Further Reports and Comments re QPR's Loss to Southampton

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Gregory Comments Official Site
TOUGH TIMES
John Gregory was in reflective mood after Saturday's 3-0 defeat to Southampton.
Whilst not using Ray Jones' untimely death as an excuse for his side's below-par performance, the Rangers gaffer believes it played some part in the way his charges performed on the day.
"It's been a hard week for everyone concerned and today was always going to be difficult for the players," he told www.qpr.co.uk.
"They've had a tough week when you take everything that has happened off the field into account.
"We were second best to everything and were lucky not be beaten by more than the three goals."
Gregory added: "The Club has handled everything very well since last weekend and I'm just disappointed we couldn't give Ray a winning send off.
"The 14 day break will do us the world of good because we all need time to take stock after what has been a nightmare week for everyone involved."QPR

PA Sports - GREGORY SILENT AFTER HOME HAMMERING
QPR manager John Gregory declined to speak to the press after the 3-0 home defeat by Southampton.

It was the first match Rangers had played since the death of forward Ray Jones, who was killed in a car accident early last Saturday, and members of his family stood on the pitch for the pre-match minute's applause.

The game was also watched by prospective new owner Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One boss, who is expected to complete a takeover of the Coca-Cola Championship club with F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Two goals from Grzegorz Rasiak and a third from Bradley Wright-Phillips sealed the win for Saints, and it was left to captain Adam Bolder to represent Rangers.

"It has been a difficult week, and one of the worst games I have played in, but the events of the week are no excuse for our performance," said Bolder.

"We are still a professional team and we should have done better. We were second in every department.

"What happened should have spurred us on, but it didn't, for whatever reason."

When asked to explain Gregory's absence, Bolder added: "I have come here on behalf of the club, and on behalf of the players.

"I have not seen the manager to speak to him about it."

Rangers are without a win in their opening four matches in all competitions and the watching Briatore would have realised there is plenty of work to be done.

Southampton outclassed Gregory's team in every department but Bolder believes the imminent takeover represents a chink of light.

He admitted: "It is great news, but what happened to Ray puts everything into perspective.

"When people get over the grieving, it is something to look forward to.

"These two people (Ecclestone and Briatore) can take the club forward."

Saints boss George Burley claimed his team could have scored many more goals as he hailed a fine attacking performance from his players.

But for Rangers goalkeeper Lee Camp and his own poor judgement, Rasiak could have scored four more goals, while Nathan Dyer, Wright-Phillips and Viafara also went close.

Burley said: "Without Lee Camp, and if we hadn't missed so many chances, it could have been double figures.

"I haven't seen one of my teams create so many clear-cut chances in a very long time. It is amazing how many we had.

"We knew it would be an emotional day, with Ray Jones' family there. They got a tremendous reception, and everyone feels for them.

"My job is to entertain the public, and we did that today. The neutral spectator would have enjoyed how we played." Sporting Life

BBC - QPR 0-3 Southampton
Grzegorz Rasiak's brace helped Southampton claim an easy win at QPR.
It was QPR's first match since the Ray Jones' death, who would have celebrated his 19th birthday last Tuesday.

Saints dominated throughout and Rasiak climbed highest to head in Youssef Safri's corner at the far post and slotted in his second from close range.

Nathan Dyer, always a threat on the right, crossed for the unmarked Bradley Wright-Phillips to head past Camp after the break to seal the win.

QPR captain Adam Bolder on playing after the death of Ray Jones last week:
"It's been a difficult week and one of the worst games I've played in.
"But the events are no excuse for our performance. We're still a professional team and we should have done better.

"We were second in every department. What happened should have spurred us on, but didn't, for whatever reason."

Southampton boss George Burley:
"Without their keeper Lee Camp, and if we hadn't missed so many chances, it could have been 10.
"I haven't seen one of my teams create so many clear-cut chances in a long time. It is amazing how many we had.

"We knew it would be emotional with Ray Jones' family there. My job is to entertain the public and we did. The neutral would have enjoyed the match."

QPR: Camp, Curtis, Stewart, Mancienne (Cullip 84), Barker, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Bolder, Ephraim, Blackstock (Nygaard 69), Sahar (Nardiello 69).
Subs Not Used: Cole, Bignot.

Booked: Camp, Cullip.

Southampton: Davis, Wright, Thomas, Makin, Vignal, Dyer, Viafara, Safri, Surman (Euell 64), Wright-Phillips (Saganowski 73), Rasiak (John 83).
Subs Not Used: Bialkowski, Ostlund.

Goals: Rasiak 18, 45, Wright-Phillips 49.

Att: 15,560 BBC

Southampton Official Site - Burley's Reaction
eorge Burley was delighted with his side's comprehensive 3-0 win at QPR but reckons they could easily have had double figures!
Such was Saints' control that they might well have trebled their winning margin with Damion Stewart twice clearing off the line and Lee Camp making a string of fine saves.

Stern John, Nathan Dyer and Grzegorz Rasiak all went close as Saints romped to a one-sided win with two goals from Rasiak and one by Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Afterwards Burley said: "It was an excellent away performance with three goals and a clean sheet. And we could easily have had more.

"But for their goalkeeper and a few missed chances, we would have been in double figures. We started well, kept it going and I am really pleased with the display.
"The midfield was excellent. They dominated and passed the ball well and we had some great chances.

"We could have had so many more goals but I could not be more pleased. We played really well at Norwich and should have won and carried it on against Stoke and got the three points.
"Today we continued where we left off and things are taking shape with back-to-back wins and a first clean sheet.

"It has been tough because we have had to sell our two best players over the summer and then lost Kenwyne Jones this week.
"But life goes on and we have brought in Stern John and Jason Euell who both did well coming off the bench."

Saints did a thoroughly professional job, despite the sadness surrounding the day as QPR mourned the death of striker Ray Jones in a car crash.
Burley admitted: "It was a sad occasion and a difficult day but we had a job to do. Ray Jones' family got a tremendous reception and I really feel for them but we had to try and entertain the crowd and to win the game." Southampton

See Also: Earlier QPR Southampton Match Report