Ex-QPR: Nick Ward Speaks...Tony Scully Departs...Glen Roeder's Birthday

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Sportal.com - Ward ready to go - Bren O'Brien
New Melbourne Victory signing Nicky Ward is likely to play some part in Sunday's clutch Hyundai A-League match against Newcastle at Telstra Dome.
Ward's contract has been cleared by Football Federation Australia and he is available for the match, but the player himself says he lacks match fitness and is probably good for about three-quarters of a game.
"I'm obviously not completely match fit. If I started them maybe I'd get 70 minutes out," he said.
Ward's chances of selection have been enhanced by Danny Allsopp's failure to train on Thursday. The striker missed last Saturday's 2-2 draw against Adelaide with hamstring tightness, and is only rated a 50-50 chance to play this week.
Coach Ernie Merrick agreed with Ward that the new recruit wasn't quite at the level of fitness to run out an entire game
"It's really good to have him. He's a good character and a really good player. The clearance is through so he'll be part of the squad this week, but I don't think he's 100 per cent match fit," the coach said.
Ward's involvement with the Qantas Under 23s squad's successful attempt to qualify for next year's Beijing Olympics has given him some match practice after a torrid year with Queens Park Rangers.
"I've been playing with the Olyroos obviously. I've been having a tough time away with QPR. Different managers. There was about four in the time I was there. It was just tough, I was going away with the Olyroos and I'd come back and you are not really in the eye of these new coaches. I just didn't really get a good chance," he said.However, Ward said he had no regrets over his decision to leave Perth Glory at age 21 to take up a contract with the London club.
"You can't beat the experience you get over there. It's not easy. It's not as easy as living in your own backyard. It's cut-throat over there. That's what I found. You might have a manager that signs you and then you have a new manager comes in and he doesn't want you, he wants his own players. So you get brushed to the side," he said.
"I don't think it was a mistake I think I had a bit of bad luck. I started off really well. I played the first eight or nine games, starting every week I got four 'man of the matches' then they sacked the manager that signed me."
Ward is hoping the prospect of getting more game time for the Victory both in the final five matches of the Hyundai A-League season and in the Asian Champions League, will enhance his chances of selection for the Olympic squad.
"I'm coming back, and it's a great opportunity to come back and get ready for the Olympics. I'll be a lot more involved with the Olympic team now. That's something I really want to do. I've spoken Graham Arnold and I really want to be a part of that," he said.
He already feels comfortable in his new home having come from the start of the London winter into the start of the Australian summer.
"I've settled in fine. I know a few of the boys from when I played at Perth. They've all been really good to me, welcomed me in. I'm just living down the road as well," he said.
"It's a good opportunity for me, it's one of the biggest clubs in Australia. There's a lot of media hype behind them I watched last year when they did so well. I'm looking forward to doing well with them." Report

The Argus - Evans: No more crazy money By Tom Gurney
Manager Steve Evans insists Crawley will never pay "ridiculous" wages again.
Reds have released winger Tony Scully, who was the highest paid player at the club.
The former Manchester City, QPR and Crystal Palace wideman had his contract cancelled by mutual consent after a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
The Irishman arrived at Broadfield Stadium from Notts County in 2005 at a time when Crawley were paying big money following their switch to full-time football.
Scully was believed to be receiving a salary of around £1,200 a week, double the average wage of a typical Conference player, and was one of five players who stayed at the club when it was plunged into a financial crisis last year.
Evans said: "Tony was a great player when fit but he was on big money and that is not the road the club can go down.
"There was a time when players were getting paid ridiculous amounts but they have gone. You have to ask 'are you getting value for money'?
"With my manager's hat on I wanted to keep Tony but looking at the budget, I decided that we could do without him.
"That is the way we have to be so the club can be in a stronger position in the future."
Scully is the second player in a week to be released following the departure of striker Berlin Nlome-Ndebi.
Evans is now planning to bring in new additions when the transfer window opens next month.
He said: "Now Scully has gone we can afford to sign two or three players in January to make us stronger and bring our squad up to the number I want it to be." The Argus

Glen Roeder Turns 52
Signed by QPR in 1978, Roeder played some 200 League and Cup games for QPR (but NOT the FA Cup Final Replay, when he was suspended) and was the club's captain. Currently manager of Norwich, Roeder was one of the names mentioned for QPR manager, before they appointed Luigi De Canio. Terry Venables let Roeder join Newcastle in 1983. (At the time, Roeder has basically been surplanted by Terry Fenwick in the center of the QPR defense.)
Roeder's Record

See also: Roeder/Wikipedia