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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Season Retrospect # 3 - July 2006: Italy, Dunga, MK Dons, Ward, Shittu, Holloway, Suits

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Look Back at the 2006/07 Season: July 2006

[See also: Season in Review May 2006 and Season Review June 2006]

Players reported back for training; the managerial side had finally been resolved; Director, Dunga resigned to become manager of Brazil. Pre-season friendlies: Cancelled ones against Brentford and MK Dons. The tour of Italy (and the promised suits!). Shittu's possible departure in the press. QPR sign Nick Ward, Adam Czerkas and Egutu Oliseh. QPR one of the favourites for relegation. No comment about the Trial/Verdict - QPR Official Site's QPR in the Press This Week


July 27, 2006 - QPR Holding Chairman, Antonio Caliendo Statement re QPR Post-Dunga

QPR STATEMENT
In the wake of widespread and further inaccurate reporting, Chairman of QPR Holdings Ltd, Antonio Caliendo, would like to issue the following statement:
"Despite Carlos Dunga tendering his resignation as a non-executive director on Tuesday, he will continue to support the Club financially.
"The Board's objective remains the same as it always has been - to get QPR back on a sound financial footing and in time, a return to the Premiership.
"I want to reassure the shareholders and supporters that we are doing everything possible to achieve that goal.
"We have invested wisely in the squad this summer and I believe we are in a fantastic position to challenge in the top half of the Championship.
"Last season was a very difficult time for the Board. Since September, we've put in over £4million to ensure the Club's finances are in a stable position to build for the future.
"As a Board, we aim to keep our promise of not selling our best players. Obviously there are certain clauses in players' contracts which means we have to allow them to speak to other Clubs, but our aim is the Premiership and to achieve this we need to keep all our best players.
"The Dan Shittu situation is a perfect example. The bottom line is that we want to keep Danny at the Club. He's a fantastic professional and a tremendous player, but if we receive a £3million bid then he has the freedom to talk to whoever comes in for him.
"We love Queens Park Rangers and we are doing everything possible to safeguard the prestige of this wonderful Club.
"Together, there is only one voice - We Are QPR.'' QPR


July 28, 2006 BBC -Power challenged to buy back QPR
Gianni Paladini has challenged the man he ousted as QPR chairman to come up with a bid to buy back the club.
Bill Power, a lifelong R's fan, has invested in Swindon Town since leaving Loftus Road after losing a bitter struggle for control last year.
But Paladini has hinted that ex-agent Antonio Caliendo, the London club's current main investor, could quit.
"I keep hearing people didn't want Bill to go and think he should come back. This is their chance," said Paladini.
"Let him or anyone else who thinks they can do a better job come forward and let's hear what they have to say."
After a series of behind-the-scenes problems, Power was forced out when former Brazil captain Carlos Dunga attended an all-important board meeting and voted with Paladini to remove him.
Power had sought to gain a controlling interest in the club but Dunga's unexpected appearance tipped the balance against him.
Paladini and Caliendo seized control and chief executive Mark Devlin was then sacked.
Dunga had previously not attended any board meetings having become a director as part of the Caliendo-led Monaco-based group that bought a stake in 2005 and now effectively own the club.
Dunga stood down as a director this week after landing the job of Brazil coach.
And Paladini has suggested that Caliendo and another board member, Italian businessman Franco Zanotti, may also now quit.
But Paladini insists they expect to recoup the money they have put into the club and has previously said it would take an offer of over £8m for them to relinquish control.
Any would-be buyer would also then have to tackle Rangers' sizeable debts.
"If Caliendo and Zanotti pull out it would make it difficult for me to carry on because I don't have that kind of money," Paladini admitted.
"If Antonio doesn't want to carry on I don't know what will happen. We will talk on Tuesday and discuss the way forward."
But he added: "We will listen to anyone that wants to make an offer but it will not come cheap, that's for sure.
"Bill Power got 6.5p-a-share when he sold his stake and the same would have to apply here. BBC


July 25, 2006 - QPR's Italian Tour
-The tour was first announced in April:

Paladini's QPR Rivals Interview (May 2) -New Suits
"... When we go to Italy in the pre-season all the players will have tailor made suits, with the club badge on so the players will really look the part for next season. That's another deal we've done."
http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8410350

Paladini & Waddock Visited Italy at the End of April:
Also in that May 2, QPR Rivals Interview of Clive Whittingham's

"What will the team be doing this pre-season?
One week, the 23rd to the 29th of July I think, in Sorrento. Gary and I have been in Italy this week looking at the hotel and the facilities and it looks fantastic, a really first class place. We'll be playing two games against Savoia and Cavese, just warm up matches and then we're hoping to come back and play Fulham that Sunday but that hasn't been confirmed yet. Hopefully we'll be able to take some supporters with us to Italy, three hundred people for three hundred pounds each or something like that but there'll be more details later. http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8410348

April 26 - QPR OFFICIAL SITE - ITALIA!
Sorrento
This summer, QPR will be preparing for the Championship season with a pre-season tour of Italy.
Gary Waddock and his squad will be travelling to the Gulf of Naples on July 23 and will face Sorrento Calcio and SS Cavese in a warm up to the 2006-07 campaign.
This season has been a successful one for both Italian teams. Sorrento finished top of Serie D Girone I and won promotion into Serie C2. Cavese also clinched promotion from Serie C2B and will play in Serie C1 next year.
Rangers will play on the Tuesday and Friday night, before returning to England where the final fine tuning will take place before the season begins.
The club are currently negotiating with Travel Counsellors to agree the best possible deal for fans wishing to travel.
The official trip will consist of accommodation, transfers and match tickets and will be seven days, six night from July 23 to 29.
Flights will have to be booked separately and can be done so via Travel Counsellors.
Any supporters who would like to register their interest can contact Carly Charteris at Travel Counsellors on 0845 058 7681.
A full and complete price package will be in place by next Wednesday May 10.
For all those supporters wishing to travel and pre-register, details will be sent to you no later than Wednesday evening.
Below is a brief outline of the history of Cavese, and for any Italian speaking Rangers, links to the clubs websites.
Sorrento Calcio
Cavese
Cavese were founded in 1919 as Unione Sportiva Cavese, and played its first match ever against Salernitana, ended in a 3-2 win for the Aquilotti. In 1922 the team merged with Libertas Sporting Club, another local team, in order to build a more competitive side. That same year, the team was admitted to the First Division (the equivalent of the nowadays' Serie A).
In 1974, after the relegation of the original team, who was playing the Serie D at the time, Cavese merged with Pro Salerno, another Serie D team, and renamed itself as Pro Cavese. The team returned to Serie C in 1978 and took back its original denomination in 1980.
In 1981, Cavese was able to gain its first (and only) promotion to Serie B. The first Serie B season for Cavese ended in a 15th place which allowed the team to avoid relegation. The 1982/1983 was the top season ever for the Campanian team in its whole history: in fact, Cavese was almost to reach a incredible promotion to Serie A, ending the first half of the season in a third placed, which would allow the promotion, and sixth at the end of the season.
That championship is remembered especially for the crushing 2-1 victory in San Siro against AC Milan. The scorers were Joe Jordan for Milan, and Tivelli and Di Michele for Cavese: after this shocking win, the team was nicknamed Real Cavese by the Italian sports columnists.
However the next season Cavese relegated to Serie C1, and was not able to reach Serie B anymore. The team was even cancelled from Italian football in 1991, and readmitted in the regional Eccellenza league with the current denomination.
Cavese website
Sorrento Calcio websitehttp://www.sorrentocalcio.com/indice.htm
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~821771,00.html

QPR OFFICIAL SITE

R's fans making the official pre-season trip to Italy this summer will have the unique opportunity to mix with their heroes.
Gary Waddock and his squad travel to the Gulf of Naples on July 23 and will face Sorrento Calcio and SS Cavese in a warm up to the 2006/07 Coca Cola Championship campaign.
Supporters wishing to meet the managerial staff and players can do so at their Sorrento training camp on Thursday 27 July.
"Pre-season is a vitally important time for me and the players, but it'll be nice for them to be able to mix with the supporters,'' Waddock told qpr.co.uk.
"Although we'll be pushing them very hard in Italy, you can't expect it to be all work and no play and this will be a fantastic opportunity for them to chat with the supporters and share their views on the forthcoming season.''
You can rub shoulders with Wads' and Macca in Italy
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~830832,00.html


21 - July 2006 QPR OFFICIAL SITE ITALIAN JOB

Sorrento FC
As the clock ticks down on the R's pre-season preparations, qpr.co.uk brings you the final details of the Club's trip to Italy.
Gary Waddock's side face Serie C outfit Sorrento FC on Monday (6.30pm local time), before a trip to San Antonio Abate FC on Friday (6.30pm local time).
Please note, the San Antonio fixture replaces the scheduled game against Cavese FC.
The Italian Club's pitch is currently unplayable and as a result, the R's have been forced to switch their opposition at the eleventh hour.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~870710,00.html

Official Site - Player Scott Donnelly on the Tour
DAY ONE -SCOTT DONNELLY
QPR's pre-season trip has begun and each day we'll be catching up with the latest happenings with our players' diary entries.
Today a home sick Scott Donnelly told qpr.co.uk how his first day had been as Gary Waddock walked past three times, unable to get his door key to open his room.
Despite the fact that Monday was pencilled in as a rest day for the players - an hour long meeting this morning, followed by a pre-match meal left little time for any play.
A local tailor then came to measure the players for matching suits and then it was off to Sorrento.
Here's how Scott Donnelly has found the first day of his first trip abroad.
"I didn't mind the flight, it was a nice steady journey all the way - there were a couple of the lads who don't enjoy it as much but thankfully they got here in one piece!
The hotel is unbelievable and the food is lovely. The people are really friendly as well, they just can't understand us!
The pool looks nice, but it's been all work so far and none of us have had a chance to go in it yet.
We had a meeting this morning to go over what we'd be doing throughout the week and what our schedule will be.
We went through everything to do with pre-season so far. We were given the opportunity to go through things that we didn't like, but hardly anyone had any complaints.
It's been spot on throughout and there wasn't very much negative feedback at all. In fact, the only complaints were that some of the lads wanted to do MORE training.
Then we went through tonight's game against Sorrento and talked about how we're going to approach it.
I'm rooming with Jake Cole, I get on really well with him and he's in the same boat as me.
It was a massive thing for me that I got picked to come here and really was made up, this is my first trip away with QPR and it's great to be here and it's a great experience.
I've never been to Italy before, but I'd definitely come back with my family or my girlfriend. I'd like to be able to order my food and drink on my own though without having to ask Mauro or Marc!
I'm looking forward to the game tonight; I've never played a foreign team before so this will be a bit of a change for me."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871787,00.html

QPR Set Off For Italy-
[The 18? players going on the tour - along with whom else from the club will be going, has yet to be officially announced.]

QPR OFFICIAL SITE re Italy Trip
"As the clock ticks down on the R's pre-season preparations, qpr.co.uk brings you the final details of the Club's trip to Italy.
Gary Waddock's side face Serie C outfit Sorrento FC on Monday (6.30pm local time), before a trip to San Antonio Abate FC on Friday (6.30pm local time).
Please note, the San Antonio fixture replaces the scheduled game against Cavese FC.
The Italian Club's pitch is currently unplayable and as a result, the R's have been forced to switch their opposition at the eleventh hour.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/News/0,,10373,00.html

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - Waddock on Italy Tour -
GARY WADDOCK'S POSTMATCH ASSESSMENT

.....''Rangers travel to Italy for the final chapter of their pre-season campaign tomorrow and Waddock is looking to use the trip as a team bonding exercise."The core of our squad will travel and although the games are important, working on our fitness and team spirit will be the priorities."We'll be training twice a day and aim to come back with the batteries fully charged for the first match of the season up at Burnley.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~870949,00.

ITALY TOUR
QPR Defeat San Antonio Abate 4-0
QPR OFFICIAL SITE - MATCH REPORT
"Rangers signed off their pre-season tour with a 4-0 win over San Antonio Abate. A goal in the first half from Nick Ward was followed by second half strikes from Marc Nygaard, Shabazz Baidoo and Ray Jones to seal the win at the Angri FC stadium.....
San Antonio Abate: Spicuzza, Giorgio, Pisano, Rufini, Ruggiero, Del Sorbo, Bizzarri, Villa, Tortora, Capucceilli, Alfano
Rangers: Jones, Bignot, Milanese (Howell), Rose (Kanyuka), Fortune, Rowlands (Bailey), Ainsworth, Ward, Cook, Nygaard (R Jones), Czerkas (Baidoo)
[And photo of "Gianni Paladini with the cup presented to QPR"]
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~874183,00.html

Also: Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals - Match Report

Ron Norris/QPR Net - Match Report

Sorrento 5 QPR 1 - WADDOCK ON THE OFFICIAL SITE PLASTIC NOT FANTASTIC

Gary Waddock admitted that the scoreline in Sorrento didn't worry him one bit - it's all about Burnley.The 5-1 drubbing is of little importance to Rangers' pre-season training schedule and Waddock has still got his sights firmly on the game at Turf Moor in just under two weeks.
Speaking after the game, the manager said: "Nobody wants to get beaten by a scoreline like that, but we've had to play on an artificial surface which we weren't due to play on.
"It was meant to be a grass surface so we've had to change the team accordingly.
"I've got players in positions they aren't used to Alan McDonald and Tony Roberts had to play in the end to make up the numbers.
"So although we got beat, there are reasons for that and this game wasn't taken too seriously at all.
"Sorrento won their league last year and it was an exhibition match and a celebration for them.
"The most important thing was that we didn't pick up any injuries and we didn't lose three points.
"I didn't want to play Cook, Rowlands but one or two of the lads were feeling the heat a bit.
"We'll need every single player against Burnley, not a game against Sorrento.
"We don't play on this sort of surface during the year - the scoreline doesn't bother me at all."
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871791,00.html

OFFICIAL SITE MATCH REPORT - RIM RIPA
A first half hat-trick from Ripa sealed Rangers' fate as they fell 5-1 to Sorrento Calcio.The Italian's goals were too much for QPR, despite a cracker from Adam Czerkas in the first half.
No matter how hard the Rs tried in the second half, the Italians were much more at home and the visitors were unable to get a look in.
The plastic surface meant that many first team regulars were rested for the first game, but Rangers were still able to field a strong side against the Italian outfit.
Waddock was able to give his youngsters a run out with Jake Cole taking up a spot between the posts and Ray Jones lining up alongside Czerkas.The first job for the squad was to clap the travelling support along with the local fans that had turned up to see the Londoners.
Rangers must have still been adjusting to the one hour time difference, because no sooner had the game kicked off, Sorrento took the lead.
Cole seemed to have gathered Ripa's shot, but somehow the ball seemed to slide through his fingers and into the back of the net.
Cue party time for the Italian fans.
Donnelly though almost restored parity seconds from the kick off when his free kicked tested Ambra in the Sorrento goal.
The hundreds of QPR fans behind the goal were treated to some quick footwork from Nick Ward, many of whom were seeing him for the first time.
At one point the Australian steamed through the middle in support of Adam Czerkas, but the Polish striker needed no help at all as he unleashed one hell of a strike into the back of the net.
Despite the heat, Rangers refused to take their foot off the gas and Waddock's words of advice about taking the game easy seemed to have fallen on deaf ears.
Ward was showing what an engine he has and Ray Jones was proving to be a threat up front.
However, Ripa clearly felt that the Rangers back line were in fact playing the game at 50 per-cent when he completed his hat-trick in two minutes.
Cole found himself beaten twice in quick succession to certainly make this a case of the Grim Ripa wreaking havoc with the R's.
Ward then tried in vein to get QPR back in the game just before half time, but his 30 yard effort clattered against the post.
There was a whole new meaning of 'exhibition football' when Alan McDonald made a special appearance in the second half.
But the Rangers legend had his work cut out when three minutes into the second half, Rastelli brushed off the appeals for off side and slotted past Cole.
Waddock then gave some of his tired troops a rest with Czerkas and Ward being replaced by Cook and Rowlands.
Anyone would have thought that Rangers were struggling to make up the numbers when veteran 'striker' Tony Roberts came on in place of Fortune.
The introduction of the two midfielders however did seem to make a difference.
Cook went close to scoring an impressive solo goal, but the midfielder put his effort just wide of the near post after travelling a full 30 yards untouched.
It was soon 5-1 despite some excellent recovery work from Jake Cole who had twice denied Rastelli before he finally finished the job.
Rangers then had two chances to pull one back when Cook and then Donnelly both had fierce strike parried to safety by Ambra even though they had both looked certain to score.
McDonald then incensed the home fans with a rather 'over friendly' challenge on their star man - good to see some things never change!
A disappointing result, but a decent work out all the same.
Sorrento: Ambra, Ferrara, Pezzella, Marciano, Ferraro, Iorio, Ingenito, Ottobre, Ripa, Russo, Maiorano
Subs: Rastelli, Solimene
Rangers: Cole, Bailey, Armel, Fortune (Roberts), Howell, Ward (Rowlands), Baidoo, Pinto (McDonald), Donnelly, R Jones, Czerkas (Cook).
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871786,00.html

Also: Report/Background from Ron Norris/QPR Net
http://www.qprnet.com/firstteam/0607/matchreports/ps_sorrento.shtml

And Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals
http://queensparkrangers.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=925&p=2&stid=8416921

A QPR 11 reportedly defeated a University of BATH Team 5-0 (with a Bircham hattrick
This was a pre-match notification
TEAM BATH:

Football: TeamBath FC to take–on a QPR XI in pre–season friendlyFriday, 14 July, 2006
TeamBath FC kick-off their pre-season friendlies with a mouth-watering home match against Queen’s Park Rangers.
The University of Bath side meet a QPR XI at Twerton Park on Monday 24th July in a 7.30pm kick–off as part of TeamBath’s preparations for their forthcoming season in the British Gas Business Southern Football League Premier Division. QPR’s first team players will be on tour in Italy at the time, but they are expected to bring a strong reserve team squad to Bath for the contest, including some younger players aiming to break into the first team this season.
The match will be particularly poignant for two members of TeamBath’s coaching staff – head coach Andy Tillson and assistant coach Ivor Powell – both former QPR players. The fixture was arranged because Tillson is close friends with QPR manager Gary Waddock – the pair transferred from QPR to Bristol Rovers at the same time. QPR reserve team manager Justin Skinner also played for both clubs.
“The QPR game will be a good fixture for us and an important part of our pre–season build–up,” said Tillson. “Our pre–season friendlies are part of our strategy to make sure we hit the ground running when the season gets underway on the 19th August. “We were looking for a balance of games to help get us ready for the season,” he added. “Some of the games will be tough, some are against teams in different leagues but at the same level as us and some of them we should hopefully do quite well against to give us a bit of confidence.”
http://www.teambath.com/news/index.php?Action=8&id=1116&page=0


QPR OFFICIAL SITE REPORT ON QPR RESERVES VS BATH
FIVE STAR

Hat-trick hero Marc Bircham
Marc Bircham bagged a hat-trick as the Reserves thrashed Team Bath 5-0 on Monday evening.
The victory - sealed by late goals from Steve Lomas and Stefan Moore - ensured a winning start for the R's new Reserve team boss Justin Skinner.
"It was a fantastic performance,'' Skinner told qpr.co.uk.
"The senior pros put on a very positive display. The attitude was first class; the work rate was fantastic; and the quality shone through in the end.''
The R's were made to wait until the 55th minute before making the breakthrough at Twerton Park.
Bircham opened the floodgates with a tidy close range finish from Matt Hislop's cross, before going on to bag his hat-trick soon after.
Stefan Moore was on target
Lomas and Moore put the icing on the cake for the R's - to the delight of Skinner.
"We couldn't have asked more of the players,'' he told qpr.co.uk.
"When the goal didn't come in the first half we had to regroup a bit at the break - but we took it to them and the class shone through in the second half.
"Each and every player has come out of the game with huge credit.''
Although Gary Waddock and the rest of the first team staff are currently in Italy, Skinner revealed he'll be reporting back to the gaffer on a daily basis.
Justin Skinner got off to a winning start
"I've already spoken to Wads and I'll continue to keep him updated throughout the week.
"It was nothing but good news from my point of view last night though. The players were excellent and the travelling support really made a difference.''
QPR Reserves: Trialist, Yelland, Hislop, Evatt, Stewart, Doherty, Lomas, Bircham, Cousins, Arthur, Moore. Subs (all used): Sandercombe, Brown, O'Brien, Goode, Maguire, Rose.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871890,00.html

After missing QPR targets, Dunga has switched tribes
Evening Standard (London), Jul 26, 2006 by WAYNE VEYSEY

FROM director of Queens Park Rangers to manager of Brazil.
That is some quantum leap for Carlos Dunga, the midfield footsoldier who lifted the 1994 World Cup and has now been trusted with guiding Brazil to the top of the tree in South Africa in 2010.
It is an extraordinary show of faith from the five-times winners, given that Dunga has no managerial experience and has turned down dozens of offers to move into coaching since retiring seven years ago.
A knock-on effect of the 42-year-old's appointment is that he has resigned as a non-executive director at QPR - even though he was not required to do so under FIFA rules.
Rangers say Dunga will continue to be a shareholder "for the time being" but it seems only a matter of the i's being dotted and t's being crossed before the final whistle is blown on one of English football's most bizarre relationships.
The Brazilian icon became involved with QPR 22 months ago when he emerged as the figurehead for two mysterious Monaco-based consortia, Barnaby and Wanlock, who had invested Pounds 1.7million for a 30 per cent stake in the club. But what exactly has he contributed to the Super Hoops?
Advertisement

Still instantly recognisable with the buzz-cut hairstyle that he paraded as one of football's most reliable midfield enforcers, Dunga was greeted with enthusiasm by supporters when he first arrived at Shepherds Bush.
He explained he had been persuaded to come on board by his friends at Barnaby, who included QPR kingpin Antonio Caliendo, a former football agent, and looked forward to being an ambassador for the club, promoting their name across the globe and using his South American contacts to alert them of any top young talent. In an interview with Standard Sport, Dunga displayed a deft touch in public relations by naming all the Loftus Road heroes of the 1970s, 80s and early 90s.
Some were sceptical of his involvement but others appreciated the muchneeded glitz and glamour he brought to Loftus Road, qualities which had been absent in the post-administration era.
There were fears that Dunga had been recruited to unseat manager Ian Holloway but the multilingual Brazilian stressed he had no ambitions in that field, ironic as that now appears.
"I've got no intention of being a football manager," he explained. "I get phone calls every week from clubs asking me to be their manager. In Brazil, I've been asked three or four time this season to manage Flamengo."
However, Dunga was to have little time for QPR in a hectic schedule that centred on his work as an ambassador for the Brazilian national team and consultant to one of his former clubs, Jubilo Iwata in Japan.
He went to only a handful of Rangers games in two years and failed to bring in any South American talent, blaming work permit restrictions on the players.
When quizzed by one supporter at last year's AGM what he actually brought to the Loftus Road plate, Dunga was evasive before chairman Gianni Paladini leapt to his defence, claiming: "He brought in money to save this club, that's what he has helped with."
The former Fiorentina and Stuttgart star was one of five men said to have invested equal sums of around Pounds 500,000 in QPR, a shareholding that now stands at 49 per cent.
Yet it would appear not to be a match made in heaven for Dunga, who cynics suggest may have been recruited by the Monaco consortia as a frontman to appease supporters dubious of investment from unknown foreigners.
Apart from the cash and the publicity, it seems his legacy to Rangers will prove to be the role he played in ousting Bill Power and Mark Devlin, the former chairman and chief executive, from the board last summer.
This dramatic coup ultimately paved the way for Paladini and Caliendo, now a director, to assume full control at the cash- strapped club.
Dunga had not attended any of the previous six board meetings before he flew into London to use his casting vote to axe Devlin and Power. Maybe it was that kind of ruthlessness which so impressed the powerbrokers at the Brazil Football Federation.
Brazil Star in a nutshell
After missing QPR targets, Dunga has switched tribes Brazil star in a nutshell Carlos Caetano Bledorn Verri (nicknamed Dunga, which is Portuguese for Dopey) Born: 31 October, 1963, Rio Grande do Sul Position: midfielder Clubs: Internacional (1980-84, 1999-2000), Corinthians (1984-85), Santos (1986-87), Vasco da Gama (1987), Pisa (1987-88), Fiorentina (1988-92), Pescara (1992-93), VfB Stuttgart (1993-95), Jubilo Iwata (1995-98) International career: Brazil (1987- 98) - 91 games, six goals; led country to 1994 World Cup triumph Post-retirement: QPR director 2004-2006, Appointed Brazil head coach July 2006
Standard

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - CARLOS DUNGA
New Brazil boss Carlos Dunga has tendered his resignation as non-executive director of the R's. Dunga - who joined QPR in September 2004 - was named as Brazil's new boss on Monday evening....Speaking from the Club's first team training camp in Italy, R's Chairman Gianni Paladini said: "Dunga has resigned with immediate effect.'' Paladini continued: "I'd like to wish him all the best and thank him for everything he has done for Queens Park Rangers Football Club.'' Dunga will continue to be a QPR shareholder for the time being.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~871903,00.html

Gillingham 0 QPR 1 - The QPR & Gillingham Perspectives
GARY WADDOCK'S POSTMATCH ASSESSMENT
Gary Waddock praised the first half performance of Nick Ward, after the R's beat Gillingham 1-0 at The Priestfield Stadium.
The Australian midfielder played his first 45 minutes for the R's, as Waddock's men made it two wins on the spin in pre-season.
"Nick did very well in the first half and almost capped his display with a wonderful goal,'' Waddock told qpr.co.uk.
"To be fair the keeper has pulled off a wonderful save and credit has to go to him for that.
"Nick has settled in well and we're all really looking forward to seeing him in action when the Championship kicks off on August 5th.''
In a match disrputed by substitutions, Rangers won the game courtesy of Ray Jones' 70th minute winner.
"I was pleased with the first half. We played some good football; our passing and movement was good, so from that point of view I'm delighted.
"The changes disrupted our play in the second half - but we've won the game, kept a clean sheet and that's obviously very encouraging.''
Rangers travel to Italy for the final chapter of their pre-season campaign tomorrow and Waddock is looking to use the trip as a team bonding exercise.
"The core of our squad will travel and although the games are important, working on our fitness and team spirit will be the priorities.
"We'll be training twice a day and aim to come back with the batteries fully charged for the first match of the season up at Burnley.''
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Match/ManagersComments/0,,10373~870949,00.html

QPR OFFICIAL SITE FULL TIME: GILLS 0 QPR 1
A fortuitous winner from Ray Jones sealed an otherwise drab affair at The Priestfield Stadium.
Jones bagged the only goal of the game on 70 minutes, in a match disrupted by wholesale changes from both sides in the second period.
In truth, the R's did just enough to warrant victory, on a day when Nick Ward made his first start for the Club and Marc Nygaard and Dan Shittu made their first appearances of the pre-season campaign.
Despite decent chances for debutant Ward and skipper Kevin Gallen, it was goalless at the break.
Gallen went closest to breaking the deadlock just after the half hour, rifling a powerful shot in to the grasp of Gills keeper Raymond Homoet.
And in a half in which Rangers enjoyed the majority of possession, Ward forced Homoet into a terrific diving save at his near post.
Earlier, Ward had to wait just one minute and 42 seconds for his first touch in a QPR shirt, cushioning a neat touch into the path of Damion Stewart.
But it was Gareth Ainsworth who provided the first moment of magic, turning his marker on a sixpence with an outrageous piece of close control on the right touchline.
Rangers were calling the shots early on, and after fine interplay between Gallen, Marcus Bignot and Lee Cook, Martin Rowlands dragged his right foot shot well wide.
The visitors continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession and when Ward found Cook with a fantastically disguised left footed pass, the wingers' cross narrowly evaded the onrushing Nygaard.
The returning Shittu came to Rangers' rescue when Dean McDonald broke through the last line of the R's defence on 18 minutes, and from the resultant corner, Paul Jones gathered safely.
Ward was improving as the half wore on and after being involved in a fine Rangers counter-attack, he shot wide from the edge of the box.
The Aussie midfielder seemed certain to open his account for the R's on 22 minutes, but after a perfectly weighted through ball from Cook, his cushioned right footed drive from eight yards forced Raymond Homoet into a fantastic full length save.
Gallen was unlucky not to put the R's ahead on 32 minutes, when from a long punt forward by Jones, he shot straight into the grasp of Homoet.
The half ended on a sour note for Bignot, who just moments after picking up a yellow card for a rash challenge on Clint Easton, was forced from the fray with a suspected hamstring injury.
Stefan Bailey replaced him at right back, as the half drew to a quiet conclusion.Waddock rang the changes at the break, with Ward and Shittu among the seven players replaced.
The substitutions seemed to disrupt the R's pattern of play, with Gillingham creating the first chance of the half on 49 minutes courtesy of Clint Easton's in-swinging cross which narrowly evaded the Gills front-men.
Gary Mulligan's volley on the turn awoke a poor home crowd, before Gills boss Ronnie Jepson made a double substitution on the hour.
Buoyed by the introduction of fans' favourite Brent Sancho, Gillingham created two chances in as many minutes soon after, both of which were cleared to safety by Pat Kanyuka.
Rangers' first opportunity of the half arrived on 65 minutes, when from a quick throw in on the right flank, Gallen combined well with Ainsworth.
His back post cross seemed destined to find Ray Jones, but Homoet plucked the ball from the air and left Jones pole-axed by the far post.
Jones soon made amends though, seemingly getting the last touch to Rowlands' wide free-kick on 70 minutes, as the R's finally broke the deadlock.
As the ball tricked goalwards, the entire Gillingham defence seemed to go AWOL, and Homoet was powerless to prevent the ball from squeezing in at his far post.
There was certainly an element of luck to Rangers' breakthrough, but few can deny Jones deserved it, after another heartening display from the teenage striker.
Shabazz Baidoo should've put the result beyond any doubt on 80 minutes, but with the goal at his mercy, he shot straight at Homoet, when a more accomplished finish would surely have reaped greater dividends.
Undeterred, the pacy striker kept knocking on the door and was unlucky not to beat Homoet with a piercing left footed drive from an acute angle.
Gillingham: Homoet, Jackman, Flynn (Karim 72), Cox (Sancho 60), Bentley (Crofts 60), Mulligan, McDonald (Ndunbu-Nsungu 46), Easton (Pouton 72), Johnson (Stone 87), Clohessy, Jarvis (Collin 82).
Subs: Beckwith.
QPR: P Jones, Bignot (Bailey 44), Howell (Rose 46), Stewart, Shittu (Kanyuka 46), Ainsworth, Rowlands (Baidoo 72), Ward (Donnelly 46), Cook (Tchakounte 46), Nygaard (R Jones 46), Gallen.
Subs: Cole.
Bookings: Bignot 41
Sending Offs:
Goals: R Jones 70
Attendance: 1,472
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~870929,00.html

Friday, July 21, 2006
Relegation? Bookmakers View QPR as Good Relegation Bet!


RELEGATION? QPR seem to be viewed by bookmakers as one of the favourites for relegation (basically after Southend and Colchester. With Plymouth and Barnsley also viewed as good relegation bets.

From Ladbrokes - http://www.ladbrokes.com/lbr_sports?action=go_event&category=SOCCER&class_id=110000006&class_sort=FB&type_id=110000557&ev_id=210891748&ev_mkt_id=-2
Relegation betting

Colchester 2.50
Southend 2.75
Burnley 3.25
QPR 3.25
Barnsley 3.75
Plymouth 3.75
Sheffield Wednesday 4.00
Stoke 4.00
Hull 5.50
Ipswich 5.50

FROM CORALS
http://www.coral.co.uk/sb.go?page=grouppage&groupid=120558&lang=20&sid=20&ms=MS&type=0

ValueChecker http://www.valuechecker.co.uk/21670576.htm
http://www.valuechecker.co.uk/all_21670576.htm

4TheGame "Editor's Picks - Betting With Ladbrokes"
"The Editor turns his attentions to the new domestic season, with his tips for the title winners and relegation fodder in the English leagues...
"...Championship winners - Sunderland - With the Iconic Niall Quinn installed as new chairman and the fact they haven't lost any of the players that won them the Championship two seasons ago, they should be a good bet.
Relegated - Plymouth - Ian Holloway may have taken over at Home Park but I see a difficult season ahead for the former QPR boss.
QPR - Having signed Australian midfielder Nick Ward we could be duped into thinking the good times are ahead for Rangers, I suspect not.
Luton - Mike Newell's side over achieved last season being near the top of the league early on before settling in mid-table I fear they could be found out this season.
http://www.4thegame.com/features/feature/191286/editors_picks__betting_with_ladbrokes.html

Ian Holloway Looks Forward, Looks Back
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"...If you have sat in your garden for five months, and probably been put their unfairly in your own mind, then hopefully your enthusiasm doesn't wane."
http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/OlliesOpinion/0,,10364~870201,00.html

[NB: Holloway's latest signing is 34-year old Barry Hayles from Millwall. When Holloway was at QPR, QPR were linked with a Hayles interest."
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/5190300.stm

Danny Shittu Won't be Playing....Several Other Players Not Yet Match Fit (Ben Kosky, Kilburn Times)-
Shittu move still a no-go
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times, July 19, 2006


"Unsettled defender Danny Shittu will be absent from QPR's pre-season build-up this week after the club rejected an increased Watford bid for their star player.The Hornets have offered £2m to prise Shittu from Loftus Road - well short of Rs chairman Gianni Paladini's asking price. Paladini reiterated that there was 'no chance at all' of him allowing Shittu - who is under contract to Rangers for another two years - to leave for less than £3m.
The big centre-back will play no part in tonight's friendly at Stevenage Borough and is unlikely to be involved when Rangers travel to Gillingham on Saturday. Manager Gary Waddock denied that the uncertainty over Shittu's future had induced him to leave the player out, explaining that he plans to give Matthew Rose a run-out instead."Danny's not available at the moment and that's because he needs to get a little more fitness work under his belt before he plays," said Waddock." No disrespect to Stevenage - we won't be putting out a full-strength team, but we'll try and give players a longer time on the pitch."
Jamaican international Damion Stewart is set to make his QPR debut in the Stevenage match, but supporters will have to wait a little longer to see Australian midfielder Nick Ward in action."We need to get Nick Ward right up to speed before we show him to the crowd. It's a big step for him and I don't want to throw him in too quickly," added Waddock.
Front pair Paul Furlong and Marc Nygaard, along with left-back Mauro Milanese, are also short of fitness, but midfielder Martin Rowlands is expected to make his first appearance for six months.And Rangers will also include new signing Egutu Oliseh, who agreed a two-year contract on Monday after impressing the manager in training.The Nigerian midfielder became Waddock's fourth summer signing - and another followed last night when Polish striker Adam Czerkas agreed a one-year loan deal.
http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/content/camden/kilburntimes/sport/story.aspx?brand=KLBTOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportklbt&itemid=WeED18%20Jul%202006%2019%3A51%3A43%3A777

Lee Cook on Wanting Waddock as Manager (Ben Kosky, Wembley and Kingsbury Times)
-Waddock job convinced Cook to stay
Ben Kosky, Wembley and Kingsbury Times July 19, 2006


LEE Cook has revealed he would have thought twice about extending his QPR contract if the club had overlooked Gary Waddock for the manager's job. Cook, whose previous contract had a year left to run, signed an improved deal that will keep him at Loftus Road until 2009 last month. But the winger,....was anxious to know who he would be playing under before penning his signature. Cook's place in the side rarely seemed assured under former Rs manager Ian Holloway, who often preferred to deploy Martin Rowlands or skipper Kevin Gallen on the left of midfield....
"I wouldn't have signed unless I knew who the manager was and I wanted to know that it was Gary."Before I signed my contract I phoned Gary on holiday just to make sure everything was going to be sorted out with him first."I feel I've played decent football under him and so have the rest of the team. He's a great coach and I hope he's going to be successful as QPR manager."
I always wanted to sign - they made me the offer just before I went on holiday and I left it to my agent to sort out all the bits and bobs." Gianni [Paladini] said there would be a few new players coming in this summer - and that was good to hear, because it's going to be a difficult season, especially with the teams that have come down into this league."
Cook was an ever-present in the team under Waddock last season and is now within touching distance of his 100th appearance since joining the club from Watford two years ago.But for the knee injury he picked up at Hull in the opening game of last season, which kept him out of action for the next six weeks, he would have been even closer to that target.And Cook is confident that the arrival of sports scientist Mark Barry, recently appointed by Waddock, can help reduce Rangers' often lengthy injury list."Mark's come in and he's got his own ways of getting players fit," said Cook. "We've got the heart rate monitors every training session and he makes sure everyone's working to their full potential, which is good for the club."....."We know it's going to be harder than last year, but I feel there were certain results we should have got last season and we have to put those right this time."If we're more physically fit, that should help keep the concentration going right through the 90 minutes and hopefully we can turn some of those slight defeats into wins.
http://www.wktimes.co.uk/content/brent/wembleychronicle/sport/story.aspx?brand=WKCOnline&category=sportfootball&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=sportwkc&itemid=WeED18%20Jul%202006%2019%3A47%3A56%3A930


Paladini on Shittu & WBA
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SkySport July 27, 2006 - Rangers drop Shittu hint
Queens Park Rangers chairman Gianni Paladini has hinted that West Bromwich Albion are close to meeting his side's asking price for Danny Shittu.
Rangers have been vehement in their insistence on recouping a £3 million fee for Shittu this summer - a price stipulated in the player's contract.
Premiership new boys Watford fell short in their bid to land the 25-year-old Nigerian, who also interests Birmingham, but Paladini admits Championship side Albion could be about to succeed where The Hornets failed.
"This has taken so much of my time, it has to be finished off now," said Paladini.
"If we have to wait for the money in instalments, then that's fine, but I always said the fee would be £3 million.
"When you see other players of similar talent going for more, you realise that what we want for Danny is more than reasonable." Sky Sports

QPR Reportedly Making Another Foreign Signing...Polish Striker, Adam Czerkas
BBC - QPR agree deal for Polish striker QPR have agreed the signing of Polish striker Adam Czerkas. The player will join from Odra Wodzislaw subject to completing a medical after he impressed manager Gary Waddock during a trial.
Czerkas, who recently turned 22, is expected to feature in a pre-season friendly against Stevenage Borough on Wednesday night.
Waddock has been keen to sign a striker and is also interested in Southampton's Dexter Blackstock.
Rangers have had a busy summer and have so far signed defender Damion Stewart and midfielders Armel, Nick Ward and Egutu Oliseh.
http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/5191508.stm

UPDATE: QPR OFFICIAL SITE - SIGNS ON ONE YEAR LOAN
CZERKAS SIGNS
Gary Waddock's prolonged search for a striker is finally over - after Polish front-man Adam Czerkas today (Tuesday) put pen to paper on a one year loan deal with the R's.
The 22 year-old - who impressed Waddock during pre-season training and again in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday - signed on the dotted line at Loftus Road this evening.
Rangers have the option of signing the Kolporter Korona SSA striker on a permanent basis at the end of his loan spell....
[Garry Waddock:] "It's no secret that we've been on the look out for a striker for months, not just weeks, and our patience has finally been rewarded. "Obviously I'm delighted we've secured his services and if what we've seen in training and in the practice match is anything to go by, R's fans are in for a treat next season.
"He's got a great eye for goal, has terrific movement, is good with his back to goal and has the unique ability of being able to get in behind defenders.
"He'll complement our current crop of attackers and we've got extremely high hopes for him next season.''
The former Kolporter Korona SSA attacker - who measures in at 6'1'' and will wear the number 28 shirt - is in line to make his R's debut against Stevenage Borough on Wednesday.
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~869243,00.html

July 17, 2006 - QPR Chairman Giannai Paladini Again Categorically Assures: Shittu Definitely Stays if Less than £3 Million
-BBC QPR hold out for £3m Shittu offer

Shittu is a target for Watford
QPR chairman Gianni Paladini insists his club will not accept less than £3m for defender Danny Shittu.
Watford have had a bid for the giant centre-back rejected, while Leeds and West Brom have shown an interest.
Shittu, 25, has a clause in his contract allowing him to speak to any club that offers £3m for him.
And Paladini said: "There is no way whatsoever we will accept any less than that. There is absolutely no chance he will leave for less. No chance at all."

Shittu moved to Loftus Road from Charlton in 2002 in a £350,000 deal funded by QPR fans Matthew and Alex Winton.

He has since made 162 league appearances and is a firm favourite among supporters.

"I don't want him to go," Paladini added.

"We're building a team and brought in Damion Stewart to play alongside him and we think those two will be a good combination.

"I think he is worth more than £3m but because of the contract, there's nothing I can do if somebody offers us that.

"Joleon Lescott went for £5m and Claude Davis went for £2.5m. Danny is a better defender than both of them.

"Danny Shittu will definitely stay here unless someone offers £3m. It's as simple as that."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/q/qpr/5188882.stm

QPR Sign Egutu Oliseh-
Official Site: QPR Sign Egutu Oliseh
QPR have today signed midfielder Egutu Oliseh on a two year deal after he impressed Manager Gary Waddock
QPR have today signed midfielder Egutu Oliseh on a two year deal after he impressed Manager Gary Waddock.
The 25 year old - who impressed Waddock during the R's 1-1 pre-season draw against Aldershot Town - has put pen to paper on a two year deal at Loftus Road.
"I'm very, very happy and now I can't wait for the season to start," he told qpr.co.uk. "From the very first day I came here to train I have been impressed. It is all so organised, I couldn't ask for more.

"That was what really impressed me. Everything is calculated, from the physical trainer through to the manager. If training continues in this way, I'm sure you will see the best from every one of us.
"My first aim now is to become a regular in the side."
Oliseh, who was born in Lagos, spent last season with Belgium outfit La Louviere, after previous spells with French quartet Nancy, Louhans-Cuiseau, Beauvais and Grenoble.
Oliseh has been on trial with the R's for the past fortnight

Oliseh could make his R's debut against Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Wednesday and Waddock is excited about seeing his latest signing in action, commenting: "He's really impressed me in training and against Aldershot. He's attack minded and technically very good.
"It's yet another signing to bolster our squad ahead of the new season and I'm looking forward to having every Manager's favourite dilemna - picking my best eleven.
"This recent signing has ensured that I'll have more than enough midfield options and I'll be able to mix it up accordingly depending on the opposition." QPR

Also: BBC

QPR Official Site - June 16, 2006 - MK DONS GAME CANCELLED
Gianni Paladini would like to make the following statement, after making the decision to cancel the game against MK Dons on July 15."After several phonecalls and threats from our own supporters, I have decided not to go ahead with the game."I was extremely embarrassed at having to call the club secretary at MK Dons after he had done all he could to arrange a fixture on a day where we struggled to find any opposition."We were tremendously grateful to MK Dons for having initially agreed to play the fixture after Brentford cancelled the original game due to be played on July 18."Had that cancellation not have arisen, this whole situation would have been avoided."After Brentford pulled out, QPR re-contacted ALL Premiership and Football League clubs within a two hour travelling distance, yet MK Dons were the only club who answered our request."QPR apologises to everyone at MK Dons who pulled out all the stops to arrange a fixture at such short notice and also to all our fans that were willing to travel to the MK Dons fixture and were looking forward to visiting a new ground."Gianni Paladinihttp://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~840228,00.htmlQPR

Official Site - June 15, 2006 -
QPR are pleased to announce a pre-season friendly against MK Dons on July 15.After only just receiving the official word from Brentford that the game scheduled for July 18 was to be cancelled, QPR have been busily trying to arrange a fixture to take its place and are delighted that MK Dons have been able to fulfil our requirements.MK Dons were themselves trying to hastily find opposition after also having a game cancelled.The game will take place at the National Hockey Stadium and will kick off at 3pm and will be the first meeting of the two clubs since the Dons' move to Milton Keynes.Gary Waddock said: "I'm obviously very pleased to have managed to get another pre-season game fixed up as quickly as this, and my thanks go to MK Dons for answering our request."We needed another game around that weekend, and I'm now looking forward to visiting Milton Keynes for the first time with a QPR side."It's not that far and hopefully our fans will turn out in force to support us there."http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~839766,00.htmlQPR

OFFICIAL SITE - JUNE 13, 2006 BRENTFORD GAME OFF
This morning, QPR were informed that the pre-season game against Brentford has been cancelled.Despite contacting Brentford last week, we were led to believe that the game would still be taking place in spite of the fact the Club had received several phone calls from fans to ask if the game was still going ahead.Assistant Secretary Terry Springett explains: "It's very disappointing to have been informed of Brentford's decision to pull out at such a late stage, especially when we contacted the club last week when rumours had started to surface the game may have been in doubt."Only last Wednesday we were informed by Brentford that the game was indeed to go ahead, so at the time, felt it unnecessary to make an announcement on the official website."It would appear that their initial decision to take the game against us was taken without thorough consultation with their groundstaff, who have now informed the Club that the pitch at Griffin Park will not be ready in time."However, having received a phone call from Brentford this morning, we would like to inform our fans that the pre-season game against them, scheduled for Tuesday July 18, is indeed off."We will be doing our best in the next few days to find suitable alternative opponents for that weekhttp://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~839038,00.html

Letter sent by QPR1st after MK Dons Game was announced QPR1st

QPR Report


QPR OFFICIAL SITE -ROYCIE'S RECOVERY

Pre-season has just begun for Rangers, but for Simon Royce he still can't wait to get cracking.
The Ranger number one suffered a set back ....Speaking to qpr.co.uk, Roycie explained how the setback occurred.
He said: "During the close season I started to do some running in the gym and I was fine. Then I stepped it up to do some running outside and started to feel a pain in my groin.
"I came in the day before we were all due back and Prav had a look at it and said that I'd re-inflamed the ligament that I'd damaged in February.
"So I went for an injection straight away, hoping that it would settle down quite quickly but it hasn't healed 100 per-cent yet, despite having gone for a second injection on Tuesday."
Having had the most aggressive cortisone he was allowed this week, Royce must now wait and see if he'll be fit to take part in any of the pre-season games before the big kick-off.
"That's the last injection I can have now as you're only allowed three a year and of course I had the initial one in February.
"It's now a case of making sure that the groin is fully healed as neither myself nor Prav want me to come back too early and risk damaging it.
"It's an impossible situation as I don't want to risk damaging it further, but equally I'd like to get some games under my belt before the season starts.
"Now with the signing of Paul Jones, competition for places is at its strongest. I wouldn't want to lose my place, bearing in mind how well Jonesy played when he came in last year."
Royce admitted he has been impressed with the training methods so far, but it's bitter sweet due to the fact he hasn't yet been able to get involved.
"The training this year has trained for the goalkeepers, it's more geared towards our specialised position rather than plodding round a field and doing a load of running.
"We're doing more short-sharp quick footwork which is more relative to the job in hand.
"Having seen that it makes me even more determined to get fit again so that I can join in.
"By Monday we should know if that last injection has worked and then we'll take it from there.
"If it has worked then we can start stepping up the training. At the moment I'm doing a lot of core stability work focussing on abdominals and my upper body strength."I've done a couple of session with Mark Barry, he's definitely 100 per-cent committed to getting the team fitter than they've ever been and the feedback from the lads is positive. http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~867669,00.html

July 13, 2006 - QPR's Low Agents Payments-
QPR's Payments to Agents in the First Six Months of 2006
[The complete Football League "Agents Fee Report - Season 2005/06" can be viewed at http://www.football-league.premiumtv.co.uk/staticFiles/f6/64/0,,10794~25846,00.pdf
[From January 1, 2006 to June 30, 2006, QPR paid 16,000 pounds for agents. (From June 5 2005 to June 6, 2006, QPR spent in total 147,600 pounds to agents.)
10 - New Registrations and Transfers
2 - Updated Contract
6 - Cancelled Contract
10 - Loans
(28 - Total )

QPR OFFICIAL SITE - AGENTS' FEES
"The latest Football League Agents' Fees report has been released and makes for healthy reading for the R's.
The report, which focuses predominantly on the last six months, as well as the entire 2005/06 campaign, was released this morning.
During the last six months - which saw QPR make 28 transactions (which includes new registrations and transfers, updated contracts, cancelled contracts and loans) in total - the Club committed just £16,000 to agents.
Rangers committed £147,600 to agents during the 2005/06 campaign - a small proportion of the overall sum of £6,311,853 committed to agents in the Championship. ...
http://www.qpr.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10373~867174,00.html

July 12, 2006 - QPR Announce Team Numbers
[List included a number of people who were transfer listed]
1. Simon Royce
2. Marcus Bignot
3. Mauro Milanese
4. Ian Evatt
5. Dan Shittu
6. Tommy Doherty
7. Matthew Rose
8. Marc Bircham
9. Nick Ward
10. Kevin Gallen
11. Gareth Ainsworth
12. Jake Cole
14. Martin Rowlands
15. Dominic Shimmin
16. Steve Lomas
17. Lee Cook
18. Stefan Moore
19. Tchakounte-A
20. Scott Donnelly
21. Paul Jones
22. Shabazz Baidoo
23. Stefan Bailey
24. Pat Kanyuka
25. Damion Stewart
26. Sean Thomas
29. Paul Furlong
30. Marc Nygaard
34. Matthew Hislop
35. John Munday
QPR


Nick Ward on Joining QPR (Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times)
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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times
Ward visit gives Rangers a liftBen
"...Ward narrowly missed out on a place in the Aussies' World Cup squad, but he is convinced his move to Loftus Road can propel him on to the big stage next time around.....Ward, who has signed a two-year contract at Rangers, observed: "If you look at the World Cup team, most of the players who were starting games play in Europe."The game is definitely getting much bigger in Australia and I'd never seen the media going on about soccer as much as they did - it's usually all about Aussie rules, rugby and cricket."But as much as the A-League is getting better, I think you've got to be in Europe to further your game.
I'm sure I made the right decision and I'm happy to be here."I was on the fringes of the World Cup squad and it was disappointing not to make it, so the Olympics in 2008 and the next World Cup in 2010 are realistic goals for me."...
: "We don't get a lot of Championship football on TV over there - it's mostly the Premiership - but I know this is also a good league because I've seen a lot of Australian players who have come over, started in the Championship and done well.
"It's a good standard and the amount of games you play here as opposed to in Australia was definitely something that attracted me." ....
I've got a target of scoring 10 goals this year and I hope we can get to the play-offs at least," said Ward. "That's what we want to aim for." I've already done a pre-season in Australia, so I'm fairly fit and I want to cement my spot in the starting line-up. This is a good opportunity for me to get some games in the Championship and hopefully get noticed. Kilburn Times
Also: Photos of Nick Ward Joining QPR - (Photos by Nick De Marco)

QPR's Interest in Adam Czerkas and Other Trialists (Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times)
Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Czerkas set to fill the gap


QPR could strengthen their front line by signing Polish triallist Adam Czerkas after losing out ... Bradley Wright-Phillips.... The 6ft 1in striker, who turns 22 tomorrow, is currently playing for Odra Wodzislaw and has been on trial at Loftus Road this week.
Waddock said: "Bradley Wright-Phillips is a player I like and he would have been a good addition to the squad."He is the type of player we want at this club, whether on loan or permanent and I'd have love him to have joined us."But he's not, so we move on and see if we can get somebody else in to take us forward. There are areas of the squad I know we need to improve and that's down to me to sort out."As we move on through pre-season I'm going to look at one or two different things that may help us."
Waddock is also interested in signing midfielder Egutu Oliseh, who is the younger brother of former Nigerian World Cup captain Sunday Oliseh and appeared in last weekend's friendly at Aldershot Town. The younger Oliseh, 25, has spent most of his career in French football with Nancy and Grenoble, but played for Belgian club La Louviere last year.
QPR included three other triallists against Aldershot - left-back Anthony Tonkin, who made nearly 100 appearances for Crewe during the last three years, as well as Congolese striker Betu Tshamanga and former Bristol Rovers centre-back Tobi Jinadu.
Kilburn Times



QPR's Coaches Assess the Players at the Aldershot Game (Official Site)
-
From the Official Site
WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN

With pre-season training in full swing and the first game under their belts, how do the new look coaching staff think things are going?....
Gary Waddock on performance:
"The Aldershot game was a good fitness test for us and I was pleased with the work-rate of the players. It gave a lot of them the chance to get 45 minutes of action under their belt.
"The result of the game wasn't important to us. We need to make sure we are at our peak when we play Burnley in the first game of the season, that's when results start to matter. Between now and then it is simply a case of building up to that opening fixture."

Alan McDonald on formations:
"It was difficult to take a great deal away from the Aldershot game as we played two different teams either half."We tried a different formation to what we usually play. We hadn't done too much work with it but I felt that it certainly worked well in the first half.
"The changes in the second half saw it not working as well but I was still really pleased with the level of performance."But on the whole, this was more of a chance just to look at the young lads and those on trial, that was the main objective."

Justin Skinner on preparation and approach:
"The preparation for the first game is always a little bit sketchy, we went into the game not really working on set pieces, that wasn't our focus, that will come later."It's always a bit of a trial getting the logistics right when you want to field two different teams, but it went well overall I think."Behind the scenes it's going very well. Mark has been working hard on their fitness and this will be a hard week for them. Their attitude has been first class, from the young kids to the experienced pros.

Reserve team manager Justin Skinner out training
"They have been taking on new ideas that we've all put in. There hasn't been any moaning, we haven't given them a chance. It's been quality rather than quantity and has all been ball and game related."The staff side of things has become very organised, we say what we'll do, do it, then have a de-brief at the end of the day."We set out our session plans, get together and everyone is aware of what their jobs are for the day. All the training is set out, we don't wonder what we're going to do off the cuff. Prav Mathema also has an input, it's very much a joint effort."The boys have reacted to that because it's so well planned. They all have ice baths now after training which was new to them. They are weighed in and out, every detail is looked into and we've addressed a lot of aspects."We have a meeting every Monday morning with the staff to outline what went right and wrong the previous week. Today we spoke about how the game went and what could have gone better."

Tony Roberts on helping to achieve personal goals:
"Over the last ten days I've been getting the keepers back into their prevous good habits and routines. Paul Jones was back late due to international duty and Jake Cole was ill, so I've had a good chance to work one on one with Sean Thomas."I knew he was going to play the full 90 minutes on Saturday so we went over absolutely everything."Jake and Jonah are playing catch up now, so today the three of us worked on the technical side of goalkeeping - catching, distribution kicking and so on.
"It's good to get a structure for them like I do with the Academy keepers, there's a lot of organisation that's going into it."I have six keepers in all, from spring chickens to full internationals. Some are more agile and I need to accommodate all of them. I will do a lot more 'reps' with the younger ones because they can handle it and because they need more practise."You don't need to get Jonah in the gym whereas some of my youngsters may need more upper body strength. With each keeper they need a different plan."

Mark Barry on fitness:
It's a steady progression towards the Burnley game. For the match on Saturday against Aldershot, we were probably at 50% fitness-wise."By the time of the next match, we will be around the 75% mark. For the opening fixture of the season the players will be at 100%, which is our main objective.
"You can train as much as you like but, obviously enough, to be match-fit you need to play matches, so these games are imperative if the players are going to get used to the speed of the game, and so on. "At this stage, the fitness level of the lads is spot-on. We're making sure that we don't peak too early because if we reach 100% a week before the Burnley game, there's only one way to go - and that's down. I've got to make sure that doesn't happen." QPR

July 10, 2006 - Aldershot Match Report
Shots hold Championship side at the Rec in impressive opener that surprisingly saw former defender Tobi Jinadu feature for the West Londoners
After Saturday afternoon's performance at the Rec against Championship side Queens Park Rangers it was quite apparent that the lessons of last season's calamitous pre season have been learned.
Aldershot were able to field a side in the first half that included five new signings added to the trial appearances of the impressive Andy Edwards and Phil Anderson. The return of midfielder David Lee after an eleven month absence brought the cheer of the day from the Recreation ground faithful. Only Nikki Bull, Dave Winfield and Ryan Williams featured from the squad that were performing at the end of last season. Indeed former defender Tobi Jinadu lined up for the R's.
The home crowd were suitably impressed with the performances especially the exciting link up play of Dean Smith and Louie Soares down the right hand side. Their endeavour deserved a goal but it was Ryan Williams who went closest in the first half with a 20 yard effort.
The visitors went into the interval with a slender lead courtesy of an expertly taken 35 yard free kick from Tommy Doherty whose precise effort rounded the wall and, despite Nikki Bull's flying dive, there was no chance of saving it.
At the break both sides made nine changes. Whilst Rangers were able to field the likes of Kevin Gallen, Lee Cook, Steve Lomas and Ian Evatt, the home side paraded a host of youngsters including Sean Ridgway, Ryan Scott and new goalkeeper Louis Wells. But it was the forward pairing of strikers Mark Pritchard from Swansea City and Kirk Hudson that stole the show. They posed plenty of problems for the visitors with an exciting combination. It was Scott, however, who laid the ball through a treat on the hour for Pritchard to latch on and strike goalbounds only for keeper Sean Thomas to force behind for a corner. Scott drove powerfully a minute later from 25 yards as Aldershot looked a confident and industrious unit. On 63 minutes a great link up between Hudson and Pritchard allowed the former to unleash a cracking drive that Thomas forced away despite being pushed backwards.
Keeper Wells, as did Nikki Bull in the first half, produced a tremendous save close at the feet of a Rangers striker to show that the club has a replacement goalkeeper that looks comfortable.
As the game progessed Soares, who had re-appeared produced a fine effort after good holding play from Pritchard that went just wide from 20 yards.
However Aldershot did score the goal that they deserved on 84 minutes when Pritchard finished off from close range at the far post from a deep Soares right sides centre.
Although results are immaterial in pre season friendlies this was a match that the home side certainly deserved something out of.
Teams: Shots (First Half)- Bull, Smith, Anderson, Lee, Edwards, Winfield, Soares, Moleseley, Grant, Gayle, Williams Shots (Second Half)- Wells, Salmon, Corbett, Edwards (Soares 67), Anderson (Milletti 60), Hicks, Whisken, Ridgway, Scott, Hudson, Pritchard
QPR (First Half)- Thomas, Bignot, Tonkin, Armel, Kanyuka, Jinadu, Ainsworth, Olisen, Moore, Doherty, Baidoo QPR (Second Half)- Thomas, Munday, Donnelly, Kanyuka (Jinadu 58), Gallen, Cook, Lomas, Evatt, Hislop, Tshmanga, Bailey Referee: John Farries Assts: Tim Ingram, Ian Kitchen Att: 1340 Aldershot

Aldershot Post-Match Assessment

[Also: Photos of Aldershot vs QPR from Nick De Marco
http://www.pbase.com/qpr/aldershot_v_qpr

Friendly Result: QPR 1 Aldershot 1
-From QPR Official Site - Match Report

'The bearded wonder [Tommy Docherty] struck on 25 minutes with a perfectly executed free kick to give Rangers the lead.
But as the clock ticked down, Mark Pritchard bundled the ball home at the far post to deny Rangers a winning opening....
Armel made his way into the starting line up, and there were plenty of trialists on show.
From the off, Shabazz Baidoo was looking especially lively with some neat touches, including one cheeky back heel into the path of Gareth Ainsworth.
In was the winger himself who mustered Rangers' first effort, although the summers' rustiness saw his shot fly wide of the mark and more than lacking in pace.
Sean Thomas then had to be on his guard to scoop up Mark Molesley's strike after Pat Kanyuka had gifted the Shots midfield with the ball.
With Aldershot also playing their first football of the new pre-season campaign, both sides seemed to be finding their feet without really testing the defences in the final third.
With 25 minutes on the clock, Tommy Doherty scored an absolute peach of a free kick that Nikki Bull failed to get near.
From 20 yards out, Doherty curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner - think Beckham, think World Cup, and then you're almost there.
Rangers were close to going 2-0 up when Marcus Bignot attempted to poke the ball over the line following a corner, but Bull managed to scramble the ball to safety.
Neither team looked willing to break into a sweat in the afternoon heat, but Rangers were yet to be bothered by anything that the Shots could throw at them.
Waddock freshened up his side after the break, making nine changes.
Kevin Gallen and Lee Cook were among some of the first teamers to make an appearance in the second half.
You would have thought that the two fans' favourites would have combined better to have put Rangers 2-0 up, but when Cook laid the ball off for the skipper, Gallen blasted well over.
Sean Thomas then showed the watching Paul Jones how it was done when Ryan Williams stormed through with only the young stopper to beat.
With half of the Rec already cheering, Thomas went full stretch to palm the ball round the post.
Thomas then produced yet another fine save when a Kirk Hudson effort flew straight at goal, but the Rangers keeper beat it away to deny a certain goal.
Finally Rangers fell into sync, passing the ball around with ease and sending Aldershot off to chase shadows.
Louis Soares tried unsuccessfully to restore parity, but although his long distance effort may have looked impressive, it was never going to trouble Thomas.
Finally Aldershot found the back of the net when Pritchard bundled the ball over the line following a deep cross across the face of goal.
Thomas could do nothing to prevent the ball from falling past him and it was a shame to concede such a sloppy goal after his earlier fine efforts.
This was no more than a run out for Rangers and although several gave a good account of themselves, Waddock will not have been looking for more than a competent display.

Aldershot: Bull, Smith, Anderson (Milletti), Lee, Edwards, Winfield, Soares, Molesley, Grant, Gayle, Williams

QPR first half: Thomas, Bignot, Tonkin, Armel, Tobi, Kanyuka, Ainsworth, Olisen, Moore, Doherty, Baidoo
QPR second half: Thomas, Kanyuka (Tobi), Munday, Cook, Evatt, Lomas, Donnelly, Gallen, Bailey, Trialist, Hislop
Scorers: Doherty QPR

OFFICIAL SITE - Garry Waddock's Comments
SLOW BUT STEADY

Rangers may have been denied a win, but Gary Waddock is happy with the start his side have made.Waddock stressed the importance of peaking too soon during the pre-season warm up games and reiterated the fact that the only game he is concerned about right now is the trip to Burnley.
Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Aldershot, the Rangers manager said: "I'm pleased with what I've seen today, we don't want to peak now, it's all about building our fitness up as we approach our first League game of the new season.
"We have a slow and steady approach so that we peak at that point, not too soon before.
"We've seen a few things that we can go back and work on next week and we'll look forward to cracking on in our next game.
"Most of the players got 45 minutes and that was our aim.
"I was pleased with Armel at the back and there was one particular trialist that I was very pleased with - I'm sure the fans who were here today will know who I'm talking about.
"I want to thank the fans who turned out today as well. They were great as always."
Waddock watched the game from the stands, seated just behind new signing Nick Ward.
"It was great to have him sat there as a QPR player. There had been a lot of talk and speculation leading up to the game and it was great to have it all done and dusted at last." QPR

Match Report from QPR Rivals' Clive Whittingham

Friday, July 07, 2006
QPR Official Site - WARD SIGNS

Australian midfielder Nick Ward has today signed a two year deal with QPR.
Ward jetted in to Heathrow early this morning and was taken straight to the club's Harlington training ground for a medical.
With the all clear after being put through his paces by physio Prav Mathema, the 21 year old then put pen to paper at the main ground.
Speaking of his move, Ward said: "I want to cement my place in the team as a first team regular and I've already set myself a target of scoring over 10 goals this season.
"Of course I've also got a team target of getting QPR into the play offs come next May."
Ward made 21 appearances for Hyundai A-League side Perth Glory last season, bagging five goals - has represented his country at all levels and only just missed out on a spot in the Socceroo's World Cup squad.
Ward also won this year's A-League 'Rising Star' award and was recently included in a 'Who's Who' of the best young players to watch on the FIFA website.
Speaking of the difference between English and Australian football, he said: "The game is a lot slower over in Australia, mainly because of the heat, whereas here it's a lot quicker with not as much time on the ball.
"I know that in the lower leagues especially they like to play the long ball game, but not in the Championship and especially not at QPR next year.
"I like to play good football, that's what I've always tried to do, I like to get the ball down and pass it, get forward and score goals."
Ward has been given today off to recover from the 24 hour journey, but will train with those who are not travelling to Aldershot on Saturday morning.
He will then travel to the Recreation Ground to see his new team mates in action.Tune in to QPR World on Monday for an exclusive interview with our latest signing. QPR

Ward to QPR

From last Tuesday, June 27, 2006 Official Site


WARD JETS IN
QPR have today (Tuesday) reached agreement with Perth Glory for the transfer of Nick Ward for an undisclosed fee. The 21 year-old attacking midfielder will jet in to London early next week to dot the i's and cross the t's on a two year deal. Widely regarded as one the hottest prospects in Australia, Ward - who made 21 appearances for Hyundai A-League side Perth Glory last season, bagging five goals - has represented his country at all levels and only just missed out on a spot in the Socceroo's World Cup squad. He won this year's A-League 'Rising Star' award and was recently included in a 'Who's Who' of the best young players to watch on the FIFA website.

QPR Target, Stoke's Carl Henry...Having Trial With Wolves
BBC - Stoke star handed trial at Wolves
BBC

Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Interviews with with Mauro Milanese, Lee Cook and Nick Ward Interviews

Sunday, July 23, 2006
Some Holloway Snippets re QPR-
[ All quotes from this Plymouth Diary Link of "SEMPER VIRIDIS"

July 3 "Ian Holloway admits he is unsure whether he will be able to bring Gary Penrice and Tim Breacker to Argyle as his coaching staff. Like Holloway, both Penrice and Breacker have been on 'gardening leave' from QPR since February. "I have got two different problems," said Holloway. "I have got the first two days of pre-season training to make sure the lads get to know me and it is organised with a new set of staff that I don't know. I have met them before, but I don't know how they work, so their situation has got to be sorted as well. I have spoken to Tony Pulis - I don't know what is happening there. Hopefully that confusion will be sorted out one way or the other. I then need to ring my people who have been working for me to get my lists of players that I have had - because I pay people to do jobs and so I need to get all that from them. I haven't even got that yet. Gary Penrice has got my lists of names which I will have to get off him - he has been on holiday. Tim Breacker is also compiling everything that he did for me and I am going to have to bring that with me. Whether they come or not I don't know as they are still employed by QPR. But at the moment I have got some really decent people who have done fantastic for this club, who might go with Tony, might not - I don't know yet. I have had some fantastic people who work hard for me who are sat up there being paid by somebody else, so that is all being worked on."

June 28-30
Ian Holloway's appointment as Argyle manager almost collapsed on Monday, Paul Stapleton has revealed. Ian Holloway could not take up any new position until a settlement on his QPR contract was agreed, and that proved to be problematic. It took the intervention of Stapleton to persuade QPR chairman Gianni Paladini to ease the way for Holloway to complete his move to Argyle. Stapleton got to know Paladini at the Football League chairmen's annual meeting in Portugal earlier this month. He said: "Sometimes in life things happen by chance and this is one example of that. Last season we played QPR and we had a cup of tea with the chairman and met his daughter.

When Robert Dennerly and I went to Portugal, Mrs Paladini didn't really know anybody and was quite shy but she became part of our party, with our wives. Because of that, Gianni Paladini spoke to us quite a bit. In those two or three days we created a relationship with him so when there was a hiccup over Ian coming, and there was no movement at all, I was able to ring Gianni and see if there were things that could be done. He said because he liked Robert and I, he wanted to get things sorted out and he actually made things move. Without that it would have been very, very difficult indeed, and, therefore, Ian was pleased I was able to do that. We are all interested in our own clubs but, at the end of the day, I explained to Gianni it was silly having two managers on his payroll when just to have one was probably more economical. We had a sticky point on Monday. It was all off then. But Gianni rang me at 8.30am on Tuesday morning and we had a good conversation. I have got to thank Gianni for what he did."

Paladini had suspended Holloway after he expressed an interest in talking to Leicester City about their then managerial vacancy. Stapleton said: "I don't know all the ins and outs of that. Ian is probably a bit bitter but he will not ever say that because he's respectful to former employers. We are just pleased it has been sorted out because one of the most pressing things for me and the rest of the board was that we wanted a manager in place by tomorrow morning. We had to put certain deadlines out for things that were dragging on because I didn't want to go into pre-season without a manager."

Holloway was interviewed by the Argyle board in Taunton on June 19th, along with Stan Ternent. Stapleton said: "He knew a lot about us as a football club and he understood our geographical situation. He's not going to be a manager who says, 'look at the budget Leeds and Wolves are coming with'. He's going to be a manager who says 'we are Plymouth Argyle, you come down and we will give you a battle'. That came across in the interview. He believes he's a really good manager and he's going to prove that to everybody. He's very positive. He's a genuine person who wants to succeed. We believe he has got contacts in the game and we believe he has already made inquiries about positions we might need to strengthen. We are in the situation where we have got to push this football club on. We have got to get people to come and watch us. If they don't come and watch us then the club will go backwards." Stapleton denied Argyle had spoken to Holloway before officially completed his move to Stoke City on June 14th. He said: "We had a full and frank interview with Ian and it lasted quite a considerable time really. We hadn't spoken to him before then, other than to invite him for an interview, and he was really keen for this job."

Ian Holloway has praised his predecessor Tony Pulis for keeping the club in the Championship last season. .....
The scars of Holloway's final months as QPR manager were clearly close to the surface as he reflected on his departure from Loftus Road. He said: "From my point of view, I had a very emotional year. Most managers get a few problems but in my last job I had far too many to talk about. It has made the book I was going to publish about Olly and the Rangers totally unreadable because it wouldn't be believable. To end up sat in my garden as I was, for as long as I was, in the circumstances that happened and being a very proud man, was difficult. But I'm absolutely delighted now to be sat with a group of people who made me believe again. They made me believe in where I want to go, and how I'm going to get there. I don't care how long it takes, I want to work towards making something all shiny and all new and look fantastic. I want to be remembered for that. So it's not just about what we are going to do this year, or next year. I don't care how hard it is, and what anybody else is paying players. It's not about that. We are going to work hard together to bring in the right people to help us get there. I want to be part of it so much it hurts..."

".... You need the right balance and I believe strongly that you have a fantastic cake mix and you need some icing on the top of your cake. That's always the hardest thing to get right. It's the most expensive item, and that's what the fans are looking for - to be entertained by those type of people. I'm so excited about getting started and working with these people. That's what I have been missing. In my garden I have been staring at some fish and they don't respond to me the way humans do. So I can't wait to get that relationship going."

"...Ian Holloway was full of praise for the Argyle board, and the manner in which his appointment has come about. He said: "I was very impressed with the ambition of the board and, technically, I could have sat in my garden for another two years. That is not me, and I was shaken out of that situation by your chairman and board of directors in one meeting. The overall professionalism and the way they've handled this situation has been nigh on gob-smacking for me, so that's why I'm here and I'm ready to go to work." Plymouth

Former QPR Director, Charles Levison Died
WASPS - Mon 10 Jul 2006. Fiona Hackett reports
London Wasps regret to inform supporters of the death of Board Director Charles Levison, who passed away on Friday.
Charles, who was the Board's Vice Chairman until recently, had been a Director of the club since it's inception in 1996. He had been gravely ill since suffering a serious heart attack in April.
The thoughts and sympathies of the Board, players, coaches and staff at London Wasps are with Charles's wife, Caroline and daughters, Eliza and Georgia at this difficult time.
http://www.wasps.co.uk/newspage.ink?nid=27382

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