops.
The stopper joined QPR in October 2005 and Joe Gallen's first action as Head Of Youth was to recommend his signing to the board.
The second year scholar has been out on loan at Hendon this season and impressed in the under-18s' narrow defeat to Aston Villa in the FA Youth Cup.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~768126,00.html

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QPR OFFICIAL SITE

Blackburn Rovers defender Andy Taylor has been unveiled as Rangers' first signing of the January transfer window.
The 19-year-old, who can play anywhere along the back line, has signed a three month loan deal at Loftus Road and is in line to make his debut against Southampton tomorrow.
Taylor, who will wear the number 33 shirt, has yet to make his first team bow at Ewood Park, but has represented England at under-19 and under-20 level.
He said: "I was told I was joining QPR at 4:30pm on Thursday afternoon, so I jumped straight on the train.
"It's very exciting. I've never been to London before, but it will be fantastic playing in front of all the fans.
"My family are all coming down to the game tomorrow and although it is very last minute they are all excited."
Rangers boss Ian Holloway has earmarked versatility as one of Taylor's main strengths, but the player himself is in little doubt about his favoured position.
"I'm predominantly a left back. I like to get forward but I always make sure I do my defensive duties first."Taylor is no stranger to playing in front of Championship sized crowds, having represented England under-20 against Czech Republic at Carrow Road last year."Walking out in front of 26,000 at Carrow Road was amazing - the best moment of my life."A graduate from Rovers' profitable youth academy, Taylor, who is a Blackburn boy born and bred, will be with Rangers until April 15th 2006.
Blackburn will have the right to recall Taylor after 28 days, prior to 24 hours notice being given.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~768196,00.html

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Rangers have suffered a blow with Martin Rowlands set to miss the game against Southampton on Saturday.
Rowlands pulled up in training on Thursday with a calf strain and will miss the visit of the Saints. He will go for a scan on Friday afternoon but at this early stage he is also a major doubt for the visit to Luton Town on Saturday week.
His spot could go to Steve Lomas who completed 90 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday in the 2-2 draw with Wycombe. Gareth Ainsworth also comes into contention after starting as substitute at Blackburn.
Another player in with a shout is Scott Donnelly who has started as a substitute in the last two outings. The youngster has impressed Ian Holloway in recent weeks and the midfielder will be hoping for a place in the starting line up with another youngster who has seized his chance - Shabazz Baidoo.
Georges Santos may continue in midfield or he may have to move back to partner Dan Shittu as Matthew Rose has had a scan that shows a significant tear in his oblique muscle. Rose is a big doubt for the Southampton game but the medical staff are working hard to ensure the defender is available for selection.
Jake Cole suffered a significant sprain of his lateral ankle ligaments in the reserves on Tuesday and looks likely to be out of action for up to 6 weeks.
Kevin Gallen saw a consultant on Thursday and it looks as if the skipper will be sidelines for at least another two weeks. His symptoms stem from a back dysfunction which is mimicking a hamstring problem. He does not suffer from a simple muscle strain.
Marc Bircham, like Gallen, is suffering from a neural problem with is affecting his right hamstring. He looks set to start running on Monday.
Marc Nygaard is now able to jog following his mild calf strain.
Dominic Shimmin is having a scan on Friday afternoon to determine how much healing has taken place in his left groin and if scans show significant healing he will be able to begin running.
Tommy Doherty has now left the treatment room and is doing rehab with the fitness coach.
Rangers do have a new player training with the squad this morning and he is due to sign on a month's loan after training. Watch this space....
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~767812,00.html


CLUBCALL Q.P.R - Holloway on transfer hunt -EXCLUSIVE

Ian Holloway has snapped up versatile young Blackburn defender Andrew Taylor but has so far been frustrated in his attempts to further add to the Queens Park Rangers squad.
The Rangers boss has been dealt a blow with the news that Matthew Rose has torn a muscle and with Ian Evatt struggling for form, Holloway has moved to add 19-year-old Taylor to his squad.
"We have signed Andy Taylor from Blackburn and he can play anywhere along the back. He is versatile, England Under-20 international and he is on loan and that is all we can do at the moment. He has yet to make his debut but that is all we can sign at the moment. The experienced people we are trying to get you can't get at the minute. Everybody wants to sell but we are doing what we can," Holloway exclusively told clubcall.
"When the big boys decide to buy and go for somebody we will all be scrapping around for the same sort of players."
Holloway also revealed he tried to sign Crewe striker Steve Jones but felt the price being quoted was unrealistic: "There are some situations where players are out of contract in the summer and at the moment their clubs asking for ridiculous fees.
"We spoke to Crewe about the possibility of bringing in Steve Jones and they were asking for £300,000 and he is out of contract in six months time, on a free - that is just bad business."
For the full story call 09068 121 162, calls charged at 60p a minute.
http://217.158.112.238/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-223831-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html

Queens Park Rangers Agents Fees - July 1 - December 30, 2005

New Reg/ Tfr - 16
UpdatedContract - 1
Cancelled Contract - 1
Loans -3
Total Transactions - 21
Total Amount Committedto Agents (1 Jul -31 Dec 05) £ 131,600
Total AmountCommitted to Agents(1 Jul -31 Dec 04) 78,340

Explanatory Notes:
1 The amounts disclosed include all guaranteed payments due to an agent (either directly or indirectly) arising out of
player transactions entered into during the reporting period, even if such payments may include instalments payable
outside of the reporting period. It should be noted that in some instances clubs have made payments to agents on
behalf of players but may have adjusted the player’s wages accordingly to offset the payment.
2 The amounts disclosed do not include:
a any payments made during the reporting period that relate to transactions completed before 1st July 2005; and
b any contingent payments based on future events, e.g promotion, retention of divisional status, player appearances, etc.

Complete report at
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/6/13/0,,10373~4870,00.pdf


QPR OFFICIAL SITE

The fourth publication of clubs' spending on agents' fees by The Football League has revealed a decrease of £600,000 in the amount of money being committed to agents by League clubs.
In total, clubs committed £4.4m to agents during the six months between July and December 2005, compared to £5.0m for the same period of 2004.
Clubs committed to pay agents in 13% (237) of the of the 1,765 player transactions that took place during the reporting period, collectively committing the sum of £4,427,986.
Championship clubs accounted for 85% (3.7m) of this total, with League 1 and League 2 clubs accounting for 12% (£549k) and 3% (£137k) respectively.
Twenty-one clubs did not commit any money to agents.
Football League Chairman Lord Mawhinney said: "By putting these figures into the public arena League clubs have provided the catalyst for a wider debate about the role of agents in football.
I am encouraged that we have seen a reduction in the amount being paid to agents. This issue remains at the very top of The Football League's agenda and we will continue to act in an open and transparent way."
The Board of The Football League is currently drafting new regulations that will outlaw dual representation - the practice whereby a single agent is paid by both player and club during a single transaction. The new regulations will be considered by League clubs in March for possible introduction before the start of next season.
REPORT SUMMARY(Figures for July to December 2004 in italics)
Overall Football League Figures* Between July 1, 2005 and December 31, 2005 Football League clubs engaged in 1,765 (1,498) player transactions (new registrations/player transfers, contract updates, contract cancellations and loans); * Clubs committed to pay an agent in 237 (257) of these transactions; * League clubs committed to spend £4,427,986 (£5,019,789) during the period of this report; * 21 (16) clubs did not commit any money to agents during the last six months; * 27 clubs committed less than £5,000 to agents during the last six months.
The Championship* In The Championship there were 657 (471) player transactions, 136 (143) involving the use of an agent; * Clubs committed to spend a total of £3,741,886 (£4,399,403) on agents' fees during this period; * 23 (23) clubs committed to pay for the services of a licensed agent; * 1 (1) club did not pay for the services of a licensed agent (Crewe Alexandra).
The average amount spent on fees in The Championship was £155,912 and QPR spent a total of £131,600.
To view the full report click here
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~767541,00.html


In September, a list of what QPR paid for agents (not just within the July-December 2005 period)
- Can be viewed at http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8392271

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In response to Luton Manager comments about the prevelance of transfer "bungs", there have been a variety of responses:

Gerry Francis - Former Tottenham and QPR manager
BBC "I was offered money a few times, particularly on foreign transfers, but there were penalties in place. I'd advise any young manager not to go down that road (of accepting bungs).
Agents soon found out those people who would take inducements and those people who wouldn't. But if you want to do things the right way, it does restrict you and you do lose out on players. " http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4606434.stm

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HOLLOWAY - TEAMTALK

QPR manager Ian Holloway has admitted he is looking to strengthen his squad as he tries to improve his side's position in the Championship.Rangers are now six points adrift of the play-off positions, but Holloway remains upbeat and insists if he can get his hands on the right reinforcements, promotion is still a possibility.
Holloway said: "I'm looking overall towards the rest of the season now and I'm confident I can make a few signings soon. Maybe not in time for Saturday's game but after that perhaps."
I'm sure once we do that we can make up the points on the play-off positions. It's all over the park, I'm looking, but it's defence in particular. We need some more defenders at this club." http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1801_942729,00.html

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Lyndon Duncan Turns 23

Born January 12, 1983
QPR's England U-18 Defender, released by Holloway three years ago.
Went to Exeter...Then Wealdstone.

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Ian's exit in-Evattable
Ben Kosky, Kilburn Times & other Local London Papers 11 January 2006
Ian Evatt has been placed on the transfer list as QPR begin clearing the decks to make room for new signings.The big centre-half, signed for £150,000 from Chesterfield only last summer, is one of five Rangers players to be told they can leave the club.Midfielders Marcus Bean and Adam Miller are also surplus to requirements, while Aaron Brown has signed for Swindon following a loan spell with the League One strugglers.Another of the Rs' summer signings, Nigerian defender Ugo Ukah, has also been made available for transfer after making just two appearances for the club.
By contrast, Evatt has pulled on a hooped shirt 18 times - but manager Ian Holloway decided he had seen enough after last month's back-to-back defeats by Coventry and Brighton."Ian Evatt was captain at his old club, so he's not a nugget - but he knows how I feel about what he's been giving me so far," Holloway told the Times."You need to have a lot of pace and be confident in your pace. I've put him in the reserves and it's up to him how he responds to that."He had a lot of clubs after him in the summer and, if I do manage to bring in other defenders during the window, he'll be further down the pecking order."
Bean, who spent two months on loan at promotion-chasing Swansea earlier this season, entered discussions about a new contract following his return to Loftus Road. But the QPR boss was less than impressed by Bean's displays against Coventry and Brighton and insisted: "I think everyone needs to know where they stand."With everyone else I've got in midfield and Scott Donnelly coming through as well, I don't think Marcus will be patient enough."
He came back and had a little chance to get back in the first team, but the fact is I chose Evatt and Beanie and we lost a couple of games, then I left them out and we started winning again."Holloway has so far made little progress in his attempts to add to the squad - with the need to find a new striker increased by Kevin Gallen's ongoing injury problems.Gallen and Marc Nygaard, who has a calf strain, will both be absent again when Rangers take on Southampton at Loftus Road on Saturday."I don't know what's happening with Kevin Gallen," Holloway added. "He's had scan after scan and we're still no closer to working out what's wrong with him."I thought I'd managed to get a striker in on loan a couple of days ago, but then his club changed their mind. The problem is that, with this stupid window, everyone's chasing the same players."I don't think I'm going to have any money to buy, but I'm trying to get some loans, preferably young players."Midfielder Steve Lomas, who also played for the Rs' reserves in Tuesday's 2-2 draw at Wycombe, could return to the first-team squad this weekend.The former Northern Ireland skipper has been out for nearly three months with a hamstring problem.
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/content/camden/kilburntimes/sport/story.aspx?brand=KLBTOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportklbt&itemid=WeED11%20Jan%202006%2012%3A17%3A24%3A393


BEAN
BBC - Bean keen on Swansea return Swansea could be set to continue their January shopping spree, with QPR's Marcus Bean one possible target.
The midfielder, 21, impressed during a two-month loan spell at the Liberty Stadium earlier this season before being recalled to Loftus Road.
But QPR boss Ian Holloway has now decided that Bean is surplus to requirements and is ready to sell him.
"With everyone else I've got in midfield, I don't think Marcus will be patient enough," Holloway said.
Bean is a firm favourite of Swans boss Kenny Jackett, who has injury problems in midfield with both Owain Tudur Jones and Kris O'Leary sidelined with knee ligament problems.
The Swans' attack has been boosted by the arrival of Leon Knight, who scored a hat-trick on debut against MK Dons, from Brighton.
Jackett has also invested defensively by taking Steve Watt from Chelsea and Tom Williams from Gillingham.
But another midfielder would complete the jigsaw for the League One pace-setters.
Bean left the Liberty Stadium after a QPR injury crisis saw him recalled, but is on record as saying he would relish a return to south Wales.
"If it was down to me I'd stay here, I love the club, the fans, the players and the area and would love to come back," Bean said back in November

Birthdays Today

Mike Sheron January 11, 1972
Alan McCarthy - January 11, 1972

McCarthy played a few games for QPR in the 1989-1990 period.

Sheron was the last signing before QPR really started to implode

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BBC - QPR charged for Stoke City fracas

Stoke 1-2 QPR QPR have been charged by the Football Association in relation to an incident during the match at Stoke City on 3 December 2005.
The FA accused their players for failing to conduct themselves in an orderly fashion and refraining from threatening behaviour.
Fans were arrested after they attacked QPR goalkeeper Simon Royce.
Players from both sides ran to assist Royce, but they then appeared to wrestle between themselves.
The FA also charged QPR's substitute keeper Jake Cole with violent conduct for his involvement.
The parties have until 25 January to respond to the charges http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4600204.stm

Also: http://www.thefa.com/TheFA/Disciplinary/NewsAndFeatures/Postings/2006/01/Disciplinary_QPR.htm

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CLUBCALL - Ainsworth targets top six push EXCLUSIVE10 Jan 2006

Gareth Ainsworth believes that if Queens Park Rangers can steer clear of the injuries that dogged the first-half of the season the club are well placed to mount a push for the play-off places, writes Paul Prenderville.
Rangers have had appalling luck with injuries so far this season and at times the treatment room has been occupied by players reaching double figures, but despite the situation Ian Holloway's side remain on the fringes of the play-off battle - five points off the top six.
Ainsworth believes that despite an inconsistent start to the season, Rangers are well placed to mount a play-off push after a decent points return over the Christmas and New Year period, exclusively telling clubcall: 'We shouldn't get carried away with anything and look at last season - where we were and how many points we had and I think if people look into it they will be pleasantly surprised at how similar we are doing, if not even better.
'We have got big names to come back in Marc Bircham, Kevin Gallen, Steve Lomas and Marc Nygaard and if we can maybe bring in a few names in the transfer window. I think we are looking at a big push now.”
Injuries also struck last season but Ainsworth believes the squad this season is already better equipped to deal with the demands of the season, and with Rangers also looking to add to the squad, the winger is looking forward to the second half of the season.
Ainsworth added: 'Last season we had to put 16 and 17 year-old kids into the team but hopefully we have had our bad luck with injuries and we can make a push where other teams will maybe have the bad luck towards the end of the season.
'We are holding our own and nobody is worried about but we are there in the shadows and hopefully we can come out on the right side.'
http://217.158.112.238/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-223141--5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html

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Wycombe & QPR Drew 2-2 (Two goals from Moore)

QPR OFFICIAL SITE REPORT

The reserve team drew 2-2 with Wycombe Wanderers in an entertaining encounter at the Causeway Stadium.
Rangers looked to be crusing to a 2-1 victory before a controversial late penalty made the game all square.
Rangers lined up with Jake Cole in goal, a back four of Hislop, Evatt, Ukah and Yelland. Steve Lomas started in the centre of midfield with Marcus Bean. Adam Miller was on the right and Andrew Howell moved from his familiar left back spot to left midfield. Luke Townsend started up front with Stefan Moore.
Rangers started brightly on a pitch that was still suffering from the rugby match played on it at the weekend. The visitors went close when Sfefan Moore met with a cross from Adam Miller but saw his header hit the bar. Much to everyones surprise the referee awarded a penalty for a push on Moore.
The ex-Aston Villa man dusted himself down to take the penalty which was saved by Alloway in the Wycombe goal - the referee though, ordered the kick to be retaken. This time Moore blasted it home and the Superhoops were 1-0 up.
Midway through the first half Rangers made an enforced substiution when Jake Cole turned his ankle. He was replaced in goal by Sean Thomas - it is still uncertain how long Cole will face on the sidelines.
Rangers went in at the break leading 1-0 and it took Wycombe until midway through the second half to equalise. Jonny Dixon hit a low shot across the goal that nestled in the far corner.
Stefan Moore picked up his second goal of the game when picked up a through ball from Adam Miller. The striker slid in to knock the ball past the advancing Alloway.
It looked as if Rangers were heading for a win until a harsh last minute penalty. Ian Evatt was penalised for an innocuous challenge and Dixon converted the spot kick.
It was a dissapointing end for Rangers, but Steve Lomas came through the full 90 minutes. The midfielder did receive a knock on the ankle in the first half but he managed to run it off and complete the game.
Team: Cole (Thomas), Yelland, Hislop, Lomas, Ukah, Evatt, Miller, Bean (Ngongou), Townsend, Moore, Howell
Subs: Ngongou, Thomas, Bernard, Johnson
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~766455,00.html



Wycombe Official Site Report: QPR PAY THE PENALTY
Wanderers' Reserves came back to salvage a 2-2 draw with QPR in a game of penalties at the Causeway Stadium.
Opposing strikers Jonny Dixon and Stefan Moore both notched doubles in the evenly contested clash but it was referee Mr Creighton who stole the limelight with a last minute decision which earned Wycombe a draw.
Despite not giving what appeared to be a stonewall penalty when Ugo Ukah dragged Dixon down with five minutes remaining he made amends for that decision by awarding Wanderers a dubious spot kick in injury time which the striker cooly slotted home.
Earlier in the game the visitors had gone ahead in the first half when Moore's retaken spot kick beat trialist keeper Sean Alloway at the second time of asking but even that decision was questionable.
Sergio Torres was adjudged to have barged Moore in the back just before his header crashed the crossbar from Adam Miller's centre and although no player appealed a penalty was given.
Alloway, currently with Staines Town, did ever so well to save the first effort but when the linesman claimed he'd encroached from his goal line too early Moore made no mistake with his second chance.
Wanderers were fiedling two other trialists in the game in Jason Rose and striker Eric Obinna and it was the latter who could have snatched an equaliser on 23 minutes. However, after Dixon had flicked him through, the 24 year old Reading frontman fired into the side netting.
Another chance came his way on the half hour mark but with onrushing stopper Jake Cole forcing him to think on his feet, the Nigerian delayed his shot and his heavy touch went off for a goal kick.
At the other end Miller sliced wide following a neat pass from former Man City and West Ham midfielder and the same man was inches off target with a free kick as half time approached.
The second period took a while to get going and when it did Miller was again the man who nearly extended the visitor's lead had it not been for a strong challenge from Alloway.
With half an hour left, QPR introduced ex-Blues youngster Tamba N'gongou as his old friend Rashid Kamara came on for the home side and it was his graft that supplied the equaliser for Dixon.
Following Obbina's thunderous shot from inside the area that rocked the woodwork, Kamara fended off three Rangers players to slip Dixon in who finished with some aplomb.
Luke Townsend flashed a cross come shot along the face of the Blues six yard box five minutes later and Miller rose highest to send Moore on his way to restore Rangers' lead soon after.
But as the floodlights came on at a gloomy Causeway Stadium it was Wycombe who had the last laugh as Dixon buried his penalty and claimed his seventh Pontins Holday Combination strike in eight games for the second string.
Blues: Alloway, Okojie, Bunting, Christon, Rose (Tackley,63), Philo, Torres (Kamara,63), Mulvaney, Anya, Dixon, Obinna.Subs: Williams, Brown.

QPR: Cole (Thomas,34), Yelland, Hislop, Lomas, Ukah, Evatt, Miller, Bean (N'gongou,60), Townsend, Moore, Howell.Subs: Bernard, Johnson.
http://www.wycombewanderers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10430~766418,00.html?ptvParm=

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Rovers return ends on sour note for Gareth

Lancashire Evening Telegraph
BLACKBURN fan Gareth Ainsworth took a nostalgic trip down Memory Lane on Saturday but his big day ultimately ended in disappointment as QPR crashed out of the FA Cup.
The Rangers wideman had waited 14 years for the chance to face the club that released him as a teenager but, despite impressing as a second half substitute, he could not prevent the Londoners from slipping to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of his childhood heroes.
"Blackburn won and Burnley lost today, which is usually a good thing for all Blackburn fans, but on this one day I'm just a little bit disappointed," admitted Ainsworth, who spent two years at Rovers as an apprentice.
"It's unfortunate but they were two quality finishes from Craig Bellamy and a good header from Toddy, so we lost 3-0 and probably deserved to do so."
Saturday's third round tie was the first time Ainsworth had been back to Ewood as a player since former Rovers manager Don Mackay took the decision to release him on his 18th birthday in May 1991.
The 32-year-old, who is QPR's top scorer this season with five goals, had hoped to start the game but, bizarrely, Rangers manager Ian Holloway left him on the bench and it was only when Ainsworth entered the fray as a 55th minute substitute, with his side already 2-0 down, that the Londoners began to pose Rovers problems.
"When I found out I was left out of the starting eleven I was absolutely devastated by that, and then when they scored two goals I was even more devastated," said Ainsworth.
"I think the plan was to maybe get me on in the second half at 0-0 and cause some havoc, but, unfortunately, that never happened and we were left desperately trying to get back into the game, which was always going to be difficult against a Premier League team.
"I thought Blackburn were different class and Craig Bellamy, in particular, scored two great goals.
"He's a friend of mine actually, I used to play in the Championship with him, and I'm really proud to see him at Blackburn because he's a quality player."
With Rangers' FA Cup dreams over for another season, Ainsworth admits he will now be following Blackburn's Cup progress with even greater interest and he believes Mark Hughes' side could have what it takes to go one better than last season's semi-final appearance.
He added: "I really hope they can. I'd forgive them for beating us if they go on and win it.
"It's a tough pill to swallow getting knocked out, especially as I had all my family here.
"But I got a great reception off all the fans and I want to thank everyone connected with Blackburn for that.
"I just hope I'll be back again at some point. I've got three or four years left in the game and if we can get in the Premier League or we draw them in one of the cups then, hopefully, I'll be back with even more venom than I had today."
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/lancashire/rovers/sport/ROVERS3.html

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Ian Dowie Turns 41
Born January 9, 1965
Perhaps not a great signing as a player, but as a coach and manager, clearly very much a case of "one that got away." A reserve team coach under Ray Harford, when Harford resigned, the QPR Board turned to Ian Dowie to be caretaker manager rather than to the expectant Vinnie Jones.
The Board eventually decided to appoint Gerry Francis manager, with Dowie as his assistant. When Francis resigned, the Board interviewed Dowie but eventually decided on Ian Holloway.
Dowie's actions at Oldham and Crystal Palace clearly show his talents.
As a player, Dowie played for among clubs, Luton, West Ham, Crystal Palace, Southampton, QPR and Northern Ireland.

See: http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=622

Dowie Profiled in Wikipedia
Iain Dowie, (born January 9, 1965 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England), is a former professional football player who is currently manager of Crystal Palace F.C. He was also a Northern Ireland international, winning 59 caps.
His playing career, where he played as a striker, included spells at Luton Town, West Ham Utd, Southampton, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace.
His first managerial role was at financially troubled Oldham, a club he led into the Second Division play offs. Dowie was then appointed manager of Crystal Palace in the middle of the 2003-04 season, inheriting a squad with low morale and in nineteenth place in the First Division. However, under his leadership, the club went on an impressive run that included 17 wins from mid-December 2003, enabling the club to finish in sixth place in the Nationwide First Division, just scraping into the Premiership promotion play-off places. This feat was attributed to complete change in the atmosphere and training regime at the club, including a tougher disciplinary regime, introduced by Dowie. After beating Sunderland in the semi-final of the promotion play offs in May 2004, the club beat London rivals West Ham by a single goal in the final for a place in the Premiership. Unfortunately, the club lasted only one season there, being relegated on the final day of the season.
Dowie, however, impressed as a manager. But he remained at Palace when the club was relegated to the Championship despite rumours that he was approached by other Premiership clubs.
In 2004, when discussing Crystal Palace's start to the Premiership season, he coined the word bouncebackability in discussing their ability to bounce back from the adversity during their Division one season and their habit of conceding early goals. This word gained cult popularity within the footballing world ....http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dowie

SUNDAY TIMES
Blackburn 3 QPR 0: QPR lack magic touchPete Oliver at Ewood Park
A SUBLIME goal from Craig Bellamy apart, the magic of the Cup gave Ewood Park a wide berth as Blackburn cantered into the fourth round by making full use of a draw that, given Rangers’ recent track record in the competition, is almost akin to a bye.
The Championship side was never totally outclassed but equally barely threatened to cause a minor shock against last season’s semi-finalists and secure a first win in the competition since January 2001. Since then Rangers have fallen at their first hurdle every time and in seven ties subsequent to beating Luton Town five years ago have scored just one goal — which was not enough even to beat Vauxhall Motors.
They had early chances here but, perhaps predictably, fluffed them and were out of the tie by half-time thanks to goals from Andy Todd and a wonderfully executed volley from Bellamy, which allowed Blackburn to ease off in readiness for their Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday night.
A number of their fans also saved themselves for midweek, with barely more than 10,000 home supporters paying out for a game which underlined Blackburn’s current well-being, epitomised by Bellamy’s ninth goal of the season four minutes from time as he coolly converted a pass from 19-year-old debutant Sergio Peter.
“It was a good performance, a good result and we were able to rest some important players and give some football to players who needed it,” said Blackburn manager Mark Hughes, who described a fifth straight win as ideal preparation for the visit of his former club.
Rangers manager Ian Holloway was left to lament missed opportunities. “It’s just chances, and we had two clear ones before they scored,” he said. “I felt we lost some confidence and showed them too much respect. But how we lost the second half I’m not sure.”
Todd was the beneficiary of absent marking as he headed home Peter’s corner after Simon Royce had saved from Paul Dickov, and 20 minutes later the contest was all but over when Bellamy connected with a Peter cross to steer a crisp left-footed shot into the bottom corner of the net from 16 yards.
Substitute Gareth Ainsworth, rejected as a youngster by his hometown club of Blackburn, sparked something of a Rangers revival after the break but Rovers were content to sit on their lead and look for a third on the counter-attack, a ploy which finally worked when Peter released Bellamy for another assured finish.
STAR MAN: Craig Bellamy (Blackburn)
Player ratings. Blackburn: Friedel 6, Neill 8, Todd 6, Khizanishvili 6, Matteo 6, Thompson 6, Savage 7 (Pedersen 77min, 6), Tugay 7, Peter 8, Dickov 6 (Kuqi 77min, 6), Bellamy 9
QPR: Royce 6, Bignot 5, Shittu 5, Rose 5, Milanese 6, Rowlands 5, Santos 5 (Ainsworth 55min, 7), Langley 6, Cook 5 (Donnelly 75min, 6), Baidoo 6, Furlong 5 (Moore 75min, 6) Scorers: Blackburn: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Referee: A Marriner
Attendance: 12,705 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2093-1975012,00.html

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HOLLOWAY'S COMMENTS

OFFICIAL SITE
Ian Holloway thinks the difference in quality was the main factor in Rangers FA Cup defeat at Blackburn Rovers.
"They are a Premiership side and they have quality all over the place. You only have to give them a sniff of a chance and they will punish you.
I am disappointed about the first goal because it was a free header from a set piece. It was a shame because we started well and had two good chances, one from Baidoo and the other from Furlong."
Holloway was impressed by the contributions made by some of the younger members of his squad.
"It's exciting times here, we have got some good yougsters coming through, I was impressed with Shabazz Baidoo today and Scott Donnelly is now pushing for a place.
Our fans were magnificent yet again and I hope they were proud of the players. We are a long way off Blackburn but I don't think we are too far away from the Premiership, we have to keep on moving forward."
With the transfer window now open Ollie is looking to strengthen his squad.
"I could do with a couple more defenders and I may have one or two lined up. I could also do with another stiker, but we'll have to see how it goes becuase I have some very good younsters knocking on the door now."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~765179,00.html


TEAMTALK Boss rues missed chances

Ian Holloway felt that missed opportunities cost his side dear as QPR slumped to a 3-0 FA Cup defeat at Blackburn.Paul Furlong and Shabazz Baidoo both could have put the Championship side in front before Andy Todd opened the scoring for Rovers, and Craig Bellamy's brace sealed the win.And Holloway said: "Blackburn then scored from a set-piece, a free header and we lost some confidence."We showed them too much respect and got one or two simple things wrong."How we lost the second half I'm not quite sure. I am quite upset about it."I thought a few people could step up but not enough did in certain areas." http://www.teamtalk.com/teamtalk/News/Story_Page/0,7760,1801_934086,00.html

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QPR Official Site

Rangers bowed out of the FA Cup with their heads held high at Ewood Park.
Two first half goals and a late, late third gave former Premiership champions Blackburn Rovers a 3-0 win in front of a poor home crowd of just over 12000.
Rovers skipper Andy Todd handed the hosts a 17th minute lead when he stooped to head home past Simon Royce from the edge of the six yard box.
And Craig Bellamy made it two on 36 minutes, volleying home from the edge of the penalty box to leave Rangers facing an uphill struggle at the break.
Bellamy capped a fine solo performance with a third four minutes from time, as Rangers' workmanlike second half display finally came unstuck.
Ian Holloway's men were by no means overawed by their Premiership opponents, with Shabazz Baidoo and Paul Furlong each testing Brad Friedel in the first half.
Georges Santos replaced Gareth Ainsworth in the Hoops midfield, as Ian Holloway opted for a more defensive line up.
Blackburn born Gareth Ainsworth was the unlucky player to miss out, while Paul Furlong replaced the injured Marc Nygaard in attack.
Rangers survived an early fourth minute scare when Mauro Milanese brought David Thompson crashing to ground. Yet despite vocal appeals from the Blackburn players for a penalty, referee Mr Marriner adjudged the foul to have taken place outside the box and from the resultant free kick, Rovers debutant Sergio Peter fired wide of Simon Royce's right had post.
The Hoops harried and pressured every loose ball in the opening ten minutes, with Richard Langley and the recalled Santos coping well with the imposing threat of Rovers' central midfield duo of Robbie Savage and Turkish international Tugay.
And their impressive start was almost rewarded on 12 minutes when Andy Todd's weak back header allowed Paul Furlong a sighter on goal, but his shot lacked power and Brad Friedel saved comfortably.
Furlong turned provider on 13 minutes, releasing Shabazz Baidoo. The teenage striker escaped the attentions of Todd and fired in a ferocious near post shot which forced Friedel into a fine save at his near post.
At the other end, Simon Royce had to be at his agile best to tip round Paul Dickov's volley after Lucas Neill's speculative through ball caught the Rangers defence napping.
Rangers didn't heed the warning though and from the Sergio Peter's resultant corner, Todd buried his back post header beyond the exposed Royce.
Blackburn continued to pose the greater attacking threat, with Neill evading the attentions of Matthew Rose before powering a half volley into the arms of Royce.
Marcus Bignot was forced to clear from under his own crossbar on 34 minutes, as the Rovers front pairing of Craig Bellamy and Dickov continued to cause problems.
Bellamy soon showed his undoubted class when he spectacularly volleyed home Peter's cross from the edge of the 18 yard box to make it 2-0.After a slow start to the second half, Rangers introduced local lad Ainsworth at the expense of Santos.
And the Blackburn born midfielder was soon on the attack, leaving two men in his wake before forcing Friedel to claim a cross at his near post.
Rangers were enjoying a decent passage of play and Shittu fired over a long range free kick on 59 minutes, before Lee Cook fired wide six minutes later.
Savage should have made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, when having been sent clean through by Tugay, the Welshman showed poor composure, blasting his shot high and wide of the target.
Ainsworth was clearly relishing playing against his former club and with just 19 minutes left on the clock, the right sided midfielder fired in a long range half volley which Friedel did well to palm to safety.
Baidoo wasted a golden opportunity to set up a grandstand finish when he dragged his 15 yard effort wide of the target with just 11 minutes on the clock.
The final nail in the Rangers coffin arrived on 86 minutes when Bellamy latched onto Peter's deft through ball before chipping the advancing Royce to claim his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
So Rangers' FA Cup run ends for another year, but it certainly wasn't for the want of trying and much credit should be given to the players who refused to lie down despite trailing early on.
Blackburn: Friedel, Neill, Khivanishvili, Todd, Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (Pedersen 77), Peter, Bellamy, Dickov (Kuqi 77).
Subs: Enckelman, Nelson, Emerton.
Scorers: Todd 17, Bellamy 36, Bellamy 86
Bookings: Matteo 70, Neill 87
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Shittu, Rose, Milanese, Rowlands, Langley, Santos (Ainsworth 55), Cook (Donnelly 75), Baidoo, Furlong (Moore 75).
Subs: Cole, Evatt.
Bookings: Milanese 67
Referee: A M Marriner Attendance: 12705
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~765045,00.html


BLACKBURN OFFICIAL SITE

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE - HUGHES
Hughes was pleased his side got the job done
MARK Hughes was delighted as Rovers avoided a potential banana-skin and safely secured their passage into the next round of the competition.
A second strike of the season from Andy Todd was followed by a brace from Craig Bellamy as Rovers brushed Rangers aside.
"I thought we were very good in the first half and got a couple of goals, the second half we weren't as fluent at times," said the Rovers boss.
"Credit to QPR they had a go in the second half, pushed up and tried to make it more difficult for us, so we had to respond to that.
"We were able to relax when the third went in.
"We were very professional today, we go the job done and we were able to rest a few players which was good given the schedule we have.
"Overall, pleasing."
The draw for the fourth round takes place on Monday lunchtime at 1.30pm, Rovers are ball number 15. http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~765058,00.html


BLACKBURN OFFICIAL
IT was a debut to remember for Sergio Peter as Rovers booked their place into the fourth round of the FA Cup courtesy of a comfortable 3-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.
The nineteen year old German had a hand in each of Rovers' goals as they brushed aside the challenge of the Championship side without ever hitting the heights of previous matches.
Andy Todd gave Rovers the lead from a Peter corner on 17 minutes, then twenty minutes later Bellamy added a second courtesy of a Peter cross, and the same duo combined to make it three four minutes from time.
With an eye on the games against Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers next week, Mark Hughes made five changes for this cup clash but nevertheless a strong squad was put out against Ian Holloway's side.
Tugay challenges Furlong for the ball
Sergio Peter was given his debut in a Rovers shirt, the nineteen year old German impressive on his Ewood bow, Craig Bellamy got his first start since early December whilst Andy Todd, Tugay and David Thompson returned to the starting line-up.
The opening quarter was decidedly low key, Dickov and Furlong both spurned half-chances, but the game sprung into life on sixteen minutes, Lucas Neill played a ball over the top for Bellamy to chase, the Welshman couldn't reach the ball but Paul Dickov certainly could, slamming the ball goalwards, but 'keeper Simon Royce did well to push the shot around the post.
But all Royce's good work was undone by poor defending when from Sergio Peter's corner kick, Andy Todd arrived unmarked at the back post to head down and into the back of the net.
Royce then denied Lucas Neill at the near post, then the veteran goalkeeper did enough to put off Craig Bellamy when the Welshman was through, but with the Rangers goalkeeper bearing down on Bellamy, he put his effort a foot wide.
Bellamy sees his shot nestle into the corner of the net
The second goal eventually came on 36 minutes and again it was the German who made the goal, beating his man on the left before firing over a cross that Craig Bellamy showed immense skill to swivel and volley with his left foot into the corner of the net.
Rangers had rarely threatened in the first period, the final action of the first half saw Langley put a free-kick well over the bar.
No changes at the start of the second half as Rovers still remained in second gear content to pass their way around the visitors, but chances were at a premium at either end.
Peter flashed an effort wide after an intelligent one-two with Paul Dickov, whilst Robbie Savage saw an effort blocked after a Bellamy pass.
Rangers came into the game more and more as the game wore on, the introduction of Blackburn-born winger Gareth Ainsworth providing more attacking options and it almost paid off. Lee Cook had more time and space available to him when he ran onto a misplaced pass by Tugay but he hit his effort well wide.
A day to remember for the young German
Sergio Peter put in a man of the match performance and almost set up another goal when he bamboozled his marker before cutting inside to Bellamy, it was put onto his fellow countryman Robbie Savage but he blazed his effort wide.
Ainsworth himself forced a fine save from Brad Friedel, hitting the ball from the right, the Rovers goalkeeper had to dive to his right to push the effort away.
The Baidoo wasted an opportunity when put in by substitute Donnelly but the Hoops' striker put his effort wide.
Craig Bellamy scores his second of the game
Rovers closed the game out and got their third with four minutes remaining, Sergio Peter cutting inside fed Bellamy who took the ball wide before clipping it over goalkeeper Royce to seal the victory.
It was everything you could wish for on a debut performance from Sergio, the only thing it lacked was a goal for the young German.
ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage (sub Pedersen 78 mins), Peter, Dickov (sub Kuqi 78 mins), Bellamy. Subs not used: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton.
QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santos (sub Ainsworth 55 mins), Cook (sub Donnelly 75 mins), Baidoo, Furlong (sub Moore 75 mins), Langley. Subs not used: Evatt, Cole.
Booked: Matteo, Neill (Rovers), Milanese (Queens Park Rangers)
Attendance: 12,705
Rovers World subscribers can get all the post match reaction from today's game on Monday's edition.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10303~32333,00.html

SPORTLING LIFE
Blackburn 3 QPR 0
Click here for full match stats
Craig Bellamy showed no signs of his hamstring problems to help steer Blackburn into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Wales striker took his tally for the season to nine goals with a superb brace against the Coca-Cola Championship side.
Bellamy extended Blackburn's lead after Andy Todd had opened the scoring to leave the visitors facing an uphill battle they never looked like conquering.
It was just the performance manager Mark Hughes was looking for ahead of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester United on Wednesday.
The added bonus for Hughes was the display of 19-year-old German midfielder Sergio Peter, who was handed his first start and had a hand in all three goals.
There was a moment of danger for QPR after three minutes when Mauro Milanese brought down David Thompson on the edge of the area.
Peter showed good technique to whip in a dangerous free kick that went just wide of the far post.
Thompson then delivered a good cross from the right but goalkeeper Simon Royce was able to make the interception.
A wayward header by Todd put the home side in trouble in the 12th minute when he directed the ball into the path of Paul Furlong.
However, he failed to get any power on his effort and goalkeeper Brad Friedel was able to boot it to safety.
Rangers took heart from this and Shabazz Baidoo raced forward a minute later only to see Friedel turn away his shot at the near post.
Blackburn took the lead in the 16th minute after Royce did well to parry a close range half-volley from Paul Dickov.
Peter swung in the corner from the right and Todd, unmarked at the back post, sent a downward header beyond the Rangers goalkeeper.
Blackburn kept up the pressure and the visitors were being continually stretched at the back, Danny Shittu and Matthew Rose having their work cut out against Dickov and Bellamy.
And it was Bellamy who extended Blackburn's lead in the 36th minute with his eighth goal of the campaign, sending a superb volley beyond Royce and into the corner following a cross from Peter.
Scotland striker Dickov then picked up a loose ball in the 50th minute and released Peter on the left.
Bellamy raced into the area in anticipation of the cross but instead Peter tried his luck on goal and his effort went well wide of the target.
Rangers were struggling to get back in the game. Martin Rowlands found space 20 yards out in the 55th minute but saw his effort blocked by Zurab Khizanishvili.
Dickov then tried to release Bellamy but the move broke down when he was tripped by Rose.
Rose then showed good awareness to intercept a pass from Tugay to Bellamy in the 63rd minute.
Blackburn were playing some good football with Tugay pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
Robbie Savage should have added a third for Blackburn but sent his effort wide of the target from a good position.
Rangers sub Gareth Ainsworth almost pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute but Friedel did well to parry his 25-yard shot to safety.
Then Baidoo scuffed a shot from close range wide of the target before Bellamy scored his second of the game in the 86th minute with a cool finish after a through ball from Peter.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/07/SOCCER_Blackburn.html

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FA Cup Third Round: Blackburn vs QPR

ROVERS: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Todd (c), Matteo, Thompson, Tugay, Savage, Peter, Dickov, Bellamy. Subs: Enckelman, Nelsen, Emerton, Kuqi, Pedersen.

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu (c), Rose, Rowlands, Santo[s], Cook, Baidoo, Furlong, Langley.
Subs: Evatt, Ainsworth, Cole, Moore, Donnelly.

Blackburn Official Site

SERGIO Peter will make his debut in a Rovers shirt this afternoon against Queens Park Rangers. The nineteen year old German starts on the left side of midfield in a side that features five changes from the side that defeated Portsmouth on Monday night. Andy Todd returns following a knee injury, whilst Craig Bellamy makes his first Rovers start since the beginning of December. David Thompson and Tugay come off the bench to start in midfield _________________QPR REPORT

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IAN WATSON TURNS 62

Born January 7, 1944

Joined QPR from Chelsea for 5,000 pounds in Summer of 1965 (Possibly the first Jim Gregory era signing, Watson was one of a number of Chelsea "rejects" who did a great job for QPR). Played some 200 games primarily wearing #2 shirt but also #3 shirt and also a few games as center back. He briefly captained QPR. Wastson Did NOT play in the 1967 League Cup Final. Tony Hazell had his spot.)
Watson was our only "ever-present" in the calamatous 1968/1969 Relegation season (which shows how good he must have been). Some seasons he played few games. Others he played the majority. He played 35 games in our 1972/73 promotion season. He played the first six games of our 1973/74 season back in the return. And then he rtired.
Remember him having a perfect temperament.
Near the end of his career, there was "another" player named Ian Watson (Sunderland and England), but for QPR fans, QPR's Ian was the "real" Ian Watson!

Photo: Middle row, last player on the right (as you face him) http://www.kabrna.com/marsh/qpr_team67.jpg

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GORDON JAGO

Thirty-Five Years ago, January 6, 1971, QPR coach, Gordon Jago took over from Les Allen as QPR Manager, initially as caretaker manger after a series of poor results culminated in an FA Cup 3rd Round defeat! (at home to Swindon on a icy day which had QPR players slipping). Jago's performance soon led to the appointment being made "permanent." Jago had for the prior few months been coach under Allen. Had previously coached in the United State: At the time, this "foreign" connection which was then extremely rare, gave QPR a certain panache.
Manager for about 3 1/2 years. Jago led the team to safety that season; finish 5th the following season which saw Rodney Marsh sold. Led them to promotion the following season (which saw Bowles, Givens and Thomas signed). And the following season, saw them establish themselves in the First Division as Top London Club. Jago left the club after a not-so-great start the following season. (Being replaced by Dave Sexton). Basically the team that "won" the First Division Championship - with a couple of exceptions (Masson & Hollins) was the team that Jago built.
Not only did Jago do a great job. He also had the team playing great football. (with the help of his coach Bobby Campbell - subsequently "stolen" by Arsenal - and Terry Venables as player and a defacto coach.)

Jago took over at Millwall and then Tampa Bay Rowdies (teaming up again with Rodney Marsh)

A decade later, in the summer of 1984 Jim Gregory appointed Jago as General Manager to replace Terry Venables when he went to Barcelona. The idea was that there would be a team manager - maybe David Pleat under Jago. When Gregory couldn't get someone to serve under Jago, Jago was fired just over a week later.

Jago remains in the United States involved with football - for the past twenty years with indoor soccer in Dallas.
See: http://www.kicksfan.com/staff/jago/
See Interview with Jago http://ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/467723.html

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Blackburn Official Site

SQUAD SHUFFLE FOR SATURDAY
MARK Hughes is likely to put his squad to full use for the visit of Queens Park Rangers is the third round of the FA Cup tomorrow.
As one busy period ends, another one begins with the FA Cup at Ewood Park and the Rovers boss has a strong squad at his disposal and is should take this opportunity to make changes for the game.
"We've had a lot of games in a short space of time, a lot of guys are carrying knocks and bumps and bruises," said Hughes.
"So it may be an opportunity to rest a couple of players, but it will certainly be a strong side and a side that I think will win the tie.
"We've had a good run of results and we want to keep that run going, we are looking to win the game, we have a good squad and one that is capable of progressing in this competition."
Michael Gray is welcomed back to the squad after missing the win against Portsmouth on Monday night, but Saturday may come soon for Andy Todd.
The Rovers captain has returned to training following a knee injury picked up on Boxing Day, but isn't likely to be risked.
Steven Reid serves a one-match ban following picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
The manager is likely to choose from: Friedel, Neill, Khizanishvili, Nelsen, Matteo, Bentley, Tugay, Savage, Pedersen, Dickov, Kuqi, Enckelman, Emerton, Bellamy, Thompson, Gray, Peter, Johnson, Gresko, Taylor.
You can see more on the build-up to tomorrow's game on today's edition of Rovers World.
http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10303~764468,00.html


SPORTING LIFE
QPR hope to have Matthew Rose and Marc Nygaard available for the FA Cup clash at Premiership side Blackburn.
Defender Rose, 30, and striker Nygaard, 29, sustained side and calf injuries respectively in the 1-1 draw with Burnley on January 2, but Rangers boss Ian Holloway is quietly confident both can recover for the third round tie.
If neither player makes it, Georges Santos and Paul Furlong are expected to come into the starting XI.
Marc Bircham is doubtful after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem that kept him out of the Burnley fixture, while forward Kevin Gallen (hamstring), midfielders Steve Lomas (hamstring) and Tommy Doherty (fibula) and defender Dominic Shimmin (calf) are all unavailable. http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/06/manual_113819.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1


BBC - Blackburn v QPR
Ewood ParkSaturday, 7 JanuaryThird RoundKick-off: 1500 GMTReferee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)Replay: 1945 GMT, Tuesday, 17 January
Blackburn gear up for the visit of QPR without the services of Matt Jansen.
Rovers have agreed to his wishes to release him from his contract after six years at Ewood Park having made just one start this season.
QPR team news to follow later.
KEY MATCH STATS
BLACKBURN ROVERS and Queen's Park Rangers meet in the FA Cup for the first ever time.
Rovers have lifted the Cup six times in their history, but not since 1928. They enjoyed a fine run last season under Mark Hughes, defeating Cardiff, Colchester, Burnley and Leicester on their way to a meeting in the semi-finals with Arsenal. But in Arsene Wenger's renowned Cup winners they met their nemesis, going down 3-0 at the Millennium Stadium.
The Carling Cup semi-finalists enter this tie in fine form, on a run of four successive League and Cup victories - 100% from the three matches played over the Christmas and New Year. They've only beaten QPR once in four League meetings, since both were in the Premiership together in 1996.
QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS are 25 places inferior to Blackburn on the League ladder, but have taken seven points from the last nine available.
The West London club reached Wembley for the only time in their history in 1982, when as a Second Division (second level) club they held Tottenham to a 1-1 draw courtesy of an equaliser pased Ray Clemence from Terry Fenwick. It was a tedious final, as was the replay decided by a Glenn Hoddle penalty, after Tony Currie had brought down Graham Roberts.
Rangers' only victory in nine League meetings with Blackburn was 0-2 at Ewood Park in the Nationwide Division One on 30 October 1999.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4565136.stm

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Terry Venables Turns 63
Born January 6, 1943
http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=2153

Do a "Google" Search for Terry Venables and you'll find over 100,000 entries. Much has been written about Venables at Spurs and with England and his short periods at Australia, Crystal Palace (the second time), Portsmouth, Middlesbrough and Leeds.
But when QPR signed him in June 1969 for a QPR record 70,000 pounds, it marked a massive turning point: Remembering him as a 27 year old; immediately appointed QPR captain...Taking all the throw ins (it seemed); and the corners...and the free kicks....Providing class and savvy and experience to a QPR team that had just gone down with a humiliating 18 points...
And under Gordaon Jago and Campbell, Venables although "just" a player was clearly a massive influence on tactics and free kicks and an on-the-field guide to theplayers.
And then when he returned to QPR as a manager replacing Tommy Docherty: The sense of KNOWING that QPR would be promoted. (Not to mention taking us to our only FA Cup Final) Brilliant coach. Good manager.. The feeling of total despair when he left QPR unmatched probably by any other managerial (or playing departure)


From Wikipedia
Playing career
Venables entered professional football in 1960 when he signed with Chelsea, playing over 200 games before leaving for Tottenham Hotspur in 1966. In 1969, he joined Queens Park Rangers before finishing his playing career at Crystal Palace. He was capped twice for England.
[edit]

Managerial career
On his retirement from playing, he took over the manager's role at Palace whom he coached to two promotions in three seasons, to get them to the First Division in 1979. After a mid-table finish in 1980 he left for Queens Park Rangers, whom he led to promotion in 1983 and a very respectable 5th place in the First Division the following season. He also guided Rangers to the FA Cup final in 1982 while still a second division side, but lost in a replay against Tottenham Hotspur.
His growing reputation bought him offers from some of Europe's most prestigious clubs and in 1984 he took the role of manager at Barcelona, earning the sobriquet El Tel. During his three seasons in Catalonia, Venables led the club to the Spanish title and league cup but lost in the final of the first post-Heysel European Cup to Steau Bucharest on penalties. He was sacked in September 1987 after failing to repeat his title success at the Nou Camp.
In October 1987, he returned to the UK to manage Tottenham Hotspur. His success with the north London team was varied, with the side finishing in mid-table for most of his tenure, though they did win the FA Cup in 1991. A clash of personalities developed with club owner Alan Sugar, who insisted on authority over footballing matters. Sugar dismissed Venables on the eve of their 1993 FA Cup semi-final against local rivals Arsenal and Venables spent the next few years pursuing his broad and rapidly developing business interests.
By 1993, the England national football team had reached a nadir under Graham Taylor and Venables, though not active in the game, seemed to have the presence and charisma that could re-ignite some patriotic pride and achievement. However, the speculation coincided with Venables' business dealings falling under some scrutiny and censure. The Football Association struggled to identify an alternative candidate but their discomfort with his soiled reputation for probity was articulated in their appointment of him as England coach rather than under the traditional title of manager. His highest achievement came through his masterful tactical insights during the 1996 European Football Championship. His skill in analysis, coaching and motivation resulted in some of England's best ever footballing performances, including a famous 4-1 demolition of the Netherlands, and only ended in the bitter disappointment of losing to Germany on penalties in the semi-final.
However, Venables' business dealings offered a constant distraction and he left the England job shortly afterwards, going on to become a consultant and then chairman at Portsmouth. He eventually left in controversial circumstances with the club in turmoil both on and off the pitch. This ran parallel with a spell coaching the Australian national team. His side swept through the Oceania World Cup qualifying group but were beaten in a play-off by Iran on away goals after letting slip a 2-0 second leg lead. In 1998, he was disqualified from acting as a company director for seven years under section 8 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986. In the same year he returned to Palace for a brief period before leaving acrimoniously.
His first experience of the FA Premier League came in 2000 when under-fire Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson appointed him as his assistant in a bid to help the club avoid relegation. The club eventually finished 14th and survived. However, Venables felt Teeside too remote a base for his media and business interests and he left the club in 2001. In July 2002 Venables joined Leeds United as manager. By December of that year, the side had crashed out of both the League Cup and the UEFA Cup and were languishing in mid-table. Leeds were already caught in a downward spiral of footballing failure, disappointing revenues and escalating wage costs and in January 2003 the club's most effective and valuable players began to be sold to meet mounting debts. Under such circumstances, he was unable to stem the club's decline and he left in March 2003.
He was to become the technical director of the Newcastle United Jets, who will participate in the replacement for the Australian National Soccer League, the A-League, beginning 2005. However, his many commitments in the UK will prevent him from taking up any job with the club, and his agent announced that he did not sign any deal with the club.
[edit]

Other interests
In 2002 Venables recorded a single for the World Cup together with the band Rider. England Crazy reached number 46 in the UK charts.
In addition to his widespread business interests, Venables has co-authored four novels with writer Gordon Williams and is credited as co-creator of the ITV detective series Hazell. He is, as of 2004, a football pundit for ITV.
[edit]

Bibliography
[edit]

Football
Venables, T & Hanson, N (1995) Venables: The Autobiography ISBN 0140240772
Venables, T (1996) Venables' England: The Making of the TeamISBN 0752216643
- (1997) The Best Game in the World ISBN 0099185628
[edit]

Fiction
Venables, T & Williams, G (1973) They Used to Play on Grass ISBN 0583120776
- (1994) Hazell Plays Solomon ISBN 0140244166
- (1994) Hazell and the Menacing Jester ISBN 0140244182
- (1995) Hazell and the Three Card Trick ISBN 0140244190
External links
Interview on FA website
Notice of disqualification as a company director
[1] Venables on the cover of Private Eye.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Venables

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OLLY: WE CAN'T AFFORD MARCUS
Bristol Evening Post 05 January 2006
Ian Holloway today ruled out a move for Bristol City striker Marcus Stewart. Queens Park Rangers boss Holloway expressed an interest in taking the striker to Loftus Road prior to November's deadline for loan signings. And the former Bristol Rovers manager is now looking to recruit a new forward, possibly on loan, during the January transfer window . But although Stewart is unhappy at being left out of the City side and might now consider a move in search of first-team football, his wages are a stumbling block. Holloway revealed: "I did make an enquiry about Stewart a couple of months ago, but we couldn't afford the money."There was no way we could afford to bring him here pemanently, but I did consider a loan."That will not be possible unless the money situation changes. As far as I know, that is the same, so it doesn't look like a deal will be possible."
QPR and fellow Championship club Plymouth Argyle have expressed an interest in Stewart, who is keen to retain his family base on the outskirts of Bristol.
Holloway added: "He's a magnificent player and there's no doubt about that." But my chairman seems to prefer me looking for younger players and I've lots of other options to consider. I've drawn up a list of targets that I want to show him and Stewart is not on it at present."
City manager Gary Johnson this week signed Bas Savage from Coventry on a deal until the end of the season and it looks as though the former Reading man will continue to keep Stewart out of the team.But Johnson will want to recruit another striker before allowing Stewart to depart Ashton Gate. It is understood he has a couple of targets in mind, but there are unlikely to be any new arrivals until later in the month.Johnson said: "Everyone is playing for time and keeping their options open at the moment. Nothing is going to happen in the short term and I expect most transfers to wait until the end of January." http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=145371&command=displayContent&sourceNode=145195&contentPK=13782474&folderPk=83751

Kenny Jacket & Vinny Jones Celebrate Birthdays


Happy Birthday to Ex-QPR Assistant Manager, Kenny Jackett. Born January 5, 1952
He played for Watford and never for QPR, but QPR Fans have a very warm feeling about the man who helped bring back QPR.


It's also the birthday of Ex-QPR Assistant Manager and Player, Vinny Jones - January 5, 1965. Played a few games for QPR. Was Ray Harford's Assistant Manger. When Harford left, Jones did not get the managerial job. First Ian Dowie was caretaker manager. Then Gerry Francis came in. Jones left.

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BBC - [Ugo] Ukah going as Holloway wields axe
Defender Ugo Ukah has been told he can leave Queens Park Rangers. The Nigerian has made just two first-team appearances since being brought to the club by chairman Gianni Paladini last summer.
Manager Ian Holloway is set to tell at least four other players they are not in his plans and should move on.
"Some lads haven't done it for me. I've told Ugo that he can go and I'll be telling others the same. We need to move forward," said Holloway.
"I want to add to the squad. If I can't buy anyone I'll at least look to bring people in on loan http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/4582224.stm

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Burnley' Steve Cotterill - (BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE)
Cotterill: 'We Could Have Been Four Up'
Burnley boss Steve Cotterill felt his side should have had the game sewn up by half time at Loftus Road.
The Clarets were a goal up through Chris McCann after 10 minutes and went on to enjoy the better of the first half before Rangers got an equaliser in injury time of the first half.
It was the saves from R's goalkeeper Simon Royce which Cotterill believes were the difference between a draw and a win though.
"I thought we should have been four up at half time," said Cotterill.
"Their goalkeeper has made three outstanding saves in the first half after we'd scored and two of them were special saves.
"If they go in, it's game over.
"I've said to Ade that he shouldn't put that down as a bad miss because it was a fantastic save after a great ball from Micah and a great cross by Wade Elliott and then good contact from Ade.
"Then Jon Harley and Brian Jensen got in a bit of a mix-up and they've both put their hand up and said they made a mistake, so that happens.
"I thought our boys were terrific today, particularly in the first half and we showed both sides of us today.
"We played some great football in the first half and we opened them up time and time again, so the game should have been dead and buried by half time.
"In the second half, we had to show the other side of us when they brought on their big lads and threw it in our box, but we showed our resilience and won the headers we needed to.
"All in all, I don't think 1-1 was a fair result, we did enough to win.
"Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would've opened up any team we'd have played," he added.
"Our energy levels were fantastic, considering it was our fourth game in a week. It's a measure how far we've come because last season we were 3-0 down here in the first half and it could've been six then too!"
The opening strike from Chris McCann was a fine effort too, coming in the week when the Irish youngster had signed his first professional deal with the club.
"It was nice of him to play after signing that contract, because he could've been playing a couple of weeks ago if he'd signed it!" joked Cotterill.
"He's a fantastic prospect, he really is and we've got to make sure that we look after him and nurture him in the right way.
"It will be interesting to see whereabouts he is if he gets a run of four or five games in the team and we need to know what levels he's at then.
"He was fantastic in the first half, but in the second half there were parts of the game that went by him a little bit.
"He hasn't had a game for a while though and him and Kyle Lafferty are both going back to Ireland now for a few days to celebrate Christmas and the new year!"
Cotterill also revealed that Gifton Noel Williams missed the game due to the bad cut he received against Sheffield Wednesday on New Year's Eve.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~761853,00.html

Burnley manager Steve Cotterill said: "I don't think a draw was a fair result - we should have won the game."We probably should have been 4-0 up by half-time, but their goalkeeper made two special saves."The one from Ade Akinbiyi was brilliant, and I said to Ade 'make sure you don't put that down as a miss - because it was a great save'."I'm delighted with the boys. This was a measure of how far we've come, because last year when we played here we were 3-0 down at half-time."Some of our passing and movement in the first half was excellent and would have opened up any team."In the first 45 minutes we were fantastic and in the second we were durable. I'm disappointed for the players that we didn't win."Cotterill gave his backing to Holloway, whose future at Loftus Road is reportedly in doubt."He really has done a fantastic job here. There's been all sorts of speculation about his job, and I don't know why," the Burnley boss said of his opposite number."It will be the worst days' work QPR have done in a long time if they get rid of Ian Holloway."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1

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Official Site - I'M SATISFIED

Ian Holloway was a satisfied man after Rangers ended their hectic festive schedule with seven points from a possible 12.
Gareth Ainsworth's header on the stroke of half-time guaranteed the Hoops a share of the spoils against Burnley, who had earlier taken the lead courtesy of Chris McCann's super strike.
"I'm pleased with seven points out of 12 because I've never known a series of games like it in all my time involved in football."This has been the craziest bunch of games I've ever been involved in and I'm just keeping everything crossed that Marc Nygaard, Matthew Rose and Marc Bircham will be okay."I've given the players two days off and I think they deserve it.''
"I was very dissapointed with the first half display against Brighton, but since then it's been a great turnaround."Today was again very dissapointing in the first half. We took too long on the ball and didn't pass at the right time."Micah Hyde was running the game but once we realised we needed to hit the long diagonal balls to get behind him we had some joy.''
With the January transfer window now open, Holloway also revealed he is due to discuss his long list of targets with Gianni Paladini on Tuesday morning."The transfer window will be used to look at moving the club forward and I'm due to sit down with Gianni and Antonio tomorrow to speak about the targets."I've got 6-8 targets in three different brackets. Some are buys, some expensive and some are in the loan category. We'll see what comes of it, but I've made a few calls and I'm quite optimistic.''Holloway reserved a final thought for two of the club's young guns, Shabazz Baidoo and home debutant Scott Donnelly."Shabazz and Scott are the type of characters I'm looking for at this club and will both do very well.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~762591,00.html
TO WATCH OLLIE'S INTERVIEW WHERE HE TALKS MORE ABOUT HIS TRANSFER TARGETS GO TO QPR WORLD


Q.P.R - Holloway -"I need to sell"
Clubcall
Queens Park Rangers manager Ian Holloway has admitted he needs to sell some of his players in order to strengthen his squad in January.
Following the 1-1 home draw against Burnley, the Hoops boss will be looking to make moves in the transfer window.
"I've got to get rid of people in my squad to make room. I am due to talk to the players who have not been doing it for me," revealed Holloway.
"They can move on in this window and hopefully we can move on."
Holloway also pinpointed the need to bring a striker to Loftus Road : "At the moment we haven't got a striker in the higher echelons of the scoring charts
http://www.clubcall.com/vsite/vcontent/content/transnews/0,10869,5034-169529-19728-36699-221366-13916-5024-layout104-186747-news-item,00.html


RANGERS RELY ON ROSE
Sporting Life
QPR boss Ian Holloway highlighted the contribution of fit-again defender Matthew Rose following his team's 1-1 Coca-Cola Championship draw against Burnley.
Rose, recently back after a groin injury, was outstanding at the heart of the Rangers defence before being substituted late in the game.
Holloway, whose side secured a point thanks to Gareth Ainsworth's goal, said: "We are reliant on Matthew Rose at the moment.
"He's vital to us. I didn't really want to play him three times in a week after he was out for 12 weeks - but I felt I had to.
"He was superb for us - and so was Dan Shittu alongside him. Matthew does so well for me at left-back and opens a door for us by sprinting past Lee Cook on that wing.
"Today I felt if he played at left-back he would have had to come off sooner than he did. He's torn something, and my physio's got the raving hump with me because he feels he should have come off at half time."
Holloway was relieved to see his team come through the tough Christmas and new year schedule.
"That was a surreal match. Four games in eight days is one game too many in my opinion, and it shows," he said.
"They scored a wonderful goal against the run of play - but for near enough the whole of the second half we were the better side."
Chris McCann's shot from just outside the box put Burnley ahead in the 10th minute.
Worse almost followed for Rangers when Richard Langley gave the ball way - and from Wade Elliott's low cross, Ade Akinbiyi was denied by a miraculous save from Simon Royce.
James O'Connor's header brought another good save from Royce, before Ainsworth equalised.
Ainsworth's looping header - his fifth goal of the season - came right at the end of the first half.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR_2nd_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=nationwide1

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BBC -
"... shared the spoils at Loftus Road as Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser earned the hosts a point.
Ainsworth should have given his side an early lead, heading over from Richard Langley's free-kick. Burnley did take the lead when Chris McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot and John McGreal headed over when he should have doubled the advantage. Ainsworth levelled when he nodded in a long ball from Dan Shittu and Paul Furlong wasted two chances to win it. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/4560268.stm


SPORTING LIFE
Gareth Ainsworth's equaliser in first-half stoppage time earned a point for QPR after 18-year-old Irish midfielder Chris McCann had given Burnley a 10th-minute lead.
Burnley were the better side overall, especially before the interval, but all their good work was undone when Ainsworth headed home a long ball from Dan Shittu.
QPR made the brighter start and had three attempts at goal within the opening six minutes, the best chance falling to Ainsworth who headed over the bar from a Richard Langley free-kick.
But the early promise counted for nothing as McCann curled home a lovely left-foot shot to give the Clarets the lead against the run of play.
After 12 minutes, Rangers manager Ian Holloway's plans were disrupted further when Marc Nygaard's injury jinx struck again.
The big Danish striker has struggled with hamstring and calf problems since joining from Brescia last summer and had to make way for veteran Paul Furlong.
Burnley nearly doubled their lead when defender John McGreal connected with a Wade Elliott corner only for his header to go over.
McCann was proving to be Burnley's most dangerous player and had a header saved by Simon Royce in the 38th minute, while 14-goal top scorer Ade Akinbiyi finally made his presence felt when he forced the goalkeeper to parry his close-range shot.
Royce also denied James O'Connor as Steve Cotterill's side looked like ending the first half well on top until Ainsworth's late intervention.
Akinbiyi took only 30 seconds of the second period to show his quality again as he volleyed just over - and Furlong had QPR's best opportunity since the opening moments only to head wide.
The 37-year-old did better, however, in the 51st minute when goalkeeper Brian Jensen had to tip his header over the bar. But he wasted a fine opening soon afterwards by drilling the ball wide.
Cotterill sent on Graham Branch in place of Garreth O'Connor midway through the second half - and the change nearly reaped a quick dividend, the substitute drawing a fine save from Royce with a long-range strike.
The match then petered out disappointingly, the exertions of four matches in eight days for both teams possibly responsible for the lacklustre closing stages
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/live/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/02/SOCCER_QPR.html


QPR OFFICIAL SITE
Rangers earned a draw after Gareth Ainsworth's first half header prevented a Burnley victory at Loftus Road. The winger's header on the stroke of half-time handed the Hoops a deserved share of the spoils, on an afternoon when Simon Royce excelled with a series of stunning saves during a largely scrappy first half.Chris McCann's moment of brilliance was the only highlight of a tepid opening, in which the Hoops struggled to string together any worthy chances of note.The Burnley midfielder struck early on and since then chances at either end were at a premium, until Ainsworth leapt to head home Dan Shittu's speculative long ball in the last seconds of the half.The brief appearance of Scott Donnelly, making his home debut, was the one bright note in an otherwise disappointing second half. Marc Bircham missed out for Rangers with the hamstring injury that ended his afternoon prematurely against Crewe on New Years Eve.Gareth Ainsworth deputised in midfield, while Mauro Milanese returned to the starting line-up at the expense of Georges Santos.Milanese started at left back, with Matthew Rose occupying the second centre half berth alongside Dan Shittu.Martin Rowlands was the first to test Brian Jensen as early as the second minute. But the Burnley stopper got down low to gather the midfielders scuffed shot with ease.Shittu warmed the hearts of the home crowd with a marauding 40 yard run from deep inside his own half, before Shabazz Baidoo won a free kick out wide and Ainsworth headed over Richard Langley's trademark front post delivery.Baidoo continued to cause the experienced Frank Sinclair problems, with the former Chelsea man forced to bring the young striker tumbling to ground for a free kick 25 yards from goal in the seventh minute. Lee Cook's left footed effort lacked direction though and the chance was gone.However, against the run of play Burnley took the lead on nine minutes. Making only his second start of the league season, Chris McCann evaded two half-hearted challenges on the edge of the box before curling a delightful left foot shot into the far corner, giving Simon Royce absolutely no chance.Rangers suffered a further blow two minutes later when Marc Nygaard left the field to be replaced by Paul Furlong.Burnley were soon on the front foot again, with John McGreal heading over from 12 yards.Buoyed by only his second goal in Burnley colours, McCann tried another speculative effort on 23 minutes, but this time Royce was equal to it, easily gathering the ball at chest height.It could have been far worse for Rangers on 37 minutes, but McCann's header from Wade Elliott's right wing cross was well held by Royce.And it should definitely have been 2-0 to the visitors on 42 minutes, only for Royce to produce an absolute wonder save to deny Ade Akinbiyi.After Langley conceded possession cheaply, Elliott's inch-perfect cross found Akinbiyi, but his four yard effort was scrambled to safety by the inspired Rangers custodian.Royce had to be at his agile best again on 44 minutes, this time producing a splendid diving save to keep out Garreth O'Connor's back post header.His heroics proved vital and on 45 minutes Rangers were on terms when Shittu's hopeful punt was misjudged by the Burnley back four and Ainsworth's looping header totally deceived Jensen and floated into the back of the net.
Akinbiyi continued where he left off on the resumption, getting goal-side of Shittu before firing over from 15 yards.
Paul Furlong's header nearly made it a dream start to the second half for Rangers on 51 minutes, but Jensen flung himself to his right to produce a stunning tip over from Cook's set-piece.The Burnley keeper saved well again from Furlong four minutes later, getting down well to his left this time keep out the Rangers' front-man's left footed free kick.
The Hoops continued to make all the running as the clock ticked past the hour mark, with a flurry of corners forcing Burnley onto the back foot.Baidoo was proving a constant thorn in the Clarets back four and when he released Furlong, the powerful striker should've tested the keeper, only to shoot high and wide from an acute angle.Royce's fine form continued on 73 minutes, as the Rangers keeper dived to his right to save well from Burnley substitute Graham Branch.Holloway introduced fresh legs in the shape of Georges Santos and Scott Donnelly on 74 minutes - the latter making his much awaited home debut.Donnelly almost made an immediate impact, but like Cook in the first half, his curling free kick lacked direction and flew wide.
Rowlands almost stole maximum points for the Hoops in stoppage time, but the crossbar came the the visitors rescue after his looping header had Jensen beaten.QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose (Santos 74), Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard (Furlong 12), Langley (Donnelly 74).Subs: Cole, Moore.
Scorer: Ainsworth 45Bookings: Burnley: Jensen, McGreal, Sinclair, Duff, James O'Connor, Hyde, Akinbiyi, Elliott (Thomas 80), Garreth O'Connor (Branch 66), McCann, Harley.Subs: Grant, Karbassiyoon, Spicer.
Scorer: McCann 7Bookings: Sinclair 50, McGreal 77Attendance: 12565Referee: K Stroud
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10373~30789,00.html


BURNLEY OFFICIAL SITE
Burnley had to settle for a point out of their first game in 2006, when Queens Park Rangers held the Clarets to a 1-1 draw at Loftus Road.
It was a game that Burnley enjoyed the better of, certainly dominating the first half of the match, before Rangers levelled with a fortuitous goal in added time ahead of the break.
The home side came back into it in the second half, but Burnley were never overly stretched by their hosts as they finished the festive period with four points out of 12.
Burnley started the better of the two teams and took the lead with an early goal within 10 minutes. A sweeping move began and ended with Chris McCann, who eventually picked the ball up on the right channel in his first start since the Carling Cup tie at Aston Villa in October. He cut inside onto his left foot and after surveying his options, stroked a wonderful curling shot with his left foot beyond the reach of Simon Royce and into the back of the net.
McCann went looking for a second goal in the 24th minute, when he saw the opportunity to hit a half volley from 25 yards. He struck the ball well and on target but Royce was well positioned on his line to make a save.
The home supporters were growing increasingly frustrated at their team, who were struggling to really mount any sort of pressure on the Clarets whilst surrendering possession on a regular basis too.
They always looked dangerous from set pieces though and had a few chances to make amends in shooting positions but Lee Cook, Richard Langley and Danny Shittu all saw their efforts miss the target on separate occasions.
With 37 minutes on the clock McCann tested Royce again from inside the box, this time when he headed Wade Elliott's right wing cross at goal only to find the Rangers goalkeeper in the right place at the right time again.
Rangers' best outlet looked to be through rookie striker Shabazz Baidoo, whose pace was causing problems for the Clarets defence when he had chance to run at them. When he did finally manage to get in behind Burnley though, Frank Sinclair was there to comfortably stop his cross from reaching substitute Paul Furlong.
With only three minutes to go before the half time whistle, Burnley were denied a second goal by a fantastic save from Royce. The move started when Micah Hyde played a lovely pass forward to Elliott on the right and his centre picked out Akinbiyi at the far post. He looked odds on to make it 2-0, but Royce somehow reacted to block his close range shot on the goal-line.
Royce was again in good form in the 44th minute, when Michael Duff's cross from the right picked out James O'Connor in space. He directed a header at goal, but again the Rangers keeper was on hand to save.
However, with half time just seconds away Rangers found themselves level when a long, deep ball from Shittu on the half way line picked out Gareth Ainsworth on the right of the area. He rose above Jon Harley to loop a header over Brian Jensen and into the back of the net to give the Londoners an undeserved goal which had certainly caught the Clarets out at the back.
The second half began and Rangers looked to have a renewed vigour about them, but they were almost caught out immediately when Akinbiyi picked up a pass in the area and could only shoot over the bar at full stretch.
Jensen was forced into a good save in the 51st minute, when Cook's free kick from the left was met by Furlong and his header looked to be heading in until the Dane managed to tip it over the bar.
Rangers continued to have their best spell of the game, forcing a number of corners and throwing crosses into the box whilst the Clarets were left to try and hit their hosts on the counter attack.
Furlong had another chance when he latched upon a mix-up between McGreal and Hyde and after riding a challenge from Sinclair, he shot well over the bar from a tight angle.
A Burnley break saw McCann send substitute Graham Branch clear on the left and when he brought the ball inside, beating two men in the process, he was able to strike a right footer at goal. His shot went through a crowd of players but Royce was still able to make a good save, first parrying the strike and then smothering it at the second attempt.
The later stages saw a brief flurry from Rangers and Georges Santos saw his header bounce back off the post but the most eventful incident involved a pair of streakers invading the pitch before they were eventually crowded out by stewards and carried away.
The year began with a point though and the Clarets will be pleased to have got the Sheffield Wednesday defeat out of their system as soon as possible.
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/MatchReport/0,,10413~30789,00.html?ptvParm=

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QPR vs Burnley - Team Lineups

QPR: Royce, Bignot, Milanese, Shittu, Rose, Ainsworth, Rowlands, Cook, Baidoo, Nygaard, Langley.
Subs: Cole, Santos, Moore, Donnelly, Furlong.

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QPR OFFICIAL STATEMENT

Following the weekend's media reports, the Board of Directors have issued a statement.
Numerous stories alleged that QPR were on the brink of selling some of their most valuable players, most notably Dan Shittu, but the Board would like to state there is no such truth in the rumours.
The statement reads:
"The board unanimously condemns recent allegations from some badly informed newspapers with regards to the sale of some of our players for ridiculous amounts of money and also the replacement of our manager.
"We would like to clarify that there is absolutely no need to sell players in order to settle monies due to the Inland Revenue as we are fully up to date with our repayments.
"Furthermore, stories claiming that Jim Smith is to become the Director of Football at Loftus Road are completely unfounded."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~762464,00.html

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QPR vs Burnley

Remembering another New Years Day game versus Burnley at Loftus Road: January 1, 1972. 14,600 saw the two promotion chasing teams (neither of which made it that year - both of which made it the following season: Burnley as Champions; QPR as runners up; with Dave Thomas switching sides!) And a couple months after this game, Marsh had moved on.
QPR eventually won the game 3-1 with 2 from Mick Leach; 1 from Rodney Marsh . But really it was a question of the score not truly reflecting the game as Phil Parkes saving QPR with a bunch of brilliant saves. The game was also notable because when it was shown later on Match of The Day, on the TV it was almost impossible to watch/extremely fuzzy - such was the quality of our floodlights at the time.
The QPR Team on that Day:
Parkes
Clement Hunt Mancini Hazell
Francis Saul Venables
Leach Marsh O'Rourke

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Scott Donnelly Turned 18 Christmas Day
December 25, 1987
Been on the bench a few times this season. Made his debut as subsitute last season

QPR OFFICIAL SITE

Scott Donnelly
Date of Birth: 25/12/87
Place of Birth: Hammersmith
Position: Striker

Young striker and product of the QPR Centre of Excellence. Scott made his first team debut as a substitute, coming on in the 2-1 defeat at Preston on Tuesday October 19th 2004. Scott made his second first team appearance at Wolves four days later.

Scott has represented England under 17s in a tournament which saw him face Iceland, Norway and Denmark before facing Sweden in the race for third place which England won.

During that tournament, he scored for his country after being on the pitch for just 14 minutes in his debut. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/Excellence/0,,10373,00.html

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I guess it will be a case of QPR having to watch out for Ade Akinbiyi!


Burnley Official Site

Burnley kick-off 2006 with a trip to west London to face Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road in the Championship.
The match brings to an end the gruelling festive spell of games, which has seen the Clarets play four matches in the space of seven days.
That haul has also seen the Clarets win one out of their three games so far, so they will be looking to add to that against Rangers.
Lying in wait for Burnley is a QPR side who will be determined to make a bright start to the new year and lift themselves up the table.
Following what could be considered a good season last time around, Ian Holloway's side were amongst the outside bets to make a challenge for the play-offs this season.
However, like many teams in the division, consistency has proved hard to come by for the Superhoops and they currently sit in mid-table but are well within reach of the group of teams above them.
Holloway managed to bring a few new faces into his squad over the close season, with giant Danish striker Marc Nygaard arriving from Brescia, Tommy Doherty from Bristol City, Ian Evatt from Chesterfield, Steve Lomas from West Ham United and Richard Langley, who returned from a spell at Cardiff City.
Nygaard has made a big impression so far in the games that he has played in, scoring four goals in his six starts and five substitute appearances.

He is sharing the 'top goalscorer' tag with Gareth Ainsworth, Paul Furlong and Kevin Gallen.

It is goalscoring where Rangers have been short this season though, with only 14 goals registered on their home patch so far this season and that is an area that Holloway will be looking to improve upon.

Last season's home form was impressive but this time around they haven't been quite as formidable. There have been excellent wins over the likes of Sheffield United, Norwich City, Ipswich Town and Luton Town, but they have then tasted defeat in games against Coventry City and Preston North End and drawn with Sheffield Wednesday and Hull City, which are all games Holloway would have wanted to win.

They did pick up three points at Loftus Road on Wednesday night though when Nygaard scored the winner to make up for the Boxing Day setback at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Burnley will certainly be hoping this season's trip to Loftus Road sees better luck than the last time they visited.
The Clarets were caught out by two early goals from the R's before Danny Coyne was stretchered off after conceding a third goal, all of this in the first 30 minutes of the game.
The return fixture made better reading for Burnley fans, as a brace from Ade Akinbiyi against an injury hit Rangers side saw a 2-0 win at Turf Moor in April....
Burnley will be hoping that they have picked up no new injuries from the New Year's Eve game with Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor.
John Spicer missed that game with a shin injury and he is unlikely to figure in the Rangers game whilst John McGreal could miss out after being substituted in the first half against Sheffield Wednesday.
Rangers are expected to be without Doherty who has been out with a clinical fracture and is still in rehabilitation, whilst Kevin Gallen is also struggling for fitness at the moment and is set to miss out on this game.
Steve Lomas has been out, but is back in training now and could be considered for the game.
Striker Stefan Moore missed Wednesday's game with illness but is likely to be back involved now, whilst Nygaard and Marc Bircham have only been able to make restricted appearances from the bench after suffering from injuries in the last few weeks.

http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/PreMatch/0,,10413~761866,00.html?ptvParm=

Cotterill: 'We Only Turned Up For 30 Minutes'

Burnley boss Steve Cotterill felt his side were out-fought and out-scrapped by Sheffield Wednesday for too long on New Year's Eve.
The Clarets found themselves 2-0 down against the struggling Owls and didn't look their normal selves until Garreth O'Connor's late penalty gave them hope of rescuing a point.
It wasn't to be though and despite the pressure Burnley had in the dying stages, Cotterill had no complaints about the eventual outcome.
"It was a disappointing way to end the year and you can't expect to play for 30 minutes and win a game," he said.
"We had too many players who didn't turn up for an hour today and that's not like us, certainly at home.
"For 30 minutes, I don't think their back four were out of the 18 yard box but you've got to give them credit.
"They have come here today and they out-fought us and out-scrapped us for an hour and that's unlike us because we don't normally lose those sort of contests.
"For an hour we were second best and we know that, although it doesn't happen very often.
"It's tough for us, but the one thing we aren't going to do is complain about weary legs because it's the same for everybody and they came here and out-fought us, that's the bottom line.
"We didn't have enough players in the dressing room that wanted to win that game and that was probably typified with that scramble in the box and they got a toe to it twice and we didn't."
On another day, the Clarets may have salvaged a result from the game though and Cotterill added: "We could have had a draw and if we'd have turned up for the first hour, we wouldn't have found ourselves in that situation and we could have gone and won the game.
"From 2-0 down, it's unbelievably hard and we did it in the last game at Norwich too because we battered them in the second half."
The Clarets now hit the road again for a match with Queens Park Rangers on Monday and Cotterill joked: "Hopefully, their game against Crewe will be end-to-end and then in the second half end-to-end again and then there's 30 minutes of added time when it's end-to-end again and then Ollie takes the boys out for a new year drink, which probably won't happen!""We'd like to get a result there on Monday, but I'm sure QPR will have something to say about that. http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10413~761851,00.html

BURNLEY RESULTS
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Fixtures/0,,10413,00.html

Burnley Squad
http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/PlayerProfiles/0,,10413,00.html

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Brian Law Turns 36 - Born January 1, 1970

Injuries sort of wrecked the career of QPR's Welsh center half, Brian Law.
Was at QPR from 1987 to 1994 coming through the youth team. Went on to play also for Wolves and then Millwall.

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=4417

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Tony Currie Turns 56
Born January 1, 1950

Signed by Tommy Docherty from Leeds for a then-club record fee of 400,000 pounds after we were relegated in the Summer of 1979, Currie spent four years at QPR and captained QPR in the Cup Final Replay against Spurs. Basically made his name at Sheffield United as a brilliant midfielder. And for a brief few months played in the same QPR team as Stan Bowles.

Career Statistics http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=520


See Dave's Queens Park Rangers FC Profile of Currie's time at QPR
http://www.queensparkrangersfc.com/currie.htm


Wikidpedia on Currie - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Currie

Note: Tony is the uncle of Ipswich winger, Darren Currie

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Holloway on Defending His Job

Holloway... he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job. ...."We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game in hand...But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people... "I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. Well, ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me. I'm proud of my players, of what we are doing here and what we are trying to achieve and that's all that matters..."
http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,1676275,00.html

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OBSERVER

Ian Holloway watched his QPR side win a crazy game against Crewe then insisted he is "sick and tired" of speculation linking other managers with his job.

Holloway's men could still reach the play-offs this season if they build on this 4-3 win, but George Graham and Jim Smith have been suggested as possibilities to take over at Loftus Road. "We already have more points than we did at this exact point this time last year with a game in hand," the Rangers manager said. "But that doesn't seem to be good enough for some people.

"I'm sick and tired of every Tom, Dick and Harry getting linked with my job every day. Well, ding, dang, doo. It's my job, I own it and it's up to anyone else to take it off me. I'm proud of my players, of what we are doing here and what we are trying to achieve and that's all that matters."

They started the slower here as Crewe carved out an opening inside the first minute but Eddie Johnson sent a right-foot volley wide of Simon Royce's goal.

QPR hit back quickly, however, and Ross Turnbull in the Crewe goal had to be on his toes to keep out a long-range effort from Shabazz Baidoo two minutes later.

Baidoo threatened again soon after, but was again denied by Turnbull as both sides contributed fully to an entertaining opening spell.

Royce then had to be at his best after 10 minutes as he somehow denied Johnson, brilliantly parrying the Crewe striker's fiercely struck shot. But they took the lead after 15 minutes when Steve Jones drove in from the right and cut the ball back to Johnson, who planted the ball in the corner from 12 yards.

Rangers were fuming three minutes later when the referee waved away strong claims for a penalty after Darren Moss appeared to have handled in the box.

In the 34th minute Steve Jones stung the gloves of Royce with a ferocious drive but three minutes later the visitors were ahead.

First, Moss was robbed by Lee Cook, who drove unchallenged into the Crewe box before unleashing a left-foot shot across and beyond Turnbull. Then, 60 seconds later, Gareth Ainsworth's cross fell to Baidoo, who turned the ball into the net from six yards.

Dario Gradi immediately threw on Luke Varney for Johnson and the substitution paid instant dividends. He latched on to Steve Jones' flick on and coolly fired past Royce to restore parity.

The game took another turn on the stroke of half-time when Gary Roberts cut the ball back to Steve Jones whose poor shot luckily fell to Billy Jones to bundle home and put Alex ahead again.

But Rangers came out fighting and Martin Rowlands levelled with a 35-yard shot 12 minutes in and Richard Langley scored his second of the season with nine minutes of the game to go.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/Observer_Match_Report/0,3740,1676275,00.html