QPR's Barnsley Victory - Compilation of Match Reports

-
UPDATED

SUNDAY TIMES/Brian Glanville - Emmanuel Ledesma shows rich promise as QPR battle to win

THE MILLIONAIRES have moved in, but there was scant sign at the moment of an early return to the Premier League by Queens Park Rangers. No comparison at all on the field with the halcyon days of Rodney Marsh, Stan Bowles and Gerry Francis. Or that tantalising, devastating day of the season in 1976 when a totally untypical blunder at Norwich in goal by Phil Parkes doomed QPR to defeat, allowing Liverpool to steal the Championship a point ahead.

Though the Formula One Croesus Flavio Briatore, Lakshmi Mittal and Bernie Ecclestone have all committed themselves to the club, expenditure so far has been very moderate. Loans before actual transfers you might say.

One of them yesterday featured arguably the best player on the field in the shape of the right flanker Emmanuel Ledesma, a young Argentine on loan from Genoa.

When he was eventually substituted 84 minutes into the game, he departed to a significant burst of applause from the QPR fans.

After an uneasy start, especially in defence, QPR gradually settled down against a Barnsley team that last season sensationally eliminated Liverpool away and Chelsea at home en route to a Wembley semi-final of the FA Cup.

Their manager, Simon Davey, though he deplored the two disastrous first half minutes when they gave away both the lead and a couple of goals, feels he has a stronger team than last season.

“I’m pleased with the players other than those two minutes. We’re a stronger team, Darren Moore has come in to give some strength to the back four. We’ll be a better team this season so you’ve not seen the best of us yet.”

Alas, it was Moore who carelessly and clumsily gave away a 58th minute penalty when he brought down Dexter Blackstock in the box. Though fortunately for him the massive QPR centre-back Fitz Hall, who had scored both his teams first half goals, had his shot saved low to his right by the excellent Luke Steele.

Hall’s goals came in almost bewilderingly rapid succession in the 28th and 29th minutes. First, Ledesma’s free kick was saved by Steele, and Blackstock drove the ball against the bar only for Hall to head in. Next minute, just inside the box, the defender hooked in a loose ball. Well might his manager Iain Dowie praise his powerful right foot despite that penalty.

Barnsley’s goal came on four minutes scored by new signing Iain Hume when the lively Brian Howard’s through ball split a distracted home defence.

On 83 minutes, Barnsley’s Marciano Van Homoet was sent off for a lamentable foul on Daniel Pardjo.

Star man: Emmanuel Ledesma (QPR)
Yellow card: L Cook (QPR)
Red card: M van Homoet 83min (Barnsley)
Referee: N Swarbrick
Attendance:14,964
QPR: Cerny 6, Ramage 6, Hall 6, Gorkss 6, Delaney 6, Agyem-ang 6 (Parejo 72min), Mahon 6, Leigertwood 6, Ledesma 8 (Alberti 84min), Cook 6, Blackstock 6
BARNSLEY: Steele 8, Foster 6, Moore 6, Souza 6, Van Homoet 4, Devaney 7, Hassell 7 (Leon 84min), Howard 7, El Hiamaur 6 (Leon 79min), Hume 7, Macken 6 (Odejayi 84min)
Sunday Times


Independent - Nick Townsend - QPR 2 Barnsley 1: Hall hints at rewards to come

Fitz Hall scores during the 2-1 victory over Barnsley at Loftus Road on a day when the defender netted twice but missed a penalty

From outside the stadium, nothing much had changed. There was even Stan Bowles, signing autographs, just as he did back in the Seventies. Only now he's 59. Inside, though, things were significantly different. There hadn't been such an aura of anticipation here for many years. Not least in the directors' box, where the prominent occupants included Flavio Briatore, the QPR Holdings Ltd chairman, who can never be accused of quietly merging into the background. The multi-millionaire Renault F1 team principal and the two billionaires, F1 ring-master Bernie Ecclestone and the world's fifth wealthiest man, Lakshmi Mittal, expect much for their investment.

During the early part of the first half here yesterday, Barnsley looked as though they might well repeat similar contempt for this moneybags club as they had last season when those intrepid FA Cup travellers despatched Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea at Oakwell.

Though their manager, Simon Davey, concluded that his had been the better side, Rangers' superior class just about told against the visitors, who finished with 10 men. "A small step on a long road," reflected Iain Dowie, who, despite this being his first game in charge, has already been beset by rumours of a contretemps between him and Briatore.

Dowie, late of Coventry, is no stranger to such reports; however, he dimissed these as "people making mischief" and declared defiantly, "I'm here now". What he does possess is an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Championship, and that is what Briatore and Co value. Certainly for now.

QPR, who finished 14th last season but only six points above relegated Leicester, have hardly been the League's spendalots in the summer. However, their intriguing loan acquisitions included 19-year-old Daniel Parejo, from Real Madrid, with whom Rangers have established a partnership. He started on the bench but appeared for the final 18 minutes to give home supporters a brief taste of what Real's reserves have to offer.

In that time he received a welcome to English football courtesy of Marciano Van Homoet which brought the Dutch defender a dismissal. The challenge was described as "horrendous" by Dowie. The Parejo deal was brokered by Briatore, who exploited his close relationship with the Real president Ramon Calderon. Dowie said: "In time, they hope he'll be a big player for Real Madrid." Parejo's introduction brought to five the number of Dowie's debutants, including Emmanuel Ledesma, a 20-year-old from Genoa.

Fireworks and shooting flames accompanied the players as they emerged, and it appeared to galvanise them. Mikele Leigertwood's header brought a spectacular save from Luke Steele, before Barnsley, who had begun with new striker Iain Hume and Jon Macken providing real menace, scored after just four minutes. It was Hume, a £1.25m purchase from Leicester, who was set up by captain Brian Howard to score from inside the area. Hume nearly repeated the trick when Bobby Hassell's cross reached him. Then Mounir El Haimour's venomous shot curled wide.

Rangers needed a 29th-minute free-kick just outside the area to equalise. Ledesma, whose close control and impudent crossing look destined for a superior grade of the game, took it and forced a fine save from Luke Steele, Dexter Blackstock rammed the rebound against the bar, but Fitz Hall applied the finish. Two minutes later and Lee Cook's corner gave Hall the opportunity to volley home what transpired to be the winner.

In the second period Rangers tended to rely on breaks. On one such occasion, a powerful run by Blackstock ended with Steele diving at his feet to deny him. Just before the hour, a clumsy challenge by Darren Moore on Blackstock won a spot kick.

"Another decision against us", complained Davey, but a weak spot kick by Hall was saved by Steele. It deprived him of his hat-trick. Fortunately for him, it did not deprive his manager of a desperately needed opening-day victory. Independent


OBSERVER/Duncan Castles - Hall fits the bill but big money fails to talk for nervy QPR

One match, one win for Iain Dowie; and one week denying he was for the chop. That's the problem with working for billionaires - even if the money has not actually drawn such a conclusion yet there is always someone else who reckons you are not value for it.

Lakshmi Mittal and Bernie Ecclestone will, however, demand more from a first full season of Championship football than this scrambled win. Looking little like promotion candidates, QPR fell behind to an early Barnsley goal and came dangerously close to conceding a second, before centre-back Fitz Hall delivered an advantage they barely managed to protect.

Midweek news that he had been threatened with the sack was a 'load of tosh,' said Dowie afterwards. Whether the owners had furnished him with a squad capable of winning promotion was more questionable. 'It's very difficult to say that. We've got a lot of good assets that go towards it. We've got some pace in the side, strength, physical stature. I think we can be there or thereabouts, but you've seen what's happened today to some good sides. I'm not pretending we were brilliant, but we got a win.'

Favoured by some bookmakers to take this most competitive of divisions, QPR's summer strategy has hardly strained their owners' resources. Instead of a grander name, Dowie was appointed for his experience in elevating Crystal Palace to the Premier League. Player acquisitions, which the 'first team coach' clearly does not control, have been considerably less exuberant than predicted. Tottenham, Newcastle and Fulham reserves in Radek Cerny, Peter Ramage and Lee Cook came for free or on loan; players exchanged for Latvia defender Kaspars Gorkss. For all the fuss Flavio Briatore made over his contacts with storied European clubs, borrowing 19-year-old midfielder Dani Parejo from Real Madrid is one of the less expensive ways of demonstrating it.

Commercial activities have been more befitting of QPR's moneyed status. The club claims to have secured record Championship shirt sponsorship and manufacturing deals, while season ticket prices have been ramped up and 100 directors' box seats rebranded the 'C Club' then re-priced at more than £10,000 a season.

Welcomed to the field by fireworks, flamethrowers, cheerleaders and their new sponsor's air stewardesses, the players' embarrassment came quickly. In the second minute, Jon Macken was allowed and pick his shot. Too close to Cerny, it remained a warning of things to come.

After a couple more chances, Brian Howard directed a pass between centre- and right-back. Iain Hume collected and redirected past the goalkeeper for a first goal since his £1.2m transfer from Leicester. Five minutes had been played and in the next 10 Barnsley could have extended their advantage as Hume and Mounir El Haimour went close and Dexter Blackstock cleared off the line.

QPR began to claim some territory, particularly when Emmanuel Ledesma found the ball. Moved to the right wing to accommodate Cook, the Argentine's movement caused consternation in the Barnsley defence. They equalised when Ledesma's free kick flew to Steele's left, was parried out for a Blackstock shot against the bar, then forced in by Hall.

If that was the goal you would expect of a defender, his next was not. Cook's corner seemed to be flying out of danger when Hall twisted and volleyed it over his shoulder and far to Steele's right. 'He's got the ability to hit that volley,' said Dowie, who also managed 'One Size' at Oldham and Palace. 'That's not a freak.'

Less impressive was Hall's attempt at a hat-trick. When Darren Moore upended Patrick Agyemang in the penalty area, Hall claimed a kick that he struck weakly for Steele to block and gather.

QPR remained unconvincing, Cerny fretting as the visitors tested him from set pieces. It was an ill-considered challenge by Marciano van Homoet that eased QPR's passage towards full-time - the full-back lunging at Pajero a few minutes after the Spaniard's arrival from the bench.

'We had a two-minute spell with two set plays where the defending wasn't good enough,' said Barnsley boss Simon Davey, 'but in the second half there was only one team in it.' Observer

Sky - Dowie ignores rift rumours

QPR boss Iain Dowie shrugged off speculation about his future following his team's 2-1 victory at home to Barnsley on the opening day of the Coca-Cola Championship season.

Fitz Hall scored twice and then missed a penalty as Rangers came from behind to beat the Tykes, who had Marciano van Homoet sent off.

But Dowie remains under pressure with Rangers among the favourites for promotion and his position is reported to be under threat following a disagreement with the club's co-owner Flavio Briatore.
Mischief
"People will make mischief," said Dowie.

"It always surprises me when people don't want to be positive and instead write negative stories. I'm a positive person.

"We have high-profile owners here and the tag of favourites is going to stay. But we have to embrace that and tackle it head-on."

Dowie admitted he was not happy with his side's defending during the opening-day win.

"Barnsley played well and defensively we were too open. We were a little bit too gung-ho," Dowie admitted.

"But in the end we got a win out of a potentially difficult situation. It says a lot about the character of the team.

"We got the job done without being great - I'm not going to pretend otherwise. It's a result we're delighted with, without getting carried away.

"It's a small step on a long road for us. It's the first rung on a 46-rung ladder."

Barnsley boss Simon Davey insisted his team were unlucky to lose and remain on course to enjoy an improved season.

"We had a fantastic start. Iain Hume finished well and we could maybe have scored one or two more," noted Davey.

"In the second half there was only one team in it. We took the game to them. QPR have spent a lot of money and I felt we not only had the lion's share, we were actually the better side.

Disappointed
"I'm disappointed with the result but in terms of the performance, there were good things to come out of it and we'll take that and move on.

"We're a stronger squad than we were last season and we will be a better team."

Davey added: "There's always pressure when you sign a striker for over £1million and there's pressure on Iain Hume, so it was good to see him score." Sky


Telegraph - QPR get off to winning ways in pursuit of Premiership riches - By Duncan White at Loftus Road

PHOTO: Iain Dowie celebrates with the crowd as QPR take the lead
Winning start: Iain Dowie celebrates with the crowd as QPR take the lead Photo: PA

It was all a bit weird down at Loftus Road. On arrival outside the ground we were greeted by air-hostesses with flags, a bizarre mascot of indeterminate species and a man in traditional Arab dress with a hooded hawk on his gloved fist. A real live hawk.

The surreal atmosphere continued into the ground. The various entourages of the new jet-set owners ­ Flavio Briatore, Bernie Ecclestone and Lakshmi Mittal ­ were packed into the directors' box as below them the respective teams emerged between twin pillars of 12 foot flame as volleys of fireworks arced into the air.

Not quite Beijing but there was Tamara Beckwith. The match was equally bizarre. Barnsley led comfortably only for Fitz Hall, the centre back, to score two goals in a minute, the winner a spectacular volley.

Hall went on to miss a penalty for his hat-trick while Barnsley's Marciano van Homoet was sent off for a late lunge on Daniel Parejo, the precocious attacker on loan from Real Madrid. A great way to kick off the soap opera that Queens Park Rangers promises to be this season

Fittingly, beneath the surreal glamour there is a sinister Lynchian sub-plot. Reports in the week had suggested that the manager Iain Dowie was close to being sacked after having a row with chairman Briatore over player recruitment and despite Dowie's denials after the game, the friction of this many egos is going to make for a turbulent few months.

Not that Dowie should be arguing if Briatore had anything to do with the signing of Emmanuel Ledesma, on loan from Genoa. The young Argentine winger looked shell-shocked after the first 10 minutes but then was quite magnificent cutting in on his left foot from the right wing, delivering teasing in-swinging crosses. When he was substituted late on.

For all Ledesma's flair, it was Barnsley who posed the most coherent threat in the early stages. Iain Hume, on debut for Barnsley after his £1.2 million summer move from Leicester, finished neatly after just four minutes, converting Brian Howard's through ball.

"People have raised eyebrows about spending more than a million pounds on a player so I was delighted for Iain," said Davey. "It is disappointing overall though as we were the better team throughout."

It had all looked like being one of those anticlimaxes so typical of football. That was until Fitz Hall ­ who has played for Dowie at three different clubs ­ scored twice in two minutes to turn it all around.

The first came on 29 minutes when Ledesma's swerving free-kick was palmed down by Luke Steele in the Barnsley goal. Dexter Blackstock swept the rebound against the bar; Hall prodded over the line.

Two minutes later and Rangers had the lead. The ball dropped to Hall just inside the box and, to everyone's surprise, he leapt and whipped a volley back across the face of goal and inside the far post.

It all became a bit farcical in the second half when Blackstock was tripped by Darren Moore in the Barnsley box. Dowie insisted that Hall had always been the designated penalty taker ­ a remarkable coincidence as he was now on his hat-trick. He didn't hit the ball quite cleanly but Steel stretched to his right and saved.

With the game petering out it was, in Dowie's words, "marred by a horrendous challenge". Van Homoet went in with excessive force on Parejo and got a straight red and even Davey conceded it the challenge fully warranted the punishment.

Perhaps the left back, wound up by the flamboyant ability of Ledesma, was furious at seeing now having to mark one of Real Madrid's most promising players. Nobody likes the nouveau riche and Rangers could rapidly become the most hated team in this division.

"Respect has go to be the key word," Dowie said. "We have to tried everyone with the same respect, whether we go to Sheffield united or Swindon. I know people are referring to us as the Chelsea of the Championship ­ which I don't believe as we are doing it in a more structured way ­ but that's what we're up against." Telegraph


MAIL - QPR 2 Barnsley 1 - By Sportsmail Reporter

A quickfire brace from Fitz Hall gave QPR all three points in their Coca-Cola Championship opener against Barnsley.

The Tykes went into the lead thanks to Iain Hume's fifth-minute effort as the visitors dominated the early stages at Loftus Road.

But QPR hit back with Hall latching on to two set-pieces to put his side in control at the interval.
QPR's Fitz Hall

QPR's Fitz Hall (centre) is congrtaulated after his second goal against Barnsley

Hall should have completed his hat-trick but he failed to beat visiting
goalkeeper Luke Steele with his second-half penalty.

Marciano Van Homoet was sent off late on for the visitors but it made little
difference as the hosts held on with impressive debutant Emmanuel Jorge Ledesma
controlling the midfield.

Peter Ramage, Kaspars Gorkss, Lee Cook, and on-loan Real Madrid youngster
Daniel Parejo were all also handed full debuts by QPR boss Iain Dowie.

Barnsley manager Simon Davey, whose side hold more modest aspirations for the
coming season than their wealthy hosts, gave debuts to Darren Moore, Mounir El
Haimour and striker Hume.

Both sides had early chances with Jonathan Macken testing former Tottenham
goalkeeper Radek Cerny before Mikele Leigertwood was denied by Barnsley stopper
Steele at the other end.

Former Leicester striker Hume gave the Tykes a dream start as captain Brian
Howard set him up to slot home from inside the area.

The visitors looked to build on their early opener with El Haimour firing an
effort over the bar before QPR's on-loan Genoa midfielder Ledesma forced Steele
into making another save.

Leigertwood then fired in a long-range effort but Steele was equal to it.

Argentinian Ledesma caused the visiting defence all sorts of problems with a
free-kick which was slotted home from close range by Hall in the 29th minute.

Another set-piece, this time a Cook corner, just two minutes later allowed Hall
to volley home a brilliant second and put the hosts ahead.

Patrick Agyemang looked to add to the Londoners' advantage shortly before the
break but his effort went wide of the right-hand upright.

The former Preston striker had the first effort on target of the second half
but Steele managed to make the save.

It was almost a nightmare debut for Moore after he fouled Dexter Blackstock
inside the area, but Steele kept the visitors in the game as he saved Hall's
penalty.

QPR continued to dominate with Ledesma forcing Steele into making two fine
saves from his free-kicks.

Midfielder Leigertwood looked to put the game beyond the Tykes when he managed
to get a shot away from inside the area but his effort went wide of the
left-hand post.

The visitors saw their hopes of grabbing a late equaliser dealt a blow when
defender Van Homoet received a straight red card for a foul on Ledesma in the
83rd minute and the Tykes failed create any further chances. Mail

Also: Managerial Comments

- Official Site Match Reports