QPR 1 Ipswich 1 - Additional Match Reports

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Crystal Palace 11 11
Sheff Utd 11 10
Preston 11 10
Sheff Wed 11 9
Norwich 11 8
QPR 10 7

The Sunday Times - October 21, 2007 Ipswich still seek away win - Shaul Adar
Unlike the race between the tortoise and the hare, this one between the Tractor Boys and the Formula One racers ended without a winner. It will take more than supermodels to complete QPR’s turnaround.
Normality returned to Loftus Road - they remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship and without a manager. During the last home match against Norwich the directors’ box was infested with supermodels and rich Italians with brand new QPR scarves. New owner Flavio Briatore, the Renault Formula One boss, treated Naomi Campbell, socialite Tamara Beckwith and others to the floodlit game between the two teams at the bottom of the Championship. One can guess they had seen enough.
It was a sign of the new money coursing through the English game, but yesterday there was no sign of the future Mrs Briatore, the Wonderbra model Elisabetta Gregoraci. Instead it was Frank Arnesen, Chelsea’s sporting director, who came to see his on-loan players Ben Sahar and Michael Mancienne. Sahar, much to the chagrin of Arnesen, wasn’t even in the squad, but Mancienne dealt well with the few attacks the visitors had to offer until he was replaced.
After the defeat of Norwich, QPR’s first win of the season, Hoops fans were hoping a faltering season might find its feet, and their team began the better and more confident outfit. They had two fine shots at goal from outside the box while the best opportunity of the half fell to Martin Rowlands, but his effort was blocked by Ipswich goalkeeper Neil Alexander.
Ipswich started the second half with much more speed and intent. Five minutes in Billy Clarke had his close-range shot saved on the line by Martin Cranie.
It was their first proper opportunity, and they did not have to wait long for a second as, in the 53rd minute, Sylvain Legwinski scored with a wonderful shot from 25 yards into the top corner.
More chances followed as Ipswich took full control, but their failure to convert them proved costly. Rangers’ caretaker manager Mick Harford had already changed his approach by substituting defender Mancienne for striker Marc Nygaard moments after Legwinski’s goal. And in the 72nd minute he completed QPR’s best move of the game with a shot from just inside the box.
The game roared towards its conclusion at a frantic pace, Ipswich having the best chance to claim victory but Danny Haynes’ header from seven yards was wide. Sunday Times

Sunday Mirror - Football: HARFORD BATTLERS DIG DEEP - Mike Allen At Loftus Road
Caretaker manager Mick Harford paid tribute to his bottom-of-the-table Rangers players after they rescued a point against Ipswich at Loftus Road.
Sylvain Legwinski ignited a thrilling second half with a fabulous 30-yard effort, but Ipswich's hopes of a first away win of the season were ruined by substitute Marc Nygaard, whose equaliser was no more than Rangers deserved.
Harford, put in charge when John Gregory was sacked a month ago, said: "At 1-0 down the players could have given up, but they didn't. Ever since I came here the commitment has been first class."
But on the question of if or when the club will decide who is going to be given the managerial reigns permanently by new owners Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone, Harford said: "I honestly can't tell you.
"I enjoy being in charge, but all I can do is prepare the team for each match."
Ipswich manager Jim Magilton admitted he was frustrated after taking the game to the home side.
He said: "At 1-0 we should have enough experience to see games out. The first away win is pretty elusive but if we keep playing like we did in the first half it won't be far away."
Ipswich have a perfect home record with four wins from four, but the chances of becoming promotion contenders are distant until they improve their form on the road.
Rangers dominated but rarely threatened during the first half but after the break they were caught on the back foot by Ipswich.
A Billy Clarke shot was cleared off the line before Ipswich forced a throw-in on the left.
The ball went back to Legwinski 30 yards out, he saw Lee Camp off his line and launched a wonderful dipping effort that gave the keeper no chance.
Clarke should have added a second, but just as the match seemed to be running away from Rangers, substitute Nygaard latched on to a deflected pass and steered the ball home.
Ipswich skipper Jason De Vos should have restored their lead within three minutes, and in a frantic finale Martin Rowlands cleared off the line, Legwinski lofted a chance over and then Camp produced a brilliant save to deny substitute Danny Haynes.
At the other end Adam Bolder was furious not to be awarded a penalty before Rowan Vine volleyed Hogan Ephraim's cross wide.
HOW THEY RATED
QPR Camp 5, Mancienne 6 (Nygaard 7), Craine 7, Stewart 6, Barker 6, Ainsworth 5 (Moore 5), Bolder 6, Leigertwood 7, Rowlands 7, Ephraim 7, Vine 6.
Manager Harford 7 ...
MAN OF THE MATCH SYLVAIN LEGWINSKI
Brilliant goal set the tone for excellent second half Sunday Mirror

SUNDAY PEOPLE - IT'S ALL UPHILL FOR HARFORD
By Dave Lewis
New owners Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore were otherwise engaged at the Brazilian Grand Prix - leaving Rangers stalled.
Manager-elect Francesco Guidolin, the Briatore ally and former Palermo boss, wasn't there either - not that any of them missed much as Mick Hardford's bangers battled to shift out of first gear.
The caretaker chief, whose brief tenure will end after Tuesday's trip to Preston, was relieved to see a 73rdminute strike from substitute Marc Nygaard rescue a point for the Championship's bottom club, who should then have gone on to win.
The wheels fells off in the 53rd minute when former Fulham midfielder Sylvain Legwinski's audacious 25-yard volley left Rangers keeper Lee Camp with no chance.
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton insisted: "We had enough chances but that first away win remains elusive."
But Harford disagreed, declaring: "I think we shaded it. I'm enjoying it, but who knows what the powers that be will do? It's out of my hands."
Danish striker Nygaard - a 54thminute replacement for loan defender Michael Mancienne - barrelled through to steer home a deserved equaliser from 10 yards.
And loan striker Rowan Vine could even have won it before Camp denied Ipswich sub Danny Haynes with a stunning stop two minutes from time.
Qpr: Camp 6 - Barker 6, Mancienne 7 (Nygaard, 54mins, 6) Cranie 7, Stewart 6 - Ainsworth 6 (Moore, 67mins, 6), *BOLDER 7, Ephraim 6, Rowlands 7 - Vine 6, Leigertwood 6.
Ipswich: Alexander 5 - Wright 6, Wilnis 6, De Vos 6, Harding 5 - Legwinski 6 - Walters 5, Clarke 7 (Haynes, 80mins), Miller 6 (Roberts, 33mins, 5), Garvan 6 - Lee 5. Ref: D Swarbrick People

Sunday Mail - Nygaard to rescue but no model performance By Bob Williams
The grim reality of life at the bottom of the Championship returned to Loftus Road.
In their previous match, a 1-0 win over Norwich, Formula One boss and co-owner Flavio Briatore brought glamour to the QPR directors' box in the shape of model Naomi Campbell.
Yesterday the excitement came when substitute Marc Nygaard salvaged an unlikely point with a neat turn and shot after Ipswich took the lead with a dipping 25-yard volley by Sylvain Legwinski.
QPR caretaker Mick Harford brought on striker Nygaard for defender Michael Mancienne just after Legwinski's 53rd-minute opener.
Harford said: "It was a great goal.We were getting beat and he's a threat with his height and presence."
Ipswich boss Jim Magilton said: "It was one that got away. In the second half we took the game to them and had chances to win it." Sunday Mail

IPSWICH MANNAGER, JIM MAGILTON - Jim thought away win was on the cards - Suffolk and Essexonline - DEREK DAVIS
JIM Magilton admitted he thought the elusive away win was going to be Town's after they took a lead at Loftus Road only to end in disappointment yet again.
The Blues' boss, speaking after Saturday's 1-1 Championship draw against QPR, said: “It was one that got away.
“QPR started better than us and we looked lethargic for the first half hour. We weren't quick enough to the ball. Our passing was sloppy and they knocked us out of our rhythm.
“We got our game going in the last 15 minutes of the first half and took the game to them in the second half.
“We upped the tempo and upped the quality and had enough chances to win the game.”
Town went ahead with a stunning goal from Sylvain Legwinski and Magilton believes they should have gone on to win.
He said: “It was some goal by Sylvain but at 1-0 it was till precarious. We have enough experience in our side to see it out but that first away win is still elusive.”
Town have not won away since they beat Luton last March but Magilton is sure they will end that streak.
He said: “We have to keep going and if we play as we did in the second half then it will come.
“The game was a bit five-a-side for me and it was disappointing but we now have to use that disappointment on Tuesday against Colchester.”
Substitute Marc Nygaard equalised for the R's after 73 minutes to dash Town's hopes.
Magilton said: “Their goal came from a ricochet and their lads was on his toes and we might have defended it better although he has finished well.”
Magilton also felt the Blues should have done better at corners and free kicks and added: “That was probably as poor as Owen Garvan has been taking set pieces. He looked tired after his big game against England last Tuesday.” Suffolk and Essex online

See Also: Earlier reports and Comments re QPR 1 Ipswich 1