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Kilburn Times/Ben Kosky - Got a Buz around the place again!
A WEEK is a long time in football, apparently - so five months is like an eternity when you consider the pace of player turnover at QPR.
During Akos Buzsaky's enforced spell on the sidelines, Rangers brought in three players - Emmanuel Ledesma, Lee Cook and Daniel Parejo - who all operate in the Hungarian's preferred zone of influence behind a main striker.
So it's little surprise that Buzsaky reiterated his willingness to fill any role required of him after finally returning to action with a 10-minute run-out as a substitute at Norwich last week.
But, whereas the former Plymouth playmaker often appeared marginalised on the right wing last season, the 4-2-3-1 system favoured by new boss Iain Dowie should allow him to flourish fully.
"If I have to play centre-back, I'll do that," Buzsaky told the Times. "Of course I prefer to play behind the striker, because that's the area where you can create chances and play passes through.
"Dani is also a very good player and he's in that position as well, so if the gaffer wants me to play on the right side, I will - although Ledesma is doing very well there.
"The most important thing is to be in the team and I will give 100 per cent in any position. The bigger the competition, the harder you have to train and the better player you'll be.
"I'm prepared for that. There are a lot of good players and good personalities too and it's not a fight for places - competition helps everyone and helps the team spirit, which brings the club forward."
Buzsaky played a significant role in ushering QPR away from the lower reaches of the Championship last season after joining the club in November on loan and completing a £500,000 transfer two months later.
A healthy 10 goals in 27 games placed him at the head of the club's scoring charts, but a persistent ankle problem ended his season prematurely after the home game against Charlton in mid-April.
"My ankle was always inflamed and I had a few scans. They couldn't really see what was going on, but I knew something was wrong because recovery was taking a lot of time," Buzsaky recalled.
"So I decided to have the operation and they found a split in the ligament, then I had to go through the treatment and rehabilitation, so it felt like a really long summer.
"I'm so happy to be back - you can train as hard as you like, but you can only get the match rhythm from a game. Hopefully I can build my fitness and be in form very soon.
"That's the past and I want to talk about the future - I'm really happy about the team and how we're doing this season. We are strong now and we want to keep going."
The 26-year-old midfielder has now spent nearly four years at this level since joining Plymouth from Porto - and is relishing the chance to finally be involved in a challenge to reach the next level.
"Every year in this league is hard and you have to fight for three points every time, you can't go to any team and expect to win," added Buzsaky.
"Of course I want to be in the Premier League one day. The most important thing is to be back playing and help the team perform well - and I'm sure I can be in the Premier League with this team. Kilburn Times
Gareth Ainsworth/Kilburn Times On Coventry Game and Looking to Derby and Blackpool "...Still, replays wouldn't have done us any good at Coventry with the penalty we conceded - it was fairly clear-cut and we can't complain.
Overall I felt a draw would probably have been fair. We absolutely battered Coventry in the second half and a few of their players knew they'd been quite lucky when they came off at full-time.
We had positives, though - not conceding from open play again, Akos getting minutes under his belt and the fact that despite losing the game, we're still fourth in the league.
In the past we might have settled for four points from our next two home games, but now we have to aim for all six.
Derby could be tricky - it's a situation where they're still feeling the shock of relegation and trying to get out of a rut.
They were always going to win at some stage, but you need more than one win if you're going to compete and I don't think we'll see the best of Derby for some time yet.
Paul Jewell's sides always work hard when he's able to bring in his own players and I get the feeling he's still in the middle of that process now.
The Championship has a habit of swallowing up a big club every now and then - as QPR know only too well - and Derby have to be careful that doesn't happen to them.
Blackpool aren't as big a club as Derby, but they're in good form at the moment and it's always pleasing if you can beat a team in form.
I'm sure Nards will have a point to prove if he plays. He never really got a run at QPR and because he's a player who really thrives on confidence and scoring goals, it didn't work out for him here.
But the lads will know how to handle him and the rest of the Blackpool team - and I'm sure we've got the firepower to do some damage at the other end of the pitch as well. Kilburn Times
Mirror - QPR will have to splash out to make loanee Lee Cook permanent
QPR will be told they still have to pay £1.7m to sign Fulham winger Lee Cook in January if they want the loan player on a permanent deal. Mirror
Football 365 -OSBOURNE PRIMED FOR BIG VILLA CHANCE
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill may rest some of his regulars for tonight's Carling Cup third round tie against Queens Park Rangers - and one player hoping to take advantage is midfielder Isaiah Osbourne.
The 21-year-old signed a new three-year deal on Tuesday, which commits him to the club until 2011.
"I am delighted Isaiah has signed. He has ability and great strength and his attitude has been fantastic this season," said O'Neill.
"His contract was running out and we wanted to renew it. We think he has a future here and importantly, so does Isaiah."
Striker John Carew believes QPR are destined to join them in the Barclays Premier League.
"QPR are one of the most high-profile teams in the Championship and they have masses of potential," Carew told the club's website, www.avfc.co.uk.
"They are an up-and-coming club and I fully expect them to be a Premier League team soon.
"It is a massive game for us and we have to be thoroughly prepared for it.
"They may be in the division below us but there's no doubt they will be up for it.
"You always get that in these cup games because they are after the ultimate scalp - a Premier League club.
"We are desperate to win some silverware here at Villa - it's been too long for the supporters. The League Cup offers a big chance for us to do well.
"We would love to go all the way to the final and a date at Wembley." Football 365
Telegraph/Oliver Pickup - Carling Cup: QPR's Ian Dowie will drop old pals act when his side face Aston Villa
Queens Park Rangers manager Iain Dowie will put friendship to one side when he attempts to defeat his mentor Martin O'Neill in the Carling Cup.
The former Northern Ireland internationals, who became good friends two years ago while at the World Cup in Germany, will go head to head when the west Londoners take on Aston Villa at Villa Park.
Elder statesman O'Neill, 56, who made 64 appearances for his country, has offered advice and hot drinks to 59-cap Dowie during his management career.
The 43-year-old Dowie said: "Martin and I spent a lot of time together at the World Cup in Germany and we got to know each other very well and are good friends.
"I always keep track of him and of course there is the Northern Ireland connection too.
"I've been for a cup of tea in his office a few times. He is a very busy man but he has been very helpful."
Dowie, who scored for Crystal Palace in the 1994-95 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park to take Manchester United to a replay, is envious of the firepower his opposite number can call upon.
"Martin has put Gabriel Agbonlahor in, and bought in other English youngsters Nigel Reo-Coker, Ashley Young, Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Nicky Shorey," the former Coventry manager added.
"Martin's side has a very good balance and it is refreshing what he is doing in regards to selecting young Englishmen, when these days teams are packed with foreigners.
"In Ashley Young – one of the best natural wingers in the game – and Agbonlahor you have the cream of British talent.
"I went to watch them on Sunday against West Bromwich and they were a real potent attacking threat.
"I don't think I need to get my players up for it. If you are not up for playing against the best young British players in the country then you should not be in the game."
On the prospect of QPR, who are fourth in the Championship, progressing to the fourth round of the Carling Cup, Dowie said: "We have a very pacey defence but it is difficult when Agbonlahor drops off and even if you hold a high line he can get behind you. And John Carew is a big part of his game and a good foil for him, so we will have to be on our game."
Aston Villa's Norwegian international striker is impressed with Iain Dowie's team. John Carew believes his side's Carling Cup opponents are destined to join them in the Barclays Premier League.
He said: "QPR are one of the most high-profile teams in the Championship and they have masses of potential.
"They are an up-and-coming club and I fully expect them to be a Premier League team soon. It is a massive game for us and we have to be thoroughly prepared for it. They may be in the division below us but there's no doubt they will be up for it.
"You always get that in these cup games because they are after the ultimate scalp – a Premier League club.
"We are desperate to win some silverware here at Villa – it's been too long for the supporters. The League Cup offers a big chance for us to do well. We would love to go all the way to the final and a date at Wembley."
Villa boss Martin O'Neill may rest some of his regulars for the match – and one player hoping to take advantage is midfielder Isaiah Osbourne.
The 21-year-old signed a new three-year deal, which commits him to the club until 2011.
O'Neill said: "I am delighted Isaiah has signed. He has ability and great strength and his attitude has been fantastic this season. His contract was running out and we waited to renew it.
"We think he has a future here and importantly, so does Isaiah." Telegraph
Two Ex-QPR Birthdays
Matt Rose Turns 33. Born September 24, 1975
Spent ten seasons with QPR before being released to join Yeovil (He left in the summer, and may have retired). The unluckily often-injured Rose has played some 200+ games. Rose was signed for 500,000 pounds from Arsenal by Stuart Houston in the summmer of 1997. Rose/Stats See also: Matt Rose Remembered
Rufus Brevett Turns 39 - Born September 24, 1969
Signed by Don Howe from Doncaster Rovers in March 1991, (around the same time that QPR also signed defenders Peacock and Tillson.) Brevett played almost 150 games for QPR before being sold to Fulham in January 1998 (in what generally came to be seen as a bad move by QPR!). For a few months was 'Sporting Director' at Swindon after the club's takeover. Brevett/Stats See also: Wikipedia/Brevett
- Vital Football Aston Villa Interview with Vital Football QPR/Fan Adam Boxer -- Vital Football Aston Villa