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Friday, November 30, 2007

The QPR Influence On The Republic of Ireland!

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A former Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Forward (Don Givens); and a former QPR Manager (Don Howe) are to recruit the next Republic Ireland Manager...who might be himself a former QPR Player and manager: Terry Venables!
[Just in passing to note, that it's 18 years, this week, that Don Howe was appointed manager of QPR, replacing Trevor Francis. Howe at the time had been coach of QPR]

The Independent The two Dons to recruit new Republic of Ireland manager Friday November 30 2007
The FAI have revealed the names of those on the panel charged with recruiting the next Republic of Ireland manager.
The job of finding Steve Staunton's successor has been given to Under 21 boss Don Givens and a former member of Terry Venables' England coaching team at Euro 96 - Don Howe.
Four members of the FAI's board of management met with Givens and Howe today to outline the conditions and requirements for the job and answered queries from the duo.
Venables will now be the overwhelming favourite to take the job having previously worked with Howe, while he also played with Givens at QPR in the 1970's. The Independent

RTE - Givens & Howe to recruit new boss
The Board of Management of the FAI have appointed Don Givens and Don Howe to recruit the next manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team.
Four members of the Board met with Givens and Howe today in England where they outlined the conditions and requirements for the job and answered queries from the duo.
Speaking afterwards, the President of the Football Association of Ireland, David Blood, said the meeting had been extremely positive.
'We are delighted that we have found two extremely credible football men known throughout the game for their honesty and integrity. They will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure that we get the best person for the job,' he said.
FAI Chief Executive John Delaney, who also attended the meeting, said: 'Over the past month we laid the groundwork for the next stage in the process. We have finalised the terms of reference, the criteria and financial package. The process has now been handed over the panel.'
The Board have given the panel the option of adding to their number if they deem it necessary. All relevant information in relation to the process to date has been passed on to the panel for their consideration.
The panel will now take over the recruitment process and their first task will be to draw up a list of the candidates they wish to interview. When they have completed their work they will return to the Board with a recommendation.
Don Givens is the current caretaker manager of the senior international team and manager of Ireland's U21 side. He is a former record international scorer having netted 19 goals in 56 appearances between 1969 and 1982.
Don Howe, 72, is a former England international who won 23 caps and played in the 1958 World Cup. He played for West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal before injury cut short his playing career.
He began his coaching career with Arsenal reserves and was first team coach when the Gunners won the English League and FA Cup double in 1971. After that his coaching and management career took him to West Brom, Galatasaray, Leeds United, Wimbledon, Queen's Park Rangers, Coventry and England before he returned to Arsenal as youth team coach. RTE
See Also: BBC "Republic chiefs discuss new boss"

Ex-QPRs: Martin Allen Wants Swindon Job...Holloway on Roles of Breacker, Penrice and Bulpin

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Wiltshire Gazette - Allen: I can take Town to the Championship
Exclusive By Jon Boyle
Martin Allen is desperate to become Swindon's new manager after Paul Sturrock quit, and declared: "I could take them up this year."
The 42-year-old former MK Dons, Brentford and Barnet boss - dubbed Mad Dog for his fiery character - is out of work after being sacked by Leicester City earlier this season.
Allen, who would bring former Town player Adrian Whitbread to the County Ground as his assistant, sees the Robins as an exciting proposition despite the club's cash problems.
The former West Ham midfelder, who has guided his teams to the play-offs for the past three seasons, said: "It's definitely a job I'm interested in. I'll be applying.
"They are three points off the play-offs with a game hand and I want to manage in the Championship.
"It's been done before at Swindon and who's to say it can't be done again?
"Once you've worked at Brentford under tight financial constraints like I did, you learn to get used to it.
"Which football clubs haven't got financial problems? That's life."
Allen and ex-Burnley boss Steve Cotterill are the early front-runners for the job.
But Cotterill said: "I don't comment on speculation. I only know what I've read in the papers."
Meanwhile Sturrock said of his return to Plymouth: "At Swindon, it's been very zany, getting promotion and then having four months of turmoil.
"It has been the most difficult of my career but the lure of Plymouth was too strong to turn down." Wiltshire


Plymouth Herald -FAMILY MATTERS AS OLLIE REUNITES BACKROOM BOYS
BY BILL ANDERSON

City boss Ian Holloway welcomed his football family to Leicester yesterday with the appointment of Tim Breacker, Des Bulpin and Gary Penrice to his coaching staff.

It is the same team he had at Plymouth. Breacker was in caretaker charge of Argyle for their 1-0 win at Sheffield United on the same day Holloway was winning at Bristol City.

So it has been an equally hectic time for Breacker, who said: "It has all happened very quickly.

"This time last week I was preparing the Plymouth team for the game against Sheffield United.

"Then, the next day, I was told I was free to come and join Ollie so I am delighted to be here.

"It is a bigger set-up at Leicester. Even just in terms of training facilities, it is another world.

"Good facilities are the icing on the cake, but it is up to the attitude of the players and they can be good even if it is on a public park.

"They can have all the facilities they want but if they haven't got the desire to go out and train properly then they are wasting their time.

"This is fantastic here, but you have to get the culture right and I know Ollie will be working hard on that."

Holloway wasted little time in getting the group together although another of his main men, Gary Penrice, has not yet arrived.

The City boss said: "Penrice is the most vital piece in the machinery.

"He is the cog that is going to unite us all, the one in charge of recruitment.

"He finds players for me, I go and watch them and then I make the final decision for the positions we want.

"He is the biggest piece in our jgsaw, then we have got Tim Breacker and Des Bulpin. I have known Des since I was at Bristol Rovers, he then went to Spurs with Gerry Francis and then when Gerry went to QPR I was there. He has worked all over the world and is a fantastic coach.

"Tim is fairly new to it, he was a player with QPR when I was there.

"He has a degree in sports science, he is my boffin and hopefully the rest of the staff will get used to what I do. I need to spread it around.

"If people hear me all the time they will get a headache so I need to share out what I give to people, it has to be little doses of the Holloway medicine." Plymouth Herald

Plymouth Herald WHO ARE HOLLOWAY'S SIDEKICKS?
City's new assistant manager is 42, was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and played for Luton Town, West Ham and QPR as a full-back before moving into a coaching role.

He started as an apprentice at Luton, and made 210 appearances for the Hatters. He is best remembered for scoring the winning goal at Derby County which kept Luton in the old First Division.

He joined West Ham for £600,000 in 1990 and made more than 200 league appearances over nine years before joining QPR. Two years later he retired and became reserve team coach before being named first team coach and assistant manager. He followed Ian Holloway to Plymouth.

New coach Bulpin was Ian Holloway's first addition to the backroom staff when he joined Plymouth Argyle in July last year. He is a FIFA qualified coach who has coached at Spurs, Stockport and QPR. It was at QPR that he worked with Gerry Francis, whom he followed to Spurs to become first team coach. At Spurs he told Peter Crouch, who was struggling as a YTS trainee, he would play for England. Bulpin has also worked in Singapore and with Uzbekistan's national team.

City coach and chief scout Penrice, 43, went to the same school in Bristol as Holloway. The striker played for Bristol Rovers, Watford, Aston Villa and QPR. He scored 54 goals in 188 games for Rovers before Watford paid £500,000 for him in 1989. After a year however, Villa bought him for £1m but a broken leg limited him to 20 appearances. He teamed up with Holloway at QPR in 1991 and scored 20 goals in 82 games before joining Watford in 1995. He finished his playing career at Rovers and became Holloway's assistant. They have been together at QPR as well. LEicester Mercury

Snippet: re Rowan Vine - Birmingham's New Manager to Evaluate ALL Their Players

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There have been reports that a QPR deal with Vine has already been agreed. How this can be impaced upon if Birmingham change their mind about selling him, is not clear.

Birmingham Mail - Sam Oji returns to Birmingham City after loan spellNov 30 2007By Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

SAM Oji has returned to Blues from Leyton Orient, where he was on loan.
The centre-half made four appearances for the League One high-fliers and manager Martin Ling said he would consider Oji again during the transfer window in January.
The Os were only able to keep Oji for a maxium 93 days, under Football League regulations.
New Blues boss Alex McLeish and his backroom team plan to run the rule over every player on the club's books.
Other loaned-out players Rowan Vine (QPR), Martin Taylor (Norwich City), Sone Aluko (Aberdeen) and Neil Kilkenny (Oldham Athletic) will be evaluated.
Birmingham Post

Blackpool vs QPR

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UPDATE

QPR OFFICIAL SITE
"...Meanwhile, Rangers duo Michael Mancienne and Akos Buzsaky face a race against time to make the R's squad, after both players limped out of Tuesday's defeat against the Potters.
Mancienne is struggling with a hamstring injury, while Buzsaky sustained a dead leg in the closing stages at The Britannia Stadium.
Dexter Blackstock is serving the first of a three match suspension, while Simon Walton (fractured fibula) is still sidelined. QPR

Blackpool Gazette - Evatt's point to prove

Former Rangers defender Ian Evatt is desperate to start after 10 weeks out

BLACKPOOL boss Simon Grayson won't let sentiment enter his head when it comes to choosing a team to beat QPR in tomorrow's crucial Bloomfield Road encounter.
Former Rangers defender Ian Evatt is desperate to start after 10 weeks out, having proved his fitness in the reserves at Carlisle in midweek.

Evatt wants to prove a point to his former employers after being forced out of Loftus Road 18 months ago.

But Grayson, who plans to make the odd change to his starting 11 "but nothing major", after Tuesday's home defeat by Norwich is making no guarantees to Evatt.

The manager said: "Ian is like any player preparing to face his old club – he desperately wants to be involved."

"He's fit and ready to start if selected but there's no room for sentiment in football.

"We've got a lot of players who haven't been in the starting XI and who want to play. They are all in with a shout of starting and it's a difficult choice."

Striker Ben Burgess, who scored in the reserves' 2-2 draw on Wednesday, is also pushing hard for a place. Then there's skipper Michael Jackson, Andy Welsh,David Fox and Keigan Parker – all stuck on the bench recently and all anticipating a call-up after Pool's successive defeats.

But Grayson add
ed: "There won't be major changes because I think the team has done well enough in the last two games, despite the results."
The manager could certainly do with finding a winning formula against a QPR side a point below fourth-bottom Pool in the Championship.

Not that Grayson views it as make or break.

"Norwich wasn't a must win and neither is this one," he maintained.
"There are 29 games to go after tomorrow, so win or lose there are plenty more points to win.

"Just because teams are below you in the division you don't have any right to beat them, as we proved last season when we lost to the bottom three in League One.

"Anybody can beat anybody and we are fully aware of the threat of QPR, but I am very hopeful that we will have enough about us to get a result tomorrow."

John Hills and Adrian Forbes featured for the reserves as well and are also available for selection. Gazette

Playing for the Reserves on Tuesday - Match Report

BLACKPOOL RIVALS PREVIEWS GAME
I must confess until someone posted some stats on the message board, I didn't realise we'd had such a bad start to this season. Maybe performances have masked our results. However, we've lost five of our last six matches, only won one of the last thirteen and still not scored in the first half hour!...
I always had my doubts about how easy Tuesday's match would be and I sensed in both the players and the crowd a bit of an unease very shortly after kick off. We have to put that to one side and come out all guns blazing on Saturday. The simple facts are that we've not had a two goal lead in any game this season, as I mentioned we've not scored in the first half hour and we've not scored more than one goal in a game since Colchester in September. It's time we really started to impose ourselves on teams. QPR showed on Tuesday that conceding two goals in the first 20 minutes against Stoke proved a difficult position to recover from and that's what we need to achieve.
Difficult to say what or who you'd change on Saturday because either we looked OK in certain areas or we haven't the bodies to bring in behind people. Defence looks OK but has conceded four goals in two games, the midfield looked OK whilst not overly-creating or linking up with the front two and where do you start up top? Bart didn't set the world alight, Andy Morrell again missed good chances, Keigan didn't look at the races and Scott Vernon hardly had chance to touch the ball. Personally I'd stick Keigan down the right and put Taylor-Fletcher up top as an experiment but these are desperate times! With no new injuries, this is a time for Larry to show how good a manager he really is.
I always felt QPR would have a tough season but with new owners and money available in the New Year, you may feel they're another team who'll get out of it come January. That said they'll start in a poor position with only 3 wins on the board and just one on their travels. They have the worst goal difference in the league and have scored the fewest goals with just 15 on the board. Michael Mancienne and Akos Buzsaky both picked up knocks on Tuesday and are fighting to be fit whilst Dexter Blackstock's red card against Stoke means he'll sit this one out. QPR's problems scoring are reflected in the fact no player has yet scored more than two goals this season...
Blackpool RIvals

Also: Blackpool-Mad Previews The Game

Blackpool Mad

Also: Clive Whittingham/QPR Rivals Match Preview

QPR November Birthdays

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Besides being the birthday month for ex-QPRs Mark Hateley, Leonne Jeanne, Clive Wilson, Gavin Peacock, Chris Woods, Warren Neil, Terry Fenwick and Roger and Ian Morgan (all of whom were 'feature' in QPR Report this month, November was also the birthday month for former QPR Players: (Any additions, just let me know)

Michael Mahoney Johnson - 6 November 1976
With QPR in the late 1990s. Eventually joined Portadown in 2000.

Gary Cooper 20 - November 1965
England Youth player under Terry Venables.

Justin Channing - 19 November 1968
England U-21. Went to Bristol Rovers. See Wikipedia/Channing

Simon Barker - 4 November 1964
Midfielder signed from Blackburn by Jim Smith. Was with QPR for about a decade. See Simon Barker/Wikipedia

Dean Parrett - November 16,1991
Just celebrated his 16th birthday. Sold to Spurs for 1 to 2 million pounds.

Bobby Turpie - 13 November 1949
QPR apprentice who made 2 QPR appearances in 1969/1970. As Tony Currie said in a recent interview on QPR's Official Site: "I first joined QPR on amateur forms when I was 14 to 15 years-old. Then when I left school the Club didn't think I was good enough to sign as an apprentice. Instead, they signed Bob Turpie who was a mate of mine and went to the same School as me. So I then had to go and work for a small building firm..."

Keith Pritchett - 8 November 1953
Signed by Dave Sexton from Doncaster in 1975, he made four appearances
in the 1974/1975 season before being sold to Brentford

Bryan Williams - 5 November 1955
Signed by Frank Sibley from Bury in 1977/1978. Spent one season with QPR before being sold to Swindon

Karl Elsey - 20 November 1958
See Elsey/Wikipedia

Mike Flanagan - 9 November 1952
One of a number of Crystal Palace players signed by Terry Venables for QPR. Famous for Allen and Flanagan partnership. Was really big at Charlton. See Mike Flanagan

Ex-QPR Snippets: Bond on Shimmin...Nikki Bull's Milestone...Adam Miller Explains

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Bournemouth Official Site - Bond Hopeful Of Shimmin Impact - QPR loanee set for debut
Loan signing Dominic Shimmin is set to make his AFC Bournemouth debut against Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday. Alex Pearce is not allowed to play for Cherries in the competition while Scott Golbourne is struggling to shake off an ankle problem.
The QPR defender was signed on the eve of the emergency loan deadline last week after which no transfer activity is permitted until January.
Boss Kevin Bond believes the latest acquisition has the potential to provide a strong impact on the south coast.
Bond said, "Dominic has trained with us this week and will figure in some shape or form on Saturday. He's settled in well and can't wait to get going.
"He was highly thought of as a youngster at Arsenal and has been treading water for a couple of years for whatever reason. All he's interested in is getting his boots on and getting some games in. We're here to give him that opportunity.
"If he gets himself right and plays to his potential he could become a really decent player for us." Bournemouth

Aldershot Official Site: - Nikki Bull's 250th Game for Aldershot
Goalkeeper Nikki Bull is in line for his 250th competitive appearance for the club on Sunday in the Blue Square Premier division encounter at Salisbury City....For the record 26 year old Nikki made his debut in a Ryman League match at Hitchin Town in August 2002 in a 3-1 success at Top Field where he was one of nine debutants that day. The starting line was: Bull, Hooper (Carroll), Chewins (Nutter), Sterling, Cousins, A Charles, Roddis, L Charles, Moody (Taylor), Holsgrove, Parker. Only Jason Chewins (489) and Mark Butler (303) have made more appearances for the club. Aldershot

Miller’s time is up at Broadhall Way
Stevenage Boro's influential midfielder Adam Miller has defended his decision to walk away from Broadhall Way.
The 25-year-old and clubmate John Nutter have linked up with former boss Mark Stimson at League One Gillingham.
The pair have moved on loan with a £65,000 fee agreed when the transfer window reopens in January.
Miller, who previously had a spell at QPR, said: "Every footballer wants to play in the League and I'm no different.
"I had a taste of it before and want more now.
"I'm just trying to further my career; it's my livelihood after all.
"I've had some lovely messages from a couple of Boro fans who have wished me well. Others are different and I think that's pathetic - who, honestly, wouldn't take a promotion at their place of work?"
Miller and left-back Nutter, who is 25 as well, have been reunited with their mentor Stimson.
"Mark was offered a chance to jump two leagues and that was well deserved in my book.
"And myself and John are best mates and we've both given our best for the club while we've been here.
"Football is unpredictable and you never know when your chance will come again."
And Miller continued about his own move: "It's surprising how quickly it all happened.
"I first knew about the bid from Sky Sports and then my agent told me some more.
"The chairman (Phil Wallace) and Peter Taylor were good enough to accept the offer as they felt the money was right."
Miller won The Comet's player of the month award for August and September following some outstanding displays and his departure is a big loss to Boro.
He added: "I thoroughly enjoyed my two years at Boro.
"I felt I played some of my best football there so far.
"I really hope Boro do well this season - it's been a tough month for the club.
"There are a lot of great people who work there."
Midfield partner Stuart Lewis has also been strongly linked to a move down to the Kent club with Stimson a known admirer.
But Miller gave some crumbs of comfort to the Boro fans by adding:?"Whatever happens, Stuart will be giving 110 per cent in training and in games for Boro; that's his mentality and the way he plays..." . The Comet

Guardian Q&A with Mark Bosnich
"...Of course, you only dabble in punditry, your main focus is on getting back to playing, right? Word is you're training with QPR ...
I am training with QPR, that's true. I'm working my way back to full fitness and they've been generous enough to let me train with them and use their facilities. I'm very grateful to everyone at the club, they've really been great..." Bosnich Q&A

Thursday, November 29, 2007

QPR January Departures

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Ealing Gazette/David McIntyre - January clearout for Rangers
Several fringe players told they have no future at Loftus Road

Zesh Rehman, Nick Ward and summer signing John Curtis have been told they have no future at QPR.
The trio, plus defenders Marcus Bignot and Danny Cullip, were recently informed that the club wanted rid of them when the January transfer window opens.
Bignot has been loaned to Millwall, while Cullip has alread departed after reaching a financial settlement with Rangers and the others have been in talks with a view to doing the same.
It brings an end to Bignot's second spell at Loftus Road, during
which he served the club well during a dark period in which Rangers were relegated to Division Two and spent time in administration, and when he later returned to help them clinch promotion and stay in the Championship.
Cullip, 31, was credited with playing a significant role in Rangers'
survival in the division after being signed by former manager John
Gregory last January but has been out of the reckoning since Gregory was sacked earlier this season.
Curtis, 29, was a surprise acquisition by Gregory in the summer having looked out of his depth in League One with Nottingham Forest, and he has predictably failed to impress.
Australian midfield prospect Ward was just 21 when he signed from Perth Glory in the summer of 2006. He arrived when an increasingly unpopular board at the club were reeling from a series of damaging bad-news stories. They needed a major signing to placate their critics, and Ward was unfairly heralded as one.
He never looked comfortable with that burden or the demands of Championship football, and the writing has been on the wall for him for some time.
Rehman will undoubtedly be regarded as one of the worst players to wear the hoops. He struggled in Fulham's first-team before being inexplicably bought by Rangers as a replacement for Dan Shittu after an attempt to sign Dean Leacock from the Cottagers ran into trouble.
Youngsters Shabazz Baidoo and Dominic Shimmin have reached the end of the line as well.
They have been loaned to Gillingham and Bournemouth respectively after also learning that they are not wanted at Rangers.
Striker Baidoo has failed to establish himself at senior level despite
some promising early displays.
Shimmin is a hugely talented defender but has been almost permanently sidelined with a series of niggling injuries, and has played a paltry number of games since signing from Arsenal in March 2005. Ealing Gazette

"Talent From Trash" Initiative Concludes

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The "Talent from Trash" Recycling initiative came to an end today, (November 28).
Thirteen clubs were taking part in the "Talent From Trash" effort: Accrington Stanley, Brentford, Burnley, Cardiff City, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest, QPR, Southampton, Swansea City, Swindon Town and Wycombe Wanderers.

It was obviously more than just a competition, but QPR actually ranked joint-last of the 13 clubs in trash recycling. How the 13 Clubs Involved Fared

How Much QPR Collected

QPR Official Site - November 13, 2007 "Recycle for Youth"
QPR

What is Talent from Trash?
Talent from Trash’ is a recycling initiative to encourage you to recycle your household waste and in doing so earn money for your favourite participating Football League Club’s youth programme. Who said recycling was boring?
We want you to make a pledge every day to recycle more and we’ll reward you for your efforts. Together, you and your friends and family can raise up to £18,000 for youth development at your local participating Football League Club.
And it’s not just your team who’ll benefit. Each time you make a daily pledge, you are entered in to a free prize draw; the lucky winner will net their Club an extra £10,000 and win a personal reward of £5,000!
Plus! If you make more pledges for your Club than anyone else, you’ll score ‘a money can’t buy’ prize from your Club!
Your Club can earn between £200 and £1,000 each week depending on the number of pledges received. So, make a pledge every day and encourage your friends and family to get behind your Club and do the same.
Recycle MoreYour Club can also win a one–off prize of between £1,000 and £6,000 if the level of recycling in your community increases throughout the autumn compared to the same time last year.
Make a pledge every day, get recycling more and in a few years you could tell everyone that you helped a rising star through your team’s ranks!
The promotion runs for 12 weeks from midday 5th September 2007 – midday 28th November 2007. Please see terms and conditions for full details. Talent From Trash - What it is

QPR Official Site - November 13, 2007 "Recycle for Youth"
QPR

Sunday: Ex-QPRs Playing For "England Legends"

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On Sunday, December 2nd, at Manchester City: to celebrate the centernary of the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA): The PFA Centenary Match: An England Legends team, managed by Terry Venables Versus a Rest of the World XI, managed by Sven Erickson. In the England Legends squad, ex-QPRs Chris Woods, Warren Barton, Steve Hodge, Paul Walsh and Les Ferdinand.

ENGLAND LEGENDS UPDATED SQUAD:
Goalkeepers
Chris Woods, Kevin Hitchcock
Defenders:
Warren Barton Des Walker,Dave Watson,Gary Mabbutt,Gary Pallister, John Scales,Graham Le Saux
Midfielders:
Steve Stone Ray Parlour Dennis Wise Jamie Redknapp Robert Lee Steve Hodge Tony Daley
Strikers:
Alan Shearer Les Ferdinand Paul Walsh Peter Beardsley - PFA

[PFA re Rest of the World Squad

SKY - THE REST OF THE WORLD SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Neville Southall (Wales), Erik Thorstvedt (Norway), Thomas Ravelli (Sweden)

Defenders: Roland Neilson (Sweden), Lorenzo Amaruso (Italy), Richard Gough (Scotland), Arthur Numan (Netherlands), Denis Irwin (Republic of Ireland)

Midfielders: Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Roberto Di Matteo (Italy), Ali Benarbia (Algeria), Andrei Kanchelskis (Russia), Anders Limpar (Sweden), Gary McAllister (Scotland), Neil Lennon (Northern Ireland), Dino Baggio (Italy), Stefan Freund (Germany), Dmitri Alenichev (Russia)

Forwards: Gianfranco Zola (Italy), Mark Hughes (Wales), Ian Rush (Wales), Niall Quinn (Republic of Ireland), Ally McCoist (Scotland), Shaun Goater (Bermuda), Sergei Yuran (Russia)


[The "England Legends" squad as originally named consisted of:
Goalkeepers:
Chris Woods, Dave Beasant

Defenders:
Warren Barton, Paul Parker, Viv Anderson, Des Walker, Dave Watson, Gary Mabbutt, Gary Pallister, Graeme Le Saux, Nigel Winterburn

Midfielders:
Jamie Redknapp, Paul Ince, Dennis Wise, Robert Lee, Lee Sharpe, Steve Hodge, Chris Waddle, Steve McManaman, Paul Gascoigne

Forwards:
Alan Shearer, Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand, Paul Walsh, Peter Beardsley, Cyrille Regis
PFA

SKYSPORTS - Legends on show
The PFA Centenary Match live on Sky Sports 1 from 1pm on Sunday

Some of the world's top stars are to pit their wits against each other to celebrate the centenary of the Professional Footballers' Association.

A team of England Legends managed by Terry Venables are to lock horns with Sven Goran Eriksson's Rest of the World XI at City of Manchester Stadium on Sunday.

The charity match forms the centrepiece of the PFA's Centenary celebrations with a host of football's biggest names lining up against each other.

The list of players vying for a place in the starting XIs for the game billed as the 'Match of the Century' reads like a who's who of world greats.

For England, the likes of Alan Shearer, Des Walker, Les Ferdinand and Jamie Redknapp will all be banging on manager Venables' door looking to start.

Whichever team the former England coach decides to go with, they will come up against a formidable array of talent including Gianfranco Zola, Ian Rush and Roberto di Matteo.

After choosing his squad, Venables, a staunch supporter of the PFA, said: "The PFA is a magnificent organisation and it is only right that we celebrate 100 years of history with an occasion of this stature.

Brilliant

"The fact that they want to use this, their centenary year, to raise £1 million to help young children, is typical of the association and I am delighted and proud to be able to play a small part in helping them reach their goal. It will be an exciting afternoon and the calibre of players on display should ensure that it is an occasion fitting of such a worthwhile event.

"The only problem I am having is trying to fit everyone into my team, the response has been phenomenal - I only wish I had such talent available to me when I was in charge of the full England team!

"Sven will pick a team of world stars but it is up to us to try and put one over on him in his own back yard. It will be a brilliant occasion."

The game will play a significant role in the PFA's quest to raise £1 million in their centenary year with proceeds going to fund a new Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy Unit for Children at the University Children's Hospital in Manchester.

Rest of the World boss Eriksson is also thrilled to be part of the event. He said: "It is an honour to be invited and I am delighted to be able to give something back to the city that has made me feel so welcome.

"It will be strange managing a team against England. Maybe I will be able to use some of my knowledge of their players to help the Rest of the World."

THE ENGLAND LEGENDS' SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Chris Woods.

Defenders: Warren Barton, Des Walker, Dave Watson, Gary Mabbutt, Gary Pallister, John Scales, Graeme Le Saux.

Midfielders: Jamie Redknapp, Darren Anderton, Dennis Wise, Robert Lee, Ray Parlour, Steve Hodge, Tony Daley, Steve Stone.

Forwards: Alan Shearer (captain), Les Ferdinand, Paul Walsh, Peter Beardsley, Teddy Sheringham.

THE REST OF THE WORLD SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Neville Southall (Wales), Erik Thorstvedt (Norway), Thomas Ravelli (Sweden)

Defenders: Roland Neilson (Sweden), Lorenzo Amaruso (Italy), Richard Gough (Scotland), Arthur Numan (Netherlands), Denis Irwin (Republic of Ireland)

Midfielders: Jay Jay Okocha (Nigeria), Roberto Di Matteo (Italy), Ali Benarbia (Algeria), Andrei Kanchelskis (Russia), Anders Limpar (Sweden), Gary McAllister (Scotland), Neil Lennon (Northern Ireland), Dino Baggio (Italy), Stefan Freund (Germany), Dmitri Alenichev (Russia)

Forwards: Gianfranco Zola (Italy), Mark Hughes (Wales), Ian Rush (Wales), Niall Quinn (Republic of Ireland), Ally McCoist (Scotland), Shaun Goater (Bermuda), Sergei Yuran (Russia)


* The match itself will kick-off at 1.30pm on Sunday 2nd December at The City of Manchester Stadium. Tickets are still available - Tel: 0870 062 1894 for details. Skysports

Banned for Three Games: Dexter Blackstock

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QPR Official Site - Appeal Rejected
Dexter Blackstock will serve a three match suspension after the Football Association today (Thursday) rejected the Club's appeal against his dismissal at Stoke City.
The Rangers striker was sent off in the 46th minute at The Britannia Stadium for a challenge on Ryan Shawcross.
As a result of the dismissal being upheld, Blackstock will now miss the R's forthcoming fixtures against Blackpool, Crystal Palace and Scunthorpe United. QPR

Ex-QPRs Penrice, Breacker and Bulpin Link Up Again With Holloway

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Leicester Official Site - Trio Join Ollie
Leicester City today confirmed that Tim Breacker, Des Bulpin and Gary Penrice had joined Ian Holloway's management team at the Walkers Stadium.
Breacker and Bulpin will be assistants to Holloway, while Penrice joins as Head of Recruitment. As a player Breacker turned out for Luton Town, West Ham United and QPR before moving into coaching at the end of his career.
He became reserve team coach at Loftus Road in 2001 before becoming first team coach and eventually assistant manager.
Bulpin has coached at Premier League level with Tottenham Hotspur as well as having spells at Stockport and QPR. In fact he was first team coach to Gerry Francis at White Hart Lane. He has also worked with Uzbekistan's national team.
Penrice had a long and illustrious playing career as a striker with Bristol Rovers, Watford, Aston Villa and QPR.
He became Holloway's assistant manager at Bristol Rovers in 2000, and the pair have remained together ever since. Leicester

Another Great Club Interview: David Bardsley

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QPR Official Site BLAST FROM THE PAST

In the second of our exclusive past player interviews on www.qpr.co.uk, former R's defender David Bardsley comes under the spotlight.

David Bardsley (1989-1998)

When we caught up with David Bardsley the other day, we expected him to be lapping up the Florida sunshine. However things weren't quite going to plan.

"It's really wet here," he moaned down the phone. "It just hasn't stopped raining all day!"

But despite the occasional blip with the weather, 43 year-old Bardsley is really enjoying life in America, and he relishes his job as Head Coach with Orlando FC in the United Soccer Leagues.

"I've been out in the States since 2004," said Bardsley. "I moved over to work in an Academy programme backed by Ajax of Amsterdam. A lot of money has been spent on the development of young players.

"Up until four months ago, I was the Academy Director of 'Ajax America.' We have the main base here in Florida and soccer camps running all over the USA so it's quite an amazing adventure. My work also involved travelling to Amsterdam to study the training techniques over there, which are very interesting.

"I was keen to get into coaching when I retired from playing and I know a lot more about the game now than I ever did before. Coaching is totally different to what I imagined as a player. So I have been very fortunate to work here and it has been a very good education for me.

"My role actually changed a few months ago. We have transitioned away from Ajax as they wanted to concentrate on their own projects.

"So we now have new backers in the USA and I have taken over the programme as head coach. We have reverted to the Soccer Academy's original name of Orlando FC.

"I would like to officially link our set-up with a Club in England in the near future. My ultimate aim would be a connection with one of my former teams. A relationship like that would be beneficial for everyone."

Looking back on his illustrious playing career, Bardsley was a classy right-back who signed for Rangers from Oxford United for £375,000 in September 1989. He played 253 times for the R's scoring four goals, with most of his appearances coming at the very highest level. He also won two full England caps under Graham Taylor in 1993.

Bardsley said: "It was a big move for me when I signed for QPR as they were a strong Club in the top-flight at the time. It was a bit difficult for me to break into the team to begin with.

"But once the Premier League was launched in 1992, I started to establish myself a little bit and in the end, I enjoyed my spell with the R's more than at any other Club I played for.

"We had one of the best sides in the early years of the Premiership. We regularly finished as top London Club and we would often beat the biggest teams in the land.

"I had fantastic times at Rangers, with fantastic players around me and fantastic people to work for. They were all great memories.

"It was lovely to get on the score sheet now and again. I always remember my free-kick goal against Southampton and my diving header versus Leeds United. But I was just delighted to be part of the Club. That's what playing football is all about.

"Simply running out onto the field in the Premier League was a great pleasure and one could argue, looking back, that our fans were really spoilt in those days because the team was so good."

Combining in dynamic fashion with Andrew Impey down the right, Bardsley was a master of the overlap. He also teamed up with Alan McDonald in the practical joke stakes, boosting the camaraderie in the squad.

"Me and Macca used to room together on away trips and we had our fun with the squad off the field. But once we crossed that white line, we were deadly serious on the pitch.

"I have to say, I played for a few Clubs and my team mates were always great everywhere I went - but the spirit we had at QPR was really special.

"I don't think there was anyone at Rangers who thought they were a star and that was why we all gelled so well together. Yes, we had some hugely renowned players like Ray Wilkins and Les Ferdinand. But I still don't think there was any one person who thought they were better than anyone else.

"Opposing Clubs didn't know what to expect from us. A lot of our lads had come up from the lower leagues. Then we found out that we were able to compete with some of the best teams in England, possibly in the world. Our secret was we that had good players in all positions and there were no big time Charlie's."

Bardsley had nine splendid years at Rangers before being released at the end of the 1997/98 season. He finished his playing career with Blackpool and Northwich Victoria before moving into coaching.

Despite currently living and working in America, 'Bards' still looks out for all the Super Hoops' results and he hopes the Club can have a successful future.

"My children are staunch QPR supporters and my eldest son Christian has trained with the R's. We all adore the Club and follow what is going on from afar.

"I brought a group of lads from Orlando over to Loftus Road for the Luton FA Cup tie last season and everyone was very friendly towards us. It was marvellous for me to go back to Rangers as it is still the best Club for me and always will be.

"I would love to see the great football from the early 1990's return to QPR. The magnificent R's supporters would certainly deserve that and there is a real chance of improved fortunes now that the new owners are taking charge. But a lot of hard work is needed before those glory days can return." QPR

3rd Round FA Cup Draw on Sunday

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UPDATE: QPR will be #31 in the draw - QPR Official Site on FA CUP Draw

The draw for the Third Round of the FA Cup is being made Sunday, December 2 - FA Cup

The numbers for each club in the draw are apparently out. Club Numbers

Payments for each round - Payments

QPR Snippets: Coco?...Reserves' Watford Loss..."On This Day..."

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The Sun: QPR are poised to sign Italian international and reality TV star Francesco Coco.
The defender, 30, is a free agent after leaving Inter Milan — and appeared on the Italian version of I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. The Sun
See also: "Coco to QPR?"
Wikipedia Profile/Francesco Coco

Watford Reserves defeated a Very Young QPR Team 4-3
According to an extensive report on the Watford Official site, "WATFORD reserves came out on top in a seven goal thriller in west London this evening (Wednesday) as the Hornets grabbed a last-ditch winner courtesy of Douglas Rinaldi....Both sides had young teams with QPR fielding just two full-time professionals amongst their ranks...."
WATFORD RES (4-3-3): Joyce; Jenkins, Parkes, Avinel, Bennett; Aloi (Forbes 75), Campana (Gibson 85), Rinaldi (c); L Henderson, Ashikodi, McNamee. Subs not used: North (GK), Brown, Sordell.
QPR RES (4-3-3): Goodchild; Coyne, Brown, Kanyuka (Vanterpool 70), Howell; Ford, Balanta, O'Brien; German (Morgan-Cummings 83), Rose, Arthur. Subs not used: Crowther (GK). BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. QPR; Kanyuka (34), Ford (foul 89).
GOALS: WATFORD; McNamee (14), Ashikodi (34, 85), Rinaldi (89).
QPR: Rose (13), Balanta (66, 75). Watford Official Site Match Report
Also: QPR Official Site Report

Dexter Blackstock: Case Heard Yesterday: (Decided Today?)
Football AssociationThe latest cases heard by Regulatory Commissions and charges issued. Wednesday 28 November 2007 - Dexter Blackstock, Queens Park Rangers FC
Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers - Football League Championship, 27 November 2007
Dismissed for violent conduct - FA

ON THIS DAY

November 29: 1969 An amazing game as Les Allen's QPR lost to Bolton 6 QPR 4 - after taking the lead.: QPR's Scorers: Leach, Bridges, Clement, Marsh
QPR Team: Springett: Clement, Hunt, Hazell, Harris, Ferugson Venables, ???? Bridges, Clarke, Marsh.

November 29, 1975 QPR Beat Stoke 3-2
Goals from Masson, Clement & Webb. Pretty much the regulard "Championship XI" except John Beck was playing in place of Gerry Francis and Leach in place of Givens; Phil Nutt came on as substitute.

November 29, 1986: QPR 2 Sheff Wed 2-2 - Gavin Peacock Made his Debut in his first time at QPR
Seman - Neil, McDonald, Chivers, Dawes, Fenwick, Lee, Peacock, Allen, Bannister, Byrne- Sub Rosenoir. Scorers: Bannister & McDonald
[In the "return Fixture" May 2, 1987, Peacock scored our only goal as we lost 1-7 at Hillsborough!)

November 29, 1999- QPR 3 Sheffield United 1: Scorers: Robbie Steiner, Stuart Wardley & Tim Breacker before a Loftus Road crowd of just under 10,000. QPR managed by Gerry Francis and Ian Dowie moved up to 8th. QPR's Team that day;
Harper
Breacker Plummer Rose Barraclough
Darlington Wardley Kulscar Murray
Steiner Gallen
Sub: Rowland & Scully & Weare
[Other players at Loftus Road at this Time: Ready, Kiwomya, Koejoe, Peacock, Jeanne, Langley, Slade, Morrow, Maddix, Bankole, Bruce, Perry & various youngsters such as Cochrane, Bull, Bubb]

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Coco to QPR?

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- Calciomercato.com calciom -Queen's Park Rangers Coco in arrivo
Francesco Coco potrebbe tornare a giocare con la maglia del Queen's Park Rangers, la societa' inglese che milita nel campionato cadetto acquistata da Flavio Briatore e Bernie Ecclestone. Lo rivela Claudio Vigorelli, agente dell'ex giocatore dell'Inter, al settimanale "Diva e Donna". Coco e' reduce dalla partecipazione al reality show "L'isola dei famosi", in onda su Raidue. Report

Web Translation - Queen's Park Rangers Coco coming
Francesco Coco could return to play with the jersey of Queen's Park Rangers, the company that militates English championship cadet bought by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone. It reveals Claudio Vigorelli, agent of the player of Inter, the weekly "Diva e Donna." Coco has returned from participation in the reality show "The Island of the famous" broadcast on Raidue. Report

See Also: "Coco: ‘Perche` ho lasciato l’isola’

or Web Translation: "Coco: Why I Left the Island"

See Earlier:
Salzburg: Supposedly No Interest
Update re Francesco Coco: Reportedly Trialing With QPR

Cullip Leaves...Blackstock Appeals...Dunbar Assesses

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QPR Official Site - CULLIP DEPARTS
Defender Danny Cullip has had his contract terminated by mutual consent with immediate effect.
The experienced 31 year-old, who joined the R's from Nottingham Forest in January 2007, made 20 appearances for Rangers.
The Club would like to place on the record their thanks to Danny for his contribution during the last 11 months and wish him a successful future. QPR

[See also: Danny Cullip/Wikipedia ]

re Dexter Blackstock: QPR Official Site - APPEAL LODGED
Queens Park Rangers Football Club have today (Wednesday) lodged an appeal to the Football Association against the dismissal of Dexter Blackstock in our Championship fixture against Stoke City last night.
Blackstock received his marching orders in the 47th minute at The Britannia Stadium for a challenge on Ryan Shawcross.
The Club will receive a written response from the FA tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon.
QPR

QPR OFFICIAL SITE POST STOKE VERDICT
Joe Dunbar expressed his disappointment with a few 'key refereeing decisions' in the wake of the 3-1 defeat against Stoke City.
Deputising for Luigi De Canio, who had a sore throat, the R's Performance Manager told www.qpr.co.uk: "I think both management teams are disappointed with some of the decisions. There were some odd ones.
"Some 50/50s you always think go in your favour and it seemed not too many went in our favour in the first half."
Rangers trailed 2-0 at the break and when Dexter Blackstock saw red on the resumption; all hope appeared to have faded.
But the R's showed good heart, cutting the deficit through Rowan Vine, only to concede a late third which put the game beyond them.
"I think one of the things about our season in the last five or six games is we have been finishing games strongly," added Dunbar.
"We've got some very attack-minded players within the squad who have pace and we knew we would get chances.
"We knew it be a tough game and we knew we would be coming up against a strong physical side and that's what materialised." QPR

Stoke's Tony Pulis High Praise for John Gregory (and Sheff Wed's Tony Laws' Praise for QPR)

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From Stoke's Tony Pulis post match comments: "I spoke to [Sheffield Wednesday manager] Brian Laws on Monday, and he said [QPR] were the best side they have played this season."

Pre-Match Programme Notes:Tony Pulis/Stoke Official Site - Managers Notes
Good evening everyone and an especially warm welcome to my opposite number Luigi De Canio following his recent arrival as QPR manager.
I'm sure he has wasted no time acclimatising himself with his new club and we wish him all the best in English football.
That said, I have to say how sorry and disappointed I was when John Gregory got the push from Loftus Road a few weeks ago.
QPR had a tough time staying in this league last season and I believe that was ultimately made possible by John's contribution. Under very difficult circumstances, he managed to keep the club together.

At times it does gall me to see managers sacked without any thought or insight into the job they have done under the circumstances they are given.
We are living in an instant society and football reflects that because everyone wants instant results, more than ever, and the Championship is worst because we are all chasing that dream of the Premiership.
Some managers, like John perhaps, are branded unfairly as failures when their achievement should be measured against the inferior squad, budget and transfer kitty they are saddled with when compared to other clubs.
For me, John succeed in keeping QPR afloat and stabilising a club that was heading down the drain.
QPR now have new owners and new money coming in to help them push on, but John Gregory's contribution should not be forgotten....- Stoke

STOKE OFFICIAL SITE - Pulis Pleased
Tony Pulis couldn't hide his delight following City's 3-1 win over QPR on Tuesday night.
The victory, the Potters first at the Britannia Stadium since early October, moved the Club to within four points of the automatic promotion spots.
And the City boss says the first half was as good as they have played all season.
Saying: "I thought our first half performance was excellent, probably the best we have played this year.
"I'm delighted with the win because they have been on a great run as of late.
"They have only lost one game in their last eight, and I spoke to Brian Laws on Monday, and he said they were the best side they have played this season."
Rangers were reduced to ten men shortly after the half time interval, and while many fans were hoping the Potters would make it more comfortable, Pulis insists it football doesn't work like that.
Adding: "We moved the ball quickly and created a lot of space and got into some great positions.
"We really started well, and what happened in the second half was they had a guy sent off and our fans wanted us to go and score five or six.
"But they scored, and then we panicked a bit.
"When a side loses a man they seem to get a second wind and the players on the pitch give an extra ten percent.
"But thankfully we got back on top and Leon scored a great header to secure the win. Stoke

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

QPR Lose at Stoke

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PA Sport/Mark Bowering POST MATCH COMMENTS
PULIS THRILLED WITH FIRST-HALF DISPLAY

Stoke manager Tony Pulis praised his side's ruthless first-half display after sweeping aside Coca-Cola Championship strugglers QPR to secure a first home win in four attempts.

Richard Cresswell and Liam Lawrence both netted inside the opening 20 minutes to pave the way for a comfortable 3-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium. The woodwork also denied Ricardo Fuller, back in the Stoke starting line-up after returning from suspension.

The Hoops had Dexter Blackstock sent off for scything down Ryan Shawcross but pulled a goal back through Rowan Vine before defender Leon Cort wrapped up the points late on. Victory lifts promotion-hopefuls Stoke up to eighth while Luigi De Canio's Rangers remain third bottom.

"I'm very pleased with the result," beamed Pulis.

"The first goal settled us down and I thought in the first half we played really well.

"We passed the ball really well and I thought it was a fantastic strike from Liam. Ric has hit the post as well and we've had numerous opportunities but it has not dropped for us.

"I was very pleased with the first-half performance but disappointed with the second half. When they went down to 10 men I didn't think it would suit us because the expectation then is us to romp away with it.

"What happens with 10 men is the pressure actually comes off you and you put the 11 opposition players under pressure. We gave the ball away too many times and it was like we were playing 11 versus 11.

"It's nothing more than a mind set. But it was a tough game and I'm very pleased with the result."

Successive home defeats going into the game at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Sheffield United had hampered recent progress and Pulis was understandably delighted to get the club's promotion push back on track.

"The three games that we lost I don't think we deserved to lose so it's nice to get back to winning ways," said Pulis. "We've got Norwich on Saturday at home and that's going to be a difficult game and now it becomes a bigger game for us."

Pulis expressed sympathy over Blackstock's second-half dismissal.

He added: "I don't like seeing players sent off to be honest and I don't like seeing players booked. It's a game of challenge and we are taking that challenge out of the game.

Rangers performance manager Joe Dunbar, deputising for the ill De Canio at the post-match press conference, questioned some of the decisions made by referee Uriah Rennie.

Dunbar said: "I think both management teams are disappointed with some of the decisions. There were some odd ones.

"Some 50/50s you always think go in your favour and it seemed not too many went in our favour in the first half."

On the sending off of Blackstock, Dunbar admitted: "It's difficult to see the incident from where we were but when the opposition dugout is saying to you that it seemed a bit harsh and when the opposition players are telling the referee it was a harsh decision you start to draw your own conclusion."

Bizarrely, Rangers only came to life after losing the services of Blackstock shortly after half-time and Dunbar was quick to praise the side's resolve.

"I think one of the things about our season in the last five or six games is we have been finishing games strongly," he added. "We've got some very attack-minded players within the squad who have pace and we knew we would get chances.

"We knew it be a tough game and we knew we would be coming up against a strong physical side." Sporting Life

QPR Official Site
A brave second half display from the visitors proved immaterial, as ten-man Rangers succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at The Britannia Stadium.

In a first half dominated by the Potters, goals from Richard Cresswell (5) and Liam Lawrence (20) put the hosts firmly in the driving seat.

Cresswell opened the scoring with a simple far post tap-in from a Rory Delap long throw-in, before Lawrence stunned the travelling R's faithful with a set-piece special from fully 20-yards after 20 minutes.

Bad turned to worse for Rangers inside the opening two minutes of the second half, when Blackstock was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Ryan Shawcross.

And although Rowan Vine provided brief hope when he lashed a stunning strike past Steve Simonsen from range, Stoke soon restored their two-goal buffer when Leon Cort headed home the hosts third 14 minutes from time.

Buoyed by Saturday's impressive display in the goalless draw against Sheffield Wednesday, Luigi De Canio made just a solitary change to the starting XI.

Finnish international Sampsa Timoska returned to the side at the expense of Bob Malcolm, while the fit-again Blackstock partnered Vine in attack.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis selected an attacking line-up, which included the returning Lawrence and Ricardo Fuller.

There was an early scare for the Potters, when Cresswell suffered a nose injury after an aerial tussle with Martin Rowlands.

The old cotton wool trick did the job though, stemming the steady flow of blood from the striker's nose and he soon had his say.

Rory Delap's long throw-in from the right flank evaded everyone, until Fuller hooked the ball back goalwards and the unmarked Cresswell fired home with aplomb.

The goal stung the R's into action and when Vine teed up Akos Buzsaky four minutes later, only a well-timed block denied the Hungarian international midfielder.

The respite was brief though, with a succession of Delap throw-in's asking yet more questions of a startled Rangers back-line.

The hosts were unfortunate not to be two goals to the good in the 15th minute.

Fuller cut a hole through the R's defence with ease, but - just as in the opening exchanges on Saturday - the woodwork came to the Hoops rescue, as his shot fired off the foot of Lee Camp's right hand post.

There was to be no reprieve though and moments after Michael Mancienne limped off with a hamstring injury, Lawrence lashed an unstoppable free-kick into the top right hand corner, giving Camp absolutely no chance.

Rangers looked totally shell-shocked, with the normally unflustered midfield quartet failing to assert any sort of dominance on proceedings.

Scott Sinclair provided some hope when he was freed by Vine, but as the Chelsea loanee bore down on goal, a superb covering tackle from Cort thwarted the visitors' efforts.

As the clock ticked down to the break, Rangers - with one eye on the half-time whistle perhaps - reverted to a cautious 4-5-1 formation, with Blackstock ploughing a lone furrow up-front.

Four minutes of first half stoppage time produced little action of note, although Fuller should have perhaps done better from an acute angle, blasting wide with strike partner Mamady Sidibe unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box.

Disaster struck on the resumption for the R's, when Blackstock was given his marching orders for a late challenge on Shawcross.

Referee Uriah Rennie was particularly rash in brandishing the red card, which was hardly surprising given his whistle-happy performance during a stop-start first period.

Undeterred, it was ten-man Rangers who created the first chance of the second half, when Buzsaky's right footed free-kick flew inches wide of Shawcross' right hand post.

And to their credit, it was the visitors who continued to pose the greater threat, with Sinclair seeing his shot blocked by Stephen Wright.

De Canio's bullish approach to stick with two up-front following the dismissal of Blackstock paid dividends in the 62nd minute, after a sustained period of QPR pressure.

Rowlands found Vine on the edge of the 18-yard box and the Birmingham loanee cut inside before drilling the ball past Steve Simonsen.

Buoyed by only his second goal since his loan switch from St Andrews, Vine went on the prowl for his second of the match in the 69th minute.

After robbing the otherwise exceptional Shawcross inside the Stoke half, Vine took two touches to get the ball out of his feet, before firing a low drive on target, which Danny Pugh diverted to safety.

Fuller should've put the result beyond all doubt moments later, only to inexplicably shoot over from little more than eight yards, with the goal at his mercy.

Just when it appeared as though Rangers would mount a grandstand finish, they were caught napping at the back and Cort made amends, heading home his first goal in Stoke colours to all but clinch the three points.

The sight of Buzsaky limping off in added time only served to compound the R's woes, ahead of another tough trip North to Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Stoke City: Simonsen, Wright (Wilkinson 82), Cort, Shawcross, Pugh, Lawrence, Delap, Eustace, Cresswell, Sidibe (Parkin 77), Fuller (Phillips 86).

Subs: Hoult, Zakuani.

Scorers: Cresswell 5, Lawrence 20, Cort 76

Bookings: Delap 90

Red Cards:

QPR: Camp, Barker, Stewart, Mancienne (Malcolm 19), Blackstock, Buzsaky, Rowlands (Bolder 82), Vine (Nygaard 78), Timoska, Leigertwood, Sinclair.

Subs: Cole, Ainsworth.

Scorers: Vine 62

Bookings:

Red Cards: Blackstock 47

Referee: Mr U Rennie

Attendance: 11, 147 QPR

STOKE OFFICIAL


City got back to winning ways at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday night ousting Queens Park Rangers 3-1.

Goals from Richard Cresswell, Liam Lawrence and Leon Cort saw Tony Pulis' side move to within four points of the second automatic promotion spot.

Ahead of the game the City boss made two changes with both Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence returning to the starting eleven.

Fuller was absent from Saturday's goalless draw at Turf Moor through suspension, while Lawrence was ruled out with a leg injury.

Demar Phillips was also included in the squad after returning from international duty over the weekend.

City started the match in explosive fashion, taking the lead after less than five minutes.

A trademark Rory Dealap long throw in was brilliantly flicked back across the box by Fuller, and Cresswell headed home in to an empty net from two yards.

City immediately set about doubling their lead, and a series of throw-ins from the former Sunderland man had the opposition defence in a panic.

Firstly Cort flicked the ball on across the box before being cleared away, then just moments later he rose and headed just over the bar from six yards.

City were on fire, and John Eustace went agonisingly close when he volleyed inches over from 25-yards.

The Potters went even closer just after the quarter of an hour mark, when Fuller latched on to Mamady Sidibe's brilliant through ball and rifled his shot beyond the palms of Lee Camp, but the ball cannoned back of the post.

Three minutes later it was two however. Lawrence exquisitely curled home a free kick from 25-yards in to the top left hand corner, to send the Potters faithful wild.

The visitors managed their first assault on the City rearguard after 27 minutes, but City defender Cort brilliantly blocked Rowan Vine's strike.

Long range strikes from Scott Sinclair and Vine went close for the visitors, while Fuller went close shortly after.

City were content to let the half peter out, and took a thoroughly deserved two goal lead in to the half time interval.

Luigi Di Canio's job of turning around the deficit was made even harder following the re-start as his side were reduced to ten men.

Dexter Blackstock horribly lunged in at Ryan Shawcross and referee Uriah Rennie had no hesitation in producing the red card.

Despite City's one man advantage the Hoops dragged themselves back in to the game after an hour through on loan Birmingham man Vine.

The pacy striker danced his way across the 18-yard box before unleashing an unstoppable drive in to the bottom corner, with Simonsen helpless.

With 18 minutes remaining Fuller had the chance to wrap up the points, but after rounding the keeper he somehow fired the ball over the bar with an empty net at his mercy.

Five minutes later though, the Potters restored their two goal advantage thanks to on loan Crystal Palace defender Cort.

The powerful defender rose highest to head home his first goal for the club and ensure City's first home win since beating Colchester last month. SToke

SPORTING LIFE By Mark Bowering, PA Sport
Goals from Richard Cresswell, Liam Lawrence and Leon Cort helped Stoke get their promotion push back on track and left 10-man QPR mired in the bottom three.

The Potters had faltered at the Britannia Stadium on their previous three outings but got back to winning ways with a convincing display.

Cresswell headed the opener, and Lawrence swept home a great free-kick inside the opening 20 minutes to provide the perfect platform for victory.

Rangers, who had Dexter Blackstock sent off for a late tackle on Ryan Shawcross, hit back through Rowan Vine - before Cort completed the scoring late on.

The woodwork also denied Ricardo Fuller, back in the Stoke starting line-up after returning from suspension.

Successive home defeats at the hands of Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry and Sheffield United had hampered Stoke's progress under boss Tony Pulis - but they started strongly and raced into a fifth-minute lead.

Rory Delap was the provider with a trademark long throw-in that somehow crept through a crowded penalty area - and the unmarked Fuller, lurking at the far post, acrobatically directed the ball back across goal and into the path of Cresswell.

The former Leeds striker stooped to nod past goalkeeper Lee Camp from close range and take his tally for the season to four.

Delap's pin-point throw-ins proved an effective attacking outlet for the hosts as Cort got on the end of another shortly afterwards but put his header wide.

A minute later, Fuller struck the base of the post with a rasping effort from just inside the penalty area after being sent clear by strike partner Mamady Sidibe.

City were dominating proceedings, and their early endeavours were again rewarded after 20 minutes.

The pace and trickery of Fuller proved too much for Damion Stewart, and the strapping defender conceded a free-kick 20 yards out - from which Lawrence expertly curled a shot into the top right corner.

Scott Sinclair came closest to hauling the visitors back in the contest when his goalbound effort was blocked by Cort just before the half-hour.

Any hopes of a possible QPR comeback were dashed two minutes into the second period when Blackstock was shown a straight red card by referee Uriah Rennie, for a reckless lunge on defender Shawcross.

The visitors crafted their best chance of the game minutes later when on-loan Plymouth playmaker Akos Buzsaky put a 25-yard free kick over the wall and just wide.

Blackstock's dismissal bizarrely seemed to galvanise Rangers, who pulled a goal back after 62 minutes as on-loan Birmingham forward Vine unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard drive to hand his side a lifeline.

Fuller then missed a gilt-edged opportunity to put the game beyond doubt after again linking up well with Sidibe.

Mali international Sidibe flicked on Stephen Wright's punted free-kick, and Fuller sneaked in behind three defenders and past the advancing Camp but chipped on to the roof of the net with the goal at his mercy.

It mattered little, however - because Cort added a third 13 minutes from time after meeting Lawrence's near-post centre and planting a firm header past Camp. Sporting Life

BBC - Stoke 3-1 QPR
Stoke cruised to victory as 10-man Queens Park Rangers remained in the Championship's relegation zone.
Richard Cresswell nodded City ahead after just five minutes after Rory Delap's long throw-in was not cleared.
Liam Lawrence's curling free-kick made it 2-0, while QPR's Dexter Blackstock was sent off just after the break for a reckless lunge at Ryan Shawcross.

Rowan Vine's fierce 25-yard drive gave QPR a lifeline before Leon Cort headed Stoke's third from Lawrence's cross BBC

Stoke vs QPR - Tonight's Teams

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Malcolm dropped to sub.

QPR: Camp; Stewart, Mancienne, Timoska, Barker; Rowlands (C), Leigertwood, Buzsaky, Sinclair; Blackstock, Vine.
Subs: Cole, Bolder, Ainsworth, Malcolm, Nygaard

Stoke: Simonsen; Wright, Cort, Shawcross, Pugh; Lawrence, Delap, Eustace (C), Cresswell; Sidibe, Fuller.
Subs: Hoult, Wilkinson, Zakuani, D.Phillips, Parkin. Tonight's Teams

Ex-QPR Georges Santos to Crawley?

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Argus/Tom Gurney -Crawley in talks with former Albion defender
CRAWLEY boss Steve Evans is talking to former Albion defender Georges Santos about a possible move to Broadfield Stadium.
Santos is a free agent after being released by Chesterfield and can join Reds outside the transfer window.
Evans wants cover in defence and begun negotiations with the 37-year-old ex-Sheffield United and QPR stopper last week.
He said: "He is someone who is not on contract so we can sign him at any time. We are still chatting to him." Argus

BACKGROUND
With little money to spend, Ian Holloway signed Santos after our promotion. Playing in defense and midfield- even attack for two season before being released. Santos also played in England for Tranmere, WBA, Sheffield United, Grimsby and Ipswich. At the end of the 2005/06, Santos was released by QPR.

If Santos does sign, he will join another ex-QPR at Crawley, Tony Scully. Crawley Roster
See Also: Georges Santos/Wikipedia

Previewing Tonight's QPR vs Stoke

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Stoke's home record is 3 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats - TableStoke Players and Stoke Results

STOKE SENTINEL -Di Canio is QPR's Renaissance man

QPR fans were hoping the Italian influence on their new board would lead to their next manager being Gianluca Vialli, Franco Baresi or Alessandro Costacurta - and even when they heard his name was Di Canio they assumed it was Paolo.

But in stepped Luigi Di Canio, without a word of English on his lips, to take charge of a club jettisoning John Gregory eight weeks ago after plunging towards relegation.

But the 50-year-old coach, whose previous ports of call include Udinese, Napoli and Genoa no less, has steadied a sinking ship that will soon become a buccaneering galleon if the club's new owners are as spend-happy as onlookers are being led to believe.

Di Canio, who employs a fella called Felix to bark instructions in English from the touchline, has won one, drawn two and lost one of his four games in charge.

He arrived at Loftus Road promising a passing game to tickle the fancy of those Rangers fans still harking for a return to the days when their hoops were emblazoned across the strutting figures of a Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles and Tony Currie.

The club's new owners are the Grand Prix magnates Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore, but the chairmanship remains, for now, in the hands of one-time Vale suitor Gianni Paladini.

Anything between £15m-£20m is said to be available to spend during the 18-month promotion plan to which Rangers are apparently working since the takeover.

They remain in the bottom three for now, however, after their latest outing finished in a 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Rangers are thought to be pondering just one change after central defender Bob Malcolm suffered the indignity of being substituted in only the 65th minute of his debut on loan from Derby.

Finnish-born replacement Sampsa Timoska was his impressive replacement on Saturday, but Malcolm's greater bulk might still be preferred against the anticipated physical threat of Stoke's forward line this evening.

Stoke themselves are seeking to end a run of three successive home defeats, of course, after coming a cropper against the two Sheffields and Coventry.

"It's important we get a couple of wins on the bounce now against QPR and Norwich this coming week," said newcomer Danny Pugh.

"If we can get those couple of wins back-to-back it will make Saturday's draw at Burnley an even better result.

"It's never a bad point away from home and the clean sheet at Burnley was a bonus, especially for the lads at the back."

Pugh was one of those back lads himself after being pushed to left-back from left midfield during a significant pre-match reshuffle last Saturday.

He admits left midfield is his preference, but diplomatically added: "Anywhere the manager wants to play me, I will do my best.

"Players are just happy to be in the starting line-up and I'm no different."

Pugh's whereabouts this evening remains a guarded secret as manager Tony Pulis once again has the option of Ricardo Fuller in attack after suspension.

"It's a massive boost to have him back, he's a quality player who would lift any team," said Pugh as he reflected on Fuller missing his first league game of the season at Burnley where, in truth, Stoke never threatened the scoresheet.

"It's a very tight league and if we can string a couple of results together, we can shoot up that table, especially as there's a lot of games starting to come up thick and fast."

Stoke currently trail QPR 13-7 in head-to-head victories from their 26 league meetings since their first in September 1968.

VITAL STATISTICS
Previous meeting
May 6, 2007: QPR 1 (Rowlands 6), Stoke City 1 (Sidibe 84)
IT was essentially win or bust for Stoke as they chased a play-off place on the final day of last season.

However, an early mistake by Simonsen left City chasing a lost cause in which the limping Sidibe could only claim a consolation equaliser.

QPR: Cole, Timoska, Bignot, Stewart, Shimmin, Bailey, Bolder (Bircham,83), Rowlands, Smith, Nygaard (R Jones,88), Blackstock (Furlong,76).
Stoke City: Simonsen, Zakuani (Pericard,59), Griffin, Fortune, Higginbotham, Hoefkens, Diao (Russell,72), Matteo, Hendrie (Martin,19), Sidibe, Fuller.
Attendance: 16,741.

Form guide: Stoke City: LLWLD, QPR: WWLDD

Who we'd like to sign: Scott Sinclair is on loan from Chelsea and full of pace and skill.

Who to boo: No Marc Bircham these days, but you can always close your eyes and imagine he’s still there.

Man in the middle: Uriah Rennie is a one-time Premiership official who needs no introduction.

Probable line-ups: Stoke City: Simonsen, Wright, Pugh, Cort, Shawcross, Lawrence, Matteo, Eustace, Cresswell, Sidibe, Fuller.
QPR: Camp, Mancienne, Barker, Malcolm, Stewart, Rowlands, Leigertwood, Sinclair, Vine, Blackstock, Buzsaky.
Predicition: Stoke to bounce back to winning ways after second-half strikes from Richard Cresswell and Ricardo Fuller. Stoke Sentinel

QPR Official Site MATCHDAY PREVIEW: POTTERS
The R's travel to The Britannia Stadium tonight, to lock horns with a Stoke City side suffering from a blip in form in front of their own supporters.
Tony Pulis' men currently occupy a noteworthy tenth place in the Coca Cola Championship, but their poor home form represents Luigi De Canio's side with a genuine opportunity of returning from the Trent with maximum points.
Indeed, the Potters' last home victory arrived against Colchester United some seven weeks ago - a run which has seen them fail to register maximum points in their previous three fixtures at The Britannia.
The sequence of results has clearly left Pulis bewildered. Speaking after their recent 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, the Stoke gaffer was left scratching his head trying to work out how Stoke lost a third successive home fixture.
"I don't think we have had the breaks. Things haven't seemed to break for us and we could have won all three," said Pulis.
"I have been involved in football for a long time, so I am used to this, but it does hurt."
The Potters' form on their travels, however, is quite impressive.
Prior to Saturday's goalless draw against Burnley, City had lost just twice on their travels, with notable victories against Cardiff City, Crystal Palace and Scunthorpe United.
That away-day form is thanks in part to the impressive displays of defender Ryan Shawcross.
Stoke's on-loan Manchester United defender, who has been an ever-present for the Potters this season, was named as the Championship's player of the month for October.
The 20-year-old found the net three times during the month, scoring against West Bromwich Albion, Colchester and Crystal Palace. QPR

Snippets/Views of Ex and Loaned-Out QPRs

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QPR's on-loan-to-Bournemouth Dominic Shimmin talking:
Shimmin shaping up to lend a hand - Daily Echo/Ian Wadley
CHERRIES' latest loan signing Dominic Shimmin wants his time on the south coast to be a "benefit for me and the club" after joining from Queen's Park Rangers.
The 20-year-old defender, who prefers to play at centre-half but has also featured as a right-back, boasts a fine pedigree, having spent his youth coming through the ranks at Premier League Arsenal.
He has made just a handful of appearances in more than two years at Loftus Road but is keen to make a big impression for Cherries, and help them emerge from their League One slumber after being snapped up initially until January.
"I'm very pleased to be down here," Shimmin told the Daily Echo. "I got here in a rush on Thursday. I was injured before that but I knew there was interest before.
"I'm here to get some wins under the belt because the team is in a sticky situation at the moment.
"I'm also here to get some first-team football but that doesn't mean I'm here for just a jolly-up. I'm here to play well and benefit for me and the club."
While Shimmin wants to force his way into Kevin Bond's back four, he also realises that he has a fight on his hands to displace the current backline, with Josh Gowling and Alex Pearce the preferred pair in central defence.
"I think competition is always good. It brings out the best in everyone," said Shimmin.
"I'm not here to walk straight into the team. I want to prove myself to the manager and show I can earn the shirt."
And Shimmin is not completely unknown to his new team-mates, with some familiar faces among the squad to welcome the QPR man.
He added: "Ryan Garry is a bit older than me but I was coming through at Arsenal and he was in around the first team.
"I know a few of the Reading lads as well. We all played academy football, so we all get on well." Daily Echo

UPDATE: Dennis Oli makes League One Team of The Week. [In the Championship 'Team of the Week' includes Danny Shittu and Sheff Wed Burton O'Brien - NOT Lee Grant!- Team of Week

Oli In Team Of The Day
Gillingham striker Dennis Oli has been included in the News of the World League One Team of the Day.
The striker, currently on-loan at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium from Grays Athletic, scored goals in the 46th and 59th minutes for the Gills to beat Hartlepool United 2-1
News of the World League One Team of the Day for Saturday 24th November... Gillingham

Simon Royce on Gillingham Official Site
Roycey: "The home form is promotion form."
Gillingham goalkeeper Simon Royce is delighted to make it ten games unbeaten at home as the Gills beat Hartlepool United 2-1 at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium.
Dennis Oli scored two goals for the Gills to beat Pools and pick up Mark Stimson's first league win and Royce is delighted with the result: "I thought we started okay. We looked quite decent in the first ten minutes and created a few chances. Hartlepool got their goal, I think it was a little bit against the run of play, and then it was backs-to-the-wall for the rest of the first-half. The conditions made it difficult, the wind was blowing one way then turn around; it was swirling a bit. That made it difficult. We managed to keep it down to one-nil for half-time and that was pleasing. In the second-half, we come out and I thought there was only one team going to win it in the end."
At nil-one, Royce made an excellent save from Pools striker Richie Barker and the stopper talked us through his heroics: "I don't know. To be fair, the ball bounced and that really helped. I think if it hadn't bounced and was on the fall, I may not have been able to get it over the bar. It was a case of helping it over really. That it what I am there to do. If I need to make one or two saves a week, and it helps the team out and we win, that is what I am there to do. It is pleasing that I am making saves but I'd rather not be, if you know what I mean."
...We want to win all our home games and that is ten unbeaten at home now, which is promotion form. Our away form is relegation form though so if we can sort that out next Tuesday at Crewe, I think we'll be alright.
Stimson has signed seven players in the last fortnight but Royce admits the arrival of so many new faces is not unsettling for him: "For me, it is business as usual. It was nice for me to see a few familiar faces as I know half of them as it's a bit like Queens Park Rangers revisited. There are 6 or 7 ex-QPR boys in there so that is quite nice. They have done ever so well, they will be working hard this week and they were brilliant today. There have been a lot of people saying that we're bringing in non-league players, can they cut it but I think they proved everybody wrong against Hartlepool. They showed the will to win. Adam Miller came on, put his foot in and shored it up in there; he was excellent. Stuart Thurgood was brilliant in the first-half and was a real calming influence in there. It looks really good for the future. The boys that didn't play, they will have looked at that and will be thinking that they have got to work really hard to get back into the side."
The Gills have a Saturday off as it's FA Cup weekend but Royce is expecting a tough week of training as they prepare for the visit to Crewe next Tuesday: "I hate running but I get on with it. Talk to any goalkeeper and they will tell you that they hate running. A goalkeeper's fitness is completely different to a midfielder or defender. We need things that are geared to our position; short and sharp stuff otherwise I wouldn't be able to make some of the saves that I do. There is no point me running around a field for several minutes as I am not going to get anything out of it. Mark Stimson has come in and he is going to make us do things that are going to win us games and we have to get on with it as professionals. I haven't had a session with Scott Barrett yet as he doesn't tend to do the goalkeeping too much. We join in more with the warm-up and stuff with the rest of the lads. He will take a session when he feels that we need it and I dare say that will be this week. Maybe over the last two weeks, I've been playing quite well and he hasn't felt that I needed it. I look forward to the coming week as it's a bit of a break. It's nice to get a break now and again as the games come thick and fast in this league and you're playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Tuesday. We'd have liked to have still been in the FA Cup but unfortunately we are not and we'll get on with working this week as we try to get that first away win at Crewe next Tuesday."
The Gills have yet to win away this season but Royce believes the side need to keep doing the right thing and the result will come: "Of course it is on the players minds. I believe we have the second worst away record in the football league. If we could take our home form with us on the road then the sky is the limit. We are brilliant at home and just need to sort it out away. When we do, we will be a match for anybody. As I said, the home form is promotion form. It is tough when we go to these places away and we haven't won. It must play on all the other players minds but we have just got to keep on doing the right things as we have at home and we'll be fine." Gillingham

De Canio Not Yet Manager of Month...Breacker, Penrice and Bulpin to Leicester....Almost QPR's Guidolin Returns to Palermo

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November Manager of the Month Contenders: WBA's Tony Mowbray, Charlton's Alan Pardew, Hull's Phil Brown and Sheffield Wednesday's Brian Laws. "The winner will be announced on Sky Sports News at 12.20pm on Thursday." WBA

PLYMOUTH HERALD BREACKER AND BULPIN TO JOIN FOXES
PLYMOUTH Argyle assistant manager Tim Breacker and first team coach Des Bulpin are set to complete moves to Leicester City today.
Breacker and Bulpin, plus chief scout Gary Penrice, are all following former Pilgrims' boss Ian Holloway to the Walkers Stadium.

They will be installed in their new roles before the Foxes' Sky-televised clash at home to Cardiff City tonight.
Former Argyle manager Paul Sturrock is expected to leave Swindon Town today and will start his second spell as the Pilgrims' boss tomorrow.
Coaches John Blackley and Kevin Summerfield will follow Sturrock from the League One club.
It means Sturrock will take charge of fourth-placed Argyle for their top-of-the-table clash against second-placed West Bromwich Albion at Home Park on Wednesday (7.45pm). This is Plymouth

LEICESTER MERCURY -BY BILL ANDERSON
Leicester City boss Ian Holloway has been boosted by the arrival of his backroom staff from Plymouth for tonight's home clash against Cardiff City (8.0).
Tim Breacker, Des Bulpin and Gary Penrice arrive in time for the Championship clash at the Walkers Stadium.
Breacker, who will be assistant manager, was in charge of Argyle along with Bulpin for the 1-0 win at Sheffield United on Saturday.
..." ." Leicester Mercury

Plymouth Official Site- "ARGYLE can announce they have agreed with Swindon Town a compensation package for the Robins' manager Paul Sturrock. The two clubs have also agreed compensation terms for Kevin Summerfield and John Blackley, who had been Sturrock's coaches at the County Ground. The compensation packages remain confidential between the two clubs.We will be holding a Press conference at Home Park at 1pm on Tuesday, when we will be announcing the appointment of our new management team. Plymouth

SkySports -Guidolin returns to Palermo -Juventus defeat last straw for Palermo president
Palermo have axed coach Stefano Colantuono and named Francesco Guidolin as his replacement.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini decided to act after Sunday's 5-0 defeat to Juventus.
Colantuono only arrived at the Sicilian club in the summer, but he has failed to win approval from Zamparini.
"The club wants to communicate that we have taken control of the side away from Stefano Colantuono," read a statement on the club's official website.
"We want to thank Colantuono for all his work and the post will be given to Francesco Guidolin."
This is Guidolin's fourth spell in charge of Palermo and he only left the club at the end of last season.
Guidolin was linked with the Queens Park Rangers job last month, but he has decided to take up Palermo's offer of a fourth spell at the helm. Sky

Ex-QPR Manager John Gregory on Derby's Sacking of Davies

The Sun - Derby's success came too soonBy GAVIN GLICKSMAN
JOHN GREGORY believes Billy Davies was fighting a losing battle from the day Derby won promotion to the Premier League....
And Gregory, who managed Derby for just over a year, insists his old side are simply not ready for life with the big boys.
He said: "Billy did a brilliant job to get Derby into the Premiership — but they probably got there too soon.
"I know the board supported him financially last year to get them up by going out and buying the necessary players in January.
"The players he took into the top flight made up a hard-working, mentally-strong team.
"But they weren't ready as a group and Derby needed a serious amount of money to give them a chance this season.
"They were always going to find it hard to stay up with the current crop of players, so I'm surprised by the decision to let Billy go.
"Billy was only given a short period in the top flight, although I guess nothing ever really shocks you in football these days."...
But Gregory believes the board may have lost faith in their manager's ability to sign the right players.
The ex-Aston Villa and QPR boss added: "You're only really as good as your last purchase.
"The board may well look at the money Billy spent in the summer and question why the likes of Robert Earnshaw have sat on the bench for most of the season.
"Earnshaw cost £3.5million but the decision to leave him out could be interpreted as Billy now thinking he is not good enough.
"In the end, a chairman won't trust you with the chequebook if he thinks you have squandered his club's money..." . The Sun

Monday, November 26, 2007

Forthcoming Club-Fans Groups Consultative Meeting

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QPR Official Site CONSULTATIVE MEETING
On Wednesday 5th December 2007, members of the QPR Board will meet with representatives of The Official Supporters Club, the many independent supporters groups and the coalition group Rebuild.
The Official Supporters Club will be sending two Committee Members to the Consultative Meeting to represent you and ask questions on your behalf.
Questions must be submitted in advance to ensure an efficient agenda is produce and points adhered to.
We would like to submit your questions for the agenda by Friday 30th November.
Please forward anything you would like raised during the meeting to the OSC email address: secretaryqprosc@yahoo.co.uk
We will do our best to get your questions answered. QPR

And as posted last week on another QPR Fan site
Dear Friends
As you know it has been some time since we were last able to have a Fans' Consultative meeting and to say a lot has changed since the last one would be a big understatement.
The new Board has now asked me to co-ordinate and chair a meeting of the Group and has emphasized that from now on relations between the Club and Fans' Groups ought to be managed through this forum.
Gianni Paladini and Alejandro Ageg have both been asked to represent the Club at the meeting and to answer any appropriate questions arising. The meeting is set for Wednesday 5 December at 6.30pm to finish at 8.30pm at Loftus Road.
As usual, I would request you send me items you would like to be included on the agenda by this Sunday and in consultation with the Club I will then draw up and circulate an agenda for the meeting. Again, as usual, please can you arrange to send up to 2 representatives for each of the fans groups' (Official Supporters, LSA, Friends of QPR, QPR 1st) and from Rebuild QPR and the Disabled fans' representatives. I would be grateful if you could send me the names of those attending by Sunday as well so that I can give them to Gianni and Alejandro.
I am delighted the new Board has expressed an interest in continuing consultation with fans and look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Apologies if I have left anyone off this list, it is the latest I have. Feel free to circulate the contents of this email amongst your members/fellow fans.
Regards
Nick De Marco