QPR Snippets - Baidoo, Furlong, Agogo...Flashback: Gregory and Nardiello Speaking...Relegation Predicted

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A tale of contrasts: Shabbaz Baidoo and Paul Furlong

Shabbaz Baidoo Trialing at non-league Lewes. Sill only 20, Baidoo has gone a long way since signing a new contract with QPR a couple of years ago, after talk of a Premiership transfer. [Two years ago, tomorrow, Baidoo was in the QPR XI team which played Lewes (QPR XI: Thomas, Goode, Munday, Evatt, Hislop, Tchakounte, Doherty, Bailey, Baidoo, Donnelly, Moore. Subs (all used): R Jones, trialist, Cousins, Howell, Rose.) - Match Report

The Argus/Howard Griggs - Fraser set for Rooks debut
James Fraser makes his Lewes debut tomorrow and will give manager Kevin Keehan a headache in the process.
The younger brother of Albion midfielder Tommy makes his bow for the Rooks in their final pre-season friendly at home to Havant and Waterlooville.
He will line-up alongside former Queens Park Rangers striker Shabazz Baidoo who has joined the club on trial. .....Baidoo will also make his debut against Havant. The 21-year-old striker was on Arsenal’s books as a youngster and made his debut for QPR at the age of 16. He went on to make 28 League appearances for QPR, scoring three times, before being released in January.
He immediately joined Dagenham and Redbridge but is now looking for a fresh start.
Keehan will make a decision on all of his remaining trialists in the next few days...."The Argus


Birmingham Mercury - Paul Furlong Still Playing
Former Birmingham City legend Paul Furlong is still playing for Southend at 40 years old
Paul Furlong will turn 40 in October, but the veteran Southend striker is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.
The former Chelsea, Birmingham, Watford and QPR forward is determined to end his career on a high after joining the Shrimpers on a free transfer from crisis-club Luton in June.
Furlong has scored goals on a consistent basis for every club he has played for since starting out at non-league Enfield and is now relishing the chance to make his mark at Roots Hall.
"I want to play a big part at Southend," said Furlong. "I don't want to be a bit-part player but that ultimately is down to me and how well I play.
"I'm not here to make up the numbers. I'm getting to the end of my career but I still have the hunger to do well and I can't wait to get started.
"Hopefully my experience can help those around me. I did that at Luton last year and I like passing on the things I've learned throughout my own career."
Steve Tilson's side reached the League One play-offs last season before being thrashed 5-1 by Doncaster on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Furlong is now hoping his experience and attacking nous can help the Shrimpers go one better this time around.
He added: "At my age, chances are few and far between and I'm delighted to be here.
"It's a great club and with the way the team finished last season I think we can do really well next year.
"I bring a lot of experience to the table, hopefully I am able to pass on my knowledge to the younger players here."
During a frenetic summer, Tilson has offloaded no fewer than 10 players while the likes of Furlong, Steve Mildenhall and Osei Sankofa have arrived.
The Shrimpers have endured a subdued start to pre-season, beating Great Wakering Rovers, Thurrock and Witham Town, drawing against Canvey Island and losing at the hands of Fulham and Braintree Town.
But Furlong insists Tilson's new-look side can only be truly judged when the new season gets under way against Peterborough on August 9 and enhancing fitness levels is key at this time of year, not grinding out results.
"It's difficult to judge how you're doing from pre-season friendlies, they're about getting fit so you can't really read too much into things yet - you judge yourself from the start of the season," said Furlong.
"I'm definitely confident we're going to do well because it's a young squad here and with a lot of talent and we're all raring to go. We just want the serious stuff to start."
When the serious stuff does start assistant boss Paul Brush is backing Furlong - along with those playing alongside him - to flourish.
"We're not expecting him to play 54 games and 90 minutes every game," said Brush.
"When he's out there we're looking for him to make an input by helping to bring on the other forwards we've got at the club with his experience and knowledge." Birmingham Mercury


Birthday - Junior Agogo Turns 29: One-time (very briefly - two games in 2001-2002) QPR player, Junior Agogo


John Gregory a Year Ago Talking about spending all his available money on his two signings: Lee Camp and Simon Walton...
"...That's it now, the money's all gone. "The chairman said I could have £500,000 of the proceeds and spend it whichever way I felt fit, whether it was 10 players or one player. I would have paid the whole £500,000 for Lee Camp, trust me, without question. "Fortunately we got him at a reasonable price and I was able to spend some more money on Simon Walton, who's still only 19 and I think he's got a big future ahead of him. "We might have to go into the loan market again as the season progresses, but this will probably be the squad that starts for me..." Gregory


Danny Nardiello Two Years Ago:
Danny Nardiello speaking about Choosing QPR over Norwich, Coventry )and Barnsley): "...Norwich were also keen to secure Nardiello's signature, but the striker admitted: "After speaking to the gaffer, hearing what he had to say and seeing the set-up here, my mind was made up. "It was a big decision for me to make - Coventry's the team I supported as a kid and my dad [Donato] also played for them - but I felt QPR was the right move for me and hopefully that'll prove to be the right decision..." Nardiello


Two Year Flashback: Relegation Predicted for QPR
The Times - Championship Preview
"QUEENS PARK RANGERS - There will be plenty of new faces on the pitch at Loftus Road this season, but unfortunately for Rangers supporters, most of Gary Waddock’s signings, who come from all corners of the globe, are untried both in this country and at this level. Expect to see a new face in the home dugout if they do not gel quickly into a winning side. Last season: 21st. This season: could go down" The Times

Soccernet's Championship Preview 2006/07...QPR -
Last season: 21st Manager: Gary Waddock - A QPR favourite who offers the prospect of better football at Loftus Road, despite a mediocre end to the season.
In: Damion Stewart (Bradford, free), Adam Czerkas (Kolporter Korona, loan), Egutu Oliseh (La Louviere, free), Armel Tchakounte (Kitchee FC, free), Nick Ward (Perth Glory, free).
Out: Dean Sturridge (Kidderminster, free), Richard Langley (Luton, free).
A largely unprofitable March and April did not stop QPR promoting Gary Waddock to succeed Ian Holloway, whose style of football may be deemed more suitable for the lower divisions.
Despite an eclectic bunch of rather cheap signings, he will operate with basically the same squad. The benefit is that it still includes Danny Shittu, the giant centre back whose uncompromising displays have attracted attention. The downside is that an ageing forward line requires rejuvenation and, as Marc Nygaard (9) was the most successful, a prolific scorer.
Waddock also needs to ease a reliance on Gareth Ainsworth to create while proving an end-of-season slump was not a sign of things to come.
Key man: Danny Shittu - QPR's leader in defence. He could be rather overworked this season.
One to watch: Shabazz Baidoo - Lively young striker who was normally used as a substitute last year.
Must do better: Stefan Moore - Came from Aston Villa in search of first-team football, but did not really make the most of it.
Prediction: If Waddock can ally a greater emphasis on passing with the spirit and resilience that were trademarks of Holloway's team, mid-table. If not, they may be among the strugglers. Soccernet

2006/07 - Predicted Championship - Final League Table
Championship 1. West Brom2. Southampton3. Crystal Palace4. Birmingham City5. Coventry City6. Sunderland7. Derby County8. Leeds United9. Wolves10. Burnley11. Norwich City12. Preston 13. Leicester City14. Cardiff City15. Stoke City16. Hull17. Ipswich Town18. Sheffield Wednesday19. Plymouth Argyle20. Southend United21. Luton Town22. Barnsley23. QPR24. Colchester United Soccernet


Coming soon (as I noted three weeks ago!): The latest Football League Half Yearly Report on Agents Spending