Gregory's Comments - Before and After: Southend...Barnsley...Hull

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John Gregory commenting...

SOUTHEND: JOHN GREGORY - BEFORE SOUTHEND GAME: WE'RE READY

John Gregory insists it's vital the R's build on their victory over Burnley with a carbon copy display against Southend United on Friday night.
Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, the gaffer gave his thoughts on the Live Sky Sports showdown against the Shrimpers at Roots Hall.
"We've got to make last weekend's result count with another three points - it's as simple as that.
"Both ourselves and Southend are vying for positions and we don't want to slip back in the bottom three, so it's important we build on last weekend and put a nice run together.''
Gregory believes last Saturday's victory has gone some way to lifting the doom and gloom around Loftus Road.
"The win against Burnley has given the whole place a lift. The e-mails and letters of praise and support that we've received since then vouch for that.
"Lee Cook was named sponsors man of the match, but in truth it could have been any of the 11 players that pulled on the blue and white hooped shirt on Saturday.
"Like I said post-match on Saturday, the players have set the standards and if they don't match those then they're letting themselves and the fans down.''
With injury ruling out Marc Bircham (back) and Marcus Bignot (knee), Gregory is expected to pick the same 11 players that performed so admirably against the Clarets last Saturday.
"I don't foresee any changes - the side generally picks itself after a performance like that.
"They were outstanding, each and every one of them.''
Victory for the R's at Roots Hall would move them eight points clear of 23rd placed Southend, but the Shrimpers are firing on all cylinders at present - it's a fact that hasn't gone unnoticed by the gaffer.
"Southend were dead and buried at one stage, but they've put together some fantastic results in recent weeks.
"Their victory at St Andrews was excellent and they came from behind to grab a last gasp draw at Stoke last weekend.
"All in all, we're expecting a very tough game.''
Gregory continued: "They're playing particularly well at the moment and in Freddy Eastwood, they have one of the hottest properties outside of the Premiership.
"Similar to Lee Cook, people expected him to move on in January, but he's stayed put and we'll need to be at our very best to keep him at bay.
"We're feeling very confident and we believe we can beat the drop, but talking is very cheap - it's time we backed up our words with a nice winning run, starting with Southend on Friday evening.'' QPR

JOHN GREGORY POST SOUTHEND GAME - APPALLING

John Gregory didn't mince his words when summing up Rangers' display at Roots Hall after their 5-0 defeat.
The gaffer admitted that it had been a difficult week for his side and believed that the boys had made it hard for themselves from the off.
"It's been an appalling night. I don't see how this week could have got any worse. We couldn't have got off to a worse start when conceding a goal like we did.
"I've got to take responsibility for changing the game after that. At 2-0 down you feel you may as well go for it but we left ourselves open at the back in an attempt to get back in the game.
"I'm very disappointed by the way that the goals went in. We had a few chances but they were all outside the area and all of theirs seemed to go in.
"But this will happen to better teams than us, everyone has a day like this, but it's all about how we recover from this now.
"This will hurt for a few days now and the boys are really down in the dressing room right now."

HULL - GREGORY COMMENTS BEFORE THE GAME "Its Massive"
QPR Official Site - John Gregory "IT'S MASSIVE'
".... Speaking exclusively to www.qpr.co.uk, Gregory gave his thoughts on the 'massive' tie with Hull City this weekend.
"It's a huge game for us - massive for the football club.
"Over the next month we play the four teams directly below us in the table and as much as Barnsley was a six-pointer just before Christmas, this is just the same.
"We got a positive result that day and we'll head to Hull confident of getting a similar result on Saturday.
"It's imperative that we come back from the long journey up North with at least a point.''
Whilst admitting he would be happy to return to W12 with a point, Gregory admits his side will go all out for a maximum return against Phil Brown's improving side.
"Make no mistake, we'll go there looking for the three points,'' said Gregory.
"I like my sides to be offensive and to take the game to the opposition, whoever it may be.
"Hull have picked up since the arrival of Phil Brown, but we'll head there confident of returning with three points.''
Gregory continued: "I'm heartened by the way we've began the New Year.
"We're slowly starting to get our first team squad back together and hopefully we'll be in a position to welcome Gaz and Rowly back into the fray over the next fortnight or so.
"We're slowly sifting out the weak from the strong and I'm happy where we're going in terms of the transfer market.''
We'll bring you part two of this exclusive interview later this afternoon, so stay tuned to www.qpr.co.uk for all the latest, breaking news! QPR

HULL- GREGORY's POST MATCH COMMENTS

Gaffer John Gregory cut a forlorn figure, as the R's lost 2-1 to relegation rivals Hull at the KC Stadium.
A last gasp Stuart Elliott double gave Phil Brown's side maximum points.
"I honestly thought we'd done enough to win the game.
"We were cruising until the last eight minutes and needless to say, I'm gutted with what happened in those eight minutes.''
Gregory took a swipe at referee Mr Miller, who as well as waving away appeals for a blatant Rangers spot-kick with the score at 1-1, also sent off Lee Cook.
"The fact that everyone is talking about the referee tells me everything I need to know.
"I think the referee should have sent himself off if I'm being honest.
"If Lee Cook has said something detrimental then he deserved to go, but he tells me he was just complaining about the shocking decision not to award us a penalty.
"The home crowd was probably Hull's best player today, because I thought they were poor. They certainly influenced the referee and in the end they've managed to get the three points.''
Gregory added: "The minutes of madness at the end have cost us today.
"We've always been very strong from set-pieces and to concede in the manner we did was disappointing. It's the first goal we've conceded from a corner since I arrived here.
"It's a harsh lesson for my team. They've been given a huge rude awakening today.
"I couldn't see them scoring in a month of Sunday's to be honest.''QPR

BARNSLEY - POST MATCH COMMENTS "We'll Battle On"
"John Gregory vowed that there is more to come from his men and predicts there will be a few more twists and turns yet.
After what he admitted was a disappoiting display, the gaffer was resolute in his admission that Rangers would continue to battle against the current lack of form.
"We had the majority of the play in the first half, they got their chance and took it whereas we didn't take the three or four that fell our way.
"It's a massive concern obviously, we've been down the bottom fighting relegation all season, but I'm sure there will be more twists and turns before this campaign finishes.
"You can't knock our spirit, if there's one thing these lads can do it's fight and I know they will come good.
"Tough times don't last, but tough guys do."
JG was concerned that the result would have been a lot different had the referee given a second half penalty.
"I saw it, all eleven players saw it and so did all of the fans. But when times are hard you don't get the breaks. QPR