Ainsworth: No Pressure...Gorkss Investigation Continues...Briatore: No Hurry

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Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - No Pressure Says New Coach
GARETH Ainsworth insists the QPR players are feeling no pressure despite being the bookies' favourites to win promotion next season.
Although they finished a middling 14th in the Championship last season, the combined wealth of Rangers' owners means they are listed at just 7/4 to gain promotion in 2008-09.
But Ainsworth, who began his new role as player-coach last week, told the Times: "At the moment, we're not concentrating on what the bookies or anyone else are saying.
"That sort of thing's best left alone and I don't know where the bookies get their figures from anyway. It's all about everyone getting used to the new regime and making sure that, once that first game comes, we're ready.
"Beating Barnsley on August 9 is the number one aim and that'll stay the same all the way through pre-season.
"The lads won't feel any pressure, they're just going to get out on the pitch, express themselves and get on with their jobs. The most important thing is to make sure they're up for every game."
The veteran winger was officially handed his new title at the end of last season after acting as 'matchday assistant' to former boss Luigi de Canio through the second half of the campaign.
And, although Ainsworth is now in the middle of gaining a UEFA B coaching licence, he is at pains to stress he has no plans to call time on a playing career that spans 17 seasons.
"I want to make it clear again that there's still plenty of football in these legs," added the 35-year-old who, along with Martin Rowlands, is the Rs' longest serving player.
"When I do pack up playing, this is definitely what I want to do, and every day is like a school day for me at the moment. I'm learning new stuff every day.
"I don't think I could have a better manager to work under than Iain Dowie - he's well known for his professionalism, his work ethic and his team ethic.
"Last season was very different - it was more about helping Gigi with his English. Now I'm doing more organising and coaching and I'm very lucky to be part of a great team."

FOOTBALL League bosses are continuing to investigate Blackpool's complaint over the Kaspars Gorkss deal, even though the defender is due to complete his move to QPR in the next few days.
Blackpool have accused Rangers of making an illegal approach to the Latvian international and restated last week that the Loftus Road club did not have permission to speak to him.
A League spokesman said: "An issue has been raised by Blackpool, relating to player registration, and this matter is ongoing. Kilburn Times


Ben Pearce/Kilburn Times - Now Flavio's not in such a hurry
FLAVIO Briatore handed Iain Dowie a boost ahead of the new campaign by denying that his manager needs to win promotion this year to keep his job.
Speaking at Somerset House, where QPR announced a three-year sponsorship agreement with Gulf Air, the club co-owner insisted that the new boss is a central part of a three-year fight for promotion.
"This is a long-term project and Iain Dowie is part of the project," he said. "I believe it is a three-year project. Many teams go up and then straight back down again.
"When we go up we want to stay up. We have a good coach, good organisation and good players."
Briatore's time-scale has apparently altered since he and Bernie Ecclestone took over the club last autumn, when he announced a plan to take the club into the Champions League within four years.
And QPR Holdings vice-chairman Amit Bhatia was also toeing the new party line at the unveiling of the club's new kit, although he was adamant that the club is still aiming to sit at Europe's top table in the future.
"The next step is to be promoted," he said. "Whether that comes this season or in three years is not really super important. Subsequent to that, does the Champions League figure? Of course it does."
QPR's ultimate quest for European glory was one of the major attractions for Bahrain-based airline Gulf Air, who will provide the club with 'a significant amount of money' over the next three years. Kilburn Times