De Canio Signing Intentions and an Assessment of QPR Player Needs

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Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - Not taking the Mike

QPR boss Luigi De Canio has hinted that he will not attempt to sign Michael Mancienne on a permanent deal this summer.

The Chelsea defender has spent the best part of two years on loan at Loftus Road, but Rangers appear to be looking elsewhere to strengthen their defence ahead of next season.

Asked about the prospects of signing Mancienne, De Canio told the Times: "The whole situation doesn't depend on us, it depends on what Chelsea want to do.

"If we know Michael is a player who can stay with us, that's one matter. If he's someone who has to go back to his original club, we have to adjust our objectives.

"What is true is that we do have more than one alternative and we can see which option is realistic. I have seen a few players who I would like to bring to the club.

"But there are many things to take into consideration - whether the player himself wants to come, whether his team will let him go - so these are just thoughts at the moment."

Mancienne, along with Matthew Connolly and Dexter Blackstock, is a current member of the England under-21 squad, but he is not thought to be rated by Chelsea as a potential first-team player.

De Canio has no plans to move for Manchester United's Kieran Lee either - the youngster, who will return to Old Trafford, started just two games after joining on loan in January.

And the Rs manager has begun clearing the decks already by releasing a number of younger fringe players, as well as American goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

Midfielder Stefan Bailey, who made his debut as a 17-year-old, played 26 times for the first team, but had not been involved since Rangers' Carling Cup defeat by Leyton Orient at the start of the campaign.

Defenders Andrew Howell, whose single first-team appearance was also in the Carling Cup in 2006, and Aaron Goode spent the latter part of the season on loan to Ryman League side Wealdstone.

Pickens, meanwhile, failed to break into the first team during his three months at Loftus Road, and his exit paves the way for the arrival of Tottenham goalkeeper Radek Cerny in June.

The 34-year-old Czech international has been unable to oust Paul Robinson as Spurs' number one and confirmed this week that he will sign a two-year contract with QPR.

Cerny is unlikely to be satisfied with a role as back-up to Lee Camp, but De Canio has made it clear that nobody will be guaranteed a starting place next season.

"Every player wearing the QPR shirt next season will have to understand that there aren't 11 set starters," said the manager.

"Everyone needs to demonstrate their total commitment to the cause, whether they are on the pitch, the bench or in the stands. It is possible for this to work as long as the motivation behind it is clear to everybody.

"When a player doesn't feel that he is important to the coach and the team, he'll never be ready to give 100 per cent when he is used. At the same time, a player who is sure to start every week will never have the motivation to give 100 per cent."

QPR's final position of 14th was an improvement of four places on 2007, but De Canio knows he must fashion a squad capable of featuring much higher up the Championship table next time.

The manager plans to stick to a policy of signing players with experience of domestic competition, adding: "Especially in this league, it's very important to have a team with an English identity.

"If there is a good player from another country who has what we're looking for, then it's something we can look to do.

"But I will be watching the European Championship finals this summer because I'm a football enthusiast, not because I'm hoping to see a player for QPR. Kilburn Times


Ben Kosky/Kilburn Times - A shopping list for Gigi

WHEN teenage striker Romone Rose came on for his senior debut on Sunday, he brought the total of players to represent QPR's first-team this season to an astonishing 37.

Manager Luigi de Canio has made it clear that Rangers' playing roster will be much less unwieldy next August, with a maximum of 22 names the preferred number for his squad.

The core of that squad will comprise players already contracted to QPR - so how many fresh faces should we expect this summer and what roles do they need to fill?

The Times gives its verdict on how Gigi's shopping list should look...

GOALKEEPERS

Despite his recent off day at Norwich, Lee Camp has been one of the Rs' most consistent players - a superb shot-stopper who, at 23, has plenty of time to improve other aspects of his game.

But Camp has had no real competition for his place this season and the club must sign an experienced keeper - probably Tottenham's Radek Cerny - to challenge Camp rather than replace him.

Long-serving reserve Jake Cole has made it clear he wants a loan move and Matt Pickens has not been offered a new contract, so Reece Crowther could fill the number three slot.

DEFENDERS

A new right-back must be one of De Canio's priorities - but it is unlikely to be Michael Mancienne, or Kieran Lee, whose loan from Manchester United seemed fairly pointless for all parties.

Recent team selections have made it clear the manager does not rate Chris Barker, so a new left-sided player to compete with Damien Delaney may also be in the offing.

Fitz Hall and Matthew Connolly have shown signs of forming a solid partnership in the centre - yet Hall's injury has exposed the paucity of cover available.

Martin Cranie, who caught the eye on loan earlier in the season, would be a good signing if he is fully recovered from injury, but I would caution against the idea of a return for Danny Shittu.

Damion Stewart is a more than adequate squad player - and Rangers also have options such as Simon Walton and Mikele Leigertwood, who can drop into central defence if required.

MIDFIELDERS

De Canio only needs one signing in this area - either Lee Cook or a player like him, an orthodox winger who can beat opponents and deliver damaging crosses.

Hogan Ephraim has shown plenty of promise, but he is more dangerous in an attacking role - perhaps playing behind an out-and-out striker like Patrick Agyemang.

With Walton returning from his loan at Hull, Rangers have plenty of competition in the centre of the park and can afford to release former captain Adam Bolder.

One of the challenges facing De Canio is how to incorporate Akos Buzsaky into a central role more often rather than letting him drift in and out of the game on the right flank.

STRIKERS

Agyemang's purple patch in January and February was the best by any QPR striker in four decades, but there is no doubt that the club require another goal poacher.

Since Les Ferdinand, only Andy Thomson has broken the 20-goal mark in a season - and Rowan Vine, once he returns from injury, will create many more than he scores.

Dexter Blackstock finally regained last season's form during the closing weeks of the campaign but, like Ephraim and Angelo Balanta, might be at his best in a deeper role.

With Danny Nardiello certain to sever his ill-fated ties with the club in the summer, that should still provide sufficient cover for Agyemang, Vine and AN Other. Kilburn Times